Jazz from Hell

Infobox Album |
Name = Jazz from Hell
Type = Album
Artist = Frank Zappa


Released = November 15 1986
Recorded = 1980; 1985 - 1986
Genre = Computer music, Experimental rock
Length = 34:26
Label = Barking Pumpkin Records
Capitol Records
Producer = Frank Zappa
Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|4|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:0mm1z87ajyv6~T1 link]
*"Rolling Stone" (favorable) [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/frankzappa/albums/album/209018/review/5943103/jazz_from_hell link]
Last album = "The Old Masters Box Two" (1986)
This album = "Jazz from Hell" (1986)
Next album = "London Symphony Orchestra, Vol. 2" (1987)

"Jazz from Hell" is an instrumental album from Frank Zappa. It was released in 1986 by Barking Pumpkin Records (vinyl) and by Rykodisc (CD). All compositions were executed by Frank Zappa on the Synclavier DMS with the exception of "St. Etienne."

"While You Were Art II" is a Synclavier performance based on a transcription of Zappa's improvised guitar solo on the track "While You Were Out" from the "Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar" album. The unreleased original Synclavier performance was done using only the unit's FM synthesis, while the recording found here was Zappa's "deluxe" arrangement featuring newer samples and timbres.

In the initial Europe CD release, the album was featured as the second album on a "two for the price of one compilation," with nine tracks from "Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of Prevention" on the same disc.

Zappa won a 1988 Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance for this album.

"Night School" was possibly named for a late-night show that Zappa pitched to ABC; the network did not pick it up. A music video was made for the song.

"G-Spot Tornado," assumed by Zappa to be impossible to play by humans, would be performed by Ensemble Modern on the concert recording "The Yellow Shark". The track ends in nearly two minutes of applause.

Although an instrumental album, Meyer Music Markets sold "Jazz from Hell" featuring an RIAA Parental Advisory sticker. [cite web|url=http://ericnuzum.com/banned/incidents/80s.html|title=Censorship Incidents: 1980s|work=Parental Advisory: Music Censorship in America|last=Nuzum|first=Eric|accessdate=2007-07-23]

Track listing

All compositions written and arranged by Frank Zappa.

ide one

# "Night School" – 4:47
# "The Beltway Bandits" – 3:25
# "While You Were Art II" – 7:17
# "Jazz from Hell" – 2:58

ide two

# "G-Spot Tornado" – 3:17
# "Damp Ankles" – 3:45
# "St. Etienne" – 6:26
# "Massaggio Galore" – 2:31

Personnel

* Frank Zappa – Lead Guitar, Synclavier
* Steve Vai – Guitar (Rhythm), Guitar
* Ray White – Guitar (Rhythm), Guitar
* Tommy Mars – Keyboards
* Bobby Martin – Keyboards
* Ed Mann – Percussion
* Scott Thunes – Bass
* Chad Wackerman – Drums
* Bob Rice – Computer Assistant
* Bob Stone – Engineer
* Greg Gorman – Cover Photo

References

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