Wazoo (Vaulter Native): C+
Zappa was a genius, but even geniuses make mistakes. Yes, this unearthed double-disc relic, recorded at Boston’s Music Hall (now Citi Wang Theater) in September 1972, offers fantastic sound quality for an archival find. But rather than Zappa’s surreal humor, listeners are fed long, wordless, jazzy pieces, most written while the composer was in a wheelchair recovering from a 1971 assault. Once past the delightful boogie of “The Grand Wazoo (Think It Over),” the brassy 20-piece big band begins its mathematic assault, dragging listeners over coals of dissonance and clashing instrumentation. Zappa’s brilliance shines through - but you have to squint hard to see it. Die-hards can order it for $30 at barfkoswill.shop.musictoday.com. Download: “The Grand Wazoo (Think It Over).”
