Thursday, October 23, 2008

Zappa family trust to release "Lumpy Money"

ZAPPA RECORDS TO RELEASE FRANK ZAPPA AUDIO DOCUMENTARY 'LUMPY MONEY,' A 3-CD SET MARKING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF 'LUMPY GRAVY' AND 'WE'RE ONLY IN IT FOR THE MONEY,' ON NOV. 25
ORIGINAL MASTERS INCLUDED FEATURE ORIGINAL ZAPPA ORCHESTRAL VERSION OF 'LUMPY GRAVY' (UNRELEASED) AND ORIGINAL MONO MIX OF 'WE'RE ONLY IN IT FOR THE MONEY'
Zappa Records has announced the November 25 release of the three-CD Frank Zappa Audio-documentary set 'Lumpy Money' continuing the Zappa Family Trust's mission to celebrate and protect the legacy of Frank Zappa. The release spotlights the fortieth anniversary of these albums, which Zappa considered to be his solo debuts both as artist and as record producer. Both are celebrated for Zappa's mastery of razor blade editing, techniques not normally exhibited in such a manner in either of the worlds of classical music or rock.
Also known to quite a few as Phase One and Phase Two, the two featured albums in Lumpy Money are represented here in two separate Frank Zappa mixes each. The project is devoted to various mixes, outtakes & materials dating from the original sessions & time period for both recordings.
The Audio-documentary adds the first official release of the Frank Zappa-edited, wholly instrumental, orchestral master of 'Lumpy Gravy' recorded at Capitol Studios in 1967 and originally slated for release on Capitol Records. (Zappa subsequently completely reworked the album, concurrent with 'We're Only In It For The Money,' editing it into the version recognized as an historic classic, released on MGM/Verve in 1968.)
Called "quite probably his greatest achievement" by All Music Guide, 'We're Only In It For The Money' was named among the top 100 greatest albums of all time by Rolling Stone and was one of 50 recordings chosen by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry.
Liner notes will be written by Rolling Stone veteran and rock historian David Fricke.
Gail Zappa says, "Lumpy Gravy remains my personal favorite album and I know it was certainly right up there on Frank's list."

Monday, October 13, 2008

Snooks Eaglin needs blood donations

Keith Spera, Music writer for the New Orleans Times-Picayune, posted this story about Snooks Eaglin on October 10:

Legendary rhythm & blues guitarist and vocalist Snooks Eaglin is a faithful WWOZ -FM listener who makes regular on-air appearances during the station's semi-annual fund drives. The fall fund drive is underway now. But instead of asking listeners to send money to the station, Eaglin is asking for donations of blood for himself.

Mid-City Lanes Rock 'n Bowl owner John Blancher, a longtime friend, fan and confidant of Eaglin's, appeared on WWOZ Friday afternoon to relay the news that Eaglin is hospitalized with an unspecified ailment, and in need of blood.

Blancher said that interested donors should report to the first floor of the main Ochsner Medical Center complex at 1514 Jefferson Highway and give blood in the name of Fird Eaglin -- Snooks' given name.

Expressing the views of many, Blancher said it would be hard to imagine Rock 'n Bowl, and New Orleans, without Snooks Eaglin. Dubbed the Human Jukebox for his ability to conjure most any song from the R&B, blues and New Orleans repertoires, Eaglin's distinct style of dexterous finger-picking has won him legions of fans around the world. Former Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant famously loaded up on Eaglin's music during a shopping spree at the Louisiana Music Factory.

Eaglin has been a Rock 'n Bowl regular since the venue opened more than 18 years ago. Health problems have curtailed his performances as of late, but Blancher is optimistic that Eaglin will recover and return to the stage.

"Snooks, if you're listening," Blancher said on the air, "we're pulling for you."

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Dr. John heads HOB Benefit

DARK STREETS BRIGHTENS THE FUTURE
OF THE BLUES INITIATIVE AND N.O. FILM SOCIETY
A New Orleans Film Festival Closing Night Celebration

WHAT:
A concert and live music presentation featuring Dr. John & The Lower 911,
Chris Thomas King and performers and songwriters of the feature film DARK
STREETS - the Closing Night film of the New Orleans Film Festival on October
16th: Toledo, Bijou Phillips, James Compton, Tim Brown and Tony DeMeur. The
Blues Initiative, a non-profit organization that provides assistance to
local musicians, will receive a generous amount of all profits from this
benefit concert, as well as substantial profits from the upcoming DARK
STREETS theatrical release.

The New Orleans Film Society will also be a beneficiary of the DARK STREETS
concert.

"New Orleans musicians have given so much of themselves to the people of the
world, and have asked for nothing in return. It is my honor to be a part of
this project that will give hope and life back to those that have lost so
much," states Dr. John, homegrown musical legend who performs a song on the
DARK STREETS soundtrack.

Featured in the concert: Dr. John & The Lower 911; Toledo "the coolest cat
in Hollywood"; lead actress and singer Bijou Phillips (daughter of John
Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas). Executive music producer and composer
extraordinaire George Acogny (BLOOD DIAMOND) will attend the benefit concert
to take place at the House of Blues on the closing night of the annual New
Orleans Film Festival.

DARK STREETS is a unique, music-driven feast for the eyes and ears and will
be released in theatres by Samuel Goldwyn Films this fall. The 30's-era
blues musical features the first-ever score from BB King, as well as
original songs written by James Compton, Tim Brown and Tony Demeur,
performed by Solomon Burke, Aaron Neville, Etta James, Natalie Cole, Dr.
John, Richie Sambora, Marc Broussard and Chaka Khan. This film is dedicated
to the blues musicians of New Orleans affected by Hurricane Katrina, and
more recent storms.

WHEN:
Thursday, October 16th, 2008
Doors open at 9:30pm immediately following the Closing Night screening of
DARK STREETS Concert begins at 10:30pm

WHERE:
House of Blues - 225 Decatur Street, New Orleans, Louisiana

WHO:
The Blues Initiative is a non-profit organization with the singular focus of
providing relief to blues musicians displaced by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita
and Gustav. The Blues Initiative is embraced by the Louisiana Cultural
Economy Foundation, whose main goal is to forge public/private partnerships
that provide critical relief and recovery funds for artists and cultural
organizations.

New Orleans Film Society (NOFS) was founded in 1989 to engage, educate and
inspire through the art of film. It has grown into a major showcase of
local, regional, national and international films. In addition to the annual
Film Festival each fall, NOFS hosts special events throughout the year.