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I’m none too pleased with Mother Nature at the moment. She hasn’t been my favorite for some time now given the soggy summer of 2008 she has provided thus far, but last evening was the last straw.
I’ve had the ZPZ, August 7th date circled on my calendar as the musical highlight of the summer since I saw the date first appear on the band’s website. Despite the weather, we’ve been treated to a wonderful variety of musical opportunities this summer, with much of it being free outdoor shows, but this concert was ground Z for me. Ground ZPZ, in fact.
I’m a relative newcomer to all of this, but my musical life has been so wildly enriched in the last two years by the music of Frank Zappa, thanks in full to Dweezil’s efforts, talents, dedication and vision. DZ and company should be extremely proud that they have achieved and are executing what their mission statement’s goals were presumably set out to be; Bringing back Frank’s music for the lifers, exposing it to those previously unaware and capturing the hearts and minds of younger generations to know the magnificence of this Zappa family. That magnificence can be credited to the creative and visionary mind of the founding father Frank himself. Aside from his obvious musical prowess and all things related to the creation, presentation, production and recorded representation, he must have been a consummate family man as well. It is evident in the dedication of his wife and children who lovingly preserve, protect and promote his memory, his body of work and his legacy. That would not happen if the man himself was not the type of human being to be a dedicated husband and father who nurtured his immediate family and instilled his love, support and ideals for the benefit of everyone.
It seems that the family as a whole has done a wonderful behind the scenes job over the years to oversee all of Franks recorded works and manage the packaging, presentation and promotion of that entity. But Dweezil had a vision beyond the vaulted canon, to take it directly to the people through live performance by assembling a killer ensemble of highly skilled craftsmen (and craftswoman) to precisely execute this highly complex and demanding material. Recorded music is wonderful, but the presentation of that material in a live format is what captures your heart and feeds your soul. To me, recorded works are simply a means to mentally transport myself back to that live experience where I stand rapt in awe of the incredible talent flowing from a concert stage to be absorbed by an adoring crowd. I believe one of Frank’s famous quotes was “Music is the best.” I’d like to augment that for my own preference to say that “Live music is the best.”
I greatly admire visionary people who are determined to achieve their goals. It takes hard work, long hours, discipline and dedication. Dweezil has employed and embraced all of these qualities in his quest to further his father’s vision. He obviously had talent as a young man who learned to shred guitars like one of his purported heroes from his youth, Eddie Van Halen. You have to be a monster talent to replicate that type of playing and do it justice. But it would seem to me that those exercises were merely training to cultivate the basic skills that would provide a platform for which to answer to a higher calling. Like taking calculus in a college curriculum. You may never actually use calculus in a practical sense in the rest of your life unless you become some sort of doctoral research scientist, but it helps to rewire and train your brain to think more analytically at a higher level, where you will ultimately apply those skills elsewhere. I think DZ’s undergraduate studies in the school of guitar shredder U, provided the foundation of skills necessary to tackle more complex feats.
He stated that he literally had to re-learn how to play the guitar, and woodshed for 2 years to approach the level of musicianship necessary to tackle a project of this complexity and enormity. THAT is ambition, inspiration, discipline and dedication! Kudos to DZ for digging in and keeping his nose to the grindstone. This is the family business, afterall, and business is good!
DZ has taken the torch and run with it, and he appears to be gaining momentum. I hope the trend continues. I also hope that as this all evolves that DZ and whomever he employs in this endeavor will begin to compose and create new Zappa material that is his own, and slowly incorporate it into the existing body of work.
I have such an admiration for DZ as a man, that I would like to see him carve out his own legacy that may be linked to that of his father, but also stands somewhat alone as his own. This is the type of music that needs to be out there. I have the utmost respect for Dweezil and the family for not allowing Frank’s work to be relegated to the archives and annals of history. This music needs to live, breath and be nurtured so that present and future generations will benefit from it’s greatness.
Last evening was my sixth ZPZ experience. I have the misfortune of never having the opportunity to see Frank. I was too young and his career largely predated my live concert going years. I love all types of music across many different and disparate genres but there are a select few artists who capture me completely and hold my high regard.
From the first moment I made the trek up the QEW to Toronto in 2006, I finally got it. I became an instant lifer. Why? Because I needed to witness it live to penetrate my thick skull. I’ve heard some of the recorded material previously, but for one reason or another, it never clicked. After my first ZPZ show, in not only clicked, but it exploded. It was like a megaton WMD reaching ground ZPZ in the middle of my brain. I got it. Radio played only what it perceived to fit their tiny little pop formats and only showcased the lightest of Frank’s material that had pop qualities. It took older brothers of friends of mine to get some exposure to more weighty Frank material containing more depth. That got my attention, but I was still not captivated. DZ and crew captivated me via their live presentation.
I stand here before you as the perfect example of what DZ set out to accomplish. I’m it. Thankfully, the ranks of people like me are swelling. That bodes well for the future of this music.
FZ and ZPZ are now esteemed members of my core musical family. My desert island essentials. Perhaps, part of how I loosely define myself, since music is such a large part of my life.
The impulsive child in me wants to run out right now and ravenously purchase any and all Frank Zappa recorded material that is presently out there. (moo-hoo-hoo-ha-ha-ha, as I devilishly wring my hands with a sinister smile) I want it all! But at 60 to 80 albums, that’s a daunting task, logistically and financially. The more mature side of me, who periodically gets brushed from my shoulder, says no. Do it slowly and methodically to maximize the appreciation of it all. I believe that one day, I will own it all, but I want to savor it slowly and digest it thoroughly. It will provide me with little nuggets of joy to look forward to as I acquire each and every item, one at a time. This will provide me with much more enjoyment going forward for years to come. My other “core artists” aren’t so productive anymore, and new releases are few and far between. I keep searching for newer bands to captivate me, and sometimes I think I end up wanting to like a band more than I actually do, out of a craving for something new, but at the end of the day, I’m only kidding myself and realize that what I thought might have potential, winds up leaving me flat. ZPZ was in the right place at the right time for me. Even though the material is not new, it is new to me. And that will do nicely for now.
So, last nights concert. What can I say, but Wow! I was extremely disappointed it was cut short due to weather and over cautious venue management. I stood in the pouring rain and got soaked to the bone for the opening act that, for me, was more painful than the weather. I didn’t think the squall that descended upon the middle of the ZPZ show was any worse. I know the remainder of the concert would have been amazing and I was really psyched to see what would be presented as an encore. Alas, it was not meant to be. I’m left wanting more. Much more. I would have stayed and endured the elements for as long as the band wanted to play. What I did witness, was extraordinary. This was a hot show, on a soggy evening. Everyone was in fine form, and as they say in the Allman’s world, they were “hittin’ the note!”
I’m sure that bands have little to say about shows that promoters assemble, but to me opening bands are a huge waste of time. Rarely do I hear a band that fits the bill and complements the main act. It does happen on occasion, but rarely. Yes, it’s a good means of becoming exposed to something new, and perhaps that’s how many newer and younger bands begin to build their own careers, but so many times the openers are just bloody awful. Last night for me was one of those occasions.
My favorite format is “An Evening With…” I’ve paid the money, (not last night since it was free), to see the main act perform. I want to maximize that.
Some of my other core bands, when they do present such an event, play two sets. The first set of about an hour, a half hour or so intermission, and then a 1-1/2 to two hour second set. I love that format. The first set warms up both band and audience, the intermission provides the audience the opportunity to party a bit, socialize a bit and discuss with great anticipation what the second set might be composed of. THAT makes a great evening. I think it also provides the band an opportunity to come out blazing to round out the show. Kind of like half-time at a sporting event. It allows everyone on and off stage to catch their breath, regroup and really get down to business to complete the evening.
I always thought Bill Graham’s vision was pretty cool where he’d try to expose folks to different music they may not otherwise experience, like having Miles Davis open up a Garteful Dead show to expose the young hippy kids to some serious jazz. That was visionary on his part. He was a promoter who wanted to make money but he also loved music and wanted to present it in the best way possible. If someone like that on the business side of things were out there, I would be more amenable to opening acts. Sadly, there isn’t. So, I’d much prefer “An Evening With……” to any other format.
Last nights show, albeit brief, was still a highlight for me this summer. The band sounded great. It was interesting to watch from my tiny patch of muddy real estate, the band and the developing scene behind the band. A slow moving frontal weather system inched across the sky behind the stage while the band poured out their souls onto the crowd. And the crowd. Where did they come from? It was very sparse earlier in the evening and I was disappointed that it may have been a poor showing for the band. But as ZPZ filed onto the stage the umbrella toting, rain-slickered throng packed the bowl beneath the platform. I thought, “Cool!” Glistening wet fans bobbed to the music as ominous, dark, foreboding and immense thunder heads slowly drifted behind the city-scape of buildings. It didn’t produce any rain at first, and I secretly hoped they would roll by without precipitating. I felt like a tense potential victim in Jurassic park quietly hiding in the undergrowth, patiently waiting and watching as the enormous tyranasourus sloooooowly lumbered past, hoping it wouldn’t see me and just continue on past and out of danger. Waiting, watching, waiting watching, hoping, waiting watching. Then BANG! The monster roared and sent the victims scattering for cover.
I would have endured and rode it out, but venue management had other ideas. Sigh.
I’m not a knowledgeable enough fan to comment on song titles, but I loved the evenings’ selected setlist. City of Tiny Lights. Uncle Remus, Peaches En Regalia, Echidna’s Arf, G-spot Tornado……the Tri-fecta!!! Loved it!
DZ’s guitar playing and tone were killer. Sheila is just a whirlwind of energy back there doing her thing on keys and sax. Pete on bass……a mutha fu___. Jamie on guitar, outstanding. Ray White and his booming, soulful voice. Joe on drums and vocals. Billy on percussion and vibes. Aaron on keys. Did I forget anyone? Damn! All stellar.
Best half a concert I’ve seen this year. Hey…..it exceeded many full concerts I’ve seen this year.
In my hope of hopes, DZ & Co. swing back through Buffalo on a Fall tour. Please come back!
Allow me to write the marquee:
Shea’s Buffalo Theater presents: “An Evening with Zappa Plays Zappa!”
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Sadly cut short toward the end of King Kong due to heavy rain 
I have seen this band 6 times now and they are better every time - proof was seeing them 3 times in one week. 1st show in Northampton they were solid, but the audience was not very enthusiastic. Hampton on weds - ZPZ delivered and audience did as well, but the venue acoustics and seating were not the best. Buffalo was perfect!! Great performance (they nailed it on everything - Purple Lagoon, City of Tiny Lights, TriFecta, Fresh Flakes, Bamboozled by Love) The audience was awesome - energetic and totally engaged. And how could you beat the venue?? An outdoor free concert in the park ( I guess a lightning barrier could've improved on the venue, but other than that.... 
) The opportunity to hear ZPZ outside in the open air was well worth the 8 hour drive from Hampton Beach NH (some of it in the torrential dounpour that finally reached Buffalo and ended the show later the night) The sound was so clear and rich. Even though it was only an hour, it couldn't be beat!! I just bought my tix to the Halloween show in NYC - CAN'T WAIT!!!! I noticed there's no booking for Providence this year - hopefully you're still planning to book it DZ 
pleasepleaseplease....