The Frank Zappa 2012 Re-Issues

For the last couple of weeks I have been almost exclusively listening to Zappa, and I've purchased a bunch of the reissues. Here's the rundown of what I've heard so far:

Hot Rats: Original vinyl mix. I am so used to the Ryko re-mix version, I wasn't sure if I liked the vinyl mix or not. It's like having two different albums now. Each version has it's pros and cons, so I'd like to think that I can choose depending on what I'm in the mood for. I think I like the Ryko re-mix for the first 3 tunes, which have louder horns and counter melodies are better heard, and the second half is better with the original vinyl mix, since there is more improv, and the instruments sound more eqaully mixed. 

Chunga's Revenge: Vinyl mix. Sounds cleaner and clearer. Not a lot to say about it, but I've grown more appreciative of this album since I got the re-release of it.

Waka-Jawaka: This one is a great upgrade. The sound is, again, from the vinyl mix, and it sounds dry with no reverb added like before, and the horns have a nice punch to them.

Over-Nite Sensation: Vinyl mix again. Sooooo much better than the Ryko version, which sounded flat and low volume. Here, the keys have a nice raunchy sound. the bass is louder and can be felt much more, and the drums don't sound muffled anymore. The overall sound is better, great upgrade.

Roxy & Elsewhere: Same as the old Ryko CDs.

One Size Fits All: Vinyl mix. Similar description I gave for Over-Nite Sensation can be applied to this album.

Bongo Fury: Vinyl mix. Sounds raunchier than before. Everything is clear, especially the guitar; and the bass has a little more oomph to it.

Sleep Dirt: Vinyl mix. Yes, I said, vinyl mix. That means, no annoying female lounge vocals. Need I say more? Well, the sound is a little better too, at least in comparing their Lather counterparts.

Joe's Garage: Vinyl mix. This one REALLY surprised me. The rhythm section is vastly improved. It's much louder and clearer than the Ryko CDs. You can actually hear the slap and pop from Arthur Barrow's bass, and Vinny's drums have never sounded better. I always thought it was hard to hear what he was playing behind the drum set on older versions; but here, it's crystal clear, and makes the album sound a hell of a lot better. It doesn't seem like the rest of the audio is much different, maybe a little clearer too. But the improved sound of the rhythm section is more than enough to make this an essential buy. The version of "Joe's Garage" is a little bit different than the older CD versions, in one of the verses, but it's very small.

Meets the Mothers of Prevention: Sounds the same as the old Ryko versions to me. I've grown more appreciative of this album since I got the re-release of it.

Jazz From Hell: Sounds the same as the old Ryko versions to me. I've grown more appreciative of this album since I got the re-release of it.

Sorry, I worded that wrong. I meant the second half has more improv than the first half, which is more composed than it seems, and with that the jamming works better, especially in Gumbo Variations, the violin really rips. It's not omitted, but the piano in Little Umbrellas is more in the background, with the bass more up front, and I think it sounds cooler. I also prefer how the horns are mixed in Son of Mr. Green Genes on the remix over the vinyl. 

I did. The other ones were improved that much more.

 

What is the deal with the recently released FZ cd Finer Moments? I've seen no hubbub about it (here/the internet/fz.com) and unlike all recent things released by fz family trust it is available commercially. So what is this? It's not a complete concert, it's not a compilation (as far as I know), it just seems to be. Any info on this? Any idea if more things like this are planned for the future? 

For me, this whole thing started with buying the re-release of Sleep Dirt because I wanted to finally hear the original album without those horrid vocals. I didn't expect it to sound so good though, being it came from the original analog tapes. I didn't think it would spark my obsession with getting all these reissues.