Similar Albums:
- Artist: Frank Zappa
- Rating:
- Release Date: 1973 05
- Total Time: 37:03
- Genre: Rock
Review
Like its immediate predecessor, Waka/Jawaka, The Grand Wazoo was a largely instrumental jazz rock album recorded during Frank Zappa's convalescence from injuries sustained after being pushed off a concert stage. While Zappa contributes some guitar solos and occasional vocals, the focus is more on his skills as a composer and arranger. Most of the five selections supposedly form a musical representation of a story told in the liner notes about two warring musical factions, but the bottom line is that, overall, the compositions here are more memorably melodic and consistently engaging than Waka/Jawaka. The instrumentation is somewhat unique in the Zappa catalog as well, with the band more of a chamber jazz orchestra than a compact rock unit; over 20 musicians and vocalists contribute to the record. While Hot Rats is still the peak of Zappa's jazz-rock fusion efforts, The Grand Wazoo comes close, and it's essential for anyone interested in Zappa's instrumental works. ~ Steve Huey, All Music GuideTracks
| Track Title | Composers | Performers | Time |
| For Calvin (And His Next Two Hitch-Hikers) | Frank Zappa | Frank Zappa | (13:20) |
| The Grand Wazoo | Frank Zappa | Frank Zappa | (6:06) |
| Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus | Frank Zappa | Frank Zappa | (2:57) |
| Eat That Question | Frank Zappa | Frank Zappa | (6:42) |
| Blessed Relief | Frank Zappa | Frank Zappa | (8:00) |
