Philzone.org - Philzone Phansite Community Discussion Board: Setlists and Reviews: Non GD Related Reviews: Archive: ZPZ, Denver "Fillmore East", 11/16/2007

Before you all go apeshit on me, the "Fillmore East" comment was Dweezil Zappa's, and not mine. So flame him, OK?

Great show, around 2.5 hours, with just a short encore break. I've said it before and I'll say it again - this does Frank Zappa's music proud. If you liked the "freak show" aspect of Zappa, it's pretty much gone. But if you liked the music, why not go hear it from someone who has an "inside track"?

Tunes played (not necessarily complete or in order; I'm not a fanatic, yet):

Son of Suzy Creamcheese, Brown Shoes Don't Make It, America Drinks and Goes Home
Dumb All Over
What's New In Baltimore?
Doreen
Pygmy Twylyte ("Quaalude Thunder" version)
Carolina Hard Core Ecstasy
Magic Fingers
Willie the Pimp
Zoot Allures
Dupree's Paradise (audience phrases were "bloodthirsty marmot", "hula hoop witch" and "Britney's gargoyle")
Dog / Meat
Joe's Garage
Wind Up Working in a Gas Station
Uncle Remus
San Ber'dino
The Illinois Enema Bandit
Cosmik Debris
Muffin Man


Ray White is the only featured Zappa alumni (apologies to my Dad if the Latin is wrong) this time around, but man, does he bring it to this show. The other musicians are top notch too (six of them, besides DZ & Ray), especially the female keyboard/wind player / vocalist. Dweezil obviously isn't his dad, but he's no slouch either. The man certainly knows his way around the fretboard.

Also the second show this year where I've seen an extended melodica solo. Must be a new trend!

A talented ensemble that continues to pay a worthy tribute to one of the great American composers of the 20th century. What's not to like? If you like Zappa's music, it's worth your time and money.

(and while you're at it, go see Project Object if you can; they're pretty good too; wish they'd come back out west)

I think this band is HOT. Saw the show in Houston last week. A very enjoyable way to spend the evening. Loud crisp sound, complicated compositions, sweet jams, hilarious lyrics, what more could one ask for? The common stereotype of Dweezil as the 16 year old MTV kid is far from the truth, he is now a man who does a good job of paying homage to his father, and is a pretty rippin' guitarist in his own right.

Evidently there is some bad blood between the Zappa estate and the fellows who do the Project Object thing, which is really too bad, because Project Object is bad ass, too. I don't know the particulars, but it seems that Zappa's wife Gail is somewhat of a control freak and litigation happy.