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sufferinsukatash · 02-08-2021, 07:38 PM

Waka Jawaka-Frank Zappa

Released in conjunction with Bizarre/Reprise and attempting to ride off of the relative success of the original Hot Rats album, which helped seal Zappa's reputation as a talented composer as well as guitarist (nevermind an incredible bandleader who got incredibly talented musicians to work with him), Waka Jawaka is partly instrumental jazz ("Big Swifty", "Waka Jawaka") and partly song-based (relative to the times...and then some).

The first side (I have the original LP) consists of the ensemble track "Big Swifty" which clocks in as the longest piece on the album. It begins with a somewhat mariachi flavor (with the expected warping that characterizes anything Zappa touches) which later branches off into Miles Davis-esque jazz improvisation as well as Bernard Herman-esque science fiction movie music.

Opening themes:
Alternating between 7/8 and 3/4 time (zappa-analysis)

(zappa-analysis)

The improvisations are at once a showcase of Zappa's compositional skills (how he can seamlessly blend composition with free(ish) improvisation) as well as a showcase for the musicians themselves. Aynsley Dunbar, easily one of Zappa's most energetic drummers, helps establish the music he made with him as some of the heaviest, most rock oriented (friendly) fusion music ever. Tony Duran is a good duo soloist with Zappa. Marquez's "many trumpets" makes you wish they worked together more often, George Duke is his typical demigod self, and Zappa plays some of his most adventurous and seemingly controlled guitar playing to date. Gradually, the opening things are reintroduced and the piece winds down, suddenly stopping at the 17:26 mark.

Side two begin with the song "Your Mouth". Lyrically, it sounds like a blues song. One can imagine B.B. King saying lines like

"...
Well you can be a big fool
If she makes you loose your cool, and so
I've got me some advice you should try
Just let her talk a little
Oh, just let her talk a little more
Just... just let her talk a little more"

to the crowd at Regal as he grasps Lucille in his hands and smiles as they laugh and cheer him on for the next song. Musically though, it could be an Allman's Brothers tune, despite the presence of "many trumpets" and the slide guitar playing slightly exaggeratedly (possibly intending to take a friendly jab at the rock-jazz competition). But I'm not too sure. Needless to say the composition it is all very Zappa.

"It Just Might be a One Shot Deal" might just be the strangest song/piece off the record. It's probably about drugs. Hallucinogens to be sure. The lyrics involve frogs with satchels dumping sand on the ground after which a forest then pops up from the floor. There are then reassurances that it's okay to be scared but that one must make sure that one is in the process of having a good time. Yeah. This all occurs while an amusingly reserved vocalist (Janet Ferguson) sings in rhythmic communion with more cartoony slide guitar. Later there's some more funny Scottish pub vocals. It is also my favorite track off the record. The guitar solo is very loop worthy.

The last piece off the album is the title track. It sounds like it was jammed out the same day as "Big Swifty" and has the same mariachi-esque vibe. The bassline is hypnotic and carries the composition. The horns and trombones get some nice soloing in. Then George Duke takes over and it becomes a psychedelic space BBQ. This is followed by more horns, a guitar solo, a fairly complicated and impressive drum solo, and the main themes again.

All in all, a very compelling release.

Tracklist:

1) Big Swifty
2) Your Mouth
3) It Might Just Be a One-Shot Deal
4) Waka/Jawaka

Rating: 4.5/5

Though not especially remembered out of any stage of Zappa's career the album stands out as an exemplary example of the musicianship he could attract and develop. It is also, though it can be hard to hear at first glance, one of his most accessible records despite the obvious quirks contained within. It stands as a very compelling moment of his development as a guitarist too. Some who are new to Zappa, depending on what kind of listener you are might want to start with some of the tracks off this recording. It's not the most difficult or blatantly avant-garde and it's not the most offensive and it's not classical (Zappa is weird on classical terms, nevermind other genres). It is however wildly imaginative and relatable to other jam bands like Phish, The Grateful Dead, and the Allman Brothers. It's fusion jazz in the vein of Miles Davis. And, despite what some may say, the performances are not wooden. It can be a little weird for weirds sake though, but that's just Zappa.

Sources:

https://www.zappa-analysis.com/index.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waka/Jawaka

02-08-2021, 07:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
sufferinsukatash Music Addict Join Date: May 2020 Location: Canada Posts: 166	Waka Jawaka-Frank Zappa Released in conjunction with Bizarre/Reprise and attempting to ride off of the relative success of the original Hot Rats album, which helped seal Zappa's reputation as a talented composer as well as guitarist (nevermind an incredible bandleader who got incredibly talented musicians to work with him), Waka Jawaka is partly instrumental jazz ("Big Swifty", "Waka Jawaka") and partly song-based (relative to the times...and then some). The first side (I have the original LP) consists of the ensemble track "Big Swifty" which clocks in as the longest piece on the album. It begins with a somewhat mariachi flavor (with the expected warping that characterizes anything Zappa touches) which later branches off into Miles Davis-esque jazz improvisation as well as Bernard Herman-esque science fiction movie music. Opening themes: Alternating between 7/8 and 3/4 time (zappa-analysis) (zappa-analysis) The improvisations are at once a showcase of Zappa's compositional skills (how he can seamlessly blend composition with free(ish) improvisation) as well as a showcase for the musicians themselves. Aynsley Dunbar, easily one of Zappa's most energetic drummers, helps establish the music he made with him as some of the heaviest, most rock oriented (friendly) fusion music ever. Tony Duran is a good duo soloist with Zappa. Marquez's "many trumpets" makes you wish they worked together more often, George Duke is his typical demigod self, and Zappa plays some of his most adventurous and seemingly controlled guitar playing to date. Gradually, the opening things are reintroduced and the piece winds down, suddenly stopping at the 17:26 mark. Side two begin with the song "Your Mouth". Lyrically, it sounds like a blues song. One can imagine B.B. King saying lines like "... Well you can be a big fool If she makes you loose your cool, and so I've got me some advice you should try Just let her talk a little Oh, just let her talk a little more Just... just let her talk a little more" to the crowd at Regal as he grasps Lucille in his hands and smiles as they laugh and cheer him on for the next song. Musically though, it could be an Allman's Brothers tune, despite the presence of "many trumpets" and the slide guitar playing slightly exaggeratedly (possibly intending to take a friendly jab at the rock-jazz competition). But I'm not too sure. Needless to say the composition it is all very Zappa. "It Just Might be a One Shot Deal" might just be the strangest song/piece off the record. It's probably about drugs. Hallucinogens to be sure. The lyrics involve frogs with satchels dumping sand on the ground after which a forest then pops up from the floor. There are then reassurances that it's okay to be scared but that one must make sure that one is in the process of having a good time. Yeah. This all occurs while an amusingly reserved vocalist (Janet Ferguson) sings in rhythmic communion with more cartoony slide guitar. Later there's some more funny Scottish pub vocals. It is also my favorite track off the record. The guitar solo is very loop worthy. The last piece off the album is the title track. It sounds like it was jammed out the same day as "Big Swifty" and has the same mariachi-esque vibe. The bassline is hypnotic and carries the composition. The horns and trombones get some nice soloing in. Then George Duke takes over and it becomes a psychedelic space BBQ. This is followed by more horns, a guitar solo, a fairly complicated and impressive drum solo, and the main themes again. All in all, a very compelling release. Tracklist: 1) Big Swifty 2) Your Mouth 3) It Might Just Be a One-Shot Deal 4) Waka/Jawaka Rating: 4.5/5 Though not especially remembered out of any stage of Zappa's career the album stands out as an exemplary example of the musicianship he could attract and develop. It is also, though it can be hard to hear at first glance, one of his most accessible records despite the obvious quirks contained within. It stands as a very compelling moment of his development as a guitarist too. Some who are new to Zappa, depending on what kind of listener you are might want to start with some of the tracks off this recording. It's not the most difficult or blatantly avant-garde and it's not the most offensive and it's not classical (Zappa is weird on classical terms, nevermind other genres). It is however wildly imaginative and relatable to other jam bands like Phish, The Grateful Dead, and the Allman Brothers. It's fusion jazz in the vein of Miles Davis. And, despite what some may say, the performances are not wooden. It can be a little weird for weirds sake though, but that's just Zappa. Sources: https://www.zappa-analysis.com/index.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waka/Jawaka Last edited by sufferinsukatash; 02-17-2021 at 11:19 AM.