The Grand Wazoo
The Grand Wazoo is a studio album by Frank Zappa and The Mothers, released in November 1972. It was written and recorded during Zappa's period of convalescence after being assaulted in December 1971 in London, UK.
The Grand Wazoo | ||||
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Studio album by The Mothers | ||||
Released | November 27, 1972 | |||
Recorded | April–May 1972, Paramount Studios, Hollywood, CA | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 37:00 | |||
Label | Bizarre/Reprise | |||
Producer | Frank Zappa | |||
Frank Zappa chronology | ||||
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The Mothers chronology | ||||
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Singles from The Grand Wazoo | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Overview
Along with its predecessor Waka/Jawaka (July 1972), this album represents Zappa's foray into big band music, the logical progression from Hot Rats (1969) (which used a much smaller lineup). This was the last release on Zappa's own Bizarre Records label.
Recording and production
This was the third Zappa album released in a period where he was forced to use a wheelchair. Zappa was unable to tour after being assaulted and pushed offstage into an orchestra pit during a concert on December 10, 1971 at the Rainbow Theatre in London, UK.[6]
The album is mostly made up of instrumental pieces, similar in style to those of three previous albums: Hot Rats (October 1969), Burnt Weeny Sandwich (February 1970), and Waka/Jawaka (July 1972).
Zappa was also producer and principal composer for Jean-Luc Ponty's album King Kong (1970) during this period.
Track listing
All songs written, composed and arranged by Frank Zappa.
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "For Calvin (And His Next Two Hitch-Hikers)" | 6:05 |
2. | "The Grand Wazoo" | 13:18 |
No. | Title | Length |
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3. | "Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus" | 2:57 |
4. | "Eat That Question" | 6:42 |
5. | "Blessed Relief" | 8:00 |
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "The Grand Wazoo" | 13:20 |
2. | "For Calvin (And His Next Two Hitch-Hikers)" | 6:06 |
3. | "Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus" | 2:57 |
4. | "Eat That Question" | 6:43 |
5. | "Blessed Relief" | 7:59 |
Personnel
Musicians
with:
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with:
Production
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Notes
- Promo issue, with A-Side Mono (DJ airplay) version & B-Side Stereo version of same track.[4]
References
- Musicians and production per CD booklet.
- Couture, François. "Roxy & Elsewhere - Frank Zappa, The Mothers of Invention | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
- Moskowitz, David V. (2015). The 100 Greatest Bands of All Time: A Guide to the Legends Who Rocked the World. ABC-CLIO. p. 263. ISBN 978-1-44080-340-6.
- Mars-Jones, Adam (2015). Kid Gloves: A Voyage Round My Father. Penguin Books Limited. p. 78. ISBN 978-1-84614-876-7.
- www.discogs.com / The Mothers – Cletus Awreetus - Awrightus
- Huey, S. (2011). "The Grand Wazoo - Frank Zappa | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
- Miles, Barry. "The Rainbow Theatre Incident." Zappa Wiki Jawaka. N.p., 13 May 2007. Web. 13 May 2015.