Broadway the Hard Way

Infobox Album
Name = Broadway the Hard Way
Type = Live album
Artist = Frank Zappa


Released = October 14, 1988 (LP)
May 25, 1989 (CD)
Recorded = February – June, 1988
Genre = Hard rock, progressive rock, art rock, jazz fusion
Length = 71:03 (CD)
Label = Barking Pumpkin Records (LP)
Rykodisc (CD)
Producer = Frank Zappa
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|4|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:199yxdabjold link]
Last album = "You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 2"
(1988)
This album = "Broadway the Hard Way"
(1988)
Next album = "You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 3"
(1989)

"Broadway the Hard Way " is a Frank Zappa live album recorded at various performances along his 1988 world tour. It was first released as a 9-track vinyl through Zappa's mail order label Barking Pumpkin in October 1988, and subsequently as a 17-track CD through Rykodisc in 1989.

This album was compiled from Zappa's last tour in 1988, in a band format. "Broadway" is mostly focused on acute satire of contemporary figures, both political and social. Throughout the album Zappa's individual targets include Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan on "Dickie's Such An Asshole", Jesse Jackson on "Rhymin' Man", Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker and Pat Robertson on "Jesus Thinks You're A Jerk", and Michael Jackson and his family on "Why Don't You Like Me?"

The album contains a relatively large number of covers, from the jazz standard "Stolen Moments" to the The Police song "Murder by Numbers" (with a guest appearance by Sting himself). "Outside Now" is from "Joe's Garage", and "Why Don't You Like Me" can be easily recognized as a remake of Zappa's "Tell Me You Love Me". "Rhymin' Man" is filled with melodic quotes from evergreens such as "Happy Days Are Here Again", "Hava Nagila", "La Cucaracha" and "Frère Jacques". In "What Kind of Girl" there is a line from "Strawberry Fields Forever", while "Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk" quotes "Louie Louie" and "Rock of Ages".

Track listing

All tracks by Frank Zappa, except where noted.

Original LP

ide one

# "Elvis Has Just Left the Building" – 2:24
# "Planet of the Baritone Women" – 2:48
# "Any Kind of Pain" – 5:42
# "Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk" – 9:15

ide two

# "Dickie's Such an Asshole" – 6:37
# "When the Lie's So Big" – 3:38
# "Rhymin' Man" – 3:51
# "Promiscuous" – 2:03
# "The Untouchables" (Nelson Riddle, Zappa) – 3:05

CD version

# "Elvis Has Just Left the Building" – 2:24
# "Planet of the Baritone Women" – 2:48
# "Any Kind of Pain" – 5:42
# "Dickie's Such an Asshole" – 5:45
# "When the Lie's So Big" – 3:38
# "Rhymin' Man" – 3:50
# "Promiscuous" – 2:02
# "The Untouchables" (Riddle) – 2:26
# "Why Don't You Like Me?" – 2:57
# "Bacon Fat" (Andre Williams, Dorothy Brown, Zappa) – 1:29
# "Stolen Moments" (Oliver Nelson) – 2:57
# "Murder by Numbers" (Sting, Andy Summers) – 5:37
# "Jezebel Boy" – 2:27
# "Outside Now" – 7:49
# "Hot Plate Heaven at the Green Hotel" – 6:40
# "What Kind of Girl?" – 3:17
# "Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk" – 9:15

Personnel

* Frank Zappa – guitar, producer, main performer, vocals
* Kurt McGettrick – baritone saxophone
* Scott Thunes – bass guitar
* Albert Wing – tenor saxophone
* Ed Mann – percussion
* Chad Wackerman – drums
* Ike Willis – guitar, vocals
* Eric Buxton – vocals
* Paul Carman – alto saxophone
* Walt Fowler – trumpet
* Mike Keneally – synthesizer, vocals, guitar
* Sting – lead vocal on "Murder By Numbers"
* Bruce Fowler – trombone
* Robert Martin – keyboards, vocals

References

External links

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