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 great collection that fills in many gaps Dec 24, 2008
This is one of the best and most crucial releases since Frank Zappa's death. Serious fans will absolutely want this one. This album collects recordings from various phases of his carreer from 1958 - 1980. Almost all of this material was never released previously.
The one previously released item, the single version of "I Don't Wanna Get Drafted", appeared until then only on a hard to find 12" single. This version is far superior to the one on "You Are What You Is" . Not everything on it is necessarily fantastic, but overall it's a fascinating look at his artistic development. There are some versions of well-known songs that are very different from the previously released versions. Most notably an early instrumental jazzy version of the "Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance" theme, and a version of "Wonderful Wino" from the "Overnite Sensation" days featuring Ricky Lancelotti (of "Zombie Woof" fame). There is an early instrumental version of "Inca Roads", played in the "Uncle Meat" / "Burnt Weeny Sandwich" style. There are some early recordings with Captain Beefheart which, while not on par with their later work, are still quite entertaining. The later stuff includes Zappa's first incursion into electronic music from 1977. Throughout the CD there are tons of the "Conceptual Continuity Clues" , which Zappa freaks love. There are some spoken word excerpts which are entertaining, One is the real story behind "Let's Make the Water Turn Black". Another one is a recording of a policeman pleading with the band to not make him have to answer so many noise complaints (from the period in 1967 when the Mothers where living in NYC). You probably won't be listening to these often, but they are fun.
Consider this a high 4-star rating. 4.5 really. I reserve the 5 stars for his most crucial recordings (there are many of those, BTW)
 for the "die-hard" fan eh? Feb 14, 2008
If a person who was newly interested in Frank Zappa was to hear this album for the first time, They'd be an instant fan.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
WHAT TO MAKE OF THIS????????? Jul 01, 2006
There is a lot of lunacy here, mixed in with some rare musical gems. The "booger" stories are hilarious, and the beginning is kind of weird and quirky (Lost in a whirlpool and Ronnie Sings). I would say that this CD is for serious Zappa collectors only. The "uninitiated" just won't get it.....
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
This is GREAT! 1 of my favorite FZ compilations! Dec 11, 2005
Wow. While I understand the other reviewer's(like kaysixone)saying that 'this cd would appeal to only hardcore Zappaphiles' imo, the great music that was totally unreleased before the "Last Episodes" came out, & the historical significance & comedic value contained within, would make this cd great for anyone that had just a few of FZ's recordings.
I began buying FZ's material in 1965 w/the release of the then unheard of 2 album(vinyl)release of "Freak Out"(i'm dating myself by saying this)& I just never stopped buying FZ's recordings! Besides having every official release, & having all but 3 of his official video's, I also STILL have many of the bootleg recordings of Zappa as well. Having said that, "The Lost Episodes" finds it's way into my cd player more than most other
FZ recordings!! Tho MANY of those are often played too. I just can't get enough. Which is why I wish Gail Zappa was as prolific
at releasing her husbands cd's & VIDEO's as Frank was!!
For me "The Lost Episodes" shows you the evolution of the 1 of a kind composer of both orchestral & R&R musics, & the evolution of the man as well!! Imo FZ was the greatest composer of the last 100 years.
Hearing the beginning of Zappa's musical career, almost from the very start, & also hearing snippets of his orchestral works(Of which he wrote at a very young age, AND spent his own $300 to hire a collegiate orchestra to play!)from the start, along w/the funny stories, interviews & songs FZ did w/his friend Don Van Vliet(They originally became friends b/c they both had extensive collections of 45's & albums)makes buying this cd & it's price ALONE, worth it.
Besides the historical significance this cd has, being able to hear the 1st original recordings of songs i've become SO FAMILAR WITH over the years, eg:Fountain Of Love-RDNZL-Sharlenna-The Grand Wazoo-Lost in a Whirlpool, & so many more, is a true revelation for me & I would think for anyone that was familar w/these songs, many of which weren't released until MANY yrs after they were composed!! Just great to have.
Lastly. I believe FZ's "Project/Object & Coceptual Continuity" idea began w/some of the songs on this disc, & you'll be able to hear this for yourself, this is also fascinating to me. So if you only own 1 album of his from the 60's-70's or 80's, this would be of great interest to you! I think this cd & it's music ect stands on it's own! It all ended way too soon(basically) sadly. For me, like 10's of 1000's of others had hoped we'd STILL be hearing & enjoying the great music of Zappa today!
So do yourself a favor & buy this incredible cd.
Plus. If SOMEHOW Mrs. Gail Zappa could read this(?)PLEASE do as your husband was before his death(As he was putting together & releasing material whilst being very sick, this cd being the final 1 FZ ever did!)& make all of us very happy by releasing more of his work!!
For example: On the re-release of the dvd "Baby Snakes" 2 or 3 yrs ago, this great dvd had a 'trailer' telling us that all 3 shows, or 4 hours of the brilliant live performances at the "Roxy" on Dec. 8-9 & 10th 1973 that FZ had already mixed, would ALL be available soon! Only the 1 show that FZ released long before his death on the vid "The Dub Room Special" has ever seen the light of day! These great performances(the only thing that could have possibly made them better were if the 2nd drummer Ralph Humphries were on these gems from 1 of the best M.O.I. bands ever!) So my ? is, What in God's name is holding things up?? {ls release these & make so many happy & make alot of money!
 For committed fans only Sep 08, 2005
As a fan of FZ from the late 60's, I found this album to be an interesting curiosity. I certainly wouldn't recommend it to anyone who had not heard FZ's music before, as it is mainly from the weird side of his repertoire. If you have a sizeable collection of Frank's records this one is certainly worthwhile, as it has tracks I had never heard before as well as different versions of tracks I know well
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