Posted on: August 15, 2012 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

For the first time ever, the entire original (from the Barking Pumpkin label) catalog of the music of legendary American composer FRANK ZAPPA will be available–legally and as authorized by the ZAPPA FAMILY TRUST–on iTunes.  Sixty masters (comprising 56 albums) in the deal between the ZAPPA FAMILY TRUST and UNIVERSAL MUSIC ENTERPRISES are now available through iTunes.

The August 14 iTunes roll-out follows the physical release of the first 12 CDs as part of this UME deal.  While the CDs have all been retransferred, 21 titles have been re-mastered for the re-launch, yes-and-but also including the iTunes releases; yes, that’s right, for the digital distribution known as MFiT: Mastered For iTunes. Every single title will feature art and online content for each and every iTunes release. The list of both the physical CDs and iTunes releases available July 31 is below.  Following the July 31 releases, another dozen physical CD recordings will be released each month for 5 months through November 2012.

“We are especially pleased to note the timing–that FZ was the first to bring Voter Registration to the concert hall and since 1971 when the 18-year old vote was passed he included the admonition to REGISTER & VOTE on every album he released.  Well, his work is back the way he intended it and on each recording you will find his music, the source, the year of release and how old he was when he made it–and the simplest of nods to his love for the idea of Democracy,” says Gail Zappa.  “Of course, as he also said, “Music is the Best!’”

Meanwhile back in Hollywood where dreams sometimes DO come true, Frank Zappa is back where he belongs–on Zappa Records–in the hands of the Zappa Family Trust–headed by Zappa’s widow Gail Zappa–the releases will honor the iconic legacy of the Composer, Guitarist, Bandleader, Filmmaker and Wit. ZAPPA was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997 (although the family would like to know where it is–does anyone have any information???). The official biography: Frank Zappa, American composer, fl. 1940-1993.  The UME deal is for the entire Zappa Catalog as it appeared on Frank Zappa’s own independent label, Barking Pumpkin Records.  Many of the original analog masters have been re-mastered for this occasion.  Yes that’s right, you heard right.

The albums made available on iTunes July 31, released in chronological order:

1. Freak Out! (1966)
2. Absolutely Free (1967)
3. Lumpy Gravy (1967)
4. We’re Only In It For The Money (1968)
5. Cruising With Ruben & The Jets (1968)
6. Uncle Meat (1969)
7. Hot Rats (1969)
8. Burnt Weeny Sandwich (1970)
9. Weasels Ripped My Flesh (1970)
10. Chunga’s Revenge (1970)
11. Fillmore East, June 1971 (1971)
12. Just Another Band From L.A. (1972)

The next CD titles for August, 2012:

1. Waka/Jawaka (1972)
2. The Grand Wazoo (1972)
3. Over-Nite Sensation (1973)
4. Apostrophe(‘) (1974)
5. Roxy & Elsewhere (1974)
6. One Size Fits All (1975)
7. Bongo Fury (1975)
8. Zoot Allures (1976)
9. Zappa In New York (1978)
10. Studio Tan (1978)
11. Sleep Dirt (1979)
12. Sheik Yerbouti (1979)

The REMASTERED TITLES:

Absolutely Free
Burnt Weeny Sandwich
Weasels Ripped My Flesh
Chunga’s Revenge
Fillmore East, June 1971
Just Another Band From L.A.
Waka/Jawaka
The Grand Wazoo
Over-nite Sensation
Apostrophe(‘)
One Size Fits All
Bongo Fury
Zoot Allures
Studio Tan
Sleep Dirt
Sheik Yerbouti
Joe’s Garage Acts 1, 2 & 3
Tinseltown Rebellion
Shut Up ‘N Play Yer Guitar
You Are What You Is
Them or Us

 

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