Frank Zappa "Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar"

Frank Zappa "Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar"

album cover

Frank Zappa
Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar
The Story
"Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar" is a 3-CD boxed set (originally distributed by mail order as 3 separate LPs, and eventually as a 3-LP boxed set). The title says it all: all playin', no singin', no talkin', no 'yellow snow'. Originally released in 1981, "Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar" contains performances recorded between 1977 and 1990. As John Swenson puts it in the liner notes, "These instrumental passages (they're not simply solos; all have beautiful performances from the backing group as well) are used as bridges at Zappa's concerts between more familiar songs and are thus directly related to records like "Tinseltown Rebellion". Anyone who's appreciated the beauty of Zappa's playing and his prolific melodic construction will delight in this material. "Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar" is really just the tip of the iceberg."
The Music
=== DISC 1 === Vocal
02:35 Five-Five-FIVE Instrumental
02:49 Hog Heaven Instrumental
05:38 Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar Instrumental
06:00 While You Were Out Instrumental
05:35 Treacherous Cretins Instrumental
04:42 Heavy Duty Judy Instrumental
07:53 Soup 'N Old Clothes Instrumental
=== DISC 2 === Vocal
03:58 Variations On The Carlos Santana... Instrumental
02:35 Gee, I Like Your Pants Instrumental
06:05 Canarsie Instrumental
05:20 Ship Ahoy Instrumental
06:20 The Deathless Horsie Instrumental
06:53 Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar Some More Instrumental
04:38 Pink Napkins Instrumental
=== DISC 3 === Vocal
01:58 Beat It With Your Fist Instrumental
08:30 Return Of The Son Of Shut Up 'N Play... Instrumental
02:05 Pinocchio's Furniture Instrumental
04:15 Why Johnny Can't Read Instrumental
09:08 Stucco Homes Instrumental
09:56 Canard Du Jour Instrumental
The Artists
Frank Zappa Lead Guitar, Production
Warren Cucurullo Rhythm Guitar
Denny Walley Rhythm Guitar
Ike Willis Rhythm Guitar
Steve Vai Rhythm Guitar
Ray White Rhythm Guitar
Tommy Mars Keyboards
Peter Wolf Keyboards
Arthur Barrow Bass
Ed Mann Percussion
Vinnie Colaiuta Drums
Bob Harris Keyboards
Patrick O'Hearn Bass
Andre Lewis Keyboards
Roy Estrada Bass
Terry Bozzio Drums
Eddie Jobson Keyboards
Jean-Luc Ponty Baritone Violin
Mick Glossop Engineering
George Douglas Engineering
Steve Nye Engineering
Tommy Fly Engineering
Bob Stone Re-mix Engineering
John Livzey Photography
Joe Chicarelli Engineering
Alan P. Engineering
Kerry McNabb Engineering
John Williams L.P. Package Design
Ferenc Dobronyi CD Package
John Swenson Liner Notes
Recorded at: Odeon Hammersmith, London (2/17/77, 2/17/79, 2/18/79, 2/19/79), Brady Theater, Tulsa (10/18/80), Unknown Venue, Los Angeles, CA, Berkeley Community Theater (12/5/80), Santa Monica Civic Auditorium (12/11/80), Dallas Civid Arena (10/17/80), Village Recorders, Unknown Venue, Tokyo or Osaka, The Palladium, NYC (10/30/80), Paramount Studios, Los Angeles, CA.