Of all the musicians and artists who grew up in the 1950s listening to records that helped forge successful recording careers in the 1960’s, Frank Zappa’s choices were the most eclectic, leftfield and downright bizarre. So while Frank listened to R‘n’B, Blues and Rock n’ Roll, in common with many of his later contemporaries (and often with local buddy Don Van Vliet - the artist later to be known as Captain Beefheart - in tow) he would equally find time for avant-garde jazz, modern classical and more New York doo-wop than surely was good for a young man still in his mid-teens. With extensive sleeve-notes by music historian Derek Barker, explaining the relevance and stories behind each track, and a 16 page booklet packed with rare photographs, this collection will prove a delight for both Frank Zappa fans and those interested in how the music of the past influenced the artists of the rock-era. Tracks: 1. The Robins Riot In Cell Block No. 9 2. Richard Berry Louie Louie 3. Hank Ballard and the Midnighters Work With Me Annie 4. Edgard Varèse Ionisation 5. Lightnin’ Slim My Starter Won’t Work 6. Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown Okie Dokie Stomp 7. Don & Dewey Leavin’ It All Up To You 8. Howlin’ WolfI Asked For Water (She Gave Me Gasoline) 9. The Channels The Closer You Are 10. The Clovers Your Cash Ain’t Nothing But Trash 11. Muddy Waters Louisiana Blues 12. Cecil Taylor Song 13. Andre Williams Bacon Fat 14. The Chips Rubber Biscuit 15. Anton Webern Bagatelle (opus 9) 16. Anton Webern Symphony (opus 21) 17. Four Deuces W-P-L-J 18. The Turbans No No Cherry 19. Eric Dolphy Out There 20. Guitar Slim The Story Of My Life 21. Johnny “Guitar” Watson Three Hours Past Midnight 22. Little Richard Directly From My Heart 23. The Cadets Stranded In The Jungle 24. Igor Stravinsky Rite Of Spring 25. Igor Stravinsky Rite Of Spring 26. Tony Allen Nite Owl
