IMAGINARY DISEASES

3.5 stars. This is an archival release from 2006 of live music that Zappa did in the Fall of 1972 into December calling the tour "The Petit Wazoo Tour". This is the first recordings of that tour released to the public making a lot of Zappa fans very happy in 2006. This tour followed the larger one they did previous called "The Grand Wazoo Tour" with a bigger band and more. Here we have a ten piece and half play horns while another adds woodwinds. I only recognize Frank's name here.

As others have said this comes across as collection of jams and while the horns don't do a lot for me most of the time especially when they blast away, I find Frank's guitar work really engaging. Like his style on my favourite track "D.C. Boogie". That first 5 1/2 minutes are my favourite on this record and Frank's style has a lot to do with that. It does change after that though so I'm not completely sold on this one. The opener is experimental with audience participation. "Rollo"is one I've heard before and horns blast away here. "Been To Kansas City In A Minor" is pretty good with the horns and guitar soloing much of the time. Frank says "thankyou" a couple of times when it ends. Zappa announces the next track "Farther O'Blivion" with a Tango in the middle of it". At 16 minutes it's the longest. A 3 minute drum solo late. Not big on the closer "Montreal" but the title track is good with those punchy sounds including horns. By the way Frank asks the audience how they want "D.C. Boogie" to end and goes by their applause for each choice of Boogie, Ballad, Marching, Polka or Dog Food Jingle they chose the first one obviously. My rating is for the music and not how significant this release is.