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Frank Zappa – Joe’s Garage
Frank Zappa
Joe's Garage
Style: Rock
Label: Zappa Records
Catalog Number: SRZ-2-1502
Released: 1979
Joe’s Garage is a three-part opera composed by genius avant-garde rock composer/guitarist Frank Zappa. Released from his contractual obligations with Warner Bros. Records, Zappa was able to explore his myriad ideas without disruption and Joe’s Garage’s 18 tracks reach fully into the genre-bending artist’s bag encompassing blues, jazz, doo wop, lounge, orchestral, rock, pop, reggae, and beyond. Thematically, the double-album comments on a wide range of topics including the dangers of large government, musical censorship, the sexual revolution, individualism, and the music industry with narration from a character called “The Central Scrutinizer,” a government employee voiced by Zappa himself and heard through a crunchy PA speaker effect. While the album has many great moments, the standout track here is without a doubt “Watermelon In Easter Hay,” which is largely agreed to be Zappa’s greatest guitar solo.
Recommended – Full Listen
Tags: Avant-Garde / Opera / Progressive Rock
Tracklist:
A1 The Central Scrutinizer
A2 Joe’s Garage
A3 Catholic Girls
A4 Crew Slut
B1 Wet T-Shirt Nite
B2 Toad-O-Line
B3 Why Does It Hurt When I Pee?
B4 Lucille Has Messed My Mind Up
C1 A Token Of My Extreme
C2 Stick It Out
C3 Sy Borg
D1 Dong Work For Yuda
D2 Keep It Greasey
D3 Outside Now
E1 He Used To Cut The Grass
E2 Packard Goose
F1 Watermelon In Easter Hay
F2 A Little Green Rosetta
Credits:
Baritone Saxophone – Marginal Chagrin (tracks: A1 to B4)
Bass Saxophone – Stumuk (tracks: A1 to B4)
Bass, Vocals – Arthur Barrow
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Engineer [Recording] – Joe Chiccarelli
Engineer [Remix] – Mick Glossop, Steve Nye
Harmonica – Craig Steward (tracks: A1 to B4)
Keyboards – Peter Wolf (3), Tommy Mars (tracks: A1 to B4)
Lead Guitar, Vocals, Arranged By, Conductor – Frank Zappa
Lead Vocals – Ike Willis
Percussion – Ed Mann
Producer – Frank Zappa
Rhythm Guitar, Vocals – Warren Cuccurullo
Slide Guitar, Vocals – Denny Walley
Tenor Saxophone – Jeff* (tracks: A1 to B4)
Vocals – Al Malkin (tracks: A1 to B4), Dale Bozzio (tracks: A1 to B4), Ed Mann (tracks: C1 to F2)
