Zappa plays Zappa

First go to http://www.zappaplayszappa.com/tourlog/index.php and read Dweezil's Dec. 14th's entry. Then you'll understand more about this article and the photos you see on the left from a concert in Dallas on Dec. 16th at Nokia Theater.

Check out my photos for this concert: http://picasaweb.google.com/alleyalex11/ZappaPlaysZappa#

I'll have to say I've never been a huge fan of Frank Zappa but I have been exposed to his music rather often and without mercy by my husband. And over the years, I have to admit he was a great composer and artist, a genius ahead of his time. And I do have a few favorite songs even if I can't remember the title, Susie Cream Cheese.

A few Saturday nights ago I found myself standing in the second row at a concert "Zappa plays Zappa," center stage in front of his son Dweezil watching him belt out his dad's music, note for note, all the rather complicated, monsterous guitar parts that perplexed me when I'd listen to my husband's CDs. And without all the fanfair and waving and licking of guitar strings that Steve Vai (also touring with them) did that night, Dweezil held his own and played his dad's music supremely well, perfectly. I found myself standing there, camera in hand realizing I was watching a very fine guitarist and musician.

Now granted, Dweezil doesn't make the best stunt guitarist to photo. Steve took that spot and each picture I took of Steve was fabulous, even if he did just do a few songs with them. Each photo of Dweezil was of his looking at his hands while he played, talking on the mic or watching Steve do his "crazy" guitar as he called it. I actually had fun watching Dweezil's reactions to Steve's antics while they played.

And it dawned on me near the end of the show and after I read the Zappaplayzappa blog why. He's playing some serious stuff, notes that are in line with the keyboard parts. And not the whammy bar flying up and down the neck but seriously complicated music put together by a serious composer.

It was a great show. Napoleon Murphy Brock can still sing his heart out. Steve Vai of course rocked the house. Dweezil demanded perfection at the sound check that was delivered by every member of the band. I'm glad I got to see it. It's worth it!

And I do think Dweezil's hopes he explained on his blog will be realized. Zappa fans getting to meet other Zappa fans. We meet 3 other fans at the sound check and concert. A few asked for me to email some photos which was way cool. Education: Hearing Zappa's music is a feast for anyone's ears like listening to Mozart's symphonies you struggle to keep up with hearing every note. And lastly, the next generation. Handing down an appreciation for Zappa's music. I saw plently teenage sons there with their dads and I think Dweezil can be rest assured that he's going to get his dad's music out there. He mentioned that he hopes to tour every year for a few years, doing this type of tour.

I hope to be down in front again for another show next year :)