ZAPPAtite Remastered Cd

ZAPPAtite: Frank Zappa's Tastiest Tracks" brings together a healthy helping of Zappa's best-known and most beloved compositions, from his early psychedelic rock beginnings to his avant-garde experiments, jazz-rock explorations, symphonic suites, and satirical parodies, bringing them together in an easily digestible collection that offers key gateways into the many musical worlds of this visionary musician.

The album is divided into three courses—Appetizers, Entrees, and Desserts—and the food theme runs throughout the album cover, which depicts Zappa in a diner, a track listing that resembles a menu, and some of Zappa’s favorite dishes. The 18 compositions that make up “ZAPPAtite” were compiled by Zappa’s son Ahmet Zappa and the encyclopedic Zappa archivist “Vaultmaster” Joe Travers. “This isn’t a ‘Greatest Hits’ album, since Frank didn’t really have any ‘hits’ per se, and it’s not a ‘Best Of’ either, because it would be impossible to fit so much greatness onto a single disc,” says Ahmet Zappa. “It’s a true smorgasbord of musicality for the curious and a feast of favorites for the fans. ‘ZAPPAtite’ brings together a cross-section of my favorite songs that my father composed, leaning more toward the rock side of his extensive repertoire. I hope you’re hungry, because this feast for your ears rocks!”

The collection kicks off with the one-two punch of “I’m The Slime” and “Dirty Love” from Zappa’s 1973 Watershed Gold album “Over-Nite Sensation,” and quickly introduces Zappa’s eclecticism and his risqué wit as the songs blend polyrhythmic psychedelic rock and heavy funk with his signature allusive lyrics. From there, the album journeys through Zappa’s vast musical universe, highlighting key songs and eras of his career. The “Appetizer” section also includes the Grammy-nominated disco satire “Dancin’ Fool” and the controversial European hit “Bobby Brown Goes Down” from Zappa’s popular 1979 album *Sheik Yerbouti*, as well as “Trouble Every Day” from the groundbreaking 1966 debut album *Freak Out!* from 1966, which comes from Zappa’s flagship rock band, The Mothers of Invention.

The highlights include one of Zappa’s best-known works, the universally beloved instrumental “Peaches En Regalia” from his classic second solo album “Hot Rats” from 1969, the ubiquitous Top 40 hit “Valley Girl,” in which his then-14-year-old daughter Moon Unit utters a “Gag-me-with-a-spoon” patois, from the 1982 album “Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch”; the possibly autobiographical track from a parallel dimension, “Joe’s Garage,” from the 1979 LP of the same name; and the mischievous blues-rocker “Cosmik Debris” and the humorous “Don’t Eat The Yellow Snow,” two standout tracks from one of Zappa’s most commercial and accessible albums, 1974’s “Apostrophe (')”.

"Desserts" explores Zappa’s musical virtuosity and unique live performances and includes the comedic “Titties & Beer” from the 1978 live album “Zappa In New York”; the frenetic, Synclavier-driven “G-Spot Tornado” from the 1986 album *Jazz From Hell*; the anti-drug critique “Cocaine Decisions” from 1983’s *The Man From Utopia*; and “Zoot Allures,” the intoxicating instrumental featuring Zappa’s electrifying guitar playing from the 1976 album *Zoot Allures*. The album culminates in a performance of “Strictly Genteel” with the London Symphony Orchestra. The epic, orchestral rock piece originally served as the grand finale for Zappa’s surrealist film “200 Motels” from 1971.

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