The Grand Wazoo

1972 studio album by The Mothers
The Grand Wazoo
Studio album by
The Mothers
ReleasedNovember 27, 1972
RecordedApril–May 1972
StudioParamount Studios (Hollywood, CA)
Genre
Length38:06
LabelBizarre/Reprise
ProducerFrank Zappa
Frank Zappa chronology
Waka/Jawaka
(1972) 		The Grand Wazoo
(1972) 		Over-Nite Sensation
(1973)
The Mothers chronology
Just Another Band from L.A.
(1972) 		The Grand Wazoo
(1972) 		Over-Nite Sensation
(1973)
Singles from The Grand Wazoo
  1. "Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus"
    Released: 1972[nb 1]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[5]

The Grand Wazoo is the eleventh album by The Mothers, sixteenth overall by Frank Zappa, released in November 1972. It was written and recorded during Zappa's period of convalescence after being assaulted in December 1971 in London, UK.

Overview

Along with its predecessor Waka/Jawaka (July 1972), this album represents Zappa's foray into big band music, the logical progression from Hot Rats (1969) (which used a much smaller lineup). This was the last release on Zappa's own Bizarre Records label.

Recording and production

This was the second Zappa album released in a period where he needed to use a wheelchair. Zappa was unable to tour after being assaulted and pushed offstage into an orchestra pit during a concert on December 10, 1971, at the Rainbow Theatre in London, UK.[6]

The album is mostly made up of instrumental pieces, similar in style to those of three previous albums: Hot Rats (October 1969), Burnt Weeny Sandwich (February 1970), and Waka/Jawaka (July 1972).

Track listing

All songs written, composed and arranged by Frank Zappa.

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."For Calvin (And His Next Two Hitch-Hikers)"6:05
2."The Grand Wazoo"13:18
Total length:19:59
Side two
No.TitleLength
3."Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus"2:57
4."Eat That Question"6:42
5."Blessed Relief"8:00
Total length:18:07
1995 Rykodisc compact disc
No.TitleLength
1."The Grand Wazoo"13:20
2."For Calvin (And His Next Two Hitch-Hikers)"6:06
3."Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus"2:57
4."Eat That Question"6:43
5."Blessed Relief"7:59

Personnel

Musicians

"The Grand Wazoo" and "For Calvin (And His Next Two Hitch-Hikers)"
  • Mike Altschul - woodwind
  • Billy Byers - trombone (including solo on "The Grand Wazoo")
  • Joanna Caldwell - woodwind
  • Earl Dumler - woodwind
  • Aynsley Dunbar - drums
  • Tony Duran - guitar (including bottleneck guitar solo on "The Grand Wazoo")
  • Erroneous (Alex Dmochowski) - bass
  • Alan Estes - percussion
  • Fred Jackson - woodwind
  • Sal Marquez - vocals, trumpet (including solo on "The Grand Wazoo")
  • Malcolm McNab - brass
  • Janet Neville-Ferguson – vocals
  • Tony "Bat Man" Ortega - woodwind
  • Don Preston - minimoog (including solo on "The Grand Wazoo")
  • Johnny Rotella - woodwind
  • Ken Shroyer - brass, "contractor and spiritual guidance"
  • Ernie Tack - brass
  • Frank Zappa - guitar (including opening solo on "The Grand Wazoo")
  • Bob Zimmitti - percussion
"Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus"
  • Mike Altschul - woodwind
  • "Chunky" (Lauren Wood) - vocals
  • George Duke - keyboards, vocals
  • Erroneous (Alex Dmochowski) - bass
  • Aynsley Dunbar - drums
  • Sal Marquez - brass
  • Ken Shroyer - trombones
  • Frank Zappa - vocals, guitar

with:


"Eat That Question"
  • Mike Altschul - woodwind
  • George Duke - keyboards
  • Aynsley Dunbar - drums
  • Erroneous (Alex Dmochowski) - bass
  • Sal Marquez - "multiple toots" (brass)
  • Joel Peskin - woodwind
  • Frank Zappa - guitar, percussion

with:

"Blessed Relief"
  • Mike Altschul - woodwind
  • George Duke - keyboards
  • Aynsley Dunbar - drums
  • Tony Duran - rhythm guitar
  • Erroneous (Alex Dmochowski) - bass
  • Sal Marquez - brass
  • Joel Peskin - woodwind
  • Frank Zappa - lead guitar

Production

  • Producer: Frank Zappa
  • Engineer: Kerry McNabb
  • Arranger: Frank Zappa
  • Special assistance: Paul Hof
  • Photography: Ed Caraeff, Tony Esparza, Barry Feinstein
  • Cover illustration: Cal Schenkel
  • Art direction: Frank Zappa
  • Spiritual advisor: Kenny Shroyer
  • Contractor: Kenny Shroyer
  • Burritos: Ernie's Taco House
  • Pizza: two guys from Italy
  • Barbecue desiccated chicken: Hollywood Ranch Market

Notes

  1. ^ Promo issue, with A-Side Mono (DJ airplay) version & B-Side Stereo version of same track.[4]

References

  • Musicians and production per CD booklet.
  1. ^ Couture, François. "Roxy & Elsewhere - Frank Zappa, The Mothers of Invention | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  2. ^ a b Moskowitz, David V. (2015). The 100 Greatest Bands of All Time: A Guide to the Legends Who Rocked the World. ABC-CLIO. p. 263. ISBN 978-1-44080-340-6.
  3. ^ a b Mars-Jones, Adam (2015). Kid Gloves: A Voyage Round My Father. Penguin Books Limited. p. 78. ISBN 978-1-84614-876-7.
  4. ^ www.discogs.com / The Mothers – Cletus Awreetus - Awrightus
  5. ^ Huey, S. (2011). "The Grand Wazoo - Frank Zappa | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  6. ^ Miles, Barry. "The Rainbow Theatre Incident". Zappa Wiki Jawaka. N.p., 13 May 2007. Web. May 13, 2015.

External links

  • Lyrics and information
  • Release details
  • v
  • t
  • e
Official releases
(1966–1993)
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
Posthumous
official releases
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
Miscellaneous
Compilations
Birthday Bundle series
Authority control databases Edit this at Wikidata
  • MusicBrainz release group