ROAD TAPES - VENUE #2

I love the warning you get when dropping 5 stars on something - well... this one is deserving of 6 stars in my book. This is my favorite lineup from any of the Zappa bands. That has swayed my love for this release but the music is nothing short of amazing. Many have been lusting after a release with JLPonty involved and here it is. The band is hot. Frank is on it. I mean ON IT. The guitar solos he lays down are nothing short of killer. RDNZL is where he hits us first blazing into a superb solo followed immediately by Montana with probably my favorite solo on the whole release. George Duke can put his mark on anything and he does repeatedly on all the tracks. Kung Fu is a rarely heard nugget and is represented here in fine fashion. This is probably one of the best Dupree's Paradise versions I've heard and I have to agree with Evolver's review - Farther O'Blivion is probably the best we've heard... alhtough the version on Imaginary Diseases is rather good too.

Tom Fowler is not to be overlooked either. He is holding the bass on some crazy tough songs with aplomb. He would never tell you he's that good (having met him before and discovered just how humble the man is) but he is so goooood.

Sound is more than good for a show in this era. Guerrilla 2 track and 4 track recordings. Some distortion on parts but nothing that would stop you from enjoying this immensely.

Essential Zappa. A must have.