Waka/Jawaka

Infobox Album |
Name = Waka/Jawaka
Type = Album
Artist = Frank Zappa


Released = July 5 1972
Recorded = Paramount Studios, LA, April – May, 1972
Genre = Jazz fusion, progressive rock, big band
Length = 36:08
Label = Bizarre/Reprise
Producer = Frank Zappa
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|3.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:47rx288c058a link]
*Robert Christgau (B) [http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist2.php?id=4155 link]
*"Rolling Stone" (favorable) [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/frankzappa/albums/album/111805/review/5946768/wakajawaka link]
Last album = "Just Another Band from L.A."
(1972)
This album = "Waka/Jawaka"
(1972)
Next album = "The Grand Wazoo"
(1972)

"Waka/Jawaka" is an album by Frank Zappa, released in 1972. The album is the jazz-influenced precursor to "The Grand Wazoo", and, as the front cover indicates, sequel of sorts to 1969's "Hot Rats". Miles Davis's Bitches Brew-era influence is readily apparent on this and its sister album, The Grand Wazoo. The title is an onomatopoetic reference to the rhythmic guitar sound that was becoming popular at the time.

It was reissued in a digitally remastered version on CD by Ryko in 1989 and in 1995.

Track listing

All songs by Frank Zappa.

ide one

#"Big Swifty" – 17:22

ide two

#"Your Mouth" – 3:12
#"It Just Might Be a One-Shot Deal" – 4:16
#"Waka/Jawaka" – 11:18

Track information

Big Swifty

"Big Swifty" is a jazz-fusion song, similar to many of Zappa's pieces from the jazz period of his compositional time line. It features many horns to achieve a thick brassy sound as well as room for improvisation and use of multiple time signatures. Opening in a fast 7/8 riff, the song continues to alternate between 7/8 and 6/8 (or 3/4) times, finally ending on a 4/4 swing time time signature. The song was performed by The Grand and Petite Wazoo bands in 1972, as well as sporadically throughout 1973 and 1984 usually as a teaser in a guitar solo. The song was finally revived as a long piece for extended jams in 1988 with the so-called Broadway The Hard Way band.

Credits

*Frank Zappa – guitar, percussion, electric bed springs
*Tony Duran – slide guitar, vocals
*George Duke – ring-modulated & echoplexed electric piano, tack piano
*Sal Marquez – trumpet, vocals, flugelhorn, chimes
*Erroneous (Alex Dmochowski) – electric bass, vocals, fuzz bass
*Aynsley Dunbar – drums, washboard, tambourine
*Chris Peterson – vocals
*Joel Peskin – tenor sax
*Mike Atschul – baritone saxophone, piccolo, bass flute, bass clarinet, tenor sax
*Jeff Simmons – Hawaiian guitar, vocals
*Sneaky Pete Kleinow – pedal steel
*Janet Ferguson – vocals
*Don Preston – guitar Minimoog
*Bill Byers – trombone, baritone horn
*Ken Shroyer – trombone, baritone horn

Production

*Producer: Frank Zappa
*Engineers: Marshall Brevitz, Kerry McNabb
*Mastering: Frank Zappa
*Supervisor: Marshall Brevitz
*Concept: Sal Marquez
*Creative consultant: Sal Marquez
*Design: Cal Schenkel
*Cover Design: Cal Schenkel
*Cover illustration: Marvin Mattelson
*Illustrations: Marvin Mattelson
*Photography: Philip Schartz
*Back cover: Philip Schwartz
*Packaging: Cal Schenkel
*Repackaging: Ferenc Dobronyi

Charts

Album - "Billboard" (North America)

References

External links

* [http://www.lukpac.org/~handmade/patio/vinylvscds/wakajawaka.html Release details]