This was a live concept-like album. It was a quick peek behind the curtain of the life of a rock band on the road as narrated by Frank Zappa, and contains many thematic elements that, because of time and budget constraints, couldn't be included on the similar movie 200 Motels. The most famous part of the album is "The Mud Shark", a telling of a story told to Mother Don Preston by some members of Vanilla Fudge about a hotel, Seattle's Edgewater Inn, where guests could fish from their rooms. In the tale, a mud shark is caught by one of the members of Vanilla Fudge or its crew and, when combined with a groupie and a movie camera, depravity ensues. Although not stated in "The Mud Shark," this 1969 incident, now referred to as "the Shark episode," also involved Led Zeppelin's drummer John Bonham and road manager Richard Cole, with Vanilla Fudge's singer/keyboardist Mark Stein operating the movie camera.Read full review
This CD is not for everyone. Zappa wrote a small rock opera about a rock bands adventures on the road and their efforts to meet women. It is a wealth of the most diverse music and it reaches from on extreme to another. The arrangements will be going through your head for days. I would recommend listening at least 10 times over a couple of weeks. The lyrics are another story. Written in 1971 it does not have the politically correctness that is expected today. It is derogatory to women and a bit gross. Over the top but somehow very satisfying in the telling of the story and the total immersion of Zappa and his unique look at the world and at music.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
this is a great album. it has the mud shark story that they talk about on mtv and vh1. frank zappa explains the details at the edgewater inn. it also has howard kaylan and marc volman original members of the turtles, they do a version of happy together. this is a must have album or cd for the frank zappa fan. a true classic.
This is a rare gem in the Zappa library that shows off his fantastic musical talents as both composer and performer, and also shows off his great sense of the absurd. Flo and Eddie help to make this one of the best live performances ever recorded. I only wish there was film of this concert.
One of my favorite Zappa albums. Great songs, recommend it to all Zappa fans!Live music at it's best. Classic rock.
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