New PledgeMusic Campaign For “200 Motels” by Frank Zappa & Tony Palmer Box Set - CD & DVD with Extras & Exclusives!

“200 Motels” is a 1971 American-British musical surrealist film co-written and directed by Frank Zappa and Tony Palmer and starring The Mothers of Invention, Theodore Bikel and Ringo Starr.

Gonzo Mulitimedia is releasing a limited edition box set of “200 Motels” - CD & DVD with Extras & Exclusives! The film DVD is mastered from Tony Palmer's original 2-inch masters. This is for the first time these masters have ever being used. The second disc contains extra concert material specially edited by “200 Motels” original director Tony Palmer.

In “200 Motels”, the film attempts to portray the craziness of life on the road as a rock musician. While on tour, The Mothers of Invention go crazy in the small fictional town of Centerville (“a real nice place to raise your kids up”), wander around, and get beaten up in “Redneck Eats”, a cowboy bar. In a cartoon interlude passed off as a “dental hygiene movie”, bassist “Jeff”, tired of playing what he refers to as “Zappa’s comedy music”, is persuaded by his bad conscience to quit the group, as did his real-life counterpart Jeff Simmons, who was fired for insubordination before the film began shooting. Simmons was replaced by Martin Lickert (who was Ringo's chauffeur) for the film.

The Orchestra was the Royal Philharmonic, including the great classical guitarist John Williams, and was conducted by Elgar Howarth who went on to become one of Britain's most distinguished conductors. And the choreography was devised by Gillian Lynne, who went on to 'invent' the Lloyd-Webber musical “Cats”. She always said that “200 Motels” was the inspiration for much that she later incorporated into “Cats”.

It was also the first film ever to be shot on 2-inch analogue videotape and successfully transferred to celluloid. “Star Wars” was only just around the corner.

The Cast

Frank Zappa as himself
The Mothers of Invention as themselves
Theodore Bikel as Rance Muhammitz, the narrator/Master of Ceremonies
Ringo Starr as Larry the Dwarf, dressed as Frank Zappa
Keith Moon as the hot nun
Howard Kaylan as himself
Mark Volman as himself
Ian Underwood as himself
Ruth Underwood as herself
Don Preston as himself
Jimmy Carl Black as Lonesome Cowboy Burt
Euclid James 'Motorhead' Sherwood as himself,
Aynsley Dunbar as himself
George Duke as himself
Jim Pons as himself (uncredited)
Pamela Des Barres as the interviewer
Martin Lickert as “Jeff”
Janet Neville-Ferguson as Groupie #1
Lucy Offerall as Groupie #2
Dick Barber as Chunga – The Vacuum Cleaner
Judy Gridley as the chorus leader

For more information: www.pledgemusic.com/frankzappaandtonypalmer

ZAP Featuring Zappa Vocal Legend Ike Willis, Chip Z'Nuff & Sean McKee Release Digital Single “Air Traffic Control” on Steve Vai's Favored Nations

New band ZAP has released a digital single called “Air Traffic Control” on Steve Vai's Favored Nations label. The band is made up of Emmy-nominated composer Sean McKee, who is also collaborating with Jon Anderson from YES on a concept album project, Ike Willis, the voice on numerous Frank Zappa albums, and Grammy-nominated bassist Chip Z'Nuff (Enuff Z'Nuff, Missing Persons, Adler's Appetite).

“Air Traffic Control” started as a 60 second piece that was commissioned by Lee Abrams (Co-Founder of XM Radio) to have McKee write a piece of music in the style of Frank Zappa, and produce a video to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his passing. McKee wrote and performed all instruments, including recording the keyboard parts using a then-prototype Lineage MIDI guitar from Inspired Instruments.

Besides being a musician, McKee is known as a pioneer in the field of image processing, creating technology used for new movies and classic film restorations, along with 2D to 3D conversions, with the technology he led development on being used daily in Hollywood. For several years, one of his clients was Gail Zappa, Frank's widow, and he worked on restoring film elements from Frank's archive, and also helped to recover lost video masters that Gail hadn't seen in years.

According to McKee, “When I heard the news of Gail's passing last October, I was deeply saddened, she was very kind to me, and an incredibly smart woman who pioneered the concept of artists' retaining the rights to the master recordings. I decided to take the 60 second piece and finish it as a proper song, as a memorial to Gail and tribute to Frank, who was a big influence on my playing.”

McKee crafted the song starting from the existing 60 second guitar solo, building a complete song around it, similar to methods Zappa incorporated. He then asked Ike Willis to sing on the track and add another guitar solo. Die hard Zappa fans will also notice a lyrical reference to the infamous 'White Zone'.

McKee continues, “The original solo I wrote is what ends the song, and Ike takes the first guitar solo. If you close your eyes, you can see Frank and hear the lineage. When Frank got sick, he asked Ike to carry on his music, and while this is a new, original song, his playing and voice carries the torch for both the legacy fans as well as a new generation of listeners.”

McKee then asked Chip Z'Nuff to play bass on all parts except for the bass under the solos, which McKee had recorded originally.

The end result is a modern interpretation and homage to a timeless and unique style.

Air Traffic Control

The Mothers ‎– Just Another Band from L.A. | Bizarre Records 1972

Just Another Band From L.A.

The last album from the abbreviated run of the Mothers of Invention that included Flo & Eddie, Just Another Band from L. A. is, to this listener’s way of thinking, a quite entertaining bit of silliness. You’ve got A-side’s worth of Billy the Mountain’s cross-country venture, accompanied by Ethel (his wife)—who was a tree growing off of his shoulder, as they make their way on a well-deserved trip across America.

And you can’t miss “Eddie, Are You Kidding,” which is an hilarious take on a Los Angeles clothier who claimed to have “60 tailors” working behind the scenes at every one of his Greater LA locations.

You may not stumble across much in the way of Frank’s legendary guitar prowess, and it is certainly of its time, but you could certainly do worse than taking in the twists and turns of this 1970’s, not really, masterpiece.

---------- 
Posted by: Robert “carpaldiem” Harmon -  Robert lives in the bustling metrozoid of Southwest Missouri, and usually folds when he has a full house. You should visit his website at isleofkong.com.

Frank Zappa's Guitarist and Vocalist Ike Willis to Release Biography

The Ike Willis Book, an upcoming literary release from The Project Scrutinizer, will be published later this year. The Ike Willis Book will chronicle the life and times of Ike Willis, who played guitar and sang with Frank Zappa for fifteen years.

Ike Willis is featured on a number of classic albums including Joe's Garage, Tinseltown Rebellion, You Are What You Is, Them or Us and Shut Up & Play Yer Guitar. Mr. Willis has lived a long, star-studded, rock-and roll version of "the American dream" before, during and after his time with Frank Zappa. Since Zappa's death in in 1993, Willis has continued paying tribute to the incredibly detailed and academic arrangements of Zappa's original music while performing in Europe and South America with a variety of tribute bands including Project/Object at the Zappanale festival in Germany for the last three years.

The book is derived from highlights of weeks of interviews with Ike, his family and friends, plus key contributions from prominent Frank Zappa alumni such as Bobby Martin Don Preston, Denny Walley, Ray White, Ed Mann and many others. This is the story of Ike Willis, the son, the father, the musician, the singer, the intellectual and kid from St. Louis, MO who made it big. Many of these exclusive, personal stories about Mr. Willis' life and his career with Frank Zappa have never been told before. Ike's story includes people from all walks of life and is a truly fantastic piece of rock and roll history.

Mr. Willis commented on the book; “Now that I am so far into the process of telling my story, all I can say is that I never expected to do something quite like this. The experience has been so powerful and I really feel fortunate to get this unique opportunity. This book will have something interesting for every type of fan - even the ones who have known me forever. I have a large number of Frank Zappa alumni who have contributed to the interviews and we spend plenty of time talking about how many of the most famous songs originated, as well as what life inside the Zappa Universe was really like. We were all so lucky to have had the opportunity to perform the music he wrote and get to spend countless hours with him in the studio, on the road and basically in his world. This book is as important to any piece of music I played with Frank because it really explains how we did it!”

The book is slated to be available in late December to coincide with the holidays and Frank Zappa's birthday. Mr. Willis is booked for an extensive touring schedule with a number of his tribute projects beginning later this year and has a new solo album heading to the studio with several special guest appearances planned.

The Project Scrutinizer, the international group of Ike Willis' friends and fans heading the project, has branches in Los Angeles, New York, New Jersey, Portland (Oregon) and Europe. A Kickstarter funding effort is currently underway and contributing fans will be recognized within the book. 

The Grandmothers of Invention 'Roxy and Elsewhere and More' US Tour To Begin April 2012

Much to the elation of music fans on the US East Coast, for the first time in America, three legendary former members of the Mothers of Invention are playing a series of selected concerts as The Grandmothers of Invention starting in April 2012. The Grandmothers of Invention recently performed to wildly enthusiastic audiences in Europe and now plan to bring their special blend of musical mayhem to the US shores.

“This is going to be the most exciting tour of my entire career!” - Don Preston

The Grandmothers of Invention, showcasing the talents of Mothers of Invention/Zappa alumni:

Napoleon Murphy Brock (MOI member 1974-1984) lead vocals, tenor sax, woodwinds and dancing

Special guest Don Preston (MOI member 1966-1974) vocals, keyboards and transformations

Tom Fowler (MOI member 1973-1978) bass and chair dancing

Chris Garcia - drums, percussion, marimba and vocals

Miroslav Tadic - electric guitar (from April 24 thru May 2)

Robbie Seahag Mangano – electric guitar (from May 3 thru May 15)

The Grandmothers of Invention promise a night of thorough entertainment, featuring virtuosic playing, bizarre humor and the performance of many Zappa/Mothers beloved compositions; not only re-creating the music as was originally written and produced, but also breathing new life into it as well! Get ready to hear such Zappa penned classics as “I Am The Slime”, “Muffin Man”, “Florentine Pogen”, “Andy”, “Trouble Everyday”, “Village Of The Sun” and many, many more.

“Once again, after all of these years, be able to witness this music preformed as it was intended. TOTAL MUSIC THEATER.” - Napoleon Murphy Brock  

The Grandmothers of Invention tour dates:

Apr-24 – Stubbs – Austin, TX
Apr-26 – Tipitinas @ at French Qrtr – New Orleans, LA
Apr-27 – Smith's – Atlanta, GA
Apr-28 – Cat's Cradle – Carrboro, NC
Apr-30 – Ramshead – Annapolis, MD
May-01 – The Hamilton – Washington, DC
May-02 – Infinity Hall – Norfolk, CT
May-03 – Iridium – New York, NY (2 shows)
May-04 – Iridium – New York, NY (2 shows)
May-05 – World Cafe Live – Wilmington, DE
May-06 – Rex Theater – Pittsburgh, PA
May-08 – Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland, OH
May-09 – Magic Bag – Detroit, MI
May-10 – Martyrs – Chicago, IL
May-11 – Cedar Cultural Center – Minneapolis, MN
May-12 – Bourbon Theater – Lincoln, NE
May-13 – Denver CO or Boulder CO
May-15 – State Room – Salt Lake City, UT

The Grandmothers of Invention have signed with Robert Duffey Management and plans for a full scale tour of the West Coast is currently in the works.

For more information: www.grandmothersofinvention.com

Frank Zappa "Straight To Bizarre"

"From Straight To Bizarre"

Zappa, Beefheart, Alice Cooper and La's Lunatic Fringe

on DVD February 21, 2012

 

  

The impulse for artists and musicians to form their own record labels are many. But often these endeavours are little more than vanity projects for which enthusiasm wanes when the first rush of releases fail to take off - leaving charity stores and flea markets awash with the unsold booty of such initially ambitious enterprises.

But on occasion proceedings in a side-line of this nature can prove not just sustainable but fascinating, profitable and wholly worthwhile; a task made a little easier when the boss is a bit smarter than the average guitar hero!

So it was with Frank Zappa. Desperate to remove himself from his original deal with Verve Records, in 1968 he set up the Bizarre and Straight labels in league with manger Herb Cohen, and so began a string of releases which remain extraordinary in the extreme.

Records by Frank himself and with his Mothers of Invention would rub shoulders in the label's racks with releases by notorious paranoid schizophrenic and part time songwriter, Wild Man Fischer, ex-groupies; the all female GTOs, acapella gospel collective The Persuasions, the first clutch of Alice Cooper records, Tim Buckley's enigmatic Starsailor, live recordings by Lenny Bruce and Lord Buckley, and a range of other musical oddities, generally of a quite startling quality despite their oft-eccentric content.

But it would be a 1969 release by the Mother Superior's old teenage buddy Don Van Vliet - by then long re-christened Captain Beefheart - that would provide the art-statement for which the Bizarre/Straight enterprise is remembered best, and which remains to this day the pinnacle of achievement, not just at the House of Zappa & Cohen, but, for many, also within the normal confines of the genre loosely termed 'Rock & Roll'. To suggest that Trout Mask Replica - for it is this sonic marvel of which we speak - moved-the-goalposts is akin to claiming Jack the Ripper had 'an eye for the ladies'!

This film revisits and reviews the astonishing music that came out on Bizarre and Straight, and reveals the background, operations and, crucially, the lives of the musicians, performers and management who made these labels the legendary reality they became.

The film contains exclusive interviews with many of the labels' contributors including, Pamela Des Barres, John French, Jerry Lawson, Jeff Simmons, Dennis Dunaway, Neal Smith, Essra Mohawk, Miss Mercy, Kim Fowley, Bill Harkleroad plus authors Ben Watson, Barry Miles, Mark Paytress, Billy James and Ritchie Unterberger. Also includes rare footage, archive interviews, location shoots, extras - and of course the music that made it all worthwhile.

Frank Zappa - BBC Documentary 1993

Former Zappa Keyboardist Tommy Mars Records Music For Modern Fairytale - Willie Nickerson's Egg

 

The adventure of WILLIE NICKERSON and the egg is a modern fairytale, with lots of music, and humor

 

Former Frank Zappa keyboardist Tommy Mars, best known for his work on such Zappa classics as Sheik Yerbouti, Joe's Garage and Them or Us, has recorded music for a modern day fairytale - 'Willie Nickerson's Egg'. Written by Norwegian guitarist Jon Larsen and released on Norway's Zonic Entertainment (a label that features exclusively dedicated Frank Zappa inspired music). Along with Tommy Mars, 'Willie Nickerson's Egg' also features the talents of Zappa alumnus Arthur Barrow.

Willie Nickerson is a very sensitive porcupine. He works with DJANGO-related products at Guitback, the major industry in Hambrook, but he is not entirely happy. So he starts playing the bass. This is the beginning of a classical per aspera ad astra drama: through hardships to the stars – in a rusty wreck. We get to know the Nickerson & Nylon Quartet during 30 years on the road, the psychopathtic fortune teller Maya, hungry gypsies, an evil festival director, the horrible jazz police, a record producer with extreme allergy towards the word royalties, a naked dancer, and the section 2001 of the Penal Code. Furthermore, we get a glimpse of the meaning of shrimping, how to play bass, the importance of having a mustache, and information on a gland that has never attracted much attention, the glutinus libra, no larger than a birthmark. Unnoticed, but with great precision, it conducts its daily task, which is small, but important: distinguishing between music and humor.The question still is: Does humor belong in music?

WILLIE NICKERSON’S EGG is a surrealistic audiobook with lots of music composed and performed by the keyboard legend TOMMY MARS (ex Zappa). Produced in ARTHUR BARROW’S lotek studio, Mar Vista, LA.

Music Pioneer ANT-BEE Releases New CD Featuring Rock and Prog Legends – Former Yes, Focus, Gong, Zappa, Capt. Beefheart, Utopia, Alice Cooper Members

After a 12 year gap between albums, and fans holding their breaths, avant-garde music pioneer ANT-BEE, best known for recording ex-members of the Mothers of Invention and Alice Cooper Group together on the critically acclaimed 1998 release 'Lunar Muzik', has finally released what could be considered the artist's masterpiece. Possibly the most unique and innovative album to be recorded in decades, ANT-BEE 'Electronic Church Muzik' is an exploration into the spirituality of man (and woman) in a steam-of-consciousness psychedelic trip. Featuring legends of progressive rock and classic rock, ANT-BEE's new opus boasts guest appearances by by Jan Akkerman (Focus), Peter Banks (Yes/Flash), Daevid Allen & Gilli Smyth (Gong), Michael Bruce (Alice Cooper), Napoleon Murphy Brock (Zappa), Zoot Horn Rollo & Rockette Morton (Capt. Beefheart's Magic Band), Don Preston, Bunk Gardner, Buzz Gardner, Motorhead and Jimmy Carl Black (Mothers of Invention), Moogy Klingman (Todd Rundgren's Utopia).

Ant-Bee is the brainchild of one Billy James. Formed through a series of musical experimentations in the recording studio back in 1987 in Los Angeles. In 1988, Ant-Bee were signed to Los Angeles record company Voxx/Bomp Records. The first Ant-Bee album was 'Pure Electric Honey', and received rave reviews worldwide. Ant-Bee became an overnight legend in the European underground. The album also featured guest performances by Bob Harris (Frank Zappa) and Rick Snyder ( Captain Beefheart ). In 1990 the live Ant-Bee ensemble was assembled and gigged throughout Los Angeles to the astonishment of most audiences. Also at this time, while recording new material, the first Ant-Bee video was filmed "Here We Go Round The Lemon Tree" which viewed in L.A and Canada. During this period a cover version of the unreleased Beach Boys song "Do You Like Worms?" was recorded. Oddly through a bizarre turn of events this Ant-Bee version of the song was mistakenly played on a Beach Boys radio show as a rare Beach Boys demo!! It eventually surfaced on several elaborate European bootlegs as an unreleased Beach Boys studio outtake from 1966!!!! In 2004, ANT-BEE was mentioned in Brian Wilson's 'Smile' tour program, proclaiming the artist was the first to cover the 'Worms' track in question.

In 1992 the second Ant-Bee video was filmed "The Girl With The Stars In Her Hair", a much more elaborate production. It was broadcasted worldwide to much critical acclaim. At this point Ant-Bee left Voxx records. An EP of new music was released in Germany and several magazines and European labels released rare Ant-Bee tracks. Also during this period Billy James/Ant-Bee began a long (and current) relationship with the original ex-Mothers Of Invention (Frank Zappa's first group). Thus began a series of recordings, filmings and gigs with these legendary artists (Bunk Gardner, Don Preston, Jimmy Carl Black, Motorhead and Roy Estrada). The Ant-Bee was the first in over 25 years to record most of the original Mothers (sans Frank Zappa) together on CD!!! From this unique collaboration came the second Ant-Bee album 'With My Favorite Vegetables & Other Bizarre Muzik' (released Divine Records UK 1994). It also sold very well and received massive press and airplay worldwide!! For obvious reasons it especially appealed to Frank Zappa fans.

In 1994 Billy James relocated to the east coast to record the third Ant-Bee album 'Lunar Muzik'. Now in an elaborate 24 track facility, the third album soon become a true Ant-Bee masterpiece. Again the original Mothers make guest appearances along with the legendary Daevid Allen of Gong/Soft Machine, Harvey Bainbridge of Hawkwind and the original members of the Alice Cooper Group (namely Michael Bruce, Neal Smith) making 'Lunar Muzik' the most ambitious and pioneering project of the '90s!!! Also to promote the release of this album was the filming of the psychedelic video 'Child Of The Moon'. After a tour of the east coast with Michael Bruce, the Ant-Bee began work recording the fourth album 'Electronic Church Muzik' which promised to be an even bigger extravaganza then the previous album. Possibly the most adventurous album of the decade, after 12 years the new ANT-BEE album 'Electronic Church Muzik' is now available!

ANT-BEE 'Electronic Church Muzik' is available from www.BarkingMoondog.com and soon available through CDBaby and iTunes.

For more information: www.ANT-BEE.com

Legendary Mothers of Invention Members Don Preston and Bunk Gardner to Tour East Coast

Don Preston and Bunk Gardner, both original members of the the legendary Mothers of Invention with Frank Zappa, are gearing up to tour east coast once again with The Don & Bunk Show. The duo will be playing a full range of Zappa's music from Freak Out to Zoot Allures. The evening will be full of the zany antics, wild improvisations and strange electronic music the early Mothers were famous for, along with the expert mastery of their instruments. "We're doing this tour because I think Zappa fans need to come and hear how Zappa's music was performed by the originals," says Don Preston. "Hey people! We're still doing it!"

Bunk Gardner and Don Preston are featured on several albums with the original Mothers of Invention (along with various later compilations of unreleased material by Frank Zappa) which include Absolutely Free, We're Only In It For The Money, Cruising With Ruben & the Jets, Uncle Meat, Burnt Weeny Sandwich and Weasels Ripped My Flesh. Gardner also appeared on Zappa's first solo venture Lumpy Gravy, while Preston went on to appear on several albums after the break-up of the original Mothers, which include Fillmore East, June 1971, Just Another Band From L.A., Roxy & Elsewhere as well as the feature film 200 Motels.

The Don & Bunk Show started in 2001 with the duo wanting to show audiences their unique abilities that were revealed in Zappa's first band. Gardner and Preston have both been long known for their amazing improvising abilities and interpretation of Zappa's music. They have recorded two CDs for Brain Records: Ahead Of Their Time and Joined At The Hip. Bunk has also recorded and/or performed with the Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra, Geronimo Black, Tim Buckley, The 4 Winds Ensemble, ANT-BEE and many others. Don Preston has recorded/performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gil Evans, Carla Bley, The Residents and many others. He has also completed 23 film scores including Apocalypse Now. Don Preston was quite possibly the first person to add synthesis to live rock performances, taking Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention into uncharted musical territories over several tours and albums. Today, four decades after having built "analog synthesizers" from scratch before most people had heard of such things, Preston is a living legend and a pioneer who now tweaks synths on his Apple laptop. He has a new download only CD titled 'Colliding Galaxys' released on Norway's Zonic Entertainment.

 

The Don & Bunk show will be appearing on the following dates:
Feb 10 Thur - REGGIE’S - Chicago, IL
Feb 11 Fri. - Papa Pete’s - Kalamazoo, MI
Feb 12 Sat - Magic Bag - Ferndale, MI (Detroit)
Feb 13 Sun - Beachland Ballroom - Cleveland, OH
Feb 16 Wed - The Abilene - Rochester, NY
Feb 17 Thurs – Bearsville - Woodstock, NY
Feb 18 Fri - The Rongovian Embassy - Trumansburg, NY
Feb 19 Sat - The Magic Room - Boston, MA
Feb 21 Mon - The Rotunda -Philadelphia, PA
Feb 22 Tues – Mexicali Live – Teaneck, NJ (special gig featuring Project Object, Ray White and Ike Willis)
Feb 25 Fri - The Funhouse - Bethlehem, PA

Feb 26 Sat- Orion - Baltimore, MD

Feb 27 Sun - Hard Rock Cafe - Pittsburgh, PA

 

Some of the songs the duo will be performing are:  Uncle Meat, A Pound For A Brown On The Bus, Holiday In Berlin Full Blown, I Am The Slime, Duke Of Prunes, Eric Dolphy's Memorial Barbeque, Who Are The Brain Police and many other beloved Frank Zappa compositions.

A special date with Project Object is scheduled for Feb. 22, 2010 at the Mexicali Live in Teaneck, NJ, which will also feature Zappa alumni Ray White and Ike Willis!

Frank Zappa "The Freak Out List" Coming to DVD April 20, 2010

Sexy Intellectual and MVD Visual are proud to announce

the DVD release of
Frank Zappa The Freak Out List

Available April 20, 2010

When an artist, regardless of his significance, lists his favorite musicians and performers it is usually met with little fanfare, as over time the names mentioned are almost certainly going to change. But when Frank Zappa did likewise, and actually published a record of his most important influences on the inside cover of his debut album, it became a road map to the music he was to make over the following forty years. Even in the early 1990s, when asked about his most-loved composer's, musicians and artists, he would repeat names from this, by then legendary, index.

This film explores the musical roots of Frank Zappa by putting The Freak Out List under the microscope and tracing the lineage from the most pivotal names therein to the recordings and performances of the man himself.

Featuring rare footage of Zappa and the Mothers plus archive film of Freak Out List artists, exclusive interviews with The Mothers Of Invention's Ian Underwood, Don Preston and George Duke, 1950s Doo Wop legends, The Cadillacs, contributions from Zappa biographers Ben Watson and Greg Russo, Edgar Varese biographer Alan Clayson, experimental modern music historian Professor David Nicholls, soul and R'n'B expert Robert Pruter and many others.

Also features numerous seldom seen photographs, news archive, radio spots and a host of other features which all together make for a uniquely fascinating program.  

Available from See of Sound

Zappa Vocal Legend Napoleon Murphy Brock To Release Vintage Live Recordings

Zappa vocal legend and 2008 Grammy Award recipient Napoleon Murphy Brock plans to release a CD of vintage live recordings in December 2009 entitled 'This is What Frank Zappa Heard - Just in Case You Were Wondering - Live at the Red Noodle in Waikiki, Hawaii'. Fans worldwide have heard Napoleon's extraordinairy vocals, sax and flute on such beloved Zappa albums as 'Roxy & Elsewhere', 'One Size Fits All', 'Bongo Fury' and 'Thing Fish', not to mention his work with keyboardist, and fellow Zappa alumni George Duke, as well as the recent incarnation of the Grande Mothers Re-invented.

On August 8th, 1973, Frank Zappa was alerted by his road manager, Marty Perellis, that an incredible band with an extraordinary lead singer was performing downtown to a standing room only audience … and that it might be wise that he come and see this for himself. When Zappa went to the club and watched the show, he saw a young talent sing, dance, play sax, flute and keyboards, in a manner that clearly made it appear that he was having more fun than even the other patrons in the club. After two hours of observing and listening to this young man and his very disciplined band of musicians, he introduced himself as Frank Zappa, and the young man introduced himself as Napoleon Murphy Brock. The next words out of Zappa’s mouth were, "You are my new lead vocalist."

"As I understand it, he had just finished touring Australia, and they were getting ready to go to Europe a week or two after that," recalls Napoleon to Andrew Greenaway. "And he was taking a little break. He stopped off in Hawaii for a week or so. And his road manager, Marty Perellis, set Frank up in a hotel and then went out walking around in Hawaii probably to see if he could get lucky or something! If you want a good time, what better place to do it than in Hawaii? Hawaii is literally paradise. And he came to a show of mine outside a nightclub at the Coral Reef hotel and got curious as to why there was a line of people waiting to get into a place on a Wednesday night. He didn't recognize the name of the band, so he thought he'd get in line and come in and see why everybody was queuing up. The reason that people would line up in front of the Red Noodle every night is because the club owners always hired us, and brought us to play and perform for the local people of Hawaii. The locals would get off of work between 10 pm and 11 pm. They had until 12 midnight to get in the club, after which time the tourists would be let in until the club capacity was met. We played 7 nights a week, from 10 pm until 4 am".

"The band's name was Communication Plus - music that 'communicates' to the listener and dancer, plus music you can feel," explained Napoleon. "Anyway, Marty came into the club and saw us playing didn't recognise us, because no one knew about us except the club owners that hired us and the people who came to see us. He ran back to the hotel, woke Frank up and said, 'Hey, get your clothes on, I just found your new lead vocalist'. Frank got up, came by to the hotel, stood in line like anybody else and once he got in he sat at the back of the room there weren't any seats. We were quite popular there, because we were a band from the mainland. In Hawaii, a band from the mainland if you play halfway decent music you're like a star, you have star status over there. And also the music in Hawaii is like a month behind". Napoleon joined Zappa's group in October 1973 and remained until 1976 recording some of Zappa's most notable albums.

This historic performance was taped on TEAC 4 Track Reel to Reel on August 8th, 1973 and has been digitally enhanced, and the final mix done in stereo surround sound in Hamburg, Germany. It will put you at the next table to where Frank was sitting, and you will experience what Frank Zappa experienced and what later was described as "the audition of a lifetime". Some of the songs covered include Nilsson's "Coconut", Carol King's "So Far Away", "James Brown's "Make It Funky" and Herbie Hancock's "Maiden Voyage" to name a few. 'This is What Frank Zappa Heard - Just in Case You Were Wondering - Live at the Red Noodle in Waikiki, Hawaii' is currently available for pre-order from Napoleon's official website. He will also autograph copies on request.

In other news, Napoleon will be performing in concert with keyboard legend and fellow Zappa alumni George Duke on October 31, 2009 at the Amsterdam Jazz Festival in the Netherlands. The ensemble will be backed by the Metropole Orchestra. All the music performed at the concert with the Metropole Orch will be original compositions written by George Duke and Napoleon Murphy Brock only. For more information on the concert go to: www.amsterdamjf.nl

Zappa Alumnus Ike Willis To Tour With Pojama People

Known for his uniquely identifiable baritone voice, former Zappa alumnus Ike Willis will be touring with Eugene ensemble Pojama People. Willis worked with music legend Frank Zappa from 1978 to 1993, and can be heard on such notable albums as Joe's Garage (he was "Joe"), Thingfish (he was "Thingfish") and Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life (he was "The Walrus"). Vowing to keep the music of Frank Zappa alive, he has teamed up with Zappa tribute band Pojama People for a series of upcoming US shows.

"We're going to be doing all the old Frank Zappa favorites, along with stuff from 'Joe's Garage'," says Ike. "Basically, we span all of the eras."

Pojama People features Alli Bach (vocals, percussion, winds, terpsechorean ejectamenta) and Glenn Leonard (drums and "I Was There" musical direction). Rounding out the unit are Portland's Brian Casey (bass) and Ted Clifford (keyboards). Spawned from Zappa tribute ensemble Project/Object, drummer Glenn Leonard (who had played 7 national tours with Project/Object) decided to start his own band to honor the late, great Mother. "I moved from Philly to Oregon in order to marry Alli and start a new Zappa project on the west coast with Ike Willis," Glenn related. "Alli and I met up every time Project/Object played in Eugene, where she would guest doing interpretive modern dance to various FZ songs or improvisations. She joined the tour as a guest in 2004 from Portland to San Francisco where she was featured doing 'The Black Page' on tap! At that point, I knew she was the woman for me. A cross-country romance bloomed and by 2006 I moved to Eugene."

Pojama People have completed five west coast tours since August 2006. Most recently the group released their debut CD 'footsie notes', which is based on improvisations with Ike Willis (who plays guitar as well as sings). "Glenn's our old drummer from Project/Object," recalls Ike. "He was with us for three years. He decided to move to Eugene and start his own band. Also, I lived in Oregon for 17 years. I moved there after the last tour I did with Zappa. Glenn is one of the family, and when he put Pojama People together... when any of my brothers need help I answer the call!"

Pojama People featuring Ike Willis will be performing at the following locations:

Sep 11 Friday 8pm - The Mix, 6006 12th Ave S., Seattle WA 98108

Sep 13 Sunday 7pm - Roxy's Vets Club, 406 N Mount Shasta Blvd., Mt Shasta CA 96067

Sep 14 Monday 8pm - Elbo Room, 647 Valencia St., San Francisco CA 94110 - 415.552.7788 - www.elbo.com

Sep 16 Wednesday 9pm - Dante's, 1 SW 3rd & Burnside, Portland OR 97209

Sep 17 Thursday 10pm - The Red Fox Tavern, 415 5th St (5th and E), Eureka, CA 95501 - (707) 269-0282

Sep 18 Friday 9:30pm - Caspar Inn, 14957 Caspar Rd., Caspar CA 95420 - 707-964-5565 - www.casparinn.com

Sep 19 Saturday 9:30pm - Luckey's, 933 olive st., Eugene OR 97402 - (541) 687-4643 www.luckeysclub.com

Songs to be performed by Pojama People on this tour include: "Dangerous Kitchen" (with Glenn on piano), "The Tap Page" (Alli doing the Black Page via tap dance), "Tell Me You Love Me", "Help I'm Iraq", "Trouble Every Day", "Inca Roads", "Black Napkins", "Outside Now", "Sy Borg", "Watermelon In Easter Hay", "Willie The Pimp", "Zomby Woof", "I'm The Slime", "Lucille" to name a few.

The music of Frank Zappa still remains important to Ike Willis; "I've been playing Frank's music for over 30 years now, and I spent half my life with him. We met when I was 19 years old, when I was in college. I played and toured with him on and off from 1978 on. I recorded with Frank the entire time from 1978 up until he passed away." Along with the debut of the Ike Willis Project this fall, Ike has his three solo CDs available for purchase through www.itsaboutmusic.com

For more information on Pojama People:
www.liveatthespace.com/pjp/

Frank Zappa - Stinkfoot

Frank Zappa - City of Tiny Lites - Old Grey Whistle Test - 1979

Frank Zappa and Mike Nesmith - The Original Face Off