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"Even though we're happy to hear Frank Zappa again, "Funky Nothingness" suffers from a lack of overall cohesion, not helped by exaggerated lengths and double-tracking."
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2/5
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On December 4, 1993, one of the greatest guitarists of the 20th century, Frank Zappa, passed away. Since that tragic date for any self-respecting music lover, posthumous releases have followed one another, the American artist having recorded many tapes during his lifetime. This year's "Funky Nothingness" follows the personal revival marked by the recording of "Hot Rats", during which Frank Zappa abandoned the Mothers for a sound closer to jazz-fusion.
The curious listener who has not yet had the chance to hear a single note of Frank Zappa's music should not begin his or her listening with this album. "Funky Nothingness" consists of 3 discs for 3 hours 30 minutes of listening... Let's face it, the result already seems copious and quickly proves indigestible - short anecdotal tracks ('Tommy/Vincent Duo I') or even false starts ('Twinkle Tits') would have deserved to be left out. Most of the tracks are duplicated on the other discs, with tiny variations that are no more likely to wake us up. All three discs feature long, long jams that unfortunately drag on and on. 'I Am A Rollin Stone' is a long blues declension, with a solo to boot, but somewhat haunting and repetitive. 'Chunga's Revenge 5' delivers the coup de grâce to listeners crushed under a long guitar solo, giving way to an equally long drum solo. The soporific acoustic minimalism of 'Tommy/Vincent Duo' (from disc 3) has nothing to envy the acoustic part of King Crimson's 'Moonchild', which proves far more effective.
Not everything in this trilogy of nonsense funk has to be discarded. Among the pleasant surprises, we find Frank Zappa's interest in dynamiting genres from within (blues on the eponymous track, the ballad 'Love Will Make Your Mind Go Wild', the use of ironic piano on 'Twinkle Tits'). There are also references to the maestro's discography. The riff on 'Chunga's Revenge' (the name is already very evocative) recalls the introduction to 'Lonely Little Girl'. Work With Me Annie' is a country tune reminiscent of 'WPLJ' from Burnt Weeny Sandwich. Tommy Vincent Duo II' is more complete and effective than the first and last segment, and takes us back to 'King Kong'. Transylvania Boogie' is reminiscent of the album "Apostrophe (' )", with a fine dramatic progression culminating in an ominous organ, Don Sugarcane Harris's violin soaring above the fray. The end of the album also offers two convincing new tracks, albeit a little late in the day: 'Hallos And Arrows', with its playful guitar, and 'Moldred', a quality jazz-fusion.
Frank Zappa is dead, long live Frank Zappa! Alas, this album adds nothing to the memory of the great American guitarist. It would have been more appropriate to review the number of tracks, even if it meant releasing three different albums. Of course, there's the pleasure of hearing him play, but "Funky Nothingness" is best reserved for aficionados of the genre and those not frightened by exaggerated length and duplication. There's no need to break the piggy bank for this slice of funk. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Funky Nothingness 02. Tommy/Vincent Duo I 03. Love Will Make Your Mind Go Wild 04. I'm a Rollin' Stone 05. Chunga's Revenge (Basement Version) 06. Basement Jam 07. Work With Me Annie / Annie Had A Baby 08. Tommy/Vincent Duo II 09. Sharleena" (1970 Record Plant Mix) 10. Khaki Sack 11. Twinkle Tits 12. Chunga’s Revenge" (Take 5) 13. Love Will Make Your Mind Go Wild" (Take 4) 14. Transylvania Boogie" (Unedited Master) 15. Sharleena" (Unedited Master) 16. Work With Me Annie/Annie Had A Baby" (Alternate Edit) 17. Twinkle Tits" (Take 1, False Start) 18. Twinkle Tits" (Take 2) 19. The Clap" (Unedited Master-Part I) 20. The Clap" (Unedited Master-Part II) 21. Tommy/Vincent Duo" (Unedited Master) 22. Chunga’s Revenge" (Take 8) 23. Halos and Arrows 24. Moldred 25. Fast Funky Nothingness
LINEUP:
Aynsley Dunbar: Batterie Don Harris: Chant / Violon Frank Zappa: Chant / Guitares / Tambourin, Harmonica Ian Underwood: Saxophone Max Bennett: Basse
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