Frank Zappa Make A Jazz Noise Here CD

Personnel: Frank Zappa (vocals, guitar, synthesizers); Ike Willis, Mike Keneally (guitar, synthesizers); Kurt McGettrick (contrabass clarinet, baritone saxophone); Paul Carman (soprano, alto & baritone saxophones); Albert Wing (tenor saxophone); Walt Fowler (trumpet, flugelhorn); Bruce Fowler (trombone); Bobby Martin (keyboards); Scott Thunes (Mini-Moog synthesizer, bass); Ed Mann (vibraphone, marimba, percussion); Chad Wackerman (drums, percussion).
The third and final live album put together from recordings of Frank Zappa's 1988 concerts, the two-CD set Make a Jazz Noise Here focuses on the composer's instrumental pieces -- which are not necessarily jazzy, by the way. As for the three vocal tracks included ("Stinkfoot," "Stevie's Spanking," and "Advance Romance"), they all feature interesting solos. The set presents old favorites, like the medley "Let's Make the Water Turn Black"/"Harry, You're a Beast," "King Kong," and "The Black Page." They are well-performed, but considering the number of versions of each of them available on other recordings, they hardly constitute the main interest of this album. Zappa included more obscure tracks. Some of them had not been performed on-stage for quite a long time. Of these, "Big Swifty," "T'Mershi Duween," "Dupree's Paradise," and "Eat That Question" all turn into memorable moments. Scattered throughout the album, listeners also find a few newer compositions, some more spontaneous than others. "Fire and Chains," "When Yuppies Go to Hell," and "Star Wars Won't Work" don't represent key pieces in Zappa's works, but they add an element of surprise to the whole. Make a Jazz Noise Here contains very little stage antics and inside jokes; it concentrates on virtuoso performances of some of Zappa's best instrumental tunes. ~ François Couture
The third collection from the infamous 1988 final world tour, MAKE A JAZZ NOISE HERE is easily one of Zappa's most challenging live recordings in his massive catalog. Comprised mostly of instrumental masterpieces ("King Kong," "T'Mershi Duween"), bizarre group improvisations ("When Yuppies Go To Hell") and a few comedic novelty songs ("Stevie's Spanking"), this two-disc set is a revealing look at one of Zappa's most accomplished (and largest) bands of his career. Also included are some unique (although short) quotes from Stravinsky's "L'Histoire Du Soldat" and Bartok's "Piano Concerto #3." What's more, this is a great illustration of how Zappa actually "played" the band. His use of sampled sound bites ("Fire And Chains") and electronically manipulated sound effects ("Star Wars Won't Work") along with his command of instant stylistic changes in mid-song ("The Black Page") gives us a picture of his immense tonal palette from which he created each performance. It is sad, however, that this was the last time the world would hear this brilliant artist in a live setting.Q (8/95, pp.150-151) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...focuses on the five-piece horn section's bravura musical moments....Tight and tenacious."