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Did you attend this show at the Northern Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton?

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

The show was amazing. Simply, amazing. The sax was stellar, the guitar top notch, the vocals just pure badass, the drumming was beyond excellent, and there was obvious stage presence.

I'd recommend this Zappa plays Zappa to anybody and everybody.

Ray White crooned.

Two song stood out particularly to me: Filthy Habit and a request for a rather motherly song whose name escapes me.

Who cares about a few technical difficulties? It rocked and rolled, while sliding into classics and showboating.

Congratulations on a great show; I was sitting just a few rows behind the man that shit himself.

This was my 3rd ZPZ show. It gets better EVERY time.

I couldn't believe they did Filthy Habits...And Magic Fingers with the whole classic Howard Kaylan part at the end of the song " ...Beat you with a pair of tennis shoes i got from Jeff Beck...."

Ray White is still Solid Gold. The whole band was better than ever, Scheila Gonzalez was incredible on everything..hahaha and the double sax was great.

At the end of the show everyone stuck around to talk and sign autographs. I brought my copy of Shampoohorn just incase they would stay. I got Dweezil and Joe Travers to sign it. Joe was a really nice guy and he also gave me a drumstick after we exchanged some kind words. Also got to shake Ray Whites hand

You can always feel the emotion at these shows and sometimes its overwhelming. Dweezil is an incredible musician and i thank him so much for bringing this tour together. I am far to young to have been able to see Zappa live so this is an experience i really look foward too.

Thank you Dweezil


Glad you came to Edmonton!

been a fz fan since i was 13 i'm 51 now. never did get to see frank, but thank you dweezil for carrying on the torch .last nights show was beautiful. the players ,all world class . please come back next year.
and one more thing, how can i get a copy of the album ruben and the jets for real.

Thanks Dweezil and fellow bands members for a most memorable night. Your father would be proud.

I was blown away. I had a permanent smile from the moment the show started right through the end - just shy of three hours; I was most impressed.

My favorites included Filthy Habits, Pygmy Twylyte, What's new in Baltimore, Dog/Meat and the in-your-face finale - Muffin Man. The acoustics were great and the technical glitches were minor although unfortunately frustrating for the band.

I saw Frank once at the Halifax Metro Centre in 1984 (seems like yesterday). I can honestly say the concert last night was every bit as good as the one I saw some 23 years ago.

If you are a Frank Zappa fan and have a chance to see the ‘Deweez’; you would be absolutely foolish to pass up the opportunity. Shame on K-rock for the lack of promotion of this event; I guess the upcoming 54-40 show is much more important?

Dweezil please come back again; I will attend every time!

....eyesbrow plays moustache.... dweezil you did that daunting catalouge a great service by representing it in the manner that was witnessed last night .what a wonderful interpretation/represention of your fathers music.i did have the opportunity to see frank in 1981 , dallas texas , with a very young steve vai. and will always remember ray white from that night as well.i was in tears a few times, hearing rays voice , so clear and powerful.it was also pretty hard on the kleenex supply , hearing your playing , man, you have so much of frank's phrasing embedded in your playing . none of it sounded like an imitation. since frank died , ive had a hard time listening to much of his music. oh its all still there , the humor , the meticulous arrangements ,the fearless guitar work ,he was taken much too soon .last night was the best way for me to become reaquainted , re-introduced , to the masters works.(even tho,i havent forgot a single note).for me,you have always stood out on your own as a great musician, and am greatful to you for the sacrifice youve made.
regards
ronald j e greeaway

Oh my goodness!! That was the greatest show i have ever seen live!! The sound was amazing, and so was the band. Double sax?!! youve got to be kidding me!! That was so cool i wanted to cry. My favorites were Pygmy Twylyte, Duprees Paradise, G-Spot Tornado, Carolina-Hardcore Ecstacy, and Willie The Pimp. The whole set list was outstanding though. And the integration with Frank on the big screen was perfect for the show. Frank would be proud to see what you have done with his music Dweezil. I hope to see you guys next year!! Im curious to see what you can do next with Franks catalogue.

For several reasons it's the best concert Ive ever seen.
First, the musicianship is of the highest quality. This combined with the technology made the show enjoyable even for those who dont know Frank's music. I dont know most of his music and I generally like the instrumental(or mostly instrumental) and classical part of Frank's catalog. Still, the quality of musicianship and sound made it easy to appreciate and enjoy songs that I didnt even know! Im originally from southern California and Ive seen many of the top groups. In EVERY show, even with bands I like and whose complete catalog I know, there's always a boring part of the show when you feel kind of tired of the music-thats just in a typical hour and a half show! With the show last night, I looked at my watch and 2 HOURS had gone by! Ive never seen any "big" group play for more than that, in ZPZ's case, it was almost 3 hours! Honestly I wish they would have gone on for 3 more!
Much of Franks music tends to be for people with a unique taste, but I would confidently invite anyone next year( huh, Dweezil?) because the quality of the show is so great, I honestly believe anyone can enjoy it.
Also, a very touching moment was when Dweezil wasnt able to sing cause he was a little choked up. It was a very eye opening experience; So often we admire Frank but we forget he was a father and that Dweezil lost his dad. It was a great to see how much Dweezil feels the music!
Not to mention, OMG, Scheila is a smokin hottie, man she looked stunning in those tight jeans! It was nice to look over and see those sexy hips in motion, swingin to the beat-hubba hubba ; )
Last, after the show, the whole band is available for autographs and small chat which is something you never see in any show Ive ever been to. I got a guitar pickfrom Dweezil (inspired me to keep practicing my guitar) and his autograph too.

I'm having the day-after-the-concert-blues today - I wish there was another one today. Last night had not only plenty of moustaches, but also many eyebrows.

The set list was as follows:

I'm The Slime
City Of Tiny Lites
Dumb All Over (with FZ at the Palladium, New York, NY, 10/31/81)
What's New In Baltimore?
Doreen
Joe's Garage
Wind Up Workin' In A Gas Station
San Ber'dino
Filthy Habits
Pygmy Twylyte
Dupree's Paradise/Heavy Duty Judy
Uncle Remus
Willie The Pimp
Dog Meat
G-Spot Tornado
Cosmik Debris (with FZ at KCET, Los Angeles, CA, 8/6-7/74)
Eat That Question
Magic Fingers
Carolina Hard-Core Ecstasy
Yo' Mama
The Illinois Enema Bandit
Muffin Man (with FZ at the Palladium, New York, NY, 10/31/77)

Let me get the negatives out of the way right away - especially since they were not a result of the concert itself, but may have affected how it was experienced:

First off, within the last several years, both the Northern and Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditoriums underwent significant refurbishment. Both have been touted as having the best acoustical environment possible. While I can't speak for the experience concert attendees at Thursday's concert at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium had, I can say that any claims to acoustic supremacy are greatly exaggerated in the case of the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. Something about the PA-system is not living up to expectations; while DZ's solos and most of those of the rest of the members of the band came off just fine, the vocals were at times quite muddled - unless you knew the words, it was hard to hear the words to the songs.

Secondly, local radio station K-ROCK, 97.3, did a lousy job promoting this show. Why they agreed to "sponsor" the show is something I may never know, but while I've received e-mails for other shows sponsored by the station, I received none for this show; I never heard any PSA or jingle for the show; nor did anyone at the station ever return my phone calls concerning this. Even worse, some people at the station had no idea what was going on, or even that the show was taking place - I spoke with station representatives on the phone and in person. Shame on you for doing such a lousy job; if anyone, whether the ZFT, the promoter, or anyone else paid you to perform this service, you ought to return every nickel of any such funds.

A lifelong hard-core FZ fanatic, I think that DZ has put together a stellar band, and each of the musicians are virtuousos in their own right. I'm particularly pleased that DZ invited Ray White to ZPZ; of all the musicians who ever played with FZ, he's always been one of my favorites, and he was every bit as good last night as he was in '76, '77, '80, '81, '82, or '84... His vocal abilities are phenomenal, to say the least.

DZ would have made his father proud last night, for his guitar playing, as a band leader, and certainly for carrying the torch. His abilities as a guitarist are nothing short of amazing. He has developed a style of his own, but it was nevertheless a nice touch to recognize portions of several of his father's solos, notably during "Willie The Pimp" and "Yo' Mama."

For me, the highlights last night were "City Of Tiny Lites," "Pygmy Twylyte," "Carolina Hard-Core Ecstasy," and "Yo' Mama." The latter one stood out for several reasons: "Yo' Mama" is my favorite FZ tune, and yesterday afternoon, having taken the day off work, I had the pleasure of speaking with DZ for a few minutes in the parking lot behind the "Jube," and asked if he would play "Yo' Mama." The song has always been very emotional to me, and last night, after he finished his solo, DZ was clearly overcome as well. Thank you for playing it last night.

Thank you, DZ, for taking a chance on coming to this northern outpost last night. You brought back many a fond memory, and created several more. Your father's music is loved by many up here, and we miss him. Thank you for putting together ZPZ, and for keeping your father's music and our memories of him alive.

Last night's show was fantastic. The setlist posted above is accurate, and it was a great surprise to hear a few new tunes, and especially Eat that Question.

First, the band was simply the best I've ever seen. If Frank were touring today, these are the people he'd be using. Sheer amount of rehearsal time has never been more apparent; they could stop on a dime, change directions, and switch back. Unbelievable musicianship.

The renditions of Dog Meat and G-spot were the best I've ever heard, and I don't hesitate to say that the performance last night was even more accurate than the Yellow Shark versions.

And when Frank was playing, I was absolutely moved. How bittersweet to witness such a loving tribute, no one could've pulled it off better than you guys. Dweezil, you're a credit to your father and an incredible musician in your own right. Thank you for coming here and showing this miserable town what it's all about.

The turnout was so disappointing... all I can say is, if you guys return, so will we. Thanks again.

I caught ZPZ for the 2nd time this year. I had to come to Edmonton to visit my family so I arranged my visit around the concert. I was able to score great 2nd row seats. I just want to thank the whole band for an excellent concert. I must say that Edmonton was treated to a first class show. I mean, the band played for over 3 hours with no break. I saw them in Toronto back in July and we were given a much shorter performance (that included an intermission). Technical difficulties aside (I liked Dweezil's composure), the only problem for me was the poor attendence. There were a lot of people who missed out on a truly great and inspiring concert play by a group of talented musicians. Dweezil stuck around after the concert and graciously signed autographs for all who wanted one. My only regret was not buying the ZPZ DVD when I had a chance. Does anyone know if this DVD is available for sale online? Dweezil, I hope that you'll come back to Toronto soon -- I've got all my friends on board to attend next time you come to town!

I just got my Zappa Plays Zappa 2-disc DVD set in the mail and I know what I'm doing for the next three and a half hours. I'm a couple of songs into the first disc and "Wow! What can I say about this elixir!"

Could anyone post a setlist from the Calgary Show? It would be very much appreicated.[/b]