1975-1976 - National Jazz Ensemble

Advantages: First true orchestral outing since 200 Motels
Disadvantages: Slightly Muddy sound, Early synclavier sounds

...I've been a fan of Zappa for many years, and could probably bore you to tears with the minutiae of every song, every piece of music released over the last 40 years. BUT here is my unbiased view of this particular offering. This album is a collection of chamber works commisioned by the Ensemble InterContemporian, interspersed with some early works for Synclavier (here cited as the Barking Pumpkin Digital Gratification Consort). The Ensemble InterContemporian perform three works on the album - The Perfect Stranger being the only substantially new work (Naval Aviation in Art? dating from around 1975/1976 being released on Orchestral Favorites and later on Lather, and Dupree's Paradise dating from around 1972/1973, but not actually released in it's original form until after the Perfect Stranger!). The remainder - Girl in the Magnesium... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: The group's best
Disadvantages: None

...’t raise a smile, then check your pulse. What more can be said about the next track, the immortal ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’? The landmark mock-operatic epic which EMI initially didn’t want the group to issue as a single on the grounds that it would never sell, until the late Kenny Everett played an advance tape on his radio show and twisted their arm. The number which gave rise to one of the earliest and still most staggering music videos ever. The song which introduced the phrase ‘Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the fandango’, into the English language. The only recording which has ever topped the UK charts in four different years (1975, 1976, 1991, 1992). Need I go on? And what could possibly follow that? Well, none other than Brian’s amazing, tongue-in-cheek yet technically perfect electric guitar version of the National Anthem... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Great sound, great playing.
Disadvantages: Not enough tracks.

...two albums and toured with Roxy Music. During this time Chris largely concentrated on being just a guitarist in a band and did very little session work. One project he was involved in at this time that most people will be familiar with though is bubblegum group The Wombles! Although in full costume, he can be recognised as the guitarist with distinctive Gibson Flying V guitar. In 1975 Chris had a mainstream solo hit single with "Motorbikin'" a live version of which is on this CD Chris Spedding played a big part in the Punk Rock era as well by recording and producing the first demo recordings for the Sex Pistols in 1976. These demos led to the band getting a recording contract. Other band /artists which Chris has produced records for or played sessions for would make an impressive list, some of the more notable and well-known ones are... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful