Zappa.com

Did you attend this show at the Norva in Norfolk?

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 NORVA is a 'stand-up' venue with no seating in an old vaudeville theater, and it is the kind of place that, depending on how hard you want to work at it, you can get as close as you want to the stage and the band. I started out standing near the front, stage left, amongst a group of loud Zappa fans who were so effusive, that I couldn't hear the music, so I began my migratory movements which continued all night.

I am glad that there is no seating, because with an 8 piece ensemble, you really need to be able to reposition yourself to capture the full effect of the band.

My experience with Frank Zappa goes back to some of the funny cuts from Apostrophe (the ones about Nanook) waaaay back in my younger days and that's about it. So... I did not know one single song that was played tonight, but I enjoyed the whole 2 hours and 45 minutes of intense music. I was actually surprised that the band could go that long with just a tiny break before the last three songs of the night. I never realized that Frank's music was such a fusion of jazz, rock and insane lyrics. There were the signature stacatto, unison runs which really (to me) define the Zappa sound, but there was so much more. Especially Dweezil's guitar work.

I really like impressive guitar work. I have seen the likes of Nuno Bettencourt, Tony Iomi, Zakk Wylde, Eddie Van Halen, Metallica and many others, and I must say that Dweezil is in the top 5 for his guitar proficiency and musicality. He would totally lose in an "air guitar" contest though, because he just plays without being a spazz.

Ray White's vocals were great as was his guitar. Billy Hulting on vibes was quite impressive and right on, adding the element that no Zappa concert would be complete without (not to mention his vocal percussions.) Joe Travers knocked the skins off the drums and even though he never stopped moving all night, he certainly doesn't sweat like Lars Ulrich Pete Griffin tore up the bass in one long piece which featured every member of the band. Scheila moved from sax to keyboard to vocals seamlessly, sometimes doing two or three parts at the same time. Jamie and Aaron completed the group with great guitars, and crazy keyboards and trumpet respectively.

I really liked the way that ZPZ infused Frank's videos into four of the songs, allowing him to take the vocals and lead guitar as if he was standing right on the stage. (I saw Queen with Paul Rogers last year and there was a lot of retrospective video, but none melded Freddie with the band like Frank was included tonight.) It was almost creepy watching Dweezil play backup for his dad, looking up at the video from time to time, but it really worked!

As the evening wound down and I completed my orbit of my favorite listening spots in the venue, I was struck by how complete it all sounded. Every spot had a different view and with 8 members on stage, I gained a unique perspective that I wouldn't have gotten with assigned seating.

It is quite a testament to someone's music if it can entertain for almost 3 hours when it is all new to the listener. Frank Zappa and ZPZ hit the spot last night.

my dad and uncle introduced me to peaches en regalia when i was 3-years-old. i'm barely 19 now and thanks to 'good parenting,' i've practically grown up on the zappas. the music has been a constant for over a decade. my family watched every episode of happy hour together when i was 10. i read the real frank zappa book at 14; wrote english papers about him; and bought my first record (apostrophe) before i even owned a record player at 16. the only thing i missed out on was a live performance. last night filled that void completely. best 3 hours of my life so far.

the dad and uncle couldn't make it so i said fuck it and went alone. so worth it. peaches en regalia was the perfect opening song. ray white's vocals were on point. he was beyond rad... as well as the dude with the white hair and phi zappa crappa shirt above him on the balcony. aaron's skills on the keyboard made my brain explode it was so good. scheila is a true musician. her performance was very genuine and you could feel it. billy hulting's percussion was absolutely phenomenal (i'd also like to get my hands on his jamaican jerk marinade recipe- spicy vegan food is where it's at!). seriously though, everyone's performances were far beyond epic, and that's an understatement.

i was way stoked to hear joe's garage, willie the pimp, and the illinois enema bandit. the improvs about santa clause, the porpoise, and 'we don't chew' reminded me of the zaniness and creativity i've seen in stuff like baby snakes. and seeing/hearing frank on the screen was a genius idea. dweezil, you nailed a solid representation of frank and i was floored. you seem like a good dude. i will definitely be there when you guys play richmond in november (play titties n beer!).

Spectacular show with too many highlights to mention without seeming redundant.

A couple of things of note:

There was a 12 year old kid in the front who caught Dweezil's attention. When DZ found out he was 12, he commented that that was how old he was when he first played guitar live with FZ. Someone in the crowd shouted "Sharleena," probably in reference to the notes for that song from YCDTOSA Vol. 3 where FZ says that version documents DZ's first guitar appearence.

DZ then said that was incorrect. That his first live guitar performance with FZ was in fact Stevie's Spanking. He added that he couldn't play in the key of the song at the time, so FZ had the band drop it down and because DZ had no sense of timing or rthyhm, FZ pointed at him when it was time for him to start and stop.

The other thing of note is we had the first dance contest of the tour! It was on the floor as there was little room on the stage, and it wasn't all that, but it was a testament of the fiestiness of the crowd.


I also noticed during the Pygmy Twylyte solo, DZ played the opening riff from FZ'z Apostrophe solo. Now I freely admit that that memory may be the result of over-listening/analyzing, but I feel confident that it was there. I don't know if it was consciously done, but it sounded great!

Thanks to everyone in the band for the great show. You guys were obviously having a good time, which made it real easy for us to have one as well!

Dweezil, you said that you would come back and see us some time. Please do. You are playing Richmond this fall, Norfolk is just down the road. Newport News and the new Ferguson Center for the Arts is even closer to Richmond. We'd love to have you back!

PEACHES
MONTANA
TINY LIGHTS
ADVANCE ROMANCE
DUMB ALL OVER
BALTIMORE
CAROLINA
PYGMY TWYLYTE
DUPREE'S PARADISE
UNCLE REMUS
WILLIE THE PIMP
JOE'S GARAGE
GAS STATION
SAN BERDINO
ILLINOIS ENEMA BANDIT
WILD LOVE
YO MAMA

ENCORE:

COSMIK
G SPOT
MUFFIN


All, I can say is "WOW" ! This show was everything I was expecting and much much more. The entire band is truly amazing and nothing but professional on stage. After the show, Dweezil and other memebers of the band signed autographs and chatted with the fans. I am so looking forward to seeing the band perform again on November 8th at a new venue in Richmond, VA called Toad's Place.

By far one of the best concerts, I have ever seen in my life.

I want to personally say "Thank You" again to Dweezil Zappa for giving me and many fans the chance to hear and see his fathers music be performed. You and the band are great musicians, and I know your father is looking down each and every night with a huge smile and is very proud.

Joseph
Gum Spring, VA

DWEEZIL IS COMING TO CALGARY!!!! THE "SON OF GOD TOUR". I CAN'T WAIT!!!

I introduced my daughter to Frank Zappa a few years ago and she loves Apostraphe/Overnight Sensation and Joe's Garage. When I told her about the chance to see Dwezzil play she couldn't contain herself, we have to go! We brought her boyfriend along and I did not know that he had never been to a rock concert before.

My daughter and her boyfriend got right up front and stayed for the entire show, while I held on to a couple of seats in the back until my ass got sore and I moved up front as well. Dwezzil and the crew did not dissapoint, the show was outstanding. My daugher liked the video display showing Frank playing, for her it was like going to two concerts in one. Her boyfriend had never really listened to any Zappa before last night, you now have a new fan!

I saw Frank backing Joe's Garage in 1980 at the Sports Arena in San Diego, it was nice to hear Joe's Garage and other songs that people could sing to as well as some bistering guitar work by Dwezzil, Sam and Jamie. A great night for all, thanks!!

I'm sure my exposure to Zappa's music is limited compared to most concert goers (limited to some heightened experiences in college, a handful of albums, and a dog named Chunga.) After the show at the Norva, I know I have a lot of catching up to do. The video of Frank weaved into the performance seamlessly and opened my eyes to what a master guitar player he was. The individual talent of each musician is clear and when you put all eight of them together it is really something special. I have to say that I was especially impressed by White's vocals and Hulting's percussion skills. This was one of the longer concerts I've been to, but I was so immersed it seemed to go by too quickly. Whether you are a long time fan or a brand new listener, you will be blown away by this show.

After watching Frank in person on the 20th Anniversary Tour and years earlier with Captain Beefheart, I was totally excited to take in another show. Videos are great, and CDs are fine, hell vinyl is still the best, but to be there is truly heavenly. After reading all that I can about him, I've come full circle by takin' in a fantastic 3 hour concert with Dweezil and Ray. Reading the other posts will definitely fill you in on the great points of the entire concert. Mine also include being with friends I haven't seen in months and years, remembering songs that were NOT played, enjoying tremendously the ones that were, and having 3 hours of shear contentment and nirvana. To top that off I ran into the keeper of the vault . . . keep up the good work, empty the vaults and just try and fulfill my fix for anything ZAPPA! Thanks for another night of listening to my favorite music (sorry Todd!). Truly AWESOME Show.

agreed. vinyl sounds so much more real than cds. my only disappointment friday night was that there weren't any actual records for sale. i asked one of the merch ladies if they had anything on vinyl and she didn't even know what i was talking about.

Love the footage of Dad behind Dweez

Loved the amount of 70's Zappa my favorite decade of FZ compositions

Wild Love into Yo Mama Sweet!!!!!

Dance Contest thanks for indulging the crowd, Becca and I were the ones getting down over on Pete's side

We don't Chew, you guys are hilarious! I kick myself for not thinking about "Virginia is for Lovers" maybe in Richmond huh.

I'll be there, the guy who looks like Jesus with kanji on his arms.

Pete I'll fill in for you if you throw your back out. seriously... I, like you, love to let the audience see how much fun the bass is.

I love the satisfied yet humble smile constantly on Dwezzil's face. I know you are so proud man.

Thanks so much for this. I loved every second of it. Please keep it going for as long as you can.

And if it's not too much to ask look over the Norfolk set and break out some different gems in Richmond maybe Zoot Allures or perhaps Village of the Sun


Thanks Again
Jeremy
p.s. There really is no Santa Claus

dude, zoot allures and sofa number 1 (perhaps even the acoustic version?).

When the band finished BALTIMORE and Dweezil pointed down to the 12 year old in the second row and asked to let him get up front (about 6 feet from Dweezil and about 8 feet from Ray); I know that that left a lasting impression on the boy. I know because the boy is my best friends son and we trying our darndnes to expose him to REAL MUSIC and who can not say that FRANK is REAL MUSIC.

The ZPZ'07 show at the NORVA could not have been better and I have talked to people who have seen last falls tour and previous shows on this tour. EVERYONE, and I mean EVERYONE that I've talked to or read the blogs on agrees. I can't wait until 11/08/2007; Scotty and I are already bugging his parents to go and they can come if they want to, too.

The only way I can describe the NORVA show is the way a friend - I met at the show - descibed it today, "I'm Still There!", it was an unbelievable musical experience -IT WAS A FZ MOMENT - THANK YOU Dweezil and the band and Ray. It was a night that Scotty will tell his grandchilren about and I will too, if I'm still around.

Last, but not least, If you don't have your tickets for any ZPZ show, then get on the ball and go see some REAL MUSIC. You will not regret it; while you're at it expose your children or someone else's to FZ and other exceptional musicians; you will not regret it. This is kinda what Dweezil told the audience after bringing Scotty to the front.

Again THANKS Dweezil, et. al

'Uncle' Miles

Awesome. That was one terrific concert; the best I've ever been to without a doubt.

Favorites were Peaches, Carolina Hard Core Ecstasy, and everything from Sheik Yerbouti. Also, the footage of FZ was really moving, especially to see DZ with the same guitar as the one in Frank's hands--at the same time. I liked watching Dweezil watch the footage--powerful stuff.

I'm 29 and didn't discover FZ until after he died. The first seed was planted when Frank's death was mentioned on the radio; I was with my dad and he said something to the effect of "as far out as the guy was, he made some really remarkable music." I hadn't ever heard any of his stuff then, and I bought Strictly Commercial along with WOIIFTM to see what it was all about. After that, I was hooked--embracing the music and the far-outness (a.k.a. out-freakage). Of course, that doesn't have much to do with the concert, but I wanted to mention it because I feel like my most profound creative discoveries are of artists already gone. Therefore, I have a deep appreciation for the ZPZ concept and for all the talent that has made it a reality. I really can't say "Thank you!" enough.

Also, DZ was extremely gracious, taking time after the show to meet with the fans and sign stuff. Thanks for signing my ticket Dweezil!

I'm glad the band didn't play Dinah-Moe-Hum. It's amusing and I'm glad it made FZ money, but with everything out there to choose from... I don't get why so many fans were chanting for it.

I'll definitely be at the Richmond, VA concert.

Wish list:
Zoot Allures, Village of the Sun, Whippin' Post, Brown Moses, and a more up-tempo rendition of Pygmy Twylyte. (My only criticism from the Norva performance would be that PT was too slow; on the other hand, G-Spot Tornado was fast and superb). There are dozens more songs I'd like to hear, but I don't want to seem greedy.

Please do play the Norva again soon.

Nothing else to say now but: Thank you!

Simply to hear Scheila sing " I got a spot that gets me hot but you ain't been to it." She is amazing playing but her vocals add emphasis just in the right spot.