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Did you attend the ZPZ show at HMV Picture House in Edinburgh?

Dweezil and the band love reading your reviews.

Please do not post in this thread if you did not attend the show.

Mikey
Zappa.com Webmeister

I just want to thank Dweezil and the rest of the gang for a fan-freakin-tastic show tonight. From the moment you all came on stage I just couldn't stop smiling! It was an amazing show and I loved the song selection: the slow version of 'Village of the Sun' was outstanding and I loved Ben's theatrics during 'Bamboozled By Love'.
Other highlights included: Scheila's Arabic version of 'Careless Whisper' on a flute; the solos on 'King Kong' and the audience singing 'Bobby Brown' word for word whilst the band sat back and watched!

I've no idea what else was on the setlist, I just remember smiling a lot, shouting and singing a lot and also banging my head to 'Willie The Pimp'! I forgot how heavy Frank's riffs are!

Thank you for coming to Scotland guys! See you next time around!

Peace

Well, having discovered Frank's music in 1988, just a little too late to ever see the great man himself, I thought I was never going to hear his great music played live. However, thanks to Dweezil and the gang, I have finally had the chance, and what an experience it was...

I drove over to Edinburgh and came to the gig on my own, which was the only thing that I'd have changed - being able to share the moment with someone else would have been nice, but I wasn't missing out on this even if I had to crawl on my hands and knees...

What can I say about the gig other than that it was everything I had hoped it to be, and more. The band were tight, oh yes, and the music was first class. I couldn't pick any faults, other than perhaps wishing the band could have squeezed another couple of old favourites in there. As it was, for a two-and-a-bit hour gig, it passed all too quickly but not a second of that time was wasted. Highlights for me included "Don't Eat The Yellow Snow" (and associated parts - how great it was to finally hear this live) and "Inca Roads" (including the bit in the solo where Scheila veered so close to 'Careless Whisper' which was picked up by Dweezil later on - was this planned, or are you guys & gal all such geniuses that this could happen spontaneously????)...

Worth mentioning was the crowd: at first, I wondered at the motley assembly of fans, some of which looked suspiciously like bank managers and not at all what I expected a Frank crowd to look like... but then, we all get older, eh? All questions were answered once the music started and everyone started bopping around, singing along (credit to the guy behind me who was pretty much syncing all of the vocals through the entire gig - impressive). The passion that the crowd had for Frank's music, and Dweezil's band's interpretation of that music, was palpable. I reckon if Christ popped into the Vatican for a wee sermon he couldn't have had a more welcoming and enthusiastic response, such is the loyalty and warmth that FZ fans have for all things Zappa...

So, my first ZPZ gig, and hopefully not my last. Do come back to Scotland soon, I promise I'll attend!!!

john

Wow, what can I say, excuse me in advance for what will probably be a long post.


Me and my Girlfriend (both aged 19) have been massive Frank fans for around 4 years now. In that short space of time we've digested a large portion of his back catalogue and became pretty much hooked, learning how to play pieces etc. When the ZPZ DVD dropped it was almost impossible to get it here at first, so I got it imported from Australia where they were touring at the time and selling it in the merch stand. We were both blown away, and hoped beyond hope that we could hear this music performed live at some time. Well, last night exceeded both of our high expectations.

Everything was perfect, the performance, the musicians, the sound (the mix was crystal clear where I was), the venue, the crowd, everything. The band looked like it was really enjoying itself and the crowd really was too! It was great to hear some extended improv, in particular during Scheila's Inca Roads solo I noticed a familiar eighties-esque melody that I couldn't quite place my finger on, but no one around me seemed to pick up on it. Thankfully Dweezil did and her punishment was swiftly dealt- a middle eastern 5th harmonic minor-like flute solo which needed to incorporate said George Michael melody, and she produced the goods! Hilarious!

Thanks in particular to Ben, Scheila and Dweezil for sticking around after the show, I got to speak to Scheila briefly (first time I've ever been star struck,she really is one of my favorite musicians ever) and I don't think my girlfriend will ever wash her hand again after briefly speaking to Dweezil (it's ok , I understand, he's a Zappa!).

Anyway, we both agreed we'd follow this band around the country next time. Incredible. And Ben, wow, what can I say? The guy can morph the tone of his voice so amazingly it can't really be put into words. Excellent choice for a new singer!

Wow, Fantastic band, fantastic music, fantastic crowd (well done Edinburgh). Last nights gif was superb, I have waited a while for Dweezil to come back, last time I saw him was in Glasgow with his brother at King Tutts as "Z" was a very funny night (obey the raven), all who were there will understand. So after the disappointment of the cancelled Glasgow gig, I was over the moon to see that they were coming to Edinburgh, and boy they did not let me down. The band are so talented, Scheila is amazing with her sax, flute and keyboard skills (that sax solo last night was amazing), Dweezil on his guitar was unbelievable, highlights last night were Bamboozled by Love, what a find Ben is, how superb were his vocals, Edinburgh crowd singing the whole Bobby Brown song, was that deliberate or was Dweezil just enjoying the moment????, anyway it was a superb night, and can someone please post the setlist, would be good to look over it again. Thanks to the band for coming over to Scotland, please come back again soon, I am sure with that reception you will be back, oh and does anyone know if the shows are recorded???, I know the shows in the US are recorded and you can buy them, hope so????.

Fantastic, best concert I've been to in years !

I saw Frank first back in the 70's and on his last UK tour so probably looked liked one of the bank managers mentioned earlier (I'm not a banker by the way). I went with my wife who has never heard let alone seen a Zappa in her life and she was impressed.

For me it's about the music and showcasing the talents of a world-class, unique composer and ZPZ did this superbly as well as displaying their own supreme capabilities. I do like how the players are allowed to do their own thing to the appreciation of the others rather than as a competitive ego thing - so refreshing and so like Frank.

I do hope the exposure of the music to a younger audience continues and becomes a sucess, something Dweezil alluded to with the audience.

To be honest I had never thought I would hear Frank's music played live again. To have done so was a real pleasure so thanks, and come back to Edinburgh again.

Music is the best !

CHE

Thanks for a wonderful gig; it's a real privilege to hear Frank's music being performed live with such enthusiasm, fun and accuracy. I saw him live three times before, 76, 79 & 84 & this was well up to the mark! Everyone in the band get top marks but a particular warm buddy handshake goes to Ben Thomas - he looks like he's been doing this for years.

Thanks also to Scheila for autographing my wife's ticket, it made her day!

Oh yeah, thanks to Dweezil! Come back soon & wear yer kilt!

Many years ago Nanook rubbed the audio stylings of FZ into my ears (kinda tickled a bit) and the notes have been embedded ever since.

Thank you to Dweezil and the whole band - the bongo fury, the Phrygian tinges of *gasp* George Mi.... it was all a fantastic blur. I`d been listening to Black Napkins the night before and when Dweezil played the first few notes I was grinning like an idiot. Boy, that dude can play! I saw him with Ahmet and Z about 13 years ago and couldn`t believe the 105(or so)-track medley they played. If a recording of it exists then the world needs to hear it. Bow before the Raven! All hail it`s power!

If Dweezil is reading this, you must do all you can to recreate the "What the hell was I thinking" project.

And tonight`s secret word is....skean dhu!

Wow!! What an awesome night!!

I never had the chance to see Frank live as I only really got into his music at the start of the 90's, so when ZPZ was announced a few years ago I was really excited and got a ticket straight away. Show cancelled!! AArrrrggghhh nooooo!!! I thought it would never happen but finally a show was announced. I had high hopes for this gig and let me say that they were all surpassed! As soon as the first notes of Black Napkins were played I was in heaven!! I had a lump in my throat!! Never ever had that at a gig before and it happened a couple more times that night!! The sound was brilliant all night and the band were utterly fantastic. I'm a guitar player and teacher of said instrument so Dweezils playing was a big attraction and as far as solo's go they were all good but Zombie Woof had to be my favourite, Dweezil you seemed to knock it up a gear for that one, freakin awesome!! For me the star of the show was Scheila, what a talented woman, unbelievable. I was stood right in front of her all night and boy does she work hard. I thought Ben did an amazing job given how long he's been with the band, what a rare find and what a great voice. To Pete, Billy, Jamie and Joe thank you thank you. You guys are such a solid unit. So nice to see Joe Travers playing in the flesh, I'm also a Keneally fan and have loved Joe's playing for a long time too. Jamie you only get a couple of solo spots in the set but man you don't waste them, hats off to you!!
I could go on forever about this gig!! Thanks to Dweezil, Ben and Scheila for sticking around and signing stuff, it topped of an amazing evening. Dweezil you said to me you'd be back and I said I'd bring my 12 year old son (the next generation of Zappa fans), please please please make it a reality!!!

Thank you all so much for an inspiring night!!

Chris.

Hi, Saw Frank in 77 Glasgow and 79 then Z at king tuts (checkout peavey medely for long intro thang) and ZPZ in manchester 2006,the Edinburgh show was great in all respects of favourite tunes,Dweezil more at ease fronting the band and the core band are so confident now being more road hardened.Set list roughly Black Napkins-Magic Fingers-Wind up workin in a Gas Station-Montana -Pygmy Twilite-Village of theSun-Echindas Arf-Outside Now-Bamboozled by Love-Inca Roads-King Kong(solos incl Careless Whisper sax/flute Heavy Duty Judy for bass solo) Zomby woof -Encores were Peaches Bobby Brown /Scottish 12 inch vocals- and Willy the Pimp.
Having seen the Manchester show I thought Iwould miss Steve Vai and Napoleon MB but the current line up are superbo.Sheila is a multi taleneted star and would be a real loss if she moved on,Ben Thomas shows real promise but as he doesnt play guitar etc he is a bit of spare one at times.Dweezil is in complete contol of that wall of guitar sound and I have always looked forward to hearing his more rock style playing of his dads music and frankly(sorry) he gets better every time I see him.I could not listen to Steve Vai for 2.5 hrs but Dweezil could play till my ears had completely gone (yes the show was loud).Joe is a fantastic drummer and I have always thought that a guitarist always needs a great drummer behind him a case in point that Franks drummers have played with another top guitar man Jeff Beck.
Thanks to the band the crowd and hope we all get to sing with the band again !!!
Diesel (school nick name)

Did anyone else notice the '50-50' instrumental vamp going on during some of the solos?

Maybe it's my imagination.

Hi,there was an Apostrophe medely near the end as well St Alphonso/Yellow snow and there was sumfin but mebbes not 5050 in the solo/ King Kong section- back to the albums for research !

Does any know of any video footage of the 'Z' concerts in the 90's????... Also did anyone get a chance to speak to Dweezil at the end and did he appreciate the Scottish crowd, and the big question is......is he coming back again.....

I said to Dweezil at the end that they have to come back and we'll pack the place again, he said they will. The band seemed to really feed off the crowd so I'm sure they'll return. Also, anyone notice the two mics pointed towards the audience? Could be because they were recording the show and wanted a mix of the crowd (or could be because they wanted to amp the crowd noise in apprehension of Bobby Brown) but I think the former is more likely. Would be nice to see this show released at some point for sure.

There is some footage from a rock show which has interviews with Dweezil and Ahmet and a clip of Leviathan from Shampoo Horn but thats all folks-dont hold yer breath the mikes are probably to get a feed into the mixers headphones ?
Boo Hoo