FRANK ZAPPA — Waka/Jawaka (review)

FRANK ZAPPA — Waka/Jawaka album cover Album · 1972 · Jazz Related Rock Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
smartpatrol
Frank Zappa made so much music in his lifetime. Each album was differant and varied, bringing new styles and genres into the mix. In the early/mid seventies, Zappa made two very Jazz-infulinced albums; Waka/Jawaka and The Grand Wazzo. Waka/Jawaka is my favorite of the two. The album opens with "Big Swifty", an 18 minute long big-band swing piece full of improv and solos. After losing yourself in the opening tracks, you find yourself in "Your Mouth", a slow, odd Jazzish rock ballad. Then comes my favorite Zappa song, "It Just Might Be a One Shot Deal". It starts off as a slow country song with teird-sounding, mumbling vocals. After a serise of time signature and theme changes, it's back to a country song, but fast this time. After an instumental passage, Zappa breaks in with the final line of the song, which abrutptly ends and goes straight into the title track, an eleven minute big-band swing song, much like the opener. Favorites from the album:

"Big Swifty" "It Might Just be a One Shot Deal" "Waka/Jawaka"

This is a fantastic album, especialy if you're looking for something jazzy and avant. 4/5

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