BONGO FURY

This is one of Zappa's classics which was quite known by those who were there in the seventies. By that time, typical music were in the rock and progressive style especially symphonic. But this "Bongo Fury" offers something that goes beyond straight hard rock or progressive with Genesis, ELP, Yes, etc, performed live. You can find big names like George Duke, Terry Bozio, and Chester Thompson right here in this live recording.

The album starts with "Debra Kadabra" (3:54) which comprises raw guitar fills, and the way the music flows is quite hard to digest by those who have not been exposed to progressive music. The raw guitar work delivers excellent live nuance as it sounds quite wild. "Carolina Hard-Core Ecstasy" (5:59) has blues style in its main ingredients and style with unique vocal, brass section, funny dialogue in the middle. "Sam With the Showing Scalp Flat Top" (2:51) sounds like a jazzy track and it's basically an acapella / narration with non-continuous music. "Poofter's Froth Wyoming Plans Ahead" (3:03) is really a great song with great arrangements combining banjo as one of the instruments and it sounds obviously nice. The band continues with "200 Years Old" (4:32) which is basically a blues song with nice harmonica and Zappa relaxing vocal. The guitar solo in the middle of the track is truly stunning and will definitely satisfy those who love blues.

"Cucamonga" (2:24) is a short track with good melody and unique piano work. "Advance Romance (11:17) starts nicely with guitar melody followed by vocal augmented with harmonica as it has some blues elements. The vocal of Zappa sounds excellent when he combines the singing style with something that sounds like in extreme style. The piano and guitar solo are both excellent. Even though the sound and style is probably representing the 70s, however, the structure and complexities are something that progressive music typically offers. If you like guitar solo in quite significant amount, this track is basically for you. This is one of my favorite. The live album is concluded with "Muffin Man" (5:30): another favorite of mine because it full exploration of electric guitar. If you like guitar solo, this is an excellent track, performed live!

Overall, this is a very good live album that I recommend to those who like classic rock, progressive rock or, in fact, blues music. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW (i-Rock! Music Community)