Frank Zappa Son Of Cheep Thrills CD

SON OF CHEEP THRILLS is an Enhanced audio CD containing regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.
Personnel includes: Frank Zappa (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, harpsichord, Synclavier synthesizer, percussion); Mike Keneally (vocals, guitar, synthesizers); Adrian Belew, Warren Cucurullo (vocals, guitar); Sal Marquez (vocals, trumpet); George Duke, Bobby Martin, Tommy Mars (vocals, keyboards); Roy Estrada (vocals, bass); Jimmy Carl Black, Terry Bozzio (vocals, drums); Moon Zappa (vocals); Steve Vai (guitar); Walt Fowler (trumpet, flugelhorn, synthesizers); Bruce Fowler (trombone); Don Preston (piano); Ed Mann (vibraphone, marimba, acoustic & electronic percussion); Tom Fowler, Patrick O'Hearn (bass); Ansley Dunbar (drums, tambourine, washboard); Vinnie Colaiuta (drums); Ruth Underwood (percussion).
Producer: Frank Zappa.
Compilation producer: Joe Black.
Digitally remastered by Toby Mountain (Northeastern Digital Recording).
This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.
A companion to Rykodisc's budget-priced compilation Cheap Thrills, Son of Cheap Thrills ranges haphazardly over the many phases of Zappa's career, concentrating on briefer, more song-oriented material; although many of his varied musical sides are covered, the collection never quite jells into something cohesive. On the other hand, that task would be difficult enough for a full-fledged anthology of Zappa, let alone a budget sampler, so take it for what it is -- a cheaply priced introduction for the cash-strapped. Still, if you choose to acclimate yourself to Zappa this way, the first Cheap Thrills remains the better of the two, containing as it does a larger percentage of career high points. ~ Steve Huey
This compilation is a successor to the previous year's CHEAP THRILLS. This time out though the focus is on studio recordings, with just a couple live tracks. The eleven selections here run the Frank Zappa gamut, from doo-wop ("WPLJ," from 1969's BURNT WEENIE SANDWICH) to chamber-jazz instrumentals ("Twenty Small Cigars," from 1970's CHUNGA'S REVENGE and "The Legend of the Golden Arches" from 1968's UNCLE MEAT). Also included are proto-metal hijinks ("Ya Hozna," from 1984's THEM OR US) and solo-constructed keyboards orchestrations ("Night School," from 1986's JAZZ FROM HELL). Anyone uncertain of just what Zappa's all about would do well to start with this fairly straightforward sampler.