Zappa.com

Did you attend the second show at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney?

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

WOWIE ZOWIE!!!!

I went to both shows and I must say they were beyond amazing! I thought I'd seen it all after the first one but when they were half way through the second night and had only played one song that was played the night before I was blown away!!!! QUALITY!!!!

Highlights:

Steve Vai's solo on Filthy Habits, 1st night. His guitar string broke just at the start of his solo. He did the best solo anyone could ever do on a completely-out-of-tune guitar! Amazing!!!!

Ray White has still got one of the greatest voices ever!

DZ did many brilliant guitar solos and led the band very well.

Both night's audience songs! That was insanely funny!

I could go on for ever but I'm tired... Infinite thanks to Dweezil.

COME BACK SOON!!!! PLEASE!!!!!

joel

I like music and go to a lot of gigs, but it's been a long long time (well, I'm only mid 30's) since I had goosebumps and, dare I say, a lump in my throat.

I saw Frank in 1988 for my 18th birthday! I got the bus 700 miles from Scotland and it was quite an experience. It was to be his last tour. But I never forgot that concert. My best mates saved up and sent me down - I bought Joes Garage (as a Vinyl!) and it was never off the turntable, so they had a persistent clue for a long time!

I live in Sydney now and so tonight was really special - over 3 hours worth of a musical journey that counts as one of the best gigs in my life.

If my existence ever had a background theme tune, it would be loosely described as a collection of Frank's music. It saw me through crap times (RDNZ), break ups (Watermelon in Easter Hay), good times (Doreen) a discovery of classical music (Ensemble Modern and LSO) and a lot more.

Dweezil, you and the band brought it to life in a way I'll never ever forget. It wasn't a Frank Zappa performance, it was a Dweezil Zappa performance; different, but no less of an exhilerating experience. You jamming with your old man on screen was a real highlight; moving and brilliant. I never ever thought I would see or hear that stuff performed again - and I think you are so right to perform it to new ears! (I took great comfort in seeing lots of young kids and students there tonight - as well as the odd old bloke still tripping from their first Mothers tour. lol!)

Next time, I need to bring 10 friends. And please guys, let there be a next time! You are such fantastic, professional perfomers - timely in these days of manufactured music and surface crap.

Thanks for making life feel better.

And have a safe journey home (if you don't get arrested for molesting Kangaroos!)

Scotty

Attended the 2nd Sydney show last night and it surpassed all my expectations. The concert went for like 3 hours. It was amazing.
My highlights included the band jam with the large screen Frank Zappa playing a hard rock version of "Dumb all Over". In the video, he is wearing one of those orange jumpsuits similar to what slipknot now wear. When Stevie Vai came out (about half way through the show), I heard and saw some of the best guitar solos I have ever seen. Dweevil's playing was also magnificent, relaxed and spot on.
Two Aussie guitarists also came out for a jam. I know for a fact that one was Diesel but the other one looked like the guitarist from Regurgitator and I missed his name. (My apologises)(Jack Johnson???). Anyway, this added a personal touch to the preceedings and it was evident that a great time was had by all. Diesel's heavy blues were quite amazing.
I'm 43 and Zappa has been a part of my life since the 80's. I think the other guy summed it up goosebumps and a lump in my throat and tears.
The standing ovation at the end of the show was heartfelt and ,looking around, shared by nearly all of those present.
Thank you Dweevil for taking on a seemingly impossible endeavour and making it reality. I never got to see Frank when he was alive but I'm sure he would be very proud of what you, last night, acheived. Good music never dies, it always rises from the ashes to be reborn again.

On this day, Dec 4 1993....

RIP Frank. We miss you so GD much!

I saw Frank once at the Horden Pavilion Sydney in 1976.
Now I'm 48 so you work it out. It's been a long time between drinks!!
Last night was awesome! Full credit to Dweezil and the band.
It really took me back!
Hope you guys can make it back downunder some time!
Thanks for a great night.

Mic

ahh so was there NO mention of the sad but present anniversary of his death from dz??

I was there last night. When I looked at the stage before the concert I thought to myself, "geepers, this is serious". It was the most incredible concert. What got me was how laid-back and authentic Dweezle was.

The concert was such a celebration of Frank's music, without sentimentalizing him at all. That's very clever. Almost as clever as the musicians.

I don't feel as though I paid $100 to go to a concert as Dweezle's band gave me an amazing experience. Thank you.

PS. Listen to Dweezle's interview:
mpegmedia dot abc dot net dot au/rn/musicshow/stories/2007/2097910.htm

Stone the Crows !!! What Amazing Shows !!!

I have been reading all the other show reviews from the start of this Tour, the outpouring of emotion and gratitude shown for Frank's music lovingly presented by Dweezil and his Band blew me away.

Finally it was my turn to experience this moment in time that I thought sadly would never come.

Both Shows were Sensational in their own right.

The first night's Enema Bandit and "Yo Mama" choked me up,

The second night front row, looking up at Ray White, Deewzil, Steve Vai and the rest of the Band will live with me forever, watching Frank's Son conduct the other members confidently as his old man did shows his legacy is in good hands.

I was happy to put an Aussie flavour into Audience Participation by yelling out "Stop Molesting that Kangaroo" lol. Someone yelled out"Show us your Pink Bits" which was also well received.

Thankyou Deewzil for hanging around after the show and signing my Zappa plays Zappa poster.

It's all been said already but to all concerned
THANKYOU THANKYOU THANKYOU

Now to find a cheap flight in January to the land of the rising Son.

The first night i took my wife and two of our friends along.We were seated upstairs at the front.My wife's comments about Frank's music over the years has been "Don't those boys know any nice songs".Our friends had never heard any Zappa music ever.They were all stunned.Comments such as "the best concert they had ever seen"were the norm on the way home.

On night two my wife and i had front row seats about 6 feet from Dweezil.And what a night it was.To see such a brilliant guitarist at that range was amazing.Special mention to Joe,Jamie,Billy,Pete,Scheila and Aaron for without them and their brilliant musicianship these shows would not exist.I guess the best thing about the show was that all the band had so much fun during the evening.Duelling with each other,playing other instruments and generally goofing around and still managing to play this incredibly complex music note perfect.

Dweezil,your goal of introducing Frank's music to a new generation is starting to become a reality.As for the regular fans your concerts touched a lot of people's hearts.Dad would be proud of you

Only America could produce Bush, Cheney, Robertson, Swaggart etc, etc and also produce Zappas. I saw both of Frank's 76 Sydney shows and after seeing both of your 07 Sydney shows, Dweezil, there can be no doubt that, not just for your musicianship, but for your whole persona, you have assumed your Dad's mantle as the coolest guy on the planet. Roll on the next tour...

Let me add my voice to the chorus proclaiming Appreciation and Gratitude. Very big Wow, guys.

Personal highlights: Dog Meat on monday, Brown Shoes Don't Make It on tues, and GSpot Tornado both nights. My Astonishometer blew a fuse.

Plus seeing Frank on the screen, playing along with the band, was a huge blast. Maybe it was just my seat's perspective on the Tuesday (7th row, in front of Jamie), but in one of these songs Dweezil was standing in exactly the right position, it seemed that Frank was looking right at him, watching Dweezil's solo. Too good.

A couple of realisations have smacked at me. First, part of the charm of Frank's singing was his deep resonance. Dweezil didn't so much impersonate Frank, as create a sympathetic likeness, as you might expect between father and son. (Whereas the band members did impersonate the original vocal sounds, Brown Shoes being but one amazing example.) But as we all know, Frank's voice got altered in England all those years ago, due to unplanned audience participation (his voice broke, tee hee). So Dweezil's voice is more similar to early Frank than latter.

Second, you didn't play Watermelon In Easter Hay. It would have brought the house down. But, I fully understand, that song is too intensely personal, too Frank. Watermelon not being there is the same as Frank not being there.

Karl

some history first: the only time I had previously seen the real Frank was at the Hordern concert in 1976 (now see the belated issue of the FZ:OZ concert -- previously only the subject of a few tracks on one of the Beat the Boots issues) - I cannot remember the exact details but I happened to be visiting from NZ at the time and could not believe my luck that there was a Zappa show happening at the Cow Palace just down the road from where my brother was living in Paddington. and I always kind of thought that the Overnight Sensation band was one of the best bands that he ever had.

so to the Enmore on 4 December 2007. well for a start I was 30 minutes late -- did not really believe the 7.45 p.m. start as I had been to two previous shows at the Enmore in the previous month, including John Cale which was advertised at 7:15 p.m. (he came on at 9pm) - OK I knew that Dave Graney was a support - but with this one, no clue at all such as "plays the entire show" (on the other hand, no "special guests") -- so after a dreadful time parking the car in Enmore miles away finally got there to find the show very much under way and someone else in my seat. in a way, frankly, I don't think I would have missed seeing the first 30 minutes (oh heresy!), regardless of what was played, as the show was of course really long anyway. One can hardly complain about the value with a three hour show but I must admit that after about two hours I did wish that I had put my earplugs in to limit the ear fatigue - these modern sound systems are now so clear you do not realise how much Db you are ingesting!

so, what about the music? Well everyone else has given their own impressions and I must admit that as a fan of Frank since the 1970s there was a very fully rounded summary of his music played by a very competent band. it was interesting that they played a sort of medley from about the Freak Out period which was relatively close to the feel of my old first vinyl Frank record - Mothermania, where all the tracks are mixed into each other. however I must admit that the main impression I got from the show (apart from the fact of course that this was a more than competent band representation of the music of a genius composer) was that Dweezil seemed to be having a really good time and was so friendly and relaxed on stage. (most musos are generally so po-faced). he sort of conducted the band like his old man and was also able to bring on his Aussie guitar guests in a magnanimous fashion without any apparent ego evident at all at any time. others have referred to the fact that he was able to solo or play along with the couple of videos of Frank in his prime, which was indeed a very interesting experience.

I must admit that I was rather hesitant about going to this show at all in case it was "dodgy", particularly with the relatively high prices (over $100) that are inflicted upon us these days for other baby boomer/has been acts- went to the Enmore to get a ticket for something else and then wandered out and down Enmore Rd tossing up whether to buy a ticket. however reviews seemed to be generally positive elsewhere so made the plunge for the back of the stalls at a reasonable saving at $85 or so. Oh and they had a nice selection of merch available out the front courtesy of the Zappa Family Trust- bought the Zappa Wazoo double which I do not think you can get elsewhere, at least at the moment.

so those were my impressions of the show generally. Realise that they are not much about the music, but heaps of other people have recounted that. all good as they say.

and if you are reading this and you live in Sydney, and you ever see the band name Petulant Frenzy (that's a clue)- go and see them without hesitation! - the best Zappa "cover band" other than Dweezil's crew of course. They only play 3-4 times a year - I see a gig coming up at Bar Broadway on 22 Dec. - see their website at petulantfrenzy dot net (no, I do not work for the band but I have casually photographed them from time to time) - its only $18 at the door - almost as good as Dweezil! see you there - rock on!

So... When do we get another Australian tour?

what an incredible show, exceded our expectations. so many highlights. ray whites vocals were mindblowing, dweezil has done a masterful job in bringing franks music to life, listening to his long guitar soloing was so soothing, just couldnt get enough, easily the best concert i have ever been to. if i never see another band in my life i wouldnt be concerned. but please, please return to australia soon