Frank Zappa – Zappa in New York (3LPs, Universal)

In celebration of its eventual release in 1978, this 40th Anniversary Edition features all-analog mastering of the original album mix, unavailable since first issued. Plus, an additional LP of select bonus content from The Vault, and new liner notes from Ruth Underwood and Ray White. The 3LP is pressed at Pallas, Germany on 180 gram audiophile grade vinyl. The 5CD set is available in limited qtys and will come packaged in an embossed tin box (18cm x 2.5cm) that resembles a New York City manhole cover and contains a 60 page book. Recorded live in New York City at the end of 1976. Heavy on, well, freewheeling lyrical content, with Titties & Beer and The Illinois Enema Bandit (the latter featuring sophisticated narration by Don Pardo) being special favorites with young males of a certain age. Also here is the song that gets most peoples vote for the best title ever to grace a Zappa instrumental, I Promise Not to Come In Your Mouth. When Zappa first released this album in 78, Warner Brothers was especially nervous about a little tune called Punkys Whips. The tune concerned drummer Terry Bozzios lurid sexual fantasies about one Punky Meadows, guitarist for the band Angel. Since Angel was then regarded as an important player in the music industry (yeah, right), Warners sat on the album for a long while and then deleted the track altogether. With this CD reissue Punkys Whips is back in all its glory, along with four other songs not on the original vinyl.