Läther
Encyclopedia
Läther is an album by Frank Zappa
which was released on CD posthumously in 1996. Produced by Zappa in 1977, the recordings contained in Läther were made between 1972 and 1977 (with one track from 1969). A collection of these tapes was delivered to Warner Bros.
in 1977, but the label refused to release it.
Later on the recordings were released as Zappa in New York
(two versions; 1977 and 1978), Studio Tan
(1978), Sleep Dirt
(1979), and Orchestral Favorites
(1979). A few small parts also appeared in edited form on Sheik Yerbouti
(1979), and Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar
(1981). The Läther recordings, which are taken from the same batch of tapes as the individual albums, were widely circulated as unofficial bootleg LPs starting in the late 1970s.
of the Freak Out
set."
In early 1976, Zappa's relationship with manager and business partner Herb Cohen
ended in litigation. Zappa and Cohen's company DiscReet Records
was distributed by Warner Brothers. When Zappa asked for a re-assignment of his contract from DiscReet to Warner in order to advance the possibility of being able to do special projects without Cohen's involvement, Warner briefly agreed. This led to the 1976 release of Zoot Allures
on Warner. At this point, Zappa was contractually bound to deliver four more albums to Warner and or DiscReet. Zappa had clearly become unhappy about his business dealings with Cohen, Warner and DiscReet and was very eager to complete his contractual obligations. In a move unprecedented for a Rock artist, Zappa decided to deliver all 4 remaining albums on his contract at the same time (or nearly the same time.)
In any case, Warner Bros. objected to the release of some or all of these recordings. Perhaps believing that the material was not up to par because it had been delivered quickly, Warner refused to pay Zappa for production costs. This violated Zappa's contract. What is known for sure is that Zappa In New York
(a two-LP set) was delivered and released on DiscReet in 1977, complete with Zappa-approved artwork. (This album was quickly withdrawn. It was later edited by Warner without Zappa's approval and re-issued in 1978.) In addition, three more titles were delivered to Warner: Studio Tan, Sleep Dirt
, and Orchestral Favorites
, for which Zappa supplied tapes, but no artwork or musical credits.
At some point in 1977, music from the same batch of recordings was also edited into the 4 album box of Läther recordings. The earliest known existence of Läther dates from October 1977. The album was scheduled for Halloween
1977 release as the first title on Zappa Records, with distribution through Phonogram
. However, Warner Bros. interfered with the deal, and this required Zappa to put the project on hold. In December 1977 Zappa took matters into his own hands by playing the entire 4 record vinyl test pressing of the Läther work on Pasadena's KROQ-FM
radio station and instructing listeners to record it. Until the CD was released, on Rykodisc
, Läther was only available on bootlegs which had been sourced either from tapes of the radio broadcast or directly from copies of the test pressing.
Warner Bros. never released Läther and it is remains doubtful that they were ever in possession of the Läther master tapes. However, Warner did eventually release the 4 individual album configurations on DiscReet between 1977 and 1979. Warner commissioned their own sleeve art by Gary Panter
, without Zappa's approval. When the material on Läther was first released on Compact Disc in 1991 Zappa chose to issue the individual album configurations (with the Panter artwork) in place of Läther. Such evidence suggests that Warner received the individual albums in 1977 (rather than Läther) and that the individual albums were Zappa's original artistic intention.
Frank's son Dweezil has stated that Zappa's dealings with Warner have changed the way record contracts are written. Most contracts written since late 1970s clearly state the maximum and minimum lengths of time between delivery of albums. Such stipulations are designed to make it impossible for an artist to deliver multiple albums at once as Zappa did in 1977.
combined with Rock, Jazz rock
, and Orchestral
pop. However, in the Läther configuration the styles were mixed up in a seemingly random way and linked with bits of odd dialogue and sound effects. Though both collections have unique material, the individual album series contains more music and is significantly larger (5 full LPs) than the 4 LP Läther set.
The three CD Läther set released in 1996 represents the full 4 LP collection plus a variety of bonus tracks. Most of the material on Läther appears in some form on the 1977–79 albums—in total, twenty of the thirty tracks present appear elsewhere. However, only six tracks on the set are precisely the same as those on Rykodisc's other Zappa albums, the remaining being either alternative mixes or unique to the box. There's one small discrepancy on the Läther CD. Liner notes include studio track lists for the original eight LP sides, and this list includes a brief version of a track called "Baby Snakes" which does not actually appear on Läther. No explanation is given for why this track appears on the list but not the album. Since Zappa sometimes re-used song titles it is possible that this track may have contained different musical content than the "Baby Snakes" that appeared on Sheik Yerbouti in 1979.
Frank Zappa
Frank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
which was released on CD posthumously in 1996. Produced by Zappa in 1977, the recordings contained in Läther were made between 1972 and 1977 (with one track from 1969). A collection of these tapes was delivered to Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
in 1977, but the label refused to release it.
Later on the recordings were released as Zappa in New York
Zappa in New York
Zappa in New York is a live double album by Frank Zappa. It was recorded at a series of concerts at New York City's Palladium in December 1976. It was released by Zappa's DiscReet Records label in 1977, then quickly withdrawn. A second version was re-released in 1978 with changes ordered by...
(two versions; 1977 and 1978), Studio Tan
Studio Tan
Studio Tan is an album by Frank Zappa, first released in September, 1978 on his own DiscReet Records label. It reached #147 on the Billboard 200 albums chart...
(1978), Sleep Dirt
Sleep Dirt
Sleep Dirt is an album by Frank Zappa released in January, 1979 on his own DiscReet Records label. It reached 175 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart...
(1979), and Orchestral Favorites
Orchestral Favorites
Orchestral Favorites is an album by Frank Zappa first released in May, 1979 on his own DiscReet Records label. The album is instrumental and features music performed by the 37-piece Abnuceals Emuukha Electric Symphony Orchestra...
(1979). A few small parts also appeared in edited form on Sheik Yerbouti
Sheik Yerbouti
Sheik Yerbouti is a double vinyl album by Frank Zappa made up of material recorded in 1977 and 1978. It was first released on March 3 1979 as the first release on Zappa Records and re-issued on compact disc, first in unauthorized form by EMI in 1986 and then by Rykodisc in 1990 and then again in 1995...
(1979), and Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar
Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar
Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar is a triple vinyl album, originally issued mail order-only as three separate volumes, featuring live material recorded by Frank Zappa between February 1977 and December 1980. The final track, "Canard du Jour", is a duet with Frank Zappa on electric bouzouki and Jean-Luc...
(1981). The Läther recordings, which are taken from the same batch of tapes as the individual albums, were widely circulated as unofficial bootleg LPs starting in the late 1970s.
Background
Before the official Läther release on CD in 1996, the album had been considered one of rock music's great lost albums, considered "the SmileSmile (The Beach Boys album)
Smile is a previously unreleased album by The Beach Boys recorded throughout 1966 and 1967. The project was intended by its creator Brian Wilson as the follow-up to Pet Sounds, but was never completed in its original form...
of the Freak Out
Freak Out!
Freak Out! is the debut album by American band The Mothers of Invention, released June 27, 1966 on Verve Records. Often cited as one of rock music's first concept albums, the album is a satirical expression of frontman Frank Zappa's perception of American pop culture...
set."
In early 1976, Zappa's relationship with manager and business partner Herb Cohen
Herb Cohen
Herbert "Herb" Cohen was an American personal manager, record company executive, and music publisher, best known as the manager of Frank Zappa, Tom Waits, and many other Los Angeles-based musicians in the 1960s and 1970s.-Life and career:Cohen was born in New York...
ended in litigation. Zappa and Cohen's company DiscReet Records
DiscReet Records
DiscReet Records was a company founded by Frank Zappa and his then business partner/manager Herb Cohen. It was created in 1973 when their previous companies Bizarre Records and Straight Records were discontinued...
was distributed by Warner Brothers. When Zappa asked for a re-assignment of his contract from DiscReet to Warner in order to advance the possibility of being able to do special projects without Cohen's involvement, Warner briefly agreed. This led to the 1976 release of Zoot Allures
Zoot Allures
Zoot Allures is a 1976 rock album by Frank Zappa. This was Zappa's only release on the Warner Bros. Records label. Due to a lawsuit with his former manager Herb Cohen Frank Zappa's recording contract was temporarily re-assigned from DiscReet Records to Warner Bros.The title is a pun on the French...
on Warner. At this point, Zappa was contractually bound to deliver four more albums to Warner and or DiscReet. Zappa had clearly become unhappy about his business dealings with Cohen, Warner and DiscReet and was very eager to complete his contractual obligations. In a move unprecedented for a Rock artist, Zappa decided to deliver all 4 remaining albums on his contract at the same time (or nearly the same time.)
Negotiations and release information
There is still a great deal of confusion surrounding Zappa's original artistic intentions for material on the Läther album. Early in 1977, Zappa delivered master tapes for four albums to Warner Bros. The exact contents of these tapes remain in dispute. Some sources claim that it was a quadruple-LP set, entitled Läther. Other sources insist that the albums were four individual titles (a total of 5 full length LPs.) It is unlikely that a single 4 LP set could have fulfilled the requirements of Zappa's Warner Bros. contract, which would have ordinarily called for 4 titles. A 4 LP set would have also been a very radical proposition, since projects of this size by Rock musicians were nearly unheard of in 1977.In any case, Warner Bros. objected to the release of some or all of these recordings. Perhaps believing that the material was not up to par because it had been delivered quickly, Warner refused to pay Zappa for production costs. This violated Zappa's contract. What is known for sure is that Zappa In New York
Zappa in New York
Zappa in New York is a live double album by Frank Zappa. It was recorded at a series of concerts at New York City's Palladium in December 1976. It was released by Zappa's DiscReet Records label in 1977, then quickly withdrawn. A second version was re-released in 1978 with changes ordered by...
(a two-LP set) was delivered and released on DiscReet in 1977, complete with Zappa-approved artwork. (This album was quickly withdrawn. It was later edited by Warner without Zappa's approval and re-issued in 1978.) In addition, three more titles were delivered to Warner: Studio Tan, Sleep Dirt
Sleep Dirt
Sleep Dirt is an album by Frank Zappa released in January, 1979 on his own DiscReet Records label. It reached 175 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart...
, and Orchestral Favorites
Orchestral Favorites
Orchestral Favorites is an album by Frank Zappa first released in May, 1979 on his own DiscReet Records label. The album is instrumental and features music performed by the 37-piece Abnuceals Emuukha Electric Symphony Orchestra...
, for which Zappa supplied tapes, but no artwork or musical credits.
At some point in 1977, music from the same batch of recordings was also edited into the 4 album box of Läther recordings. The earliest known existence of Läther dates from October 1977. The album was scheduled for Halloween
Halloween
Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
1977 release as the first title on Zappa Records, with distribution through Phonogram
Phonogram Records
Phonogram Records was started in 1962 as a joint venture between Philips Records and Deutsche Grammophon. In 1972, Phonogram was merged with Polydor Records into PolyGram....
. However, Warner Bros. interfered with the deal, and this required Zappa to put the project on hold. In December 1977 Zappa took matters into his own hands by playing the entire 4 record vinyl test pressing of the Läther work on Pasadena's KROQ-FM
KROQ-FM
KROQ-FM — branded 106.7 KROQ — is a commercial modern rock radio station licensed to Pasadena, California serving the Greater Los Angeles. The call sign is pronounced "kay rock." It is the flagship station of Loveline hosted by Dr...
radio station and instructing listeners to record it. Until the CD was released, on Rykodisc
Rykodisc
Rykodisc Records is an American record label. It is owned by Warner Music Group, operates as a unit of WMG's Independent Label Group and is distributed through Alternative Distribution Alliance.-Company history:...
, Läther was only available on bootlegs which had been sourced either from tapes of the radio broadcast or directly from copies of the test pressing.
Warner Bros. never released Läther and it is remains doubtful that they were ever in possession of the Läther master tapes. However, Warner did eventually release the 4 individual album configurations on DiscReet between 1977 and 1979. Warner commissioned their own sleeve art by Gary Panter
Gary Panter
Gary Panter is an illustrator, painter, designer and part-time musician. Panter's work is representative of the post-underground, new wave comics movement that began with the end of Arcade: The Comics Revue and the initiation of RAW, one of the second generation in American underground comix...
, without Zappa's approval. When the material on Läther was first released on Compact Disc in 1991 Zappa chose to issue the individual album configurations (with the Panter artwork) in place of Läther. Such evidence suggests that Warner received the individual albums in 1977 (rather than Läther) and that the individual albums were Zappa's original artistic intention.
Frank's son Dweezil has stated that Zappa's dealings with Warner have changed the way record contracts are written. Most contracts written since late 1970s clearly state the maximum and minimum lengths of time between delivery of albums. Such stipulations are designed to make it impossible for an artist to deliver multiple albums at once as Zappa did in 1977.
Content
Each of the 4 titles in the individual album series has a cohesive and unique style of its own. The styles range from live Rock performances, Chamber musicChamber music
Chamber music is a form of classical music, written for a small group of instruments which traditionally could be accommodated in a palace chamber. Most broadly, it includes any art music that is performed by a small number of performers with one performer to a part...
combined with Rock, Jazz rock
Jazz fusion
Jazz fusion is a musical fusion genre that developed from mixing funk and R&B rhythms and the amplification and electronic effects of rock, complex time signatures derived from non-Western music and extended, typically instrumental compositions with a jazz approach to lengthy group improvisations,...
, and Orchestral
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
pop. However, in the Läther configuration the styles were mixed up in a seemingly random way and linked with bits of odd dialogue and sound effects. Though both collections have unique material, the individual album series contains more music and is significantly larger (5 full LPs) than the 4 LP Läther set.
The three CD Läther set released in 1996 represents the full 4 LP collection plus a variety of bonus tracks. Most of the material on Läther appears in some form on the 1977–79 albums—in total, twenty of the thirty tracks present appear elsewhere. However, only six tracks on the set are precisely the same as those on Rykodisc's other Zappa albums, the remaining being either alternative mixes or unique to the box. There's one small discrepancy on the Läther CD. Liner notes include studio track lists for the original eight LP sides, and this list includes a brief version of a track called "Baby Snakes" which does not actually appear on Läther. No explanation is given for why this track appears on the list but not the album. Since Zappa sometimes re-used song titles it is possible that this track may have contained different musical content than the "Baby Snakes" that appeared on Sheik Yerbouti in 1979.
LP Side one
- "Re-gyptian Strut" – 4:36
- "Naval Aviation in Art?" – 1:32
- "A Little Green Rosetta" – 2:48
- "Duck Duck Goose" – 3:01
- "Down in de Dew" – 2:57
- "For the Young Sophisticate" – 3:14
LP Side two
- "Tryin' to Grow a Chin" – 3:26
- "Broken Hearts Are for Assholes" – 4:40
- "The Legend of the Illinois Enema Bandit" – 12:43
LP Side three
- "Lemme Take You to the Beach" – 2:46
- "Revised Music for Guitar & Low Budget Orchestra" – 7:36
- "RDNZL" – 8:14
LP Side four
- "Honey, Don't You Want a Man Like Me?" – 4:56
- "The Black Page #1" – 1:57
- "Big Leg Emma" – 2:11
- "Punky's Whips" – 11:06
LP Side six
- "Pedro's Dowry" – 7:45
- "Läther" – 3:50
- "Spider of Destiny" – 2:40
- "Duke of Orchestral Prunes" – 4:21
LP Side seven
- "Filthy Habits" – 7:12
- "Titties 'n Beer" – 5:23
- "The Ocean Is the Ultimate Solution" – 8:32
CD bonus tracks
- "Regyptian Strut (1993)" – 4:42
- "Leather Goods" – 6:01
- "Revenge of the Knick Knack People" – 2:25
- "Time Is Money" – 3:04
Disc One, Track 1
- Frank ZappaFrank ZappaFrank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
– percussion - George DukeGeorge DukeGeorge Duke is a multi-faceted American musician, known as a keyboard pioneer, composer, singer and producer in both jazz and popular mainstream musical genres. He has worked with numerous acclaimed artists as arranger, music director, writer and co-writer, record producer and professor of music...
– keyboards - Bruce FowlerBruce FowlerBruce Lambourne Fowler is a prominent American trombone player and composer. He notably played trombone on many Frank Zappa records, as well as with Captain Beefheart, and in the Fowler Brothers Band...
– all brass - James "Bird Legs" Youman – bass
- Ruth UnderwoodRuth UnderwoodRuth Underwood is a retired professional musician, best known for playing xylophone, marimba, vibraphone and other percussion instruments in Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention from 1967 to 1977....
– percussion - Chester ThompsonChester ThompsonChester Cortez Thompson is an American drummer and session musician.-Biography:Thompson made his name as a session drummer, going on to play in Frank Zappa's touring band and with Weather Report...
– drums
Disc One, Track 2; Disc Two, Track 7 & 10
- Frank ZappaFrank ZappaFrank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
– guitar - Dave Parlato – bass
- Terry BozzioTerry BozzioTerry John Bozzio is an American drummer best known for his work with Missing Persons and Frank Zappa.-Biography:Terry Bozzio was born December 27, 1950 in San Francisco, California. He started at age 6 playing makeshift drum sets. At the age of 13 he saw The Beatles premier performance on The Ed...
– drums - Emil RichardsEmil RichardsEmil Richards, born Emilio Joseph Radocchia on September 2, 1932 in Hartford, Connecticut, is a percussionist who plays a variety of different percussion instruments.-Biography:...
– percussion - Orchestra conducted by Michael Zearott
Disc One, Track 3 (Part Two)
- Frank ZappaFrank ZappaFrank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
– lead guitar - Andre Lewis – keyboards
- Roy EstradaRoy EstradaRoy Estrada is an American musician and backing vocalist, best known for his bass guitar work with Frank Zappa and for co-founding Little Feat.-Biography:With drummer Jimmy Carl Black and Ray Collins, Estrada was an original member of Frank Zappa's...
– bass - Terry BozzioTerry BozzioTerry John Bozzio is an American drummer best known for his work with Missing Persons and Frank Zappa.-Biography:Terry Bozzio was born December 27, 1950 in San Francisco, California. He started at age 6 playing makeshift drum sets. At the age of 13 he saw The Beatles premier performance on The Ed...
- drums
Disc One, Track 4 (Part One), 7 & 8; Disc Two, Track 1; Disc Three Track 6
- Frank ZappaFrank ZappaFrank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
– guitar, vocals - Ray WhiteRay WhiteRay White is a soul vocalist and rock and blues guitarist, best known as a member of Frank Zappa's touring ensembles. He was drafted into Zappa's band in the fall of 1976, being featured on rhythm guitar and vocals, forming a memorable vocal harmony partnership with Ike Willis on later tours in...
– guitar, vocals - Eddie JobsonEddie JobsonEdwin "Eddie" Jobson is an English keyboardist and violinist noted for his use of synthesizers. He has been a member of several progressive rock bands, including Curved Air, Roxy Music, U.K., and Jethro Tull. He was also part of Frank Zappa's band in 1976-77...
– violin, keyboards - Patrick O'HearnPatrick O'HearnPatrick O'Hearn is an American multi-instrumentalist musician, composer and recording artist. While his musical repertoire spans a diverse range of music, he is an acclaimed New Age artist in his solo career...
– bass - Terry BozzioTerry BozzioTerry John Bozzio is an American drummer best known for his work with Missing Persons and Frank Zappa.-Biography:Terry Bozzio was born December 27, 1950 in San Francisco, California. He started at age 6 playing makeshift drum sets. At the age of 13 he saw The Beatles premier performance on The Ed...
– drums
Disc One, Track 5
- Frank ZappaFrank ZappaFrank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
– all guitars, bass - Jim GordonJim Gordon (musician)James Beck "Jim" Gordon is an American recording artist, musician and songwriter. The Grammy Award winner was one of the most requested session drummers in the late 1960s and 1970s, recording albums with many well-known musicians of the time, and was the drummer in the blues-rock supergroup Derek...
– drums
Disc One, Track 6
- Frank ZappaFrank ZappaFrank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
– lead guitar, vocals - George DukeGeorge DukeGeorge Duke is a multi-faceted American musician, known as a keyboard pioneer, composer, singer and producer in both jazz and popular mainstream musical genres. He has worked with numerous acclaimed artists as arranger, music director, writer and co-writer, record producer and professor of music...
– keyboards - Tom Fowler – bass
- Paul HumphreyPaul HumphreyPaul Nelson Humphrey is an American jazz and funk/R+B drummer.He worked as a session drummer in the 1960s for jazz artists such as Wes Montgomery, Les McCann, Kai Winding, Charles Mingus, Lee Konitz, Blue Mitchell and Gene Ammons.As a bandleader, he recorded under the name Paul Humphrey and the...
– drums - Ricky Lancelotti – vocals
Disc One, Track 9; Disc Two, Track 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8; Disc Three, Track 2
- Frank ZappaFrank ZappaFrank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
– lead guitar, vocals - Ray WhiteRay WhiteRay White is a soul vocalist and rock and blues guitarist, best known as a member of Frank Zappa's touring ensembles. He was drafted into Zappa's band in the fall of 1976, being featured on rhythm guitar and vocals, forming a memorable vocal harmony partnership with Ike Willis on later tours in...
– rhythm guitar, vocals - Eddie JobsonEddie JobsonEdwin "Eddie" Jobson is an English keyboardist and violinist noted for his use of synthesizers. He has been a member of several progressive rock bands, including Curved Air, Roxy Music, U.K., and Jethro Tull. He was also part of Frank Zappa's band in 1976-77...
– violin, keyboards, voclas - Patrick O'HearnPatrick O'HearnPatrick O'Hearn is an American multi-instrumentalist musician, composer and recording artist. While his musical repertoire spans a diverse range of music, he is an acclaimed New Age artist in his solo career...
– bass, vocals - Terry BozzioTerry BozzioTerry John Bozzio is an American drummer best known for his work with Missing Persons and Frank Zappa.-Biography:Terry Bozzio was born December 27, 1950 in San Francisco, California. He started at age 6 playing makeshift drum sets. At the age of 13 he saw The Beatles premier performance on The Ed...
– drums - Ruth UnderwoodRuth UnderwoodRuth Underwood is a retired professional musician, best known for playing xylophone, marimba, vibraphone and other percussion instruments in Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention from 1967 to 1977....
– percussion, synthesizer - David Samuels – timpani, vibes
- Randy BreckerRandy BreckerRandal "Randy" Brecker is an American trumpeter and flugelhornist. He is a highly sought after performer in the genres of jazz, rock, and R&B, and has performed or recorded with Stanley Turrentine, Billy Cobham, Bruce Springsteen, Lou Reed, Sandip Burman, Charles Mingus, Blood, Sweat & Tears,...
– trumpet - Mike Brecker – tenor sax, flute
- Lou MariniLou MariniLou Marini, Jr. is an American saxophonist, arranger and composer. He is noted for his work in the jazz, rock, blues and soul music traditions.-Early life and range of musical experience:...
– alto sax, flute - Ronnie CuberRonnie CuberRonnie Cuber is a jazz saxophonist. He has also played in Latin, pop, rock and blues sessions. In addition to his primary instrument, baritone sax, he has also played tenor sax, soprano sax and flute, the latter on an album by Eddie Palmieri. As a leader, Cuber is known for hard bop and Latin jazz...
– baritone sax, clarinet - Tom MaloneTom Malone (musician)Tom "Bones" Malone is an American jazz musician. As his nickname implies, he specializes on the trombone, but also plays trumpet, tuba, tenor sax, baritone sax, flutes, piccolo, and other instruments....
– trombone, trumpet, piccolo - Don PardoDon PardoDominick George "Don" Pardo is an American radio and television announcer. He is best known as the voice of the long-running late night sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live....
– sophisticated narration
Disc One, Track 10
- Frank ZappaFrank ZappaFrank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
– guitar, vocals - Davey Moire – vocals
- Eddie JobsonEddie JobsonEdwin "Eddie" Jobson is an English keyboardist and violinist noted for his use of synthesizers. He has been a member of several progressive rock bands, including Curved Air, Roxy Music, U.K., and Jethro Tull. He was also part of Frank Zappa's band in 1976-77...
– keyboards, yodeling - Max BennettMax Bennett (musician)Max Bennett is an American jazz bassist and session musician.Bennett grew up in Kansas City and Oskaloosa, Iowa, and went to college in Iowa. His first professional gig was with Herbie Fields in 1949, and following this he played with Georgie Auld, Terry Gibbs, and Charlie Ventura...
– bass - Paul HumphreyPaul HumphreyPaul Nelson Humphrey is an American jazz and funk/R+B drummer.He worked as a session drummer in the 1960s for jazz artists such as Wes Montgomery, Les McCann, Kai Winding, Charles Mingus, Lee Konitz, Blue Mitchell and Gene Ammons.As a bandleader, he recorded under the name Paul Humphrey and the...
– drums - Don BrewerDon BrewerDon Brewer is the drummer and co-lead singer for American rock band Grand Funk Railroad.- Early life :Brewer was born in Flint, Michigan on September 3, 1948 and is a graduate of Swartz Creek High School....
– bongos
Disc One, Track 11; Disc Three, Track 4
- Frank ZappaFrank ZappaFrank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
– guitar, vocals - George DukeGeorge DukeGeorge Duke is a multi-faceted American musician, known as a keyboard pioneer, composer, singer and producer in both jazz and popular mainstream musical genres. He has worked with numerous acclaimed artists as arranger, music director, writer and co-writer, record producer and professor of music...
– keyboards - Bruce FowlerBruce FowlerBruce Lambourne Fowler is a prominent American trombone player and composer. He notably played trombone on many Frank Zappa records, as well as with Captain Beefheart, and in the Fowler Brothers Band...
– trombone - Tom Fowler – bass
- Chester ThompsonChester ThompsonChester Cortez Thompson is an American drummer and session musician.-Biography:Thompson made his name as a session drummer, going on to play in Frank Zappa's touring band and with Weather Report...
– drums
Disc One, Track 12; Disc Three, Track 8
- Frank ZappaFrank ZappaFrank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
– guitar - George DukeGeorge DukeGeorge Duke is a multi-faceted American musician, known as a keyboard pioneer, composer, singer and producer in both jazz and popular mainstream musical genres. He has worked with numerous acclaimed artists as arranger, music director, writer and co-writer, record producer and professor of music...
– keyboards - James "Bird Legs" Youman – bass
- Ruth UnderwoodRuth UnderwoodRuth Underwood is a retired professional musician, best known for playing xylophone, marimba, vibraphone and other percussion instruments in Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention from 1967 to 1977....
– percussion - Chester ThompsonChester ThompsonChester Cortez Thompson is an American drummer and session musician.-Biography:Thompson made his name as a session drummer, going on to play in Frank Zappa's touring band and with Weather Report...
– drums
Disc Two, Track 5 & 9
- Frank ZappaFrank ZappaFrank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
– guitar - George DukeGeorge DukeGeorge Duke is a multi-faceted American musician, known as a keyboard pioneer, composer, singer and producer in both jazz and popular mainstream musical genres. He has worked with numerous acclaimed artists as arranger, music director, writer and co-writer, record producer and professor of music...
– keyboards - Patrick O'HearnPatrick O'HearnPatrick O'Hearn is an American multi-instrumentalist musician, composer and recording artist. While his musical repertoire spans a diverse range of music, he is an acclaimed New Age artist in his solo career...
– bass - Ruth UnderwoodRuth UnderwoodRuth Underwood is a retired professional musician, best known for playing xylophone, marimba, vibraphone and other percussion instruments in Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention from 1967 to 1977....
– percussion - Chester ThompsonChester ThompsonChester Cortez Thompson is an American drummer and session musician.-Biography:Thompson made his name as a session drummer, going on to play in Frank Zappa's touring band and with Weather Report...
– drums
Disc Three, Track 1
- Frank ZappaFrank ZappaFrank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
– guitar, keyboards - Dave Parlato – bass
- Terry BozzioTerry BozzioTerry John Bozzio is an American drummer best known for his work with Missing Persons and Frank Zappa.-Biography:Terry Bozzio was born December 27, 1950 in San Francisco, California. He started at age 6 playing makeshift drum sets. At the age of 13 he saw The Beatles premier performance on The Ed...
– drums
Disc Three, Track 3
- Frank ZappaFrank ZappaFrank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
– guitar, synthesizer - Patrick O'HearnPatrick O'HearnPatrick O'Hearn is an American multi-instrumentalist musician, composer and recording artist. While his musical repertoire spans a diverse range of music, he is an acclaimed New Age artist in his solo career...
– bass - Terry BozzioTerry BozzioTerry John Bozzio is an American drummer best known for his work with Missing Persons and Frank Zappa.-Biography:Terry Bozzio was born December 27, 1950 in San Francisco, California. He started at age 6 playing makeshift drum sets. At the age of 13 he saw The Beatles premier performance on The Ed...
– drums
Disc Three, Track 5
- Frank ZappaFrank ZappaFrank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
– percussion - George DukeGeorge DukeGeorge Duke is a multi-faceted American musician, known as a keyboard pioneer, composer, singer and producer in both jazz and popular mainstream musical genres. He has worked with numerous acclaimed artists as arranger, music director, writer and co-writer, record producer and professor of music...
– keyboards - Bruce FowlerBruce FowlerBruce Lambourne Fowler is a prominent American trombone player and composer. He notably played trombone on many Frank Zappa records, as well as with Captain Beefheart, and in the Fowler Brothers Band...
– all brass - James "Bird Legs" Youman – bass
- Ruth UnderwoodRuth UnderwoodRuth Underwood is a retired professional musician, best known for playing xylophone, marimba, vibraphone and other percussion instruments in Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention from 1967 to 1977....
– percussion - Chad WackermanChad WackermanChad Wackerman is a jazz, jazz fusion and rock drummer; arguably best known in the United States for his work as a drummer and percussionist in Frank Zappa's band...
– drum overdubs
Credits
- Digital Mastering & EQ – Spencer Chrislu
- Transfer Engineers – David Dondorf, Spencer Chrislu
- Vaultmeisterment – Joe Travers
- Bonues Section Assembly, Edits & Mastering – Spencer Chrislu
- Cover Concept – Dweezil Zappa
- Forward Motion – Gail Zappa
- Deep-dish Descriptions – Simon Prentis
- Cover Execution & Layout Design – Steven Jurgensmeyer