The (sub)title tells it all
Dmitry Stillermann | St.Petersburg, Russia | 03/17/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was tempted to give it just four stars, because (a) this material is relevant only for us true FZ fans and (b) one CD is ridiculously insufficient and I could do with two or three CDs of the stuff. Still, the release is certainly brilliant -- especially, the liner notes which neatly summarize the place these songs have had in Zappa's aesthetic upbringing. Especially cool is the ability to compare the obscure originals to their magnificent covers by FZ himself (e.g. Bacon Fat, WPLJ, The Closer You Are, etc.). Definitely worth buying if you're fascinated by Zappa and the origins of his immortal music. P.S. Varese, Stravinsky and Webern are rightly added for completeness's sake, but if I were to compile such a release, I would probably include more than the two minute long snippets."
Top notch audio on original selections
R. Wagner | Worthington, Ohio United States | 02/09/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Great audio quality abounds on this CD. Some of these original recordings can be found on other compilations but in this collection they are the best audio quality I have ever heard. Many are from primitive sources but the restoration is startling. This reminds me of the the type of work for which ACE is so famous. The disk also contains a nice booklet with rare period photos and an intelligent dissertation on why the songs were selected and how they related to Zappa and his muse. The CD runs 79m. and is programmed so that Pop, Blues, Jazz, DooWop and Classical tracks roll into one another with ease. For the fan this is a welcome collection and a great audio clue into what went into the making of the man known as Frank Zappa."
Amazing!
uttern | sweden | 11/01/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"a wonderful compilation of tracks which inspired frank zappa in one way or another...a must for every music lover...great line notes, and the fact that the zappa estate has nothing to do with this release is just for its best...this cd is my new favourite...buy it"
Track Listings (26) - Disc #1