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Did you attend this Halloween show at the Beacon Theatre in New York?

Dweezil and the band would love to read your reviews.

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

Mikey
Zappa.com Webmeister

Was the DVD being sold at the show? Can't wait for the reviews. See everyone at the show in Wallingford tomorrow.

DVD was not on sale, sadly, especially since it was flaunted by Conan last night on Late Night. Got "Wazoo" though.

Couple of things about the show: first of all, kind of a shitty venue--busted seat, obstructed views, mushy house sound--and I'm a pretty easy-going customer, too, not given to idle complaints.

About the music/performance: Hey Dweezil, has anyone mentioned lately how cool it is to be you? You and the band get to workout on Frank's music nightly, you're surrounded by top players--I love Scheila Gonzalez, so playful and such a stellar player, especially on "Eat That Question," and Joe Travers, he's practically every drummer Frank ever had, rolled up into one. Then there's the added attraction of the band getting to play with Frank, via the iso-cam videos from KCET (?) and MTV. That was pretty damn righteous fun.

I was relieved that the set was significantly varied from last Halloween's NYC show. I would never expect you to take the easy way out, playing by rote or phoning it in, and I was not disappointed. I wish Ray were about fifteen years younger, because I think he would be having more fun as his younger self, playing out with you "kids." Nevertheless, it was good to see him again.

I hope to see you later on in this tour, in Atlantic City or perhaps in DC, and I wish all of you the best.

I liked this show better than the June show in Westbury. Dweezil was ON!!! Had a great seat, but the seats sucked....too cramped. Good to hear some new stuff.

Well, Dweezil and Company nailed it last night. Band walked on at 8:10, left for an encore at 10:39, came back at 10:40 and finally left at 10:57 (to beat the 11:00 curfew), closing with Muffin Man.
The show started off ok, but just kept building as the night went on. Highlights for me were a rousing Eat That Question, great sax by Shelia. Also LOVED the Suzy Creamchease/Brown Shoes Don't Make It/America Drinks And Goes Home suite. Fantastic. Dog Meat blew me away and Ray's Illinois Enema Bandit vocals were off the chart. San Bernadino was nice to hear and G-Spot Tornado was sick. I know I'm leaving out some primo stuff, but let's just say I was duly impressed. Joe Travers drumming has improved greatly. Dweezil's guitar could have been more up in the mix, but his playing has improved also. The rest of the band has fallen into a tight groove and just clicks. A pretty responive crowd, though it took an earthquake to get some folks out of thier seats during even the best jams. Still, the best of the three ZPZ shows I've seen in NYC.

As for the complaints of lousy seats, I've attended The Beacon over 30 times, from last row balcony to row AA center, and have never experienced any problems. The guy with the broken chair should have notified an usher, and they MIGHT have gotten him another seat - doesn't hurt to ask. And if you think the seats are small, try paying $250 for a Broadway play. Your knees will be sore by the time you leave. Hey, it's a concert venue, not Trump Plaza.

This was The Big One.

I had obtained my tickets through Front Gate immediately when they went on Pre-Sale. 6th Row in front of Scheila which I very well realized would offer me a clear opportunity to see her juggle her arsenal of instrumentation where Duprees Paradise was an exhibition of talent adventuring into the Zappa improv. Anyhow more on general critical analysis of the band later. My first impression when getting to my seat was that I was in for an evening of inferior sound as being so close to a PA System but I was pleasantly surprised that the sound was actually good near the PA. I would cup my hands behind my ears to actually get a clearer mid range mix and isolate the music from occasional background chatter. I would suggest this to any concert goer that is having MIX problems. If I had a complaint about the sound I'd be the first to say it but somehow in the situation where for concerts in past such as VAI being close to a PA was a death sentence. The SONICS depend on where you are for general room acoustics and how much interference such as Fanatical Chatter disturbs actual performance.

Halloween at The Beacon is as close to that Old Halloween Palladium feel we are going to get at this juncture. It's a classic old theater. The Theater At MSG while in the location of the Old Felt Forum is quite different than the old Felt Forum. Zappa Plays Zappa Halloween 2007 was festive and had a similar feel to the Palladium. For Kingston I will be about 20 rows back dead center so I am once again eager to hear the differences with this years arrangements in a variety of venues and seat locations . For 2007 I had also seen Westbury and Red Bank so I have heard a variety of live MIXes. Each show has been quite good from where I sat.

As much as I had complained in the past in general of fans who can never quite can sit down and shut up during a performance for this show in my area everyone sat down during performance where they gave a standing ovation pooting forth with Zappa Halloween Excitement at the end of a song or series of songs that was welcomed by large white stage with a house house lighting feel coming on for the many ovation sections of the concert.

The Production and Stage Lighting is optimal for my taste for how ZPZ represents Franks music. Tone Colors be it in the Stage Lighting or Musical Performances are done in a way where the Music is the Show. If people want to see Dweezil be some mad man they should realize that it's all about the notes, rhythms and tone colors. Yes the Eyebrows. If these performances don't get you going I'll just have to politely agree to disagree but in all honestly I can't understand these Zappa fans that think Dweezil is too close to the vest. From my perception the ZPZ Core Model is all about getting as close as possible to the composer intent while at the same time weaving in Dweezils approach to orchestrating improv as seen in Duprees Paradise.

Unfortunately not one of Franks touring bands, specifically in the Rock & Roll medium, were ever able to achieve the arrangements of Dog Meat and G-Spot Tornado but after those Yellow Shark performances it makes one ponder if Frank ever had the opportunity to tour again if these arrangements that the ZPZ band are performing would have become featured performance material for Frank.

These Classical Arrangements are amazing. The ZPZ Band pass the melody around giving full respect to the arrangement. It is obviously not only about notes and rhythms. These pieces are prime example where the tone colors are achieved with not only instrumentation but adhering to arrangement and compositional guidelines.

Just how far can this band raise the bar? Amnerica, Put a Motor In yourself? Only Time Will Tell but as I had read elsewhere Dog Meat and G-Spot Tornado are unbelievable within itself never mind what this band has accomplished in just two years of touring. Should this ZPZ Core Unit continue in whatever manifestation and guests we can only continue to expect the unexpected.

The acted out characterizations in America Drinks & Goes Home , Willie The Pimp and Illinois Enema Bandit intro are subtle in the overall production but articulated enough for the arrangement at hand where The Music is the star of the show not a madman or jam band agenda. The Halloween 81' numbers where Frank joins the band via visual and sonics makes me feel like I was once again back at the Palladium 26 Years Front Row Center and the KCETV performances bring me to that era where I unfortunately was too young to see Zappa live in concert and only listened to vinyl records at home.

Personally I am enjoying this years set of shows ever so much more than last year. Since I already viewed 2006 as Unexpected Perfection my level of appreciation has not only been elevated by the core bands Zappa Classical performances of Dog Meat and G-Spot Tornado but in overall diversity displayed in Duprees Paradise, What's New In Baltimore, Monster Guitar Tracks, Unique Zappa arrangements or Arrangements that were bronzed on key Official Releases that never saw much of tour presence sounding even better at times than the record.

The ZPZ band has the ability to sound like a Frank Zappa band with overdubs or a studio recording that never had been performed live. The Bands overall vocal prowess can not only be heard in Ray White's amazing vocal talents but as in a band that really gets all the harmonies down. There are sections of the show where unique arrangements such as I'm Not Satisfied are a pleasant surprise.

I thank the band for making a Happy Zappa Halloween for 2007 and look forward to Kingston and whatever new set of arrangements the future brings us.

I thank Dweezil Zappa for making the music more important than the carnival showmanship or yourself as an individual or as the band performing the music. Thanks for adding the eyebrows!

One final comment on Joe Travers. Amazing and the best man alive for the job. While he is only one man and can not be Chester Thompson and Ralph Humprhrey at one time he can perform the styling of each Zappa drummer needed for any particular arrangement while adding his own panache. For my eyes and ears Joe Travers is a drummer that John Bohnam wishes he could have been because Joe can extrapolate anything John Bohnam ever represented in the context of Zappa..

Now I gotta go listen to ZAPPA WAZOO.


ZETA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey,

Good News I got Zappa Wazoo. Haven't had a chance to listen yet.

This was my 3rd show. I saw them at the 1st Beacon show and Westbury 2 months ago.

This was my least favorite show of the 3, although it was still very good. Ray sang his ass off. BUT>>>> Something for me was missing last night.

Dweezil only played a few long solos which in the prev 2 I felt like he was ripping on every song. Now maybe the setlist just dictated that he play less. Band was tight as hell again. I freakin love Pete Griffin. Wish he got a better mix but bass tends to get muddy in all venues, but he just has that groove and enthusiasm. Great keyboard solo in ETQ. Sheila also phenom as usual.

Another poster may have hit the problem the sound was just ok. I was left (stage right, Sheila's side) 7th row. I may be a snob due to the fact that I want as close to stage as possible and center. Dweez guitar mix was too low. So when those chills came they were felt a little less due to the sound just not enveloping me. And as we all now sound is def reflective of your seats. So it may be entirely possible someone else will feel this show was amazing based upon their seats.

I did find myself getting emotional seeing Frank on the screen during Muffin Man. That guitar tone is monumental.

Will I go again... You bet your ass. These musicians are monsters. I just really wish I wasn't a stickler for perfect sound.

My last point is thank you Zappa Team for playing live complex music and for having the Wazoo cd's in stock! COMPLETE SHOW WOO HOO

Andrew

This was my third ZPZ show that I've seen. 2 last year, including Halloween at (former) Felt Forum. While I've enjoyed last years shows with Napoleon, Bozzio and Vai, I am of the opinion that this years show was the best of all. I say this because it was more of a BAND effort and I really had the chance to see and hear them rely on their own merits. Ray White - the only special guest this year provided plenty of highlights, including Illinois Enema Bandit with his singing and the Cosmik Debris guitar duel with Dweezil. I'm glad that Sheila was brought forward and had the chance to show off her talents (playing, singing and dancing!) Joe Travers to me is an extremely talented musician and has the best job in the world as vaultmeister. The rest of the band cooked as well - "Dupree", Eat That Question and G-Spot Tornado stand out in my mind. Dweezil also seemed more at ease as frontman. His take on Franks guitar style really has gotten much better and this is quite apparent when he duets with Frank.

The choice of material was great and very different from the last tour. I though the sound was excellent and I can't wait for next year. Two requests for next years's guests - Denny Walley and Ike Willis perhaps?

YES I DID

I was expecting to pickup the cd of last years concert!
What is the deal with that???

Enough with the negative waves

row 2 - right center side of the stage and the sound was excellent!
I miss you already Nancy.

After 10 shows this is the most intense show I have been to.

standing ovs' to Dweezil and the band

Thanks dweezil and band, yet, it a perfic world.

ancient armaments
alien orifice
thirteen
wild love
yo mama
rat tomago,(torture never stops), (live solo 2-15-78
pound for a brown
the purple lagoon/approximate
black napkins
treacherous cretins
deathless horsie
easy meat
outside now
ending with watermelon easter

that,s just me talking out load, you can have all the rests of thoses tunes

thank you, also, next year, tommy mars, Ike willis perhaps.

anyone with a set list?

the set list

THANKS Joe



V COSMIK
ADVANCE ROMANCE
HOW COULD I BE SUCH A FOOL
AIN'T GOT NO HEART
I'M NOT SATISFIED
LONELY LITTLE GIRL
TINY LIGHTS
V DUMB ALL OVER
BALTIMORE
EAT THAT QUESTION
SUZY CREAMCHEASE
BROWN SHOES
AMERICA DRINKS
PYGMY TWYLYTE
DUPREE'S PARADISE save me bro ray white
UNCLE REMUS
WILLIE THE PIMP
DOREEN
ZOOT ALLURES
JOE'S GARAGE
GAS STATION
SAN BERDINO
ILLINOIS ENEMA BANIT

encore

DOG MEAT
G SPOT
V MUFFIN MAN

I think the reviewer 'newyorksfinestcrazy. . ..' said it all. I had a great, great time last night(my 4th show since June 06).

Hats off to the band!!!

Sound was great on the floor, center orch, row f. Yet I've been in the balcony on the wall when the sound was not the best. Sitting on the wall in any venue can cause the sound to suffer , especially with a roof too. Open air stadiums can have great sound in the nose bleeds.

Anyhow, the band, accross the board, were at the top of their game.

Please ZPZ, keep touring. Maybe playing some colleges might get this wonderful music out to the uninitiated. I say that because I thought Dweezil said something about hoping to continue touring with ZPZ. It sounded less than definite. There were tickets at the box office last niight, yet the place seemed full.

It was absolutley dynamite last night!!!!

Maybe I'm dreaming, but didn't Dweezil do Ship Ahoy too? Anyway, great show, sounded good from where I was. Can't wait to see them again. I sure hope they keep it up. It was good to hear some new tunes added since I saw them at Count Basie in Red Bank. I was kinda bummed the show cd wasn't available again, but oh well, soon hopefully. Two of the highlights for me were Lonely Little Girl and How Could I Be Such A Fool. Thanks for a great time.

Another Great Halloween Show! Let’s hope for many more to come.
Last year’s tour had different dynamics and was an incredible first tour show. This year’s guest, Ray White, brings back wonderful memories and stills sounds great and plays a mean guitar. As a long time fan, (7x’s FZ – 4x’s ZPZ) it’s great to watch the evolution of Dweezil’s band. I love music and Frank’s compositions are the ultimate experience for me. Getting it all live again is truly sweet.
Beacon show was a lot fun. Good crowd (1 bartender complained to me, but you know some of us never could handle their shit).
I have to try the ear cup technique next time (orch row b stage right) I couldn’t hear some of Ray’s vocals during low key moments (ex: Ray’s “save me” impov on Dupree). Great show regardless. It was cool seeing a jubilant Eric Bogosian (writer-actor) in the crowd. My respect for celebs goes way up when I find out their Zappa fans.
Does humor belong in music? Yes Schelia, it does! Great waitress costume. I love your fearlessness.
Dweezil, I read your recent blog and I admire your openness. Frank was lucky I wasn’t his son. I wouldn’t have the balls to attempt this project never mind pull it off so well. I was truly amazed at some of the note for note guitar solos you executed Wed. night.
You have a lot of Zappa fans who will support your efforts in bringing Frank’s music to light again. Please keep it going. I feel your direction is true. Never doubt that.
***HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT*** “DOG MEAT” Holy shit! You nailed that bastard! How many times do you rehearse that to get it that good?

All ready looking forward to next year. ZPZ Rules!

PS Frank’s catalog is so huge!
Where can I find:
HOW COULD I BE SUCH A FOOL
I'M NOT SATISFIED
LONELY LITTLE GIRL