Search - Frank Zappa :: Studio Tan

One of Zappa's very finest

Charlie Brown | Mars, CA United States | 02/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is an excellent intro to the many facets of Zappa's art. It contains some of his funniest (and least cruel) humor, an outstanding 1950s takeoff, two instrumental masterpieces, and a generous helping of his uniquely beautiful guitar playing. You wont regret adding this to your collection!"

Geez, another Zappa review....

Grigory's Girl | NYC | 08/20/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I like Frank Zappa a bit. I have nearly 45 albums/CD's by the man, so I've been reviewing them a lot lately. This is one of the more obscure ones, but still damn good. It was part of the Lather 4 LP set, but when Warners told Frank no, they released the material over 4 albums or so, and all of them had crappy cover art (like this one). Nevertheless, this album is magnificent, with one of Frank's most underrated epics, The Adventures of Greggary Peccary. It's like an orchestra piece (there is an orchestra in the background, although it's not credited in the credits), and Zappa's lyrics are very dry and funny, mocking the U.S.'s tendency to follow trends without questioning them. The other songs are great, especially Revised Music for Guitar and Low Budget Orchestra, and RNDZL (the latter one is especially good). Lemme Take You to the Beach is a very funny throwaway song, like the 2 vocal tracks on Waka/Jawaka. A funny sidenote...when Frank hosted SNL in the 1970's (his only time, he was banned from the show because the cast didn't like his humour, except for John Belushi, who performed with Frank on one of his songs during the show), he was in a conehead sketch, and this was the album he used as a prop (and Dan Akyroyd ate the album, if I remember right). So, here's another Zappa album to pick up. Not like you have any others to pick up or anything..."

Studio Tan

Morton | Colorado | 10/27/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Frank Zappa-Studio Tan ****1/2



Studio Tan is one of the most criminally underrated albums in Frank Zappa's vast body of music. Often over looked and brushed aside, but why? One of Zappa's all time greatest compositions can be found here in 'The Adventures of Greggery Peccary' as well as some of his strongest guitar playing of all time in 'RDNZL.'



Released in 1978 along with Sleep Dirt (also very underrated), and Orchestral Favorites as apart of the material originally designed for the Läther box set. All three albums have been written off as a low point for Zappa, but that just isn't so.



The music on Studio Tan is some of his most inspired. The musical compositions inside 'The Adventures of Greggery Peccary' are utterly fantastic and are similar to that of the great Thelonious Monk. Yes the lyrics can get old after one or two listens but the music is ever lasting. The same can be said the the sheer brilliance of 'Revised Music for Guitar and Low-Budget Orchestra' it is truly among some of the best material Zappa ever laid to tape. 'Lemme Take You to the Beach' while short and may seem pointless is hilarious. One of the few Zappa moments that continues to be funny after all this time, and without it Studio Tan would feel incomplete. 'RDNZL' closes the album with a fantastic guitar work out, and one of Zappa's strongest in years up to that point.



Studio Tan is a forgotten gem in the Frank Zappa canon, and one that should not be missed. Moments of musical genius and glimpses of his guitar virtuosity that should not me left behind can be found here. Studio Tan comes highly recommended."