Make a Jazz Noise Here
One of three releases showcasing his talented but short-lived 1988 big band,Make a Jazz Noise Herefeatures Zappa's group on extended jams, some of his most ambitious instrumental works, and a few requisite concert favorites. Only Zappa would sandwich Igor Stravinsky's Royal March From L'Histoire Du Soldat the theme from Bela Bartok's Piano Concerto No. 3 between his own "City of Tiny Lights" and "Sinister Footwear, 2nd Movement," and only he could pull it off. The first disc is the strongest, featuring big band arrangements of "Eat That Question," "Black Napkins," and "Big Swifty," and climaxing with an amazing, slow-groove rendition of "King Kong". Some of the longer jams will be of most interest to fanatics, but the performances are solid throughout, and even the biggest neophytes will appreciate these renditions of some of Zappa's most daunting material.--Andrew Boscardin