Frank Zappa - Orchestral Favorites (40th Anniversary Edition) (3 CD) tbr August 15th 2019

To my knowledge the guitar on Duke Of Prunes is an overdub.

 

I was refeering to the 18th September concert which is included in the deluxe edition. Zappa plays guitar on a couple of tunes, including the version of "Rollo" I posted.

Yes, the "Duke of Prunes" guitar solo is an overdub and there's an early assembly of the "Orchestral Favorites" album that includes the same version without the solo. For those who are curious, here's the alternate early tracklist:

1. Strictly Genteel (different version)
2. Duke of Prunes (different mix with no overdubs)
3. Black Napkins (from the 18th concert, to be released on this deluxe edition)
4. Rollo (from the 18th concert, to be released on this deluxe edition, shorter edits have appeared on "QuAUDIOPHILIAc " and "One Shot Deal")
5. Pedro's Dowry (slightly different mix)
6. Naval Aviation in Art? (same version)

 

Awesome train-spotting, right there!
You're doing the lord's work, my friend!

 

Of course all of this wouldn't be possible without the blood, sweat and tears of the Zappateers

 

You mean, "Blood, Sweat & ZAPPA-tears"!

 

Can't wait to hear if the new master will sound any better than the Günter Pfanz mastered original German vinyl record.

I bet if Craig Parker Adams mixed the rest it will be good no doubt, because everything he did so far was phenomenal.

 

Is that the group that has a tape playing in the background?

 

For me, the Joe's Series was cool for getting peeks at certain segments in Frank's career. I realize I was thinking of the live series that had a picture of whatever state the concert was from on the cover. Buffalo was a personal favorite.

 

Not only do I also currently see it available, I bought it from Amazon [US] last week.

 

Price jumped to $42 on Amaz*n.

 

Where? Not in the USA. It's at $33.57.

 

Yes, USA. It’s fluctuating, then. Was $42 and change when I checked.

 

They generate a price according to your IP address and the number of times your are visiting the site and view the item...

 

Weirdness. (Not cheepnis.)

 

Like Zappa In New York, I did not expect a deluxe version of Orchestral Favorites, but it is certainly welcome.

Of the releases from this period, I did find it odd that Studio Tan and Sleep Dirt were remastered from the original tapes in 2012, but Orchestral Favorites was the same reverse-channeled, reverbed mess that was released by Ryko. I went ahead bought the CD out of paranoia, but only listened to it once before going back to the LP.

IMO, this release will close a chapter in the Zappa reissue story. Orchestral Favorites was the last Zappa album with a bad-sounding CD and no better-sounding alternative disc.

 

IMO, the original CD is not that bad. Mine is the old Barking Pumpkin from 1991 and not the Ryko. I always thought that the original German vinyl version was exceptionally good, though. I will compare all that (including the versions on Läther) when I have the new anniversary release.

 

The Barking Pumpkin CD is exactly the same master as the Ryko CD.

 

Yes, but only the channels are reversed. No extra reverb on this title.

 

The Man From Utopia?

Thing Fish also needs sorting out, since most will not have the vinyl mix on the long OOP EMI CD.

And don't the LSO albums also need to be addressed?

I may be forgetting a few!

 

Oh, that’s right. There are people who actually listen to Thing-Fish.

 

Glad you mentioned those. I will be starting a new thread on those shortly. No need to muddy this one up.

 

London Symphony sounds fine to me. Is there much interest in Man From Utopia?

 

I listen to Thing-Fish more often than Absolutely Free. I'm not your typical Zappa fan though.

 

I love "Man From Utopia".

 

Pencil in 2023 for the 40th Anniversary edition.