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I saw FZ once circa Joe's Garage, and always loved and respected his genius and weirdness. Being my first ZPZ show, I didn't know what to expect. I was was also afraid I wouldn't know much of the music, Frank's catalogue being so huge. But I knew about half the songs, including Penguin In Bondage, Village of the Sun, Peaches En Regalia, Cletus Awretus Alrightus, Zombie Wolf, Illinois Enima Bandit, Cosmic Debris, Lumpy Gravy. And the stuff I didn't know - it didn't matter. What great set list, as both an evening's performance and a representation of FZ's body of work. The songs ranged from Just Great Music By Any Standard, to Kinda Quirky, to Downright Bizarre Yet Wildly Entertaining (Billy the Mountain)
I was pretty sure DZ would have the chops to pull off the Ol' Man's guitar bits... that turned out to be an understatement. I didn't know who else was in the band, figured they'd be capable hired hands. Again, a gross underestimate.
I had to keep picking my jaw up off the floor as I watched eight legitimate virtouosos just GO OFF for three solid hours. I couldn't have been more thoroughly entertained. Since Dweezil didn't introduce them too well, I will be researching the band members here on the inter-tube, so I can become their #1 stalker. Seriously, great vocals, incredible solos all around, and fantastic ensemble playing. I just can't understand how that many people can play that many notes with that many time changes and yet it all sounded tight as a duck's arse. Normally you'd think that the rhythm section was holding it together, which was true, but they were going off too! And the mind boggling thing is they're all doing it from memory, folks.
Dweezil's soloing went from the sublime to the shred-diculous. He kept it true to Frank's style, yet he made it his own and took it to a very high level. What a great night!
As a hack musician, I will be taking my guitars and basses to the shop today because mine JUST DON'T SOUND LIKE THAT! Hell, the guys in my band need music stands just to get the lyrics right.... kinda lame, d'ya think?
Frank would be so proud. Please keep the tour going! I want more! and will drag a bunch of people with me next time!
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