The Grand Wazoo

by Frank Zappa

Overview

Like its immediate predecessor, Waka/Jawaka, The Grand Wazoo was a largely instrumental jazz rock album recorded during Frank Zappa's convalescence from injuries sustained after being pushed off a concert stage. While Zappa contributes some guitar solos and occasional vocals, the focus is more on his skills as a composer and arranger. Most of the five selections supposedly form a musical representation of a story told in the liner notes about two warring musical factions, but the bottom line is that, overall, the compositions here are more memorably melodic and consistently engaging than Waka/Jawaka. The instrumentation is somewhat unique in the Zappa catalog as well, with the band more of a chamber jazz orchestra than a compact rock unit; over 20 musicians and vocalists contribute to the record. While Hot Rats is still the peak of Zappa's jazz-rock fusion efforts, The Grand Wazoo comes close, and it's essential for anyone interested in Zappa's instrumental works. ~ Steve Huey

Product Details

Release Date:	12/16/2022
Label:	Zappa Records
UPC:	0602448139740
Rank:	33552

Tracks

1. For Calvin (And His Next Two Hitch-Hikers)
2. The Grand Wazoo
3. Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus
4. Eat That Question
5. Blessed Relief

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Frank Zappa   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Soloist,Percussion
Sal Marquez   Guest Artist,Brass,Vocals,Soloist,Trumpet
Aynsley Dunbar   Guest Artist,Drums
George Duke   Guest Artist,Vocals,Keyboards
Earl Dumler   Woodwind
Billy Byers   Brass,Soloist,Trombone
Fred Jackson   Woodwind
Ernie Watts   Soloist,Woodwind,Saxophone
John Rotella   Woodwind
Malcolm McNab   Brass
Mike Altschul   Woodwind
Don Preston   Mini Moog
Joel Peskin   Woodwind
Ernie Tack   Brass
Tony Ortega   Woodwind
Alan Estes   Percussion
Janet Neville-Ferguson   Vocals
Chunky   Vocals,Vocals
Joanne Caldwell McNabb   Woodwind
Lee Clement   Gong,Percussion
Malcolm McNabb   Brass
Erroneous   Bass,Drums
Fred Jackson, Jr.   Woodwind
Bob Zimmitti   Percussion
Ken Shroyer   Brass,Trombone
Tony Duran   Guitar,Soloist,Guitar (Rhythm),Bottleneck Guitar
Johnny Rotella   Woodwind

Technical Credits

Kerry McNabb   Engineer
Frank Zappa   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Ken Shroyer   Contractor