Zappa Greasy Love Songs (aka Ruben...)
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Recommendations/Featured albums
Forum Description: Make or seek recommendations and discuss specific prog albums
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=69962
Printed Date: February 22 2025 at 15:35
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Zappa Greasy Love Songs (aka Ruben...)
Posted By: jammun
Subject: Zappa Greasy Love Songs (aka Ruben...)
Date Posted: August 04 2010 at 20:51
|
So I received my copy of Zappa's Greasy Love Songs today. This is the 'restored' version, i.e., original 1968 stereo mix with no intervention. Ordered 7/28. Received 8/3. If you're thinking of ordering anything from the FZ site, the whole experience is good. As I've posted many times on this forum when it comes to any early-Zappa thread that mentions Ruben: "Dweezil, please hear my plea." Thanks Dweez!
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.
------------- Can you tell me where we're headin'? Lincoln County Road or Armageddon. |
Replies:
Posted By: SaltyJon
Date Posted: August 04 2010 at 20:53
I'm hoping to get this soon as well - don't have the later edition of Ruben, so my mind hasn't been tainted yet. 
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Salty_Jon" rel="nofollow"> 
|
Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: August 05 2010 at 22:24
|
Last time I checked it wasn't in the store. Seems like it is now though. I'll definitely be ordering a copy soon. ------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect. |
Posted By: WalterDigsTunes
Date Posted: August 05 2010 at 22:26
| I have the 68 LP, with the standard vinyl hiss/pop/crackle. I still like it more than the 84 remix. I might consider the recent reissue, but mostly because of the bonus material. |
Posted By: jammun
Date Posted: August 06 2010 at 23:11
|
Make no mistake, these are Beach Boys-quality four-part harmony vocals happening here (well maybe there's some Munchkin vocal stuff, but hey it's Zappa). The redundant piano triplets are claustropohbic, in that they just do not stop. The listener is just trapped in some weird confined doo-wop world. Next thing ya know, yer gonna Stuff Up the Cracks and gas yourself. Which is the point. I love this album. My son, who has known only the corrupted CD version, thinks it sounds weird. ------------- Can you tell me where we're headin'? Lincoln County Road or Armageddon. |
Posted By: Finnforest
Date Posted: August 06 2010 at 23:28
|
Amazon doesn't have it, but maybe Greg Walker will. I want to hear this.
------------- ...that moment you realize you like "Mob Rules" better than "Heaven and Hell" |
Posted By: WalterDigsTunes
Date Posted: August 06 2010 at 23:29
Zappa.com |
Finnforest wrote:Posted By: Finnforest
Date Posted: August 06 2010 at 23:30
Oh man.....I don't wanna open another freakin' account.....
------------- ...that moment you realize you like "Mob Rules" better than "Heaven and Hell" |
Posted By: jammun
Date Posted: August 07 2010 at 00:55
|
Official jammun disclaimer:
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.
http://barfkoswill.shop.musictoday.com/Dept.aspx?cp=971_4039_8837 - http://barfkoswill.shop.musictoday.com/Dept.aspx?cp=971_4039_8837
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.
------------- Can you tell me where we're headin'? Lincoln County Road or Armageddon. |
Posted By: WalterDigsTunes
Date Posted: August 07 2010 at 01:04
| Now... give me the dirt on the bonus material already! |
Posted By: jammun
Date Posted: August 07 2010 at 01:35
|
Man, I just keep listening to Ian Underwood's smooth-jazz sax solo on Anything. 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.
------------- Can you tell me where we're headin'? Lincoln County Road or Armageddon. |
Posted By: jammun
Date Posted: August 07 2010 at 15:49
|
The bonus track of Stuff Up the Cracks is indeed more wah guitar at the end of the song. Points the way to his jamming on Hot Rats. FZ was becoming quite the guitarist during this period, even on an album of greasy love songs. ------------- Can you tell me where we're headin'? Lincoln County Road or Armageddon. |