Frank Zappa...The Torture Never Stops! DVD release!

Way back in my hippie daze, I tripped the-magical-fantastic to the remarkable musical strains of Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, and Jeff Beck.

In fact - I vividly recall scaling the walls of a downtown concert hall in Toronto (alongside two-dozen-or-so other delirious yahoos) way back in the heady sixties - in a bold-faced attempt to crash a sold-out concert for Zep that was the hottest psychedelic ticket of the day!

SOL!

Those roadies were a posse of tough dedicated dudes to get by, eh?

Groupies can attest to that fact.

Just ask Cherry Vanilla, dudes!

Meanwhile, heads in San Francisco - and elsewhere in communes around the country - were grooving on the unique sounds (and zany antics) of legendary Frank Zappa.

Now - my friends at Eagle Rock Entertainment have informed me - that they are releasing a DVD this week featuring Zappa's celebrated Halloween concerts which were the rage of the day (held at the infamous Palladium in 1981).

"The Torture Never Stops” was created in its entirety by the mad musical man - Zappa himself - from an original concert production which were live! and intended for broadcast as 1 of 3 Television Specials.

"You Are What You Is" and "Dumb All Over" - the two other specials in the series - actually aired previously and are shorter in length that "Torture".

Halloween was Frank Zappa’s favorite holiday, and New York was the site of Frank Zappa Halloween concerts for years, as die-hard fans will fondly recall (in spite of drug-induced stupors that may have enhanced them).

In fact, all Zappa shows were unique experiences featuring the legendary musician on guitar and baton, as he led his band on wild flights of improvisation throughout remarkable unforgettable performances on stage.

“The Torture Never Stops” DVD Collection (just released) now cements Zappa’s reputation as one of the most innovative and challenging composers and performers of the 20th century.

Line-up

Frank Zappa (guitar, vocal); Ray White (vocal, guitar); Tommy Mars (keyboards, vocal); Scott Thunes (bass, vocal); Chad Wackerman (drums); Ed Mann (percussion, vocal); Bobby Martin (keyboard, sax, vocal), Steve Vai (guitar, vocal)

TRACKLISTING

1) Black Napkins; (2) Montana; (3) Easy Meat; (4) Beauty Knows No Pain; (5) Charlie’s Enormous Mouth; (6) Fine Girl; (7) Teen-Age Wind; (8) Harder Than Your Husband; (9) Bamboozled By Love; 910) We’re Turning Again; (11) Alien Orifice; (12) Flakes; (13) Broken Hearts Are For Assholes; (14) You Are What You Is; (15) Mudd Club; (16) The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing; (17) Dumb All Over; (18) Heavenly Bank Account; (19) Suicide Chump; (20) Jumbo Go Away; (21) Stevie’s Spanking; (22) The Torture Never Stops; (23) Strictly Genteel; (24) The Illinois Enema Bandit.

Additional performances & Bonuses

*Teen-Age Prostitute (live)
*City Of Tiny Lites (live)
*You Are What You Is
*Discography
*DVDography
*Liner Notes
*Photo Gallery

Enjoy, eh?





 http://www.thetattler.biz

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame...HBO Concert featuring Bruce Springsteen, U2, E Street Band (Nov 29th)...

To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,  HBO will broacast a four-hour concert extravaganza Sunday @ 8 pm.

The stage will be chock full of stellar talent - from yesterday to today - and sure to entertain rock music aficianados - and plain old lovers of the frenzied musical strains with a catchy beat sure to shake rattle & roll!

Top headliners include Metallica, Crosby Stills & Nash, and the Jeff Beck Band.

Special appearances by Mick (King of Devil Rock) Jagger, Billy Joel (the Piano Man), B.B. King (legend!), Lou Reed (glam leather rocker), Annie Lennox (sweet dreamer), James Taylor (sweet baby James), and so many more.

Catch 'ya there!

Brief encounter with Lou Reed:

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/10/lou-reedorange-leather-in-dead-of.html

Mick Jagger documentary review:
(Scorsese's "Shine a Light")

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/04/shine-lightscorsese-doc-illuminates.html

http://www.julianayrs.com

AFI Dallas...press bash upbeat kick-off to Film Fest!

At a time when companies in the business sector are cutting back, and even film festivals around the country are being mindful of budgets, AFI threw caution to the wind and tossed a tony bash for the press last night at the film headquarters in downtown Dallas.

The "Ginger Girls" from Joule's PM Lounge caused a few hearts to beat faster when they appeared live onstage amid a package house of high-profile media types.

And, the musical stylings of cover band "Inside Out" - local - put the festive party-goers in a celebratory mood!

Liquor flowed from an open bar with party favors provided by sponsors Zodiac Vodka and Barefoot Wines.

I sipped on the lone house beer - had to keep my wits me, 'ya know - as I strolled through the effervescent press corps raring to be let loose on all the festival offerings over the coming week.

There was a lot of glad-handing, industry hub-bub to put a keen ear to, and - of course - a handful of wheeler-dealers plying their wares here and there about the tastefully decorated lounge.

The finger snacks - sushi and marinated k-bobs from Master Chef Kenichi - were simply scrumptious!

Made a p-i-g of myself and wolfed down quite a few choice morsels.

AFI featured a handful of photographs (Jimi Hendrix & Jeff Beck) by rock-star photographer - Robert M. Knight - who will be honored at a special event on Saturday in conjunction with the screening of Rock Prophecies.

Tyle Dow Bryant, an actor featured in the film, will entertain with an acoustic set.

Don't miss it!


John Wildman, Director of Publicity - who is an articulate outgoing man with great people skills - was on hand to only keeping a watchful eye over the event but catering to every whim.

Yeah, AFI Dallas knows how to treat the press.

Kudos!

In fact, journalists also received a little goodie bag, which was brimming with surprises.

"Origins" offered up four samples of their high-end skincare product which I intend to sample so I don't look like one of those half-dead rockers caught in the captivating stills by Mr. Knight.

And, a new-fangled boomerang from Price Waterhouse Coopers may have been a symbolic gift.

Are they hinting that the economy may be bouncing back soon?

Lonestar coughed up a nifty florescent lamp (TXU Energy) that was pretty kewl-looking, too.

A jar of English Toffee brought back dusty memories of my youth in rural country outside of Oshawa (Ontario).

My Gramma used to make a similar treat from scratch on the stove. The store-bought one in the gift bag was not as tasty as hers (yes, I'm prejudiced, a wee bit) but pretty darn satisfying, nonetheless.

Vitamin Water - all the trend now - was one item I greatly appreciated.

In fact, I am hooked on the nutritious body-hydrators, which are steadily rolling off the assembly-line at soft-drink-makers.

The Kenneth Cole 30 % off discount card will probably go towards a pair of the designer's fabulous comfy shoes.

By the way, tonight is the Gala kick-off for the AFI Dallas and the much-anticipated screening of "Brother's Bloom".

One of the stars of the film - Adrien Brody (what's with the moustache and beard, Adrien?) - and Director Rian Johnson will saunter down the red carpet at AMC at Northpark Mall.

When I mention Brody's name, folks generally have the same insightful response.

"Oh, the piano guy and that Nazi."

The night should be a glittering one.

Tell 'ya all about it tomorrow!

http://www.julianayrs.com