From: Patrick Neve January 3, 2002
Are you guys ready for the big tease?
I called 818 pumpkin just now, and the guy who answered was very friendly.
He had very few specifics, but some intriguing generalities. (...)
Here's where it gets interesting.. he went on to say that they're all very
busy right now, trying to time releases of a bunch of different things at
once. One of the things is a CD release of a live concert from Australia
in 1974. This has come up before, and we all know Frank wasn't in
Australia in 74, and that this is most likely from the 73 tour, but hey,
it was encouraging to hear about this project once again.
From: Jon Naurin (naurin[at]mbox300.swopnet.se) January 3, 2002
It's actually a 1976 concert, and it's been ready for release for years.
I hope they've included the full show, which contain many interesting
things.
From: acm (ACM[at]ACM.COM) January 6, 2002
The pumpco hotline recording says something along the lines of "if you're
wondering, a new release will be out by the end of february..."
From: www.zappa.com
818 PUMPKIN Message Today:
"You've reached 818-PUMPKIN. Happy new year and best
wishes from all us in 2002. For those of you who have
been wondering you will be happy to know that there
will be a new release by the end of February!"
From: (jcronin1[at]rochester.rr.com) January 22, 2002
I called 818 Pumpkin and asked them what the new release was going to
be. I was surprised that when the guy answered the phone he didn't
just give me a non-answer. He told me that the release was going to
be called Zappa in Oz and that it was a show from Australia in 74.
After a got off the phone and checked and I see that Zappa didn't play
in Australia in 74, so I must have mis-heard or he mis-spoke. It must
be either the Austria show in 74 or one of the Australia shows for 73.
From: Charles Ulrich (ulrich[at]sfu.ca) January 22, 2002
Presumably it will be 1/21/76 Sydney, about which I've been hearing
rumors for years. The whole show would fit on two CDs, but perhaps it
has been edited in half.
I sure hope it includes the unreleased song "Kaiser Rolls". In addition
to that one, the concert also featured early versions of "Let's Move To
Cleveland" and "Keep It Greasey".
And I hope it will include "Chunga's Revenge". It's amazing that only
one version of this tune has been officially released.
From: Chris Opperman (chris[at]madphat.com) January 23, 2002
Guess what?! I just called 818-PUMPKIN and they told me that the new
Zappa album is going to be called "Zappa in Oz" and that it's Live in
Australia '76. How bad ass is that?! Woooooooooooo-hooooooooooo!
It'll be out in late February.
From: computeruser (computeruser.69.[at]NOSPAM.hotmail.com) January 23, 2002
Which show or shows is this supposed to be on this release?
From: Charles Ulrich (ulrich[at]sfu.ca) January 24, 2002
By all accounts, it's the show that circulates as 1/21/76 Sydney, which
probably really dates from 1/20/76.
From: Peder Andersson (peder[at]planetzappa.com) January 28, 2002
Does anybody know what it is that is ment to be out in the end of feb-02 ?
From: Jon Naurin (naurin[at]mbox300.swopnet.se) January 28, 2002
As it seems, a CD called "Frank Zappa In Oz" with music from the Sydney
1/21/76 concert.
From: computeruser (computeruser.69.[at]NOSPAM.hotmail.com) January 28, 2002 I've heard it is this show described below. == The Mothers Of Invention Sep 1975 - Mar 1976 == FZ, Roy Estrada, Terry Bozzio, Napoleon Murphy Brock, Andre Lewis. 21-Jan 1976, Horden Pavilion, Sydney, Australia 147 min, Aud, B+ Intro, Stinkfoot, Dirty Love, Filthy Habits, How Could I Be Such A Fool?, Ain't Got No Heart, I'm Not Satisfied, Black Napkins, Advance Romance, Honey Don't You Want A Man Like Me?, The Illinois Enema Bandit, Wind Up Workin' In A Gas Station, Tryin' To Grow A Chin, The Torture Never Stops, Let's Move To Cleveland, Kaiser Rolls, Find Her Finer, Carolina Hardcore Ecstasy, Lonely Little Girl, Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance, What's The Ugliest Part Of Your Body?, Chunga's Revenge, Zoot Allures, Keep It Greasey, Dinah-Moe Humm, Camarillo Brillo
Hi, folks.
Well, the latest cool news is that the camp over at the Zappa offices have been reported as saying that the "end of february" release will be the Australian Concert from 1976. It's titled "FZ/OZ" & consists of a two-disc set of the concert held on January 20th, 1976. The band line-up at the time consisted of Terry Bozzio on drums, Napoleon Murphy Brock on tenor sax & vocals, Andre Lewis on keyboards & Roy Estrada on bass. The CD was prepared by Spence Chrislu, myself & Dweezil in 1998. It was one of the latest projects worked on by Spence before he left UMRK.
I'm excited about it's release & as soon as I hear of a release/order date, I'll post it here.
From: Scott Morrison (scm351[at]home.com) February 8, 2002
I just got off the line with Barko Swill, and the guy said the at the
new release will probably not be coming out this month. What a
surprise! When I asked him what the CD would be he said that he
knows, but couldn't tell me. He said Gail is asking them not to tell
anyone.
The reason he gave for the delay is that they want to synchronize the
release with the roll out of their new web site.
I hope nobody was holding their breath for this release.
From: 0vercooked (overcooked[at]REMOOOVE.home.com) February 9, 2002
ppfffffffff....
Uh-huh...Uh-huh...uh-huh...
whew!
Not anymore!
NOTICE
regarding the live Australia / Frank Zappa ReleaseWe regret to inform you that we do not feel that we will be able to make our on or about June 1st ship date:
Paper, paper, everywhere but not a drop of ink will affix itself properly or beautifully on inferior paper. For this project we require as close to 100% recycled as possible without a dingy yellow cast. Because this country produces randomly in unpredictable quantities we have been seriously delayed in our own production.
Please be advised that the bulk of your monies, especially those charged through credit cards, are being held in escrow until shipping is imminent. We therefore beg your indulgence and your patience because we have put a great deal of effort, as always, into ensuring the finest quality both audio and physical that is possible for us to attain. We are supremely confident that not only is the wait worth it, it has given us a great deal of experience that can only benefit you as devotees of Frank's music and us in our obligations.
As soon as we have from the factory the actual manufacture date, we will advise actual ship date. Since there are far less than 5,000 orders, this project is in danger of becoming almost exclusively an act of love on our part and an instant rarity for you. These projects rely on us trusting that you will want to have these recordings and you trusting that we will deliver in equal sterling quality that you have come to expect in/on a Frank Zappa Master. If you have any further questions, or wish to cancel your order, please advise isky@zappa.com immediately.
Regretfully, we've all been inconvenienced. We thank you for your consideration and your interest in Frank Zappa's Music.
-Gail Zappa
24 May 2002
As you can see for yourself (check zappa.com), finally the album was manufactured and sent to (almost) all the people who pre-ordered it by August, 2002. More about this album in its own page: FZ:OZ
From the liner notes of FZ:OZ:
Excerpts of the concert have been replaced with bootleg recordings to fill in the gaps during the times when the multitracks ran out (as in reel changes -- there was only one machine). In one instance a multitrack recording from Japan (same tour, same band) was used in preference to a bootleg.
From Biffy The Elephant Shrew to aff-z (August 23, 2002):
Okay, I've got it: the first minute of "How Could I Be Such A Fool" is not from Sydney. That must be the Japan recording. Also, I notice another obvious bootleg insertion near the end of "Kaiser Rolls." That's about 30 minutes before the "Zoot Allures" edit, which suggests that the tape reels lasted a half hour. So maybe there was some wasted tape at the beginning of the show, not used on the CD, and HCIBSAF has the first reel change. The second reel change would almost certainly have come during "Honey Don't You Want A Man Like Me," which conveniently is not included. "Kaiser Rolls" is the third change, and "Zoot Allures" the fourth. There's also some possible funny business going on at the end of "Muffin Man," which is 30 minutes from the "Zoot" edit. FZ seems to say "Good ni-guh" and there's a jarring beat change into the tour theme. I'm not sure whether there's an edit here or not.
Maintained by Román García Albertos