SHEIK YERBOUTI

After a troublesome time with a bunch of lawsuits and label problems, Frank Zappa finally said goodbye to all that in 1979 when he released Sheik Yerbouti as an independent artist though Zappa Records! This double vinyl album can basically be described as the best Zappa concert experience outside of the actual live recordings. Personally, I would even argue that Sheik Yerbouti is better than a live recording could ever get since most of these basic tracks were recorded live and later got overdubbed in the studio setting. This definitely benefited the recording since it managed to keep most of the original live creativity alive which maintaining crisp '70s studio production values. In other words we get the best of both worlds!

The material on this album is not as one-sided as the one that I previously experienced on Over-Nite Sensation and offers a great retrospectives of almost all of Frank Zappa's best qualities. Shifting between very tight vocal arrangements, lengthy jam moments to avant-garde jazz and everything in between, there's just so many great experiences to gain here! The amounts of excellent moments are so many that I literally hesitate to do a track-by-track review since it would take me at least a few more hours to put down in words everything I love about this album.

I know that I might sound hypocritical for not questioning the lyrics for most of these tunes, which I did so eagerly in my review of Over-Nite Sensation, but I actually have no problem with them as long as there is so much other exciting stuff happening simultaneously with the vocal delivery. Actually, even the vocal performances are much better executed here since we often get to hear entertaining backing vocals arrangements and other crazy interplays between the singers in the band! It's almost like listening to a live performance of Queen but without having to sit through some of their more straightforward compositions.

Sheik Yerbouti is easily one of the most entertaining albums that I've had the privilege of experiencing. This album really makes me feel like Frank Zappa stripped all of his previous restrains and delivered one of the most passionate performances of his career. This is why I can't give it anything less than the essential rating recommendation, but don't just take my word for it. Get this album today and experience it for yourself!

***** star songs: I Have Been In You (3:35) Flakes (6:41) Broken Hearts Are For Assholes (3:43) I'm So Cute (3:09) Bobby Brown Goes Down (2:50) The Sheik Yerbouti Tango (3:56) Baby Snakes (1:50) Tryin' To Grow A Chin (3:31) City Of Tiny Lites (5:32) Wild Love (4:10)

**** star songs: Jones Crusher (2:40) What Ever Happened To All The Fun In The World (0:33) Rat Tomago (5:16) Wait A Minute (0:33) Rubber Shirt (2:45) Dancin' Fool (3:44) Jewish Princess (3:17) Yo' Mama (12:37)

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