THE GRAND WAZOO

This is my favorite Frank Zappa album. Most of this album is instrumental, yet it is complete and imaginative, actively supported by a big band.

When "For Calvin (And His Next Two Hitch-Hikers" starts, it starts with passion and a very entertaining original jazzy touch, which is there the whole song. " The Grand Wazoo" is probably the most experimental song on the album, but still there is a continuity with the first song and it may be a bit weaker, but still really good. Then, what to say about "Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus"? This is the shortest but the sweetest song! The rhythm is crazy with great percussion and keyboards. The rest of the album is clearly more jazzy than the first part. But this is great jazz; not the kind of music you would listen to in an elevator...

Overall, this album is divided in two: the first two songs are really imaginative, entertaning, progressive and even experimental. The two last songs are more jazzy, melodics with a sound closer to acoustic music than electronic. And, stuck there in between, "Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus" is that big exclamation mark just waiting to be appreciated!

This is a great album to start with if you don't know Frank Zappa. Not a masterpiece, but not far from it! 4.2/5.0

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