BOULEZ CONDUCTS ZAPPA: THE PERFECT STRANGER

This album only confirms what a musical genius Frank Zappa really was. The fact that he composed all these songs is amazing. This album was on the Classical charts for almost a year and it was nominated for a Grammy for best new classical work. World renown composer Pierre Boulez conducted the first two songs and the fourth track as well. The music here isn't full blown orchestral Classical music but is really Chamber music that allows us to hear each of the instruments as they come and go at a slower pace.The instruments have room to breathe as different stringed instruments, horns and percussion create dark sounds with little in the way of melody. This is an all instrumental affair and is very serious except for the name of Frank's ensemble called THE BARKING PUMPKIN DIGITAL CONSORT which he says recorded these songs at THE UTILITY MUFFIN RESEARCH KITCHEN. Hahaha.

"The Perfect Stranger" is the longest track and is very dark and wonderfully done. I can't tell you how much I enjoy this song. It's so intricate, and to just really listen to it is very rewarding. "Naval Aviation In Art ?" is much like the first song but with even less going on, and a lot shorter. "The Girl In The Magnesium Dress" is a spooky track with lots of what sounds like xylophone. "Dupree's Paradise" is brighter sounding with piano and a dramatic finish. "Love Story" is less than a minute in length but is a very cool sounding tune.

"Outside Now Again" is my favourite song on this record. It almost sounds like an upright bass thumping along with light keys along for the ride. Sounds like flute as well in a song that is quite different from the rest. It's different because it's actually spacey sounding as it drifts along. Nice. "Jonestown" is another good one. This song is kind of creepy with different sounds coming and going. It's like a horror movie soundtrack really. Much like the title track but darker and more frightening.

I will be checking out "Yellow Shark" now for sure after enjoying this so much. And maybe "200 Motels" both of which are supposed to be Classical music much like this excellent release.