Funky Nothingness

I am, of course, a lifelong Zappa fan. However, this release isn't just for the hard-core going deep into the archives. These reels were recorded during the Hot Rats sessions, and anyone who loves Frank and that era will find a lot to love in this 3 CD set. Jams in-of-themselves, and jams working out specific parts to various tracks -- what you're hearing is an amazing band, led by an amazing composer and guitarist, playing some of their greatest work while the tape ran. You're hearing the embryonic development of a legendary album. The beauty and care that went into this music's creation is obvious: the songwriting, the ability on the instruments, the tightness of the band, the ease which which they pull off extraordinary stuff, the complete mastery of the studio, the musical creativity of the jams, the phrasing and recording, the mixing, it goes on and on. This is a gem, and will be in constant rotation for some time to come. Highly recommended.

If you loved the HOT RATS band, this is a real treat. Don Harris is one of my favorite musicians ever, and "Sugarcane" is all over this with lead & background violin. He also sings a few and plays organ on one. I always much prefer his playing to Jean Luc Ponty's, less technical and much more soulful. A lot of long jams on this, the sound quality is mostly excellent, only the TOMMY/VINCENT DUO on disc 3 is a bit muddy . There are three different versions of CHUNGAS REVENGE, totaling about 45 minutes, and many songs get repeated, but for me that's no problem- this is my fave period for Frank. I just got the 3 CD set today, still waiting for the vinyl. I don't always appreciate what the Family Trust puts out, but I'm in too deep and can't stop now. There's even a few things here Frank would have never released, mostly on the 3rd disc, but on the whole this one hits it out of the park.

As a longtime Zappaphile (over 50 years now), I was blown away by these studio jams. For example, Transylvania Boogie is a killer 18-minute jam, but Frank only put the last 5 minutes on Chunga's Revenge! This disk is a must for those who want to hear all of the music. Musicians (as I am) will appreciate this even more. :-)

Not quite "Hot Rats", it includes some pretty informal jams, more drum solos than usual for this artist. Recommendable, though, if you want to hear some new Frank Zappa.

After reading a few reviews I decided to pick this one up and I was not disappointed! Great jams and guitar playing from Frank. Sugarcane Harris, Aynsley Dunbar and everyone plays well and the grooves are right on. 1969 was an important year in music and this vault release is a lot of fun. Definitely recommended for fans and completists!

Frank was one of the first musicians to use DDD in the recording studio. There was a period that began with Hot Rats where his music really reflected his personal development as a musician. The end of the journey came too soon with Yellow Shark. Here, for the first time, we can listen into the first stop after Hot Rats. He is searching for something. Let’s see if we can help him find what he’s looking for.

This 3-CD release has been on heavy rotation since I got it. Contains, 2 fantastic unreleased songs that are fantastic, I'm a Rolling Stone and Twinkle Tits (get two different versions). The other jams are phenomenal, the only part I skip is the 15 minutes worth of the clap. Mudd Club, Fillmore East, 1970, and Waka Wazoo, are all fantastic with hours of new music for the past year.

First record I ever owned was Burnt Weeny Sandwich.Saw every Zappa concert around St Louis, Even the freezing cold one at Wash U.Owned all of the released albums.This is a great addition, all good, really enjoy disc 2.