December 22, 2021 Playlist

Frank Vincent Zappa, born December 21
Frank Zappa Day is December 21
   
"Over-Nite Sensation" by The Mothers (1973)
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
The Mothers (Frank Zappa) "Over-Nite Sensation"  1973 (USA)
December 21 would have been Frank Zappa's 81st birthday, so as usual we end the year with one of his classic albums. Over-Nite Sensation was one of the most pivotal Zappa albums, marking the beginning of his most popular period. His previous album released under the group name The Mothers was basically an instrumental jazz fusion album; during 1972 he had been in a wheelchair recovering from the near-fatal accident he suffered in 1971 which ended the previous version of the group, so "comedy and rock and roll" were not on his menu that year. But in 1973 he began to assemble his best band ever, most notably adding prog-jazz-funk drummer Chester Thompson, keyboard wizard (and damn fine singer) George Duke, and percussion goddess Ruth Underwood on vibes and marimbas and such; her contributions arguably define Zappa's sound during this period. The group still didn't have the dynamic male vocalist he was looking for (Napoleon Murphy Brock would join the following year), so Frank does a lot more singing than usual on this record (but also it features uncredited backup vocals by Tina Turner and the Ikettes!) Highlights include two of his signature songs "I'm The Slime" (about shitty TV) and "Montana" (about the dream of living the independent life of a "dental floss tycoon.") It became his first certified "gold record", and paved the way for the success of his next album which also went gold and was his only Top 10 seller.
Also, Dempagumi.inc have given us an early Chistmas present! Here's the video for their latest single "Kokan Daybook" (TMI idol drama footnote: I was shocked when I saw that only 8 of the 10 members perform on this song and video; of course Mirin Furukawa is still on maternity leave, but Nagi Nemoto has also been missing in action for several months now, with an unspecified "health issue." According to the band's official website, Nagi and Mirin are both scheduled to return for Dempagumi's March 2022 tour of Japan, but who knows what will happen next year.)
(N) = New Release
(R) = Listener Request
   
Artist Song Album Year Country
James BrownChristmas Is Love Hey America1970USA
Tom JonesI Thank You (Sam & Dave) Tom1970UK (Wales)
Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of InventionSan Berdino One Size Fits All1975USA
The Guess WhoPain Train So Long Bannatyne1971Canada
Aaron Scholz Dorothy DoorThird Place (N)2021 (self release)USA
Courtney Barnett Make A List Of Things To Look Forward ToThings Take Time, Take Time (N)2021 (Mom+Pop)Australia
 
 
Dempagumi.inc Kokan Daybook♡
("Likeable Daybook")		single (N)2021 (Meme Tokyo/Toy's Factory)Japan
Ty Segall (with Denée Segall) Feel GoodHaromizer (N)2021 (Drag City)USA
Acid Dad She Only Eats OrganicTake It From The Dead (N)2021 (Greenway)USA
Goat Fill My MouthHeadsoup (N)rec. 2012-2020  (2021 Rocket)Sweden
Old Time Relijun Left Hand ShakeMusicking (N)2021 (K)USA
Endless Boogie Disposable ThumbsAdmonitions (N)2021 (No Quarter)USA
Sonny & The Sunsets Ride The Dark TrailNew Day With New Possibilities (N)2021 (Rocks In Your Head)USA
   
 
The Mothers (Frank Zappa)Camarillo BrilloOver-Nite Sensation
 CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		1973USA
The Mothers (Frank Zappa)MontanaOver-Nite Sensation
 CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		1973USA
Captain Beefheart & The Magic BandTropical Hot Dog NightShiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller)1978USA
Can Fünf (live)Live In Stuttgart 1975 (N)rec. 1975 (2021 Mute)Germany
   
 
Frank Zappa & The MothersBig Swifty (live) (R) Road Tapes, Venue #2rec. 1973, rel. 2013USA
Babe RuthKing Kong (Frank Zappa & The Mothers)First Base1973UK
Good GodKing Kong (Frank Zappa & The Mothers)Good God1972USA
James BrownFunky DrummerStar Time (box set compilation)rec. 1970USA
   
 
black midi & Black Country New RoadImprov
   --> Snowglobes
   --> Improv (continued) (live)		black midi, New Road2020UK
Back to playlists         Back to main