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Frank Zappa - "Chunga's Revenge" (LP)
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Genre: progressive
Rating: ** (2 stars)
Title: Chunga's Revenge
Company: Reprise
Catalog: MS-2030
Country/State: Baltimore, Maryland
Year: 1970
Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+
Comments: gatefold sleeve; minor ring wear on front and back covers
Available: 1
Catalog ID:6234
Price: $20.00
A couple of years ago I started re-listening to a bunch of my Zappa/Mothers of Invention albums and was struck by how many of them were essentially haphazard collections of studio oddities, experiments gone astray, live segments, etc. I also remember thinking how impressive it was that Zappa had so much stuff available to actually release - not just so much of it, but the fact that many of his 'cast off'' projects were actually worth hearing. Add to that list 1970's "Chunga's Revenge". So, let me tell you this one's a pretty hodge-podge set and anyone looking for a thematically tight and consistent collection was likely to be disappointed by this one. On the other hand, at least to my ears that diversified and occasionally fragmented feel provided some of the album's charms. Bouncing across a broad spectrum of genres, there was literally something for everyone to be found on this album - comedy ('Would You Go All the Way'), experimentation ('The Nancy and Mary Music'), heavy metal ('Tell Me You Love Me'), jazz ('Twenty Small Cigars'), conventional rock ('Transylvanian Boogie'), and even soul ('Sharleena'). Yeah, it's one of those Zappa albums I'm at a loss to accurate describe, eclectic beyond belief, but it's also one I've come to enjoy tremendously.
- Listening to the opener 'Transylvanian Boogie' reminded me of what an impressive guitarist Zappa was. Given the breadth of Zappa's talents, that was simply one of his skills that frequently got lost in the mix ... The song's rather conventional jazz-rock structure also served to make it kind of strange in the Zappa catalog - backed by drummer Anysley Dunbar, bass player Max Bennett, and keyboardist Ian Underwood, this one found Zappa aptly displayed his ability to write and performer a rather commercial rock tune. rating: **** stars
- With some autobiographical life's-tough-as-a-touring-musician lyrics ("You've got nothing but groupies and promoters to love you and a pile of laundry by the hotel door ...", the blues-rocker 'Road Ladies' was mildly entertaining. Musically a standard blues-rock number, Zappa's mock blues vocals were actually pretty good, though guitarist Jeff Simmons' vocals were far more soulful. The song also served to introduce Flo and Eddie (former Turtles Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan) on backing vocals to the extended Zappa fraternity. rating: *** stars
- Reportedly written back in the early 1960s, the weirdly-titled 'Twenty Small Cigars' offered up a pretty jazz-tinged instrumental, showcasing some nice harpsichord and guitar interplay (both provided by Zappa). Easily one of the prettiest things Zappa ever wrote. rating: **** stars
- Recorded live at the Minneapolis Tyrone Guthrie Theater, 'The Nancy and Mary Music' was a three part, 10 minute suite. 'Part 1' was basically showcased some Underwood freak-out sax and a seemingly endless Dunbar drum solo. 'Part 2' initially shifted the focus to a tuneful extended Zappa guitar solo, but then morphed into more improvisational freak-out moves while Dunbar continued to make lots of percussion noise. Thankfully this last part of 'Part 2' turned the spotlight back of Zappa's guitar. 'Part 3' shifted the focus to keyboardist George Duke and Flo and Eddie shouting nonsensical noises. Easily one of the less impressive efforts on the album. rating; ** stars
- I remember the first time I heard 'Tell Me You Love Me' I simply couldn't believe it was Frank Zappa. The heavy metal sound and dumbsh*t lyrics were just so hair band/AOR ... Even more of a surprise this one got tapped as a single !!! rating; **** stars
- 'Would You Go All the Way' was a good example of the comedic leanings Flo and Eddie brought into the Zappa fold - the song's premise apparently questioning how far female USO volunteers were willing to go in pursuit of their patriotism. Frankly it wasn't all that funny. rating; ** stars
- Supposedly a Zappa favorite, the extended instrumental 'Chunga's Revenge' served as a nice platform for an extended Zappa guitar solo. Full of fuzz guitar and Underwood trying out wha-wha effects on a sax (imagine the sound of a duck in severe pain). Zappa's playing was seldom as tuneful, or impressive. rating; **** stars
- Horay for truth in advertising and 'The Clap' is about as truthful as you can get - one and a half minutes of drums and percussion noises. The interesting thing about this one - Zappa played everything on the track. Was the title a reflection on a certain disease known to commonly afflict touring musicians ? Beats me. rating; ** stars
- I've always wondered what 'Rudy Wants To Buy Yer a Drink' was about ... something to do with paying musician union membership dues ? Beats me. I guess the highlight hear was hearing Flo and Eddie actually handling the lead vocals, or maybe George Duke on trombone ? Another strange one ... .rating; ** stars
- With its mix of '50s doowop and '60s soul flavors, an instantly attractive melody, and some fantastic vocals (courtesy of Zappa, Flo, and Eddie), 'Sharleena' remains one of my favorite Zappa compositions. Surprising this one wasn't tapped as a single since it was highly commercial. rating; **** stars
As mentioned above, the album was tapped for a single in the form of:
- 1970's 'Tell Me You Love' b/w '"Would You Go All the Way' (Reprise/Bizarre catalog number 0967)
As mentioned, on a song-by-song basis this is hardly prime Zappa, but there's something rather endearing about this collection - can't explain it, but I like it. I must not be alone since the album actually hit # 119 on the charts.
"Chunga's Revenge" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Transylvania Blues (instrumental) (Frank Zappa) - 5:01
2.) Road Ladies (Frank Zappa) - 4:11
3.) Twenty Small Cigars (instrumental) (Frank Zappa) - 2:17
4.) The Nancy and Mary Music
i.) Part 1 (instrumental) (Frank Zappa) - 2:42
ii.) Part 2 (instrumental) (Frank Zappa)- 4:11
iii.) Part 3 (instrumental) (Frank Zappa) - 2:37
(side 2)
1.) Tell Me You Love Me (Frank Zappa) - 2:43
2.) Would You Go All the Way (Frank Zappa) - 2:30
3.) Chunga's Revenge (instrumental) (Frank Zappa) - 6:16
4.) The Clap (instrumental) (Frank Zappa) - 1:24
5.) Rudy Wants To Buy Yer a Drink (Frank Zappa) - 2:45
6.) Sharleena (Frank Zappa) - 4:07
Rating: ** (2 stars)
Title: Chunga's Revenge
Company: Reprise
Catalog: MS-2030
Country/State: Baltimore, Maryland
Year: 1970
Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+
Comments: gatefold sleeve; minor ring wear on front and back covers
Available: 1
Catalog ID:6234
Price: $20.00
A couple of years ago I started re-listening to a bunch of my Zappa/Mothers of Invention albums and was struck by how many of them were essentially haphazard collections of studio oddities, experiments gone astray, live segments, etc. I also remember thinking how impressive it was that Zappa had so much stuff available to actually release - not just so much of it, but the fact that many of his 'cast off'' projects were actually worth hearing. Add to that list 1970's "Chunga's Revenge". So, let me tell you this one's a pretty hodge-podge set and anyone looking for a thematically tight and consistent collection was likely to be disappointed by this one. On the other hand, at least to my ears that diversified and occasionally fragmented feel provided some of the album's charms. Bouncing across a broad spectrum of genres, there was literally something for everyone to be found on this album - comedy ('Would You Go All the Way'), experimentation ('The Nancy and Mary Music'), heavy metal ('Tell Me You Love Me'), jazz ('Twenty Small Cigars'), conventional rock ('Transylvanian Boogie'), and even soul ('Sharleena'). Yeah, it's one of those Zappa albums I'm at a loss to accurate describe, eclectic beyond belief, but it's also one I've come to enjoy tremendously.
- Listening to the opener 'Transylvanian Boogie' reminded me of what an impressive guitarist Zappa was. Given the breadth of Zappa's talents, that was simply one of his skills that frequently got lost in the mix ... The song's rather conventional jazz-rock structure also served to make it kind of strange in the Zappa catalog - backed by drummer Anysley Dunbar, bass player Max Bennett, and keyboardist Ian Underwood, this one found Zappa aptly displayed his ability to write and performer a rather commercial rock tune. rating: **** stars
- With some autobiographical life's-tough-as-a-touring-musician lyrics ("You've got nothing but groupies and promoters to love you and a pile of laundry by the hotel door ...", the blues-rocker 'Road Ladies' was mildly entertaining. Musically a standard blues-rock number, Zappa's mock blues vocals were actually pretty good, though guitarist Jeff Simmons' vocals were far more soulful. The song also served to introduce Flo and Eddie (former Turtles Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan) on backing vocals to the extended Zappa fraternity. rating: *** stars
- Reportedly written back in the early 1960s, the weirdly-titled 'Twenty Small Cigars' offered up a pretty jazz-tinged instrumental, showcasing some nice harpsichord and guitar interplay (both provided by Zappa). Easily one of the prettiest things Zappa ever wrote. rating: **** stars
- Recorded live at the Minneapolis Tyrone Guthrie Theater, 'The Nancy and Mary Music' was a three part, 10 minute suite. 'Part 1' was basically showcased some Underwood freak-out sax and a seemingly endless Dunbar drum solo. 'Part 2' initially shifted the focus to a tuneful extended Zappa guitar solo, but then morphed into more improvisational freak-out moves while Dunbar continued to make lots of percussion noise. Thankfully this last part of 'Part 2' turned the spotlight back of Zappa's guitar. 'Part 3' shifted the focus to keyboardist George Duke and Flo and Eddie shouting nonsensical noises. Easily one of the less impressive efforts on the album. rating; ** stars
- I remember the first time I heard 'Tell Me You Love Me' I simply couldn't believe it was Frank Zappa. The heavy metal sound and dumbsh*t lyrics were just so hair band/AOR ... Even more of a surprise this one got tapped as a single !!! rating; **** stars
- 'Would You Go All the Way' was a good example of the comedic leanings Flo and Eddie brought into the Zappa fold - the song's premise apparently questioning how far female USO volunteers were willing to go in pursuit of their patriotism. Frankly it wasn't all that funny. rating; ** stars
- Supposedly a Zappa favorite, the extended instrumental 'Chunga's Revenge' served as a nice platform for an extended Zappa guitar solo. Full of fuzz guitar and Underwood trying out wha-wha effects on a sax (imagine the sound of a duck in severe pain). Zappa's playing was seldom as tuneful, or impressive. rating; **** stars
- Horay for truth in advertising and 'The Clap' is about as truthful as you can get - one and a half minutes of drums and percussion noises. The interesting thing about this one - Zappa played everything on the track. Was the title a reflection on a certain disease known to commonly afflict touring musicians ? Beats me. rating; ** stars
- I've always wondered what 'Rudy Wants To Buy Yer a Drink' was about ... something to do with paying musician union membership dues ? Beats me. I guess the highlight hear was hearing Flo and Eddie actually handling the lead vocals, or maybe George Duke on trombone ? Another strange one ... .rating; ** stars
- With its mix of '50s doowop and '60s soul flavors, an instantly attractive melody, and some fantastic vocals (courtesy of Zappa, Flo, and Eddie), 'Sharleena' remains one of my favorite Zappa compositions. Surprising this one wasn't tapped as a single since it was highly commercial. rating; **** stars
As mentioned above, the album was tapped for a single in the form of:
- 1970's 'Tell Me You Love' b/w '"Would You Go All the Way' (Reprise/Bizarre catalog number 0967)
As mentioned, on a song-by-song basis this is hardly prime Zappa, but there's something rather endearing about this collection - can't explain it, but I like it. I must not be alone since the album actually hit # 119 on the charts.
"Chunga's Revenge" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Transylvania Blues (instrumental) (Frank Zappa) - 5:01
2.) Road Ladies (Frank Zappa) - 4:11
3.) Twenty Small Cigars (instrumental) (Frank Zappa) - 2:17
4.) The Nancy and Mary Music
i.) Part 1 (instrumental) (Frank Zappa) - 2:42
ii.) Part 2 (instrumental) (Frank Zappa)- 4:11
iii.) Part 3 (instrumental) (Frank Zappa) - 2:37
(side 2)
1.) Tell Me You Love Me (Frank Zappa) - 2:43
2.) Would You Go All the Way (Frank Zappa) - 2:30
3.) Chunga's Revenge (instrumental) (Frank Zappa) - 6:16
4.) The Clap (instrumental) (Frank Zappa) - 1:24
5.) Rudy Wants To Buy Yer a Drink (Frank Zappa) - 2:45
6.) Sharleena (Frank Zappa) - 4:07
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