"As an Am" features recordings from three separate shows. Track 1 is from May 19, 1981 at Rockline, KLOS-FM, Los Angeles, California; tracks 2 and 3 are from May 21, 1982 at Sporthalle, Cologne, Germany and tracks 4-6 are from October 31, 1981 at The Palladium, New York City.
"As An Am", a sonic snapshot of my musical mind from the early 80s, serves as a middle finger to those bootleg-peddling parasites who tried to profit off my work. In true Zappa fashion, I decided to beat 'em at their own game, unleashing this live monstrosity in 1991 as part of my "Beat The Boots" campaign. This was a project where I personally curated and released a series of albums to compete with illegal recordings circulating in the underground market.
This ain't your mama's greatest hits compilation, folks. It's a raw, unfiltered, and unapologetic journey through my musical labyrinth. We kick things off with a snippet from a 1981 radio interview, where I express my distaste for bootleggers in a way that only I can. Then, we dive headfirst into the musical mayhem with tracks recorded in Cologne and New York City.
From the frenzied guitar solos and complex time signatures of "Young & Monde" (a precursor to the more polished "Let's Go To Cleveland," which you might recognize from the "You Are What You Is" album) to the emotionally charged "Sharleena" (a classic ballad that showcases my softer side) and the chaotic, yet oddly captivating "Black Page #2" (a notorious piece known for its challenging rhythmic structure), this album showcases my eclectic and ever-evolving musical style. It's a mix of rock, jazz, funk, and avant-garde, with a healthy dose of absurdity thrown in for good measure.
Now, don't expect pristine sound quality here. This is a live album in its purest form,warts and all. But that's the beauty of it, isn't it? You get to experience the raw energy and unpredictability of my live shows, without any studio trickery or overdubbing.
The band is a well-oiled machine, with Steve Vai's jaw-dropping guitar wizardry, Tommy Mars and Bobby Martin tickling the ivories with manic glee, and the rhythm section of Scott Thunes, Chad Wackerman, and Ed Mann laying down a solid foundation. The lineup on this album is particularly notable as it features Steve Vai in one of his first recorded performances with my band.
"As An Am" isn't for the faint of heart. It's challenging, it's provocative, and it's definitely not for everyone. But for those who dare to venture into the Zappa-verse, it's a fascinating glimpse into my creative process and a testament to the power of live music. So put on your headphones, crank up the volume, and prepare to have your musical sensibilities challenged and your preconceived notions shattered.
Music Genre:Prog Rock , Avant Garde, Jazz |
Label & Catalognr Information:FOO-EEE RI-70537 |
Media Format:12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram |
Complete Track Listing of: "FRANK ZAPPA - As An Am" |
The Songs/tracks on "FRANK ZAPPA - As An Am" are
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Note: The photos on this page are taken from albums in my personal collection. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone ).
"As An Am" Record Label Details: FOO-EEE RI-70537
United Artists Records UAS 29 218 XD , 1971 , Germany
"200 Motels" is the 1971 American-British musical surrealist film cowritten and directed by Frank Zappa and Tony Palmer and starring The Mothers of Invention, Theodore Bikel and Ringo Starr.
200 Motels (1971, Germany) 12" Vinyl LPTMOQ TradeMark Of Quality , 1971 , USA
Bootleg recording capturing a live performance from the iconic rock band. Released on green vinyl, this collector's gem is alternatively known as "Contempo '70" among enthusiasts, distinguishing it from the official 200 Motels album
200 Motels TMOQ Green Vinyl (1971, USA) 12" Vinyl LPDISCREET DIS 59201 , 1974 , Germany
Frank Zappa's 1974 cult classic "Apostrophe" on 12" vinyl. Features Zappa staples like "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow" & a stellar band with Jean-Luc Ponty & Napoleon Murphy Brock.
Apostrophe (1974, Germany) 12" Vinyl LPFOO-EEE RI-70537
"As an Am" features recordings from three separate shows. Track 1 is from May 19, 1981 at Rockline, KLOS-FM, Los Angeles, California; tracks 2 and 3 are from May 21, 1982 at Sporthalle, Cologne, Germany and tracks 4-6 are from October 31, 1981 at The Palladium, New York City.
As An Am 12" Vinyl LPCBS S 8216 , 1979 , Germany
"Bobby Brown" is a satirical and humorous song that explores the life of the titular character, touching on themes of narcissism and societal expectations.
Bobby Brown b/w Stick it Out 7" Vinyl SingleLaDISCREET DS 2234 / 31,936 bel , 1975 , USA
This is the album released by Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart in 1975. The live portions were recorded on 20 & 21 May 1975 at the Armadillo World Headquarters in Austin, Texas. Studio tracks were recorded in January 1975
Bongo Fury (1975, USA) 12" Vinyl LPZappa's first effort of the 1970s marks the first appearance of former Turtles members Flo & Eddie on a Zappa record, and signals the dawn of a controversial epoch in Zappa's history
Chunga's Revenge (1970, Canada) Chunga's Revenge 1st German Release Chunga's Revenge (1970, Germany)FOO-EEE RI 70539
"Freaks and Motherfu*#@%! 12" Vinyl LP Album" captures a memorable live performance at Fillmore East, New York City, on 13 November 1 1970. The album features a blend of Zappa's unique musicality and humor, with tracks like "Call Any Vegetable" and "Wino Man" showcasing his avant-garde style. This LP offers a glimpse into Zappa's experimental genius during that era
Freaks And Motherfu*#@%! 12" LPREPRISE 44209 , 1972 , Germany
This is the 1972 jazz fusion album by Frank Zappa. Composed and recorded during Zappa's period of convalescence following his assault in London, the album, along with its "twin brother" Waka/Jawaka (July 1972), represent Zappa's foray into big band fusion, the logical progression from Hot Rats (1969), which used a much smaller lineup.
Grand Wazoo (1972, Germany) 12" LPBarking Pumpkin Records D1-74212 , 1988 , USA
Guitar is the 1988 album by Frank Zappa. It is the follow-up to 1981's Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar; like that album it features Zappa's guitar solos excerpted from live performances, recorded between 1979 and 1984. It garnered Zappa his 6th Grammy nomination for "Best Rock Instrumental Performance".
Guitar (1988, USA) 12" 2LPThis was released in October 1969. Five of the six songs are instrumental ("Willie the Pimp" features a short vocal by Captain Beefheart). It was Zappa's first recording project after the dissolution of the original Mothers of Invention.
Hot Rats - Germany Manufactured by TELDEC Hot Rats - German Reprise RecordsWORLDWHITE Hi-Fi Concert Serie WWA 13 , 1971 , Holland
Recorded in 1971 at Ahoy Hallen in Rotterdam. This collector's gem showcases the eclectic genius of Frank Zappa and his band. Side One features tracks like "Peaches En Regalia" and "Tears Began To Fall,"
In Europe / Inspiration WorldWhite (1971, Holland)CBS 86101 , 1979 , Holland
This album "Joe's Garage Act I" is the 1979 rock opera by Frank Zappa. Zappa self-deprecatingly describes the album as a stupid little story about how the government is going to do away with music
Joe's Garage Act I (1979, Holland) 12" LPVERVE 2317 046 , 1968 , UK (United Kingdom)
"Lumpy Gravy "is the debut solo album by Frank Zappa, recorded with a group of session players he dubbed the Abnuceals Emuukha Electric Symphony Orchestra.
Lumpy Gravy (1968, GB) 12" LPCBS 25251 , 1983 , Holland
The album is named after a 1950s song, written by Donald and Doris Woods, which Zappa covers as part of "The Man from Utopia Meets Mary Lou".
The Man From Utopia (1983, Holland) 12" LPBarking Pumpkin Records ST-74203 , 1985 , USA
The album's title is a reference to the lobby group, the PMRC, who were campaigning to require record companies to put warning stickers on albums they considered offensive, and to Zappa's former band, The Mothers of Invention.
Meets the Mothers of Prevention (1985, USA) 12" LPDiscReet Records DIS 59207 (Z) , 1975 , Germany
" One Size Fits All FOC" is the 1975 rock album by Frank Zappa The album features the final version of The Mothers of Invention, with George Duke, Chester Thompson, Ruth Underwood, Tom Fowler and Napoleon Murphy Brock.
One Size Fits All (1975, Germany) 12" LPDiscreet Records DSK 2294 , 1979 , USA
"Orchestral Favorites 12" is the original release capturing live recordings of the "Abnuceals Emuukha Electric Symphony Orchestra" at Royce Hall, UCLA in 1975
Orchestral Favorites 12" LPFOO-EEE RI 60544
Piquantique a recording capturing Zappa's performance at Solliden, Skansen, Stockholm, on 21 August 1973, with one track from the Roxy in December 1973.
Piquantique Stockholm 1973 12" LPAMAZING KORNYFONE (aka KORNYPHONE) , 1971
"Poot Face Booogie" is a captivating 12" LP vinyl that combines live recordings from Frank Zappa's 1971 performance at Ahoy Rotterdam with studio recordings from 1968. Notably, Zappa sings "Geef Mij Wat Vloer Bedekking Onder Deze Vette Zwevende Sofa"
Poot Face Booogie 12" LPDISCREET 2DS 2202 31,792 , 1974 , USA
Most of the songs were recorded at The Roxy Theatre in Hollywood, California on December 8, 9 and 10, 1973. The material taken from the Roxy concerts was later amended with some overdubs in the studio
Roxy & Elsewhere (1974, USA) 12" 2LPFOO-EEE RI-70543
This is an unofficial 2LP vinyl album that captures Frank Zappa's live performance at Ludwigparkstadion, Saarbrücken, Germany, on 3 September 1978.
Saarbrücken 1978 12" 2LPKnown for its satirical lyrics and complex compositions, "Sheik Yerbouti" offers a unique blend of rock, jazz, and humor that has made it a classic in Zappa's discography.
Sheik Yerbouti - England Release Sheik Yerbouti - Holland ReleaseCBS 85804 , 1982 , Holland
This album features five tracks composed by Zappa, and one song, "Valley Girl", co-written with Moon Unit Zappa, his daughter, who provided the spoken monologue mocking some of the Valley girls at her school
Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch (1982, Holland) 12" Vinyl LPCBS 66368 , 1981 , Holland
"Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar" highlighting Zappa's virtuosity on the electric guitar. This album is a collection of instrumental compositions and improvised solos, emphasizing Zappa's exceptional guitar skills
Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar Box-set (1981, Holland) 12" Vinyl 3LPThe album opens with "The Closer You Are", a soulful cover that showcases Zappa's versatility. His rendition of this classic by The Channels brings a new dimension to the song, setting the tone for the auditory adventure that follows.
Them Or Use - European Edition Them Or Us - French EditionCBS 88516 , 1981 , Holland
"Tinsel Town Rebellion" was conceived by Zappa after he scrapped the planned albums "Warts and All" and "Crush All Boxes", and it contains tracks that were intended for those albums.
Tinsel Town Rebellion DLP FOC (1981, Holland) 12" Vinyl LPFOO-EEE RI 70542 , 1967 , Stockholm
The hilarious album front cover of Frank Zappa's unofficial album "'Tis the season to be jelly" is an illustration of Frank Zappa wearing an Oxygen tank and showing off his green smelly sock.
Tis The Season To Be Jelly , Live in Sweden 1967 (Unofficial / Bootleg) 12" Vinyl LPFOO-EEE RI-70540
Unmitigated Audacity 12" Vinyl LP Album captures the energy of Frank Zappa's live performance at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, on 12 May 1974. This album features an eclectic mix of Zappa's iconic tracks,
Unmitigated Audacity (Unofficial / Bootleg) 12" Vinyl LPREPRISE 44209 , 1972 , Germany
"Waka Jawaka" is the jazz-influenced precursor to The Grand Wazoo (November 1972), and as the front cover indicates, sequel of sorts to 1969's Hot Rats. According to Zappa, the title "is something that showed up on a Ouija board at one time."
Waka / Jawaka - Hot Rats (1972, USA) 12" Vinyl LPCBS 88560 , 1981 , Holland
"You Are What You Is" is a captivating double LP gatefold vinyl album that showcases Zappa's musical and artistic prowess. Inside the gatefold cover, you'll find stunning artwork and photos.
You Are What You Is (1981, Holland) 12" Vinyl LP"Zoot Allures" was Zappa's only release on the Warner Bros. Records label. Due to a lawsuit with his former manager Herb Cohen Frank Zappa's recording contract was temporarily re-assigned from DiscReet Records to Warner Bros.
Zoot Allures - German Release Zoot Allures - Netherlands Release