Frank Zappacaptain Beefheart

Frank Zappa/ Captain Beefheart

Frank Zappa/Captain Beefheart/The Mothers, Bongo Fury (DiscReet)

Zappa's last few albums have highlighted his admittedly stunning abilities as a gonzo composer: snickering and sweeping lyrics, far flung melodies, and a unique showmanship. The result is ultimately disappointing for those who believe that the Mothers reached their acme with Uncle Meat, a free-form jazz extravaganza peppered with dense humor. Bongo Fury, recorded at the same time as the recent One Size Fits All, is a more interesting album on many levels, but still nowhere near the creative madness reached on the earlier albums. The old Mothers were a reed-and-brass-centered ensemble, the recent Mothers are a straight-out, if slightly warped, rock & roll band.

Beefheart has suffered by comparison lately also. His two Mercury albums have been pale, dull experiences in middle-of-the-road blues. But on Bongo Fury, the old team of Zappa & Van Vliet works well, and Side One is the best work Beefheart has done since The Spotlight Kid. Either Zappa is becoming adept at writing Beefheartesque lyrics, or the symbiotic relationship that was first shown on "Willy the Pimp" has finally reached full fruition. Beefheart is killer on "Debra Kadabra" and "Poofter's Froth Wyoming Plans Ahead." Zappa's guitar work, always tasty, has taken full front here, and his vocals are quite effective, especially on the stand-out "Carolina Hard-Core Ecstacy." If Bongo Fury will not please those who revel in Hot Rats, it is still a strong and energized extension of the credo of that work-"Let's smear ourselves with Miracle Whip and boogie till the cows come home." --Paul Grant