PHOTOS: Zappa Plays Zappa

Review by Jessie Lakatos. Photography by William Smyers

  • “One Size Fits All” 40th Anniversary Tour

  • Tuesday, March 31st at 7:30pm
  • At the UB Center for the Arts
Celebrating the album’s “One Size Fits All” 40th Anniversary, Frank Zappa’s eldest son Dweezil and his award winning group performed a flawless concert that captured his father’s essence through and through.  The group played The Mothers of Invention’s “One Size Fits All” album in its entirety along with a few other Zappa songs.
Dweezil Zappa is doing his father’s musical legacy a tremendous honor, playing really interesting music. The whole band displays astute musicianship.  Closing your eyes, it feels like you have traveled back time to 40 years ago, when Frank first brought the album to the stage.
The music of Frank Zappa is unique.  Either you love him or you don’t.  I enjoy the eclectic diversity compilation of his music.  Dweezil Zappa does his father proud!  He is an amazing guitarist in his own right.
Sheila Gonzalez does some outstanding work on the saxophone and vocals.  Sheila has a charismatic energy, simple put, fills the room.   I noticed on several occasion she was playing several instruments at the same time as singing, a truly amazing talent!
Drummer, Ryan Brown, just wow, drumming straight through song after song, I don’t know how he does it, what endurance and skill.  Kurt Morgan, on Bass was outstanding slamming out some amazing riffs in high energy.
Ben Thomas, there is so much I wish I could express here about Ben.  He is responsible for the bass section and lead vocals, covering an excellent range.  His facial expressions had me laughing.
Last but not least, Chris Norton, the keyboardist added vocal effects that compliment Zappa’s work completely!
As Dweezil said, there is so much music to choose from, one concert could not contain it all.  I highly recommend seeing Zappa plays Zappa at least once in your lifetime!
ONE SIZE FITS ALL
Inca Roads
Can’t afford No Shoes
Sofa No.1
Po-Jama People
Florentine Pogen
Evelyn, A Modified Dog
San Ber’dino
Andy
Sofa No.2
Status Back Baby
Big Leg Emma
The Grand Wazoo Band Solos
Baby Snakes
I’m So Cute
Society Pages
Magic Fingers
Suzy Creamcheese
Who Needs the Peace Corps?
What’s The Ugliest Part of Your Body?
My Guitar Wants to Kill Your Mama
Sinister Footwear
Cosmik Debris
Dancin’ Fool
Carolina Hardcore Ecstasy