1972 studio album by The Mothers
Professional ratings Review scores Source Rating AllMusic [ 5]
The Grand Wazoo is the eleventh album by The Mothers , sixteenth overall by Frank Zappa , released in November 1972. It was written and recorded during Zappa's period of convalescence after being assaulted in December 1971 in London, UK.
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 [ edit ]
This was the second Zappa album released in a period where he needed 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).
All songs written, composed and arranged by Frank Zappa.
Side one Title 1. "For Calvin (And His Next Two Hitch-Hikers)" 6:05 2. "The Grand Wazoo" 13:18 Total length: 19 :59
Side two Title 3. "Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus" 2:57 4. "Eat That Question" 6:42 5. "Blessed Relief" 8:00 Total length: 18 :07
1995 Rykodisc compact disc Title 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
"The Grand Wazoo" and "For Calvin (And His Next Two Hitch-Hikers)"
Mike Altschul - woodwind
Billy Byers - trombone (including solo on "The Grand Wazoo")
Joanna Caldwell - woodwind
Earl Dumler - woodwind
Aynsley Dunbar - drums
Tony Duran - guitar (including bottleneck guitar solo on "The Grand Wazoo")
Erroneous (Alex Dmochowski) - bass
Alan Estes - percussion
Fred Jackson - woodwind
Sal Marquez - vocals, trumpet (including solo on "The Grand Wazoo")
Malcolm McNab - brass
Janet Neville-Ferguson – vocals
Tony "Bat Man" Ortega - woodwind
Don Preston - minimoog (including solo on "The Grand Wazoo")
Johnny Rotella - woodwind
Ken Shroyer - brass, "contractor and spiritual guidance"
Ernie Tack - brass
Frank Zappa - guitar (including opening solo on "The Grand Wazoo")
Bob Zimmitti - percussion
"Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus"
Mike Altschul - woodwind
"Chunky" (Lauren Wood) - vocals
George Duke - keyboards , vocals
Erroneous (Alex Dmochowski) - bass
Aynsley Dunbar - drums
Sal Marquez - brass
Ken Shroyer - trombones
Frank Zappa - vocals, guitar
with:
"Eat That Question"
Mike Altschul - woodwind
George Duke - keyboards
Aynsley Dunbar - drums
Erroneous (Alex Dmochowski) - bass
Sal Marquez - "multiple toots" (brass)
Joel Peskin - woodwind
Frank Zappa - guitar, percussion
with:
"Blessed Relief"
Mike Altschul - woodwind
George Duke - keyboards
Aynsley Dunbar - drums
Tony Duran - rhythm guitar
Erroneous (Alex Dmochowski) - bass
Sal Marquez - brass
Joel Peskin - woodwind
Frank Zappa - lead guitar
Producer: Frank Zappa
Engineer: Kerry McNabb
Arranger: Frank Zappa
Special assistance: Paul Hof
Photography: Ed Caraeff, Tony Esparza, Barry Feinstein
Cover illustration: Cal Schenkel
Art direction: Frank Zappa
Spiritual advisor: Kenny Shroyer
Contractor: Kenny Shroyer
Burritos: Ernie's Taco House
Pizza: two guys from Italy
Barbecue desiccated chicken: Hollywood Ranch Market
^ Promo issue, with A-Side Mono (DJ airplay) version & B-Side Stereo version of same track.[ 4]
Musicians and production per CD booklet.
^ Couture, François. "Roxy & Elsewhere - Frank Zappa, The Mothers of Invention | Songs, Reviews, Credits" . AllMusic . Retrieved 7 November 2019 .
^ a b 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 .
^ a b 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. May 13, 2015.
Official releases (1966–1993)
Posthumous official releases
Miscellaneous