Zappa Greasy Love Songs (aka Ruben...)

But to the point, as the insert  that was included in the original LP of Burnt Weenie Sandwich sez:

The Mothers of Invention Sincerely Regret To Inform You

 

(I love that)

 

But here's the extras on Greasy:

 

Alternate mix of Jelly Roll  Gumdrop

Long Version of No No No (original version was pretty long by my reckoning!)

Alternate mix of Stuff Up the Cracks  (add +1:30, I'll need to check it out to see if it's more wah-wah guitar; if so well worth it)

Some FZ radio stuff re: Ruben

Valerie (!) - early version, they ain't exactly serious on this one, but now we know how and why the good version made its way to Burnt Weenie Sandwich

Single version of Jelly Roll Gumdrop

Some more FZ radio stuff re: Ruben

Really old version of Love of My Life

 

Really, if you have a functional LP, there's not much that the new CD offers, other than just absolutely great sound.  I'm an idiot and could listen to Ray Collins sing this stuff all day. 

 

 

This is a great album.  Others may disagree.

 

I'm not a fan of ordering from yet another site.  However, we're talkin' Ruben.

 

It's doo-wop y'all.  You have been warned.  The zappa site will have the CD in your hands in a week, and you'll be humming Love of My Life in no time, if you are not already doing so.

 

 

Zappa obviously loved this stuff, but realistically the album lets Ray Collins shine. What a voice!  This is, after all, the guy who sang Duke of Prunes.

 

I tend to be a completist, discography-wise.  To not have an album that was recorded at the same time as Uncle Meat, restored to its orginal sound, stupid songs and all, so good. 

 

 

 

 

 

I realize there are many who are not fully appreciative of the early Mothers.  I get that and generally will not argue 'bout it.  For those of us who grew up with the stuff, it's pure magic.  For those who grew up with doo-wop (that'd be Zappa & the original Mothers), the same holds true, hence Ruben & The Jets.

 

My LP of Ruben is not in that great of shape, having been around the block a time or two.  The CD version sucks.  Now we get the real deal.  This version captures virtually every nuance of the original LP (actually compared to my LP, moreso).  The original echo-y drums (ehco-y to the point they often don't sound like drums) are restored.  Estrada's pachuco bass is back.  Vocal harmonies are right on.  The album is often looked on as a parody (it was 1968 after all, with doo-wop the last thing on anyone's mind).  But these are the usual incredibly complex (well not the chord progressions nor rhythms) Zappa stuff.

 

Yes I'm excited...just to hear this album again in a pristine mix, with a couple of bonus tracks added.

 

If someone will add the album to the FZ discography (it's a Project/Object release, so not sure where it fits), I'll do an in depth review.