Frank Zappa is a multi faceted rock musician/bandleader/composer to say the least. During his life he explored the ranges of psychedelic rock, progressive rock, jazz rock, classical music, pop and even small detours into such fare as showtunes and hip hop. He was also prolific. Given that in the sixties artists were often contractually obligated to at least a couple releases a year Zappa actually maintained that kind of output throughout his life. And after his untimely death in the mid nineties we saw releases of
even more material Zappa was prepping for release in the digital world.

The newest in the series of archive releases on the recently launched Zappa records finds a strong live set culled from his fall 1972 tour dubbed the "Petite Wazoo" band. Earlier in '72 Zappa was relegated to his home and studio as the result of a notorious December 1971 incident when a demented audience member pushed him off the stage to a steep fall, causing him to break several bones. Zappa also suffered a crushed larynx which eventually dropped his voice a complete octave.

During this recovery period he decided to revamp his lineup of sidemen and set off practicing new material. This material would find directions in both big band style jazz and smaller piece jazz numbers. The subsequent releases in 1972, Waka/Jawaka and the Grand Wazoo presented the music in a more restrained and sophisticated fashion as opposed to the more manic free style jazz of the late 1960's Mothers Of Invention era.

This disc gives performances more in the stripped down style of Waka/Jawaka with the audience participation in the light stylings of "Oddients" while "Been To Kansas City In A Minor" suggest a touch of light jazz suitable for the more adventurous film soundtracks of that era. Being the adventurous musician that he was, Zappa would turn styles yet again in '73 with "Over Nite Sensation", bringing his uncanny skill to a larger crowd.