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.
