Z plays Z, absolutely free!
Dweezil Zappa started bringing to Buffalo his Zappa Plays Zappa - a repertory ensemble dedicated to preserving and celebrating the legacy of his late father Frank's immense body of work - immediately after forming the band in 2006.
A show inside UB's Center for the Arts introduced us to the group, and subsequent gigs at the Town Ballroom and Thursday at the Square deepened the intensity of the relationship.
Last night's repeat performance at the Square - a make-good of sorts, since last year's show at the venue was cut short due to severe weather - was the feather in the younger Zappa's cap. Simply put, there is no finer collective of rock-based musicians on the planet. The band members made performing this incredibly complex, often beautiful, humorous and irreverent music appear easy and natural.
Not sure of the complete set list, but here are some highlights.
Inca Roads (New singer Ben Thomas tore this one up; he's a wonderful addition to the band.)
Village of the Sun
Echidna's Arf (Of You)
Cozmik Debris (A jaw-dropping solo from Dweezil.)
Outside Now (Beautiful vocal harmonies on this one.)
Peaches en Regalia
Willie the Pimp
If anyone can fill in the blanks, please do! Here's an "Inca Roads" clip from a recent show.
Awesome show...can't wait to see these guys for 2 intimate performances on the Jam Cruise in Jan 2010!!!!
Posted by: siket71 | July 03, 2009 at 09:53 AM
I couldn't disagree more with the review of the concert on the Arts page. The songs are the stars, much less so any virtuoso performances from long solos.
Don't get me wrong, Dweezil is excellent, but I'm not hearing anything new there.
The songs are unique, and when the full band is blasting through the melodies blending math rock, blues, idiosyncratic discursive lyrics, and most importantly humor, that's the real thrill of anything Zappa related. I wish we'd see less of the jam band which is rather typical and to be expected, and more Zappa. I know that's perhaps not fair to Dweezil and the band, asking them to be even MORE like Frank & Co., but Frank was great, and if you're going to do a tribute to the music, then try to stay away from the mundane and mediocre.
What I saw: old Zappa fans getting into the songs and singing along, new jam band fans thrashing and playing air guitar during the solos.
I think the new singer had a good voice, did justice to the songs, but I was much less impressed by his antics up there, very Kid Rock-ish. Not a good fit.
In other words, I seriously doubt they can update this music for a new generation by making it seem hipper, Limp Bizkity. Just play the music and let the chips fall where they may.
Posted by: Dan | July 03, 2009 at 10:48 AM
One of the reasons I stopped going to concerts at the square is because of the chatter. There's nothing worse than trying to hear great music while everyone around you is socializing.
Posted by: Joann | July 03, 2009 at 03:47 PM
Joann... right on. For 90% of the people it's all about the beer & people watching. Buffalo Place could put a mime on stage every week & probably get the same turnout. But... at least people are getting into the city.
Posted by: JayW | July 04, 2009 at 09:08 AM
Dan may be right that the songs were the stars for this crowd. But this misses the fact that the songs are simply a vehicle for Zappa's "virtuouso performances."
Frank employed shock and sex to bring a larger audience to the table where he could introduce them to a world of music perhaps unbeknownst to them.
In fact, if you take a look at Frank Zappa setlists from all his Buffalo appearances from the early 70's on you would be hard pressed to find as many "sing-alongs," as Zappa plays Zappa have been employing.( I have seen every Zappa and ZPZ show in Buffalo since 1980 and have them all on CD as well-aside from Shea's early show, god bless Dimeadozen)
To each his own. I will enjoy the "stars" that are the performances while you enjoy the telescopes that are the songs.
Posted by: theneghan | July 07, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Apostrophe
Carolina Hardcore Ecstasy
Peaches En Regalia
Montana
Village of the sun
Echidna's Arf of You
Don't You Ever Wash That Thing
Cosmik Debris
Inca Roads
Outside Now
Bamboozled by Love
Pound for a Brown
Yellow Snow
St. Alfonzo's Pancake Breakfast
Father O'Blivion
Zomby Woof
Encore:
I'm the Slime
Purple Lagoon
Willie the Pimp
Posted by: theneghan | July 07, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Thanx for the setlist neghan.
Posted by: siket71 | July 07, 2009 at 08:33 PM