FRANK ZAPPA HOT RATS GATEFOLD German Release 12" LP Vinyl Album

Album Description & Collectors information:

Because Hot Rats focuses on instrumental jazz-like compositions with extensive soloing, the music sounds very different from earlier Zappa albums, which featured satirical vocal performances with extensive use of musique concrète and editing. Multi-instrumentalist Ian Underwood is the only member of the Mothers to appear on the album and was the primary musical collaborator. Other featured musicians were Max Bennett and Shuggie Otis on bass, drummers Aynsley Dunbar and John Guerin and electric violinists Don "Sugarcane" Harris and Jean-Luc Ponty.

 The cover art of Frank Zappa's album "Hot Rats" features a photograph of a rat on a red background. The rat is shown in a close-up, with its head and front paws raised, as if it is sniffing the air. The image is framed by a white border, with the title "Hot Rats" in bold, block letters at the top and the credits and other information at the bottom. The overall design is simple and eye-catching, with the red background and the striking image of the rat creating a bold and memorable visual statement. The cover art for "Hot Rats" has become iconic and is widely recognized as one of Frank Zappa's most famous and enduring images.

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Album Production Information:

The album: "FRANK ZAPPA - Hot Rats Gatefold" was produced by: Frank Zappa

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Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: FRANK ZAPPA - Hot Rats Gatefold

Band-members, Musicians and Performers
• Frank Zappa – electric guitar, percussion, octave bass
• Ian Underwood – organ, clarinet, flute, piano, saxophone

    Ian Underwood (Full-name: Ian Robertson Underwood ) was born in 1939 and an American multi-instrumentalist, arranger, and composer who is best known for his work with the musical group the Mothers of Invention, led by Frank Zappa. Underwood played various instruments, including keyboards, saxophone, and flute, on many of Zappa's recordings, and was also a contributing composer. He played a significant role in the development of Zappa's eclectic and innovative musical style and was a member of the Mothers of Invention from 1965 to 1970.

• also featuring
• Max Bennett – bass on all tracks except "Peaches en Regalia"

    Max Bennett an American bassist and session musician. He is known for his work as a session player in the 1960s and 1970s, appearing on numerous recordings by prominent artists in various genres, including jazz, pop, and rock. Bennett's bass playing can be heard on recordings by artists such as Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Elvis Presley, and Quincy Jones. He was also a member of the Wrecking Crew, a group of Los Angeles-based session musicians who played on numerous hit records during the 1960s and 1970s.

• Captain Beefheart – vocals on "Willie the Pimp"

  Captain Beefheart (Full-name: Don Van Vliet ) Captain Beefheart was the pseudonym of Don Van Vliet (1941-2010), an American musician, singer, and artist. He was best known as the frontman of the experimental rock group Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band, which he formed in the 1960s. Captain Beefheart's music was characterized by its eclectic and unconventional style, blending elements of blues, avant-garde, and psychedelic rock. He was known for his distinctive and often abstract vocals, as well as his innovative approach to composition and arrangement. Captain Beefheart retired from music in the 1980s to focus on painting and died in 2010 from multiple sclerosis.

    more...

  The origin of Captain Beefheart's stage name is uncertain, but there are several theories. According to one story, it was inspired by a passing comment made by a friend about a drawing that Don Van Vliet (Captain Beefheart) had created. The friend reportedly said the drawing looked like a "captain's hat" and the "beef heart" of a steer. Another theory is that the name was a reference to a fictional character created by Van Vliet, who was depicted as a bluesman with a heart made of beef. However, Van Vliet himself was often cryptic and evasive when asked about the origin of his stage name, adding to the mystery surrounding it.

  Don Van Vliet was born in Glendale, Los Angeles, California, United States on 15/01/1941. He was the first child of Glen Alonzo Vliet 27/06/1909 and Willie Sue Warfield 03/09/1913.

  When he was 25 years old, his father Glen Alonzo Vliet died (10/02/1966). When he was 66 years old, his mother Willie Sue Warfield died (20/02/2007).

  On 17/12/2010, he died in Arcata, Humboldt, California, United States when he was 69 years old. In Dec 2010, he was buried in Trinidad Cemetery, Trinidad, Humboldt, California, United States.

• John Guerin – drums on "Willie the Pimp", "Little Umbrellas" and "It Must Be a Camel"

    John Guerin (Full-name; John Payne Guerin ) is an American drummer and percussionist. He is known for his work as a session musician in the 1960s and 1970s, appearing on numerous recordings by prominent artists in various genres, including jazz, rock, and pop. Guerin's drumming can be heard on recordings by artists such as Thelonious Monk, Nancy Sinatra, Linda Ronstadt, and Jaco Pastorius. He was also a member of the Wrecking Crew, a group of Los Angeles-based session musicians who played on numerous hit records during the 1960s and 1970s.

• Don "Sugarcane" Harris – violin on "Willie the Pimp" and "The Gumbo Variations"

    Don "Sugarcane" Harris was an American electric violinist and guitarist. He was a pioneer of the electric violin and a prominent figure in the development of jazz-rock fusion. Harris began his career as a session musician and later formed the jazz-rock group The Don Harris/Debbie Sherry Quartet. He collaborated with many notable musicians, including Frank Zappa, who produced several of his albums, and Jeff Beck, with whom he formed the group The Jeff Beck Group. Harris was known for his virtuoso playing style and innovative approach to the electric violin. He passed away in 1999.

• Paul Humphrey – drums on "Son of Mr. Green Genes" and "The Gumbo Variations"

    Paul Humphrey Paul Humphrey an American drummer and percussionist. He is known for his work as a session musician in the 1960s and 1970s, appearing on numerous recordings by prominent artists in various genres, including jazz, rock, and funk. Humphrey's drumming can be heard on recordings by artists such as Frank Zappa, The Doors, and Lou Rawls. He was a member of the Wrecking Crew, a group of Los Angeles-based session musicians who played on numerous hit records during the 1960s and 1970s. Humphrey is regarded as one of the most influential drummers of his time, known for his groovy and funk-infused playing style.

• Shuggie Otis – bass on "Peaches en Regalia"

    Shuggie Otis (Full-name: Johnny Alexander Veliotes Jr. ) Shuggie Otis is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. He was born in Los Angeles in 1953, and is the son of the legendary blues guitarist and bandleader Johnny Otis. Shuggie Otis began playing music at a young age and learned to play various instruments, including guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards. He recorded his first album, "Here Comes Shuggie Otis," in 1969 at the age of 16 and became known for his blend of blues, soul, and psychedelic rock. He went on to release several more albums in the 1970s and 1980s, but did not achieve widespread commercial success until later in his career. Otis's music was re-discovered and celebrated by a new generation of fans in the 1990s, and he has since continued to perform and record. He is considered a highly influential and innovative musician, known for his virtuoso playing and his eclectic blend of styles.

• Jean-Luc Ponty – violin on "It Must Be a Camel"

    Jean-Luc Ponty a French jazz violinist and composer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most innovative jazz violinists of all time. Ponty began his career in the 1960s and quickly gained recognition for his virtuoso playing and his eclectic style, which blended elements of jazz, classical music, and rock. He has collaborated with many prominent musicians, including Frank Zappa, John McLaughlin, and Al Di Meola. Ponty is known for his inventive and experimental approach to the jazz violin, and his recordings and performances have influenced many musicians in the jazz, classical, and rock worlds. He has released over 30 albums as a leader and continues to tour and perform to this day.

• Ron Selico – drums on "Peaches en Regalia"

    Ron Selico an American drummer and percussionist. He is best known for his work as a session musician in the 1960s and 1970s, appearing on numerous recordings by prominent artists in various genres, including jazz, rock, and pop. Selico's drumming can be heard on recordings by artists such as Frank Zappa, Wayne Shorter, and Chet Baker. He was also a member of the Wrecking Crew, a group of Los Angeles-based session musicians who played on numerous hit records during the 1960s and 1970s. Selico is regarded as one of the most talented and versatile drummers of his time, known for his ability to adapt to different musical styles and his dynamic and musical approach to drumming.

• Lowell George - guitar (uncredited)

    Lowell George (Full-name: Lowell Thomas George ) was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He was best known as the lead guitarist and frontman of the band Little Feat. George formed Little Feat in 1969 and the band became known for their unique blend of rock, blues, country, and R&B. They released several critically acclaimed albums in the 1970s, including "Dixie Chicken" and "Feats Don't Fail Me Now." George was known for his soulful voice, virtuoso guitar playing, and his songwriting, which was characterized by its humor, social commentary, and storytelling. He passed away in 1979 at the age of 34. Despite his relatively short career, George has been recognized as one of the most influential and innovative musicians of his time, and his music continues to be celebrated by fans and musicians alike.

   Lowell Thomas George was born in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States on 13/04/1945. He was the first child of Willard Hampton George 20/07/1889 and Florence Louise Shrote 28/01/1910.

   When he was 11 years old, his father Willard Hampton George died (23/10/1956).

   On 19/04/1950, he lived in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States. His occupation was an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer.

   On 29/6/1979, he died in Arlington, Virginia, United States when he was 34 years old.

• Harvey Shantz – Snorks

Complete Track-listing of the album "FRANK ZAPPA - Hot Rats Gatefold"

The detailed tracklist of this record "FRANK ZAPPA - Hot Rats Gatefold" is:

Track-listing Side One:
1. "Peaches en Regalia" 3:38
2. "Willie the Pimp" 9:25
3. "Son of Mr. Green Genes" 8:58

Side Two:
1. "Little Umbrellas" 3:09
2. "The Gumbo Variations" 12:55
3. "It Must Be a Camel" 5:15