![[Hot Rats CD Link Header]](pics/fzcdlink.gif)
Hot Rats CDLink liner notes by Bill Lantz
Why Is This Record Viewed As A Classic?
Hot Rats is regarded as the first record for which Frank had the chance to handpick his players and sculpt the sound around his ideal musicians. While this may be a slight overstatement, the outcome reflects this process, as does an incredible mix that makes the tracks come to life. The sound textures, excellent solos, and perfect editing make this album a true Zappa masterpiece. Hot-cha!
Hot Rats in Context
When he began Hot Rats, Frank had just broken up the 60's Mothers of Invention and set to work immediately on what many call the first jazz-rock LP of all time. During these August and September 1969 sessions, he recorded all of HOT RATS, one track that would be used on Chunga's Revenge ("Twenty Small Cigars") and some tracks for Weasels Ripped My Flesh ("Directly From My Heart to You" and Part 1 of "Toads of the Short Forest"). Ian Underwood was the only credited ex-Mother to appear on it (Beefheart wasn't 'ex' yet). The other musicians who appear on these tracks were Los Angeles-area session players. Lowell George, also an ex-Mother, is rumoured to be on the LP but is uncredited.
After these sessions, Frank vacationed in Europe with his wife Gail, Ruth Underwood, and Ian Underwood, and appeared as the emcee for the Amougies Festival in Belgium, where he jammed with a few of the performers. A band consisting of Frank, Ian, Aynsley Dunbar, Sugarcane Harris and Max Bennett toured briefly as The Hot Rats in February and March 1970.
The album cover is a picture of Miss Christine (Frka) who was a member of the Girls Together Outrageously (GTO's) and also a babysitter for the family. She died in the 70's from a drug overdose.
Musicians
Ian Underwood - Piano, Organus Maximus, All Clarinets, All Saxes
Captain Beefheart - Vocal on "Willie The Pimp" (courtesy Straight Records)
Sugarcane Harris - Violin on "Willie The Pimp" and "The Gumbo Variations"
Jean Luc Ponty - Violin on "It Must Be A Camel" (courtesy World Pacific Records)
John Guerin - Drums on "Willie The Pimp", "Little Umbrellas" and "It Must Be A Camel"
Paul Humphrey - Drums on "Son of Mr. Green Genes" and "The Gumbo Variations"
Ron Selico - Drums on "Peaches En Regalia"
Max Bennett - Bass on "Willie The Pimp", "Son of Mr. Green Genes", "Little Umbrellas", "The Gumbo Variations" and "It Must Be A Camel"
Shuggy Otis - Bass on "Peaches En Regalia"
Track Listing and Times (1995 Rykodisc RCD 10508)
TRACK 2: Willie The Pimp - 9:17
TRACK 3: Son Of Mr. Green Genes - 9:00
TRACK 4: Little Umbrellas - 3:03
TRACK 5: The Gumbo Variations - 16:57
TRACK 6: It Must Be A Camel - 5:17
Total Time: 47:12
The Songs
A Zappa classic from the first note to the last. The song was frequently played by Zappa's bands from 1970 to 1988 and was released on two other albums with different musicians. The Hot Rats version features Frank's Octave Bass guitar and Ian's piano and multi-layered horns setting the melody, followed by an excellent acoustic-sounding guitar solo doubled by Ian's flute. Frank then takes another solo without Ian, followed by an organ solo by Ian. Frank can be heard adding percussion overdubs near the end of the piece. The bass player on this song was a 15-year-old prodigy named Shuggy Otis, son of Johnny Otis, one of Frank's favorite musicians from the 1950's.
Willie The Pimp (9:17)
Vocals by Captain Beefheart and a searing guitar solo make this one of my favorite Zappa songs. Frank can be heard adding multiple percussion overdubs throughout the cut. Beefheart claims Frank stole the title for the album, included in the lyrics here, from him. This claim is moot, though, as Frank has the copyright to the song. "Willie the Pimp" was performed live by several of FZ's touring bands.
Son Of Mr. Green Genes (9:00)
An instrumental "re-worked for solos" version of the classic Uncle Meat song, which featured lyrics. The melody is instantly recognizable to anyone who ever heard the original and was always a crowd pleaser live. The main melody is heard and repeated and then the solos begin. The first solo by Frank is brilliantly doubled by Ian. Check out the percussion overdubs by Frank. A longer solo by Frank and a final solo pack this one with great playing by FZ. Ian's contributions to this song are also notable. The "Petite Wazoo" band of 1973 often performed this version as a part of a medley starting with this, seguewaying into "King Kong," and ending with "Chunga's Revenge" back into "Son of Mr. Green Genes."
Little Umbrellas (3:03)
A beautifully arranged "jazz" song is next. The main melody is heard first. Highlights are Ian's keyboard solos and uncredited recorder playing. I don't think Frank even picks up the guitar on this one. A great song with a big-band flavored arrangement! Never played live by Frank, this is a popular ensemble piece today for the tribute projects that have proliferated since his passing.
The Gumbo Variations (16:57)
A long jam with Ian, Sugarcane and Frank trading off solos. Ian whips it out (including approximately 3 new minutes on the 1995 CD), followed by Sugarcane on violin and then Frank on guitar. A nifty percussion/drum break follows, and then Frank and Sugarcane trade off screaming solos. Check out the Frank's feedback towards the end underneath Sugarcane's squealing violin.
It Must Be A Camel (5:17)
Beautiful percussion overdubs by FZ during the intro. The melody line is stated by Ian on layered saxes. Then comes a tempo change and FZ's first guitar solo, echoing "Nine Types of Industrial Pollution" from Uncle Meat. Up next is a second guitar solo with a different sound. Ian steps in for a layered keyboard and clarinet solo, and the melody is restated. Jean Luc Ponty jumps out of the mix near the end. Frank would produce Ponty's forthcoming solo record King Kong featuring works by Zappa. Ponty would go on to guest with the Mothers in Fall 1970 and become a Mother in 1973 for 6 months of touring and one album.
Album Credits
Recording
This Movie For Your Ears Was Produced and Directed by Frank Zappa
Dedicated to Dweezil, Bub & Gil
Released October 10, 1969
Digital Remix: Bob Stone 1987 UMRK
FZ approved master: 1993
All compositions composed and arranged by Frank Zappa and
controlled worldwide by the Zappa Family Trust d/b/a Frank
Zappa Music, (BMI).
Engineering
Artwork
References and Thanks