FRANK ZAPPA "HOT RATS" 1969 U.S. Bizarre while label promo gf LP VG+/MINT
$
112
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Description
FRANK ZAPPA "HOT RATS" 1969 original U.S. Reprise/Bizarre stereo gatefold white label promo LP. RS 6356. The classic solo album from the leader of the Mothers Of Invention featuring "Peaches En Regalia" & "Willie The Pimp" (w/guest vocalist Captain Beefheart) VG+/M
Aside from the experimental side project Lumpy Gravy, Hot Rats was the first album Frank Zappa recorded as a solo artist sans the Mothers, though he continued to employ previous musical collaborators, most notably multi-instrumentalist Ian Underwood. Other than another side project -- the doo wop tribute Cruising With Ruben and the Jets -- Hot Rats was also the first time Zappa focused his efforts in one general area, namely jazz-rock. The result is a classic of the genre. Hot Rats' genius lies in the way it fuses the compositional sophistication of jazz with rock's down-and-dirty attitude -- there's a real looseness and grit to the three lengthy jams, and a surprising, wry elegance to the three shorter, tightly arranged numbers (particularly the sumptuous "Peaches en Regalia"). Perhaps the biggest revelation isn't the straightforward presentation, or the intricately shifting instrumental voices in Zappa's arrangements -- it's his own virtuosity on the electric guitar, recorded during extended improvisational workouts for the first time here. His wonderfully scuzzy, distorted tone is an especially good fit on "Willie the Pimp," with its greasy blues riffs and guest vocalist Captain Beefheart's Howlin' Wolf theatrics. Elsewhere, his skill as a melodist was in full flower, whether dominating an entire piece or providing a memorable theme as a jumping-off point. In addition to Underwood, the backing band featured contributions from Jean-Luc Ponty, Lowell George, and Don "Sugarcane" Harris, among others; still, Zappa is unquestionably the star of the show. Hot Rats still sizzles; few albums originating on the rock side of jazz-rock fusion flowed so freely between both sides of the equation, or achieved such unwavering excitement and energy.
6 tracks- Peaches En Regalia, Willie The Pimp, Son Of Mr. Green Genes, Little Umbrellas, The Gumbo Variations & It Must Be A Camel.
Gatefold cover is intact & retains its original look & sheen with no writing, split seams or ring wear. There is a noticeable 1/2" "ding" on the top left corner, negligible wear on the left edge & very minor corner wear but it still looks highly displayable. In fairness, we will give it a VG+ grading. The record has received very little (if any) play w/no scratches or scuffs. It looks beautiful- rated MINT. The white promo labels with the white Reprise & Bizarre logos are also in MINT condition w/no discernible spindle marks. Complete w/the original Reprise inner sleeve. This is an original U.S. white label promo pressing from 1969 of a classic Progressive LP from one of Rock's true innovators.
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