With an 11-piece band – including five horns – that ranks with the most accomplished he's ever assembled, Zappa conducted an egalitarian course in music appreciation. In addition to a diverse array of original material, the band performed razor-sharp renditions of the Beatles' "I Am the Walrus" (didn't the Beatles retire from the stage because songs such as this couldn't be performed live?) and Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven."

Though the latter was among the most popular rock-radio staples of the 70s, Zappa claims never to have heard it before he called for the song in rehearsal as a joke. Not only could the band rip right through it, but also saxophonist Paul Carmen provided a note-for-note arrangement of the guitar solo to be played by the five horns.

Frank Zappa's Band, February - June 1988:

FZ, Ike Willis, Mike Keneally, Scott Thunes, Chad Wackerman, Ed Mann,

Bobby Martin, Bruce Fowler, Walt Fowler, Paul Carman, Albert Wing, Kurt McGettrick.

свернуть