Frank Zappa - Lumpy Gravy

Lumpy Gravy is one of those records which challenges a lot of preconceived notions about music and noise. Essentially, this 1968 Frank Zappa release (his first real solo album) which followed We're Only In It For The Money album, consists of two 16 minute collages of orchestral and otherwise instrumental pieces, studio chatter recorded inside the piano and tape edit sounds in the fashion of musique concrete. It's evident that Zappa is a prime melodist and a skilled arranger judging by the musical segment, but when put next to treated tape sounds and bizarre Dadaist dialogue, the result gives an entirely different meaning to the notion of composition. Originally Zappa wanted to record an all-orchestral piece for Capitol Records, as proposed by a producer for the label. However, there was a thirteen month litigation holding back the release. Meanwhile, FZ had recorded loads of dialog by having people sit under the piano with a sustain pedal depressed, giving the voices the unique ambiance. Putting it all together, we have a record which is not the most accessible Zappa release, but nonetheless features lots of innovative production techniques as well as unbelievable sounds. Not to mention, some of Zappa's best melodies, like "Duodenum", instrumental versions of "Oh No" and "Take Your Clothes Off", as well as a haunting orchestral piece "I Don't Know If I Can Go Through This Again". Lumpy Gravy presents Zappa at his most radical as a composer, arranger, record producer and conceptualist.