CHUNGA'S REVENGE

In one of the most bizarre acts in music history the two vocalists from the TURTLES joins Frank Zappa's band.They would be known as Flo and Eddie (not their real names) and would stay on for several records. George Duke would also join playing electric piano, organ and trombone on this album.There would also be a new bass player and drummer for this recording. There is some good variety on this album including Jazz, Blues, Doo Wop and Rock, but it's Zappa's guitar playing that makes this one of my favourite Zappa records.Yes this is very underrated in my opinion, and I agree with Belz's thoughts in his review about this matter.

"Transylvania Boogie" has got to be one of Frank's best songs. What a display of guitar playing from Zappa as the drums pound and the bass throbs. Organ arrives 2 minutes in. "Road Ladies" is a straight up blues song with organ and scorching guitar leading the way. "Twenty Small Cigars" is a jazzy song with light drums and electric piano. "The Nancy And Mary Music" is another favourite of mine. It has a crazy intro with dissonant sounds. The drumming is out of control. More Blues style guitar wailing away 2 minutes in. More blazing guitar 4 1/2 minutes in with some very good piano melodies to follow. Some skat vocals as well. "Tell Me You Love Me" is a heavier song then the rest with more great guitar and aggressive vocals.

"Would You Go All The Way" is a Doo Wop song that I don't like too much. "Chunga's Revenge" makes up for it and then some. It has a bombastic guitar led intro before it calms down quickly. The guitar is almost talking as light drums, bass, organ and piano all play a part. This sounds amazing "The Clap" is a short percussion track, while "Rudy Wants To Buy Yez A Drink" is an anti union rant. This is all about the funny lyrics. Apparently Frank had more than a few run ins with the union in his career. "Sharleena" sounds like a seventies song. Oh, it is a seventies song, what I mean is it sounds like a song that could have been played on am radio back then. More good guitar as well.

Tough choice for me in rating this one, but for me it's closer to 4 stars than 3.5 stars. The guitar work bumps it up for me.