- Napoleon Murphy Brock - flute, sax, vocals (1975)

- Captain Beefheart (aka Bloodshot Rollin' Red) - vocals,

  keyboards, harmonica (1975)

- George Duke - keyboards (1973)

- Bruce Fowler - trombone

- Tom Fowler - bass

- Ralph Humphrey - drums, percussion

- Ricky Lancelotti - vocals

- Sal Marquez - trumpet, violin

- Jean-Luc Ponty - violin

- Chester Thompson - drums, sound effects

- Ian Underwood - sax, woodwinds

- Ruth Underwood - percussion, marimba

- Kin Vassy - narration

- Johnny Guitar Watson - guitar (1975)

- James Youman - bass (1975)

- Frank Zappa (RIP) - vocals, guitar
  

- various

Genre: progressive

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Over-Nite Sensation

Company: Discreet

Catalog: MS-2148

Year: 1973

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: gatefold sleeve

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4183

Price: $10.00

Cost: $1.00

Zappa's always been a hit or miss proposition for me - most of the time far too clever and experimental for my rather pedestrian tastes.  1973's "Over-Nite Sensation" doesn't exactly dispel such concerns since much of it finds Zappa (with backing from the likes of George Duke, Jean-Luc Ponty and Ian Underwood), turning his interests to an odd rock-cum-jazz hybrid.  At the same time, it's the first Zappa album in a long time boasting song structures and melodies ("Camarillo Brillo" and "Montana" (geez, anyone understand the dental floss rancher lyric?)) that had at least a snowball's chance in hell of being played on radio (admittedly we're talking about those 2 kHz stations that seem to cluster around small colleges).  Pure speculation on my part, but Zappa's sudden penchant for scatological humor and sexually-oriented lyrics ("Camarillo Brillo", "Dirty Love" (I think this one has a bestiality theme) and his non-too-subtle paean to oral sex "Dinah-Moe Humm") may have had a large role in the fact this became his first gold seller.  (The album was originally released with a gatefold sleeve.)

"Over-Nite Sensation" track listing:

(side 1)
1.) Camarillo Brillo   (Frank Zappa) - 4:02

2.) I'm the Slime   (Frank Zappa) - 3:35

3.) Dirty Love   (Frank Zappa) - 3:00

4.) Fifty Fifty   (Frank Zappa) - 6:08

(side 2)
1.) Zomby Woof   (Frank Zappa) - 5:11

2.) Dinah-Moe Humm   (Frank Zappa) - 6:05

3.) Montana   (Frank Zappa) - 6:37

Genre: progressive

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  One Size Fits All

Company: Discreet

Catalog: DS-2216

Year: 1975

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: gatefold sleeve

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4183

Price: $10.00

Cost: $1.00

Zappa's catalog can be so frustrating and in many respects this is the perfect album to display those conflicts.  This one divides the Zappa fan base into those who think it's one of his top-10 releases, and those who simply can't stand it.  I'm not sure where I stand, though I'll readily agree it's probably one of the places the curious, or casual fans should start..

Momentarily abandoning his interest in complex musical structure, 1975's "One Size Fits All" found Zappa and the Mothers returning to shorter, more commercial (I use the word loosely) song structures.  Produced and written by Zappa, the set's literally overflowing with great guitar and catchy, highly commercial material.  It's just hard to focus on those segments in the midst of all the hyperactivity.  The leadoff track 'Inca Roads' is a perfect example of what's great and what sucks here.  Clocking in at over eight minutes, parts of the song sport a wonderful melody, along with an interesting lyric (apparently having something to do with UFOs in South America) and a first rate, extended Zappa guitar solo.  Unfortunately, the sudden tempo shifts (what's with the jazz segment towards the end), George Duke's cheesy synthesizers and Zappa's Mickey Mouse vocals drive me crazy.  In spite of the typically weird lyrics 'Can't Afford New Shoes' is actually a fairly conventional rock song (with another great guitar solo).  'Po Jama People' is cute, though the biggest surprise to my ears is the instrumental 'Sofa No. 1'.  With its German lyrics, 'Sofa No. 2' is a little bit odder.  Apparently salvaged from a planned concept album, it's hard to believe something as pretty as this came from Zappa and the Mothers.  (Check out the back cover with Zappa's typically demented view of the night sky.)

"One Size Fits All" track listing:

(side 1)
1.) Inca Roads   (Frank Zappa) - 8:45

2.) Can't Afford No Shoes   (Frank Zappa) - 2:38

3.) Sofa No.1 (instrumental)   (Frank Zappa) - 2:39

4.) Po Jama People   (Frank Zappa) - 7:39

(side 2)
1.) Florentine Pogen   (Frank Zappa) - 5:27

2.) Evelyn a Modified Dog   (Frank Zappa) - 1:04

3.) San Der'dino   (Frank Zappa) - 5:57

4.) Andy   (Frank Zappa) - 6:04

5.) Sofa No. 2   (Frank Zappa) - 2:42