Frank Zappa and The Mothers- The Grand Wazoo

Recorded in the spring of 1972 at the same time as Waka/Jawaka and released in December of that year. Another Jaz Rock album but this has more of a Big Band orchestral sound. The story of Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus and Mediocrates of Pedestrium battle with armies of unemployed musicians is in the inside of the gatefold cover. Filled with Zappas humor taking pokes at record charts and different kinds of music. Cletus’s secret weapon is The Mystery Horn. A couple songs have vocals but the record is mostly instrumental. Side two is best with “Eat That Question” and “Blessed Relief” featuring some solos by Zappa. I like Waka/Jawaka better but this is also good. I remember hearing about this record on the radio in 1973 and some tracks from it were played on WMMR. This is a used one I bought maybe ten years ago . It has a $9.99 price tag on it. It’s a 1976 reissue on the Reprise label. The original 1972 release was the last on Zappa’s Bizarre label. The cover and record are in good shape.

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