Difference between revisions of "Absolutely Free"

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     Previous album = [[Freak Out!|Previous]] |
 
     Previous album = [[Freak Out!|Previous]] |
 
     Next album    = [[We're Only In It For The Money|Next]] |
 
     Next album    = [[We're Only In It For The Money|Next]] |
−
     Cover          = 109_Little-Dots-SQcover.png |
+
     Cover          = absolutely_free.jpg |
−
     Name          = Little Dots |
+
     Name          = Absolutely Free |
−
     Released      = November 2016
+
     Released      = June 1967 |
 +
    Related        = See also:<br>{{IINKLink|lyrics/Absolutely_Free.html}}, {{ZPLink|vinylvscds/absolutely_free.html}}, {{KURLink|fz-discography/absolutely-free}}<br>[[The Old Masters, Box I]]<br>[[Threesome No. 1]]
 
}}
 
}}
 
</div>
 
</div>
 +
:For the song, see [[Absolutely Free (The Track)]].
 +
 +
:For the revue see [[Garrick Theatre]]
 +
 
==Players==
 
==Players==
  
−
*[[Frank Zappa]] - Conductor, Guitar, Vocals
+
*[[Biography|FZ]] (guitar, vocals)
−
*[[Malcolm McNab]] - Trumpet
+
*[[Ray Collins]] (vocals, tambourine, "prune")
−
*[[Gary Barone]] - Trumpet
+
*[[Jim Fielder]] (guitar, piano)
−
*[[Tom Malone]] - Tuba/Saxes/Piccolo Trumpet/Trumpet
+
*[[Don Preston]] (keyboards)
−
*[[Earl Dumler]] - Woodwinds
+
*[[Bunk Gardner]] (woodwinds)
−
*[[Glenn Ferris]] - Trombone
+
*[[Roy Estrada]] (bass, vocals)
−
*[[Bruce Fowler]] - Trombone
+
*[[Jimmy Carl Black]] (drums, vocals)
−
*[[Tony Duran]] - Slide Guitar
+
*[[Billy Mundi]] (drums, percussion)
−
*[[Dave Parlato]] - Bass
 
−
*[[Jim Gordon]] - Drums, Steel Drum
 
−
*[[Maury Baker]] - Drums, Steel Drum (“Columbia, SC”)
 
  
 
==Tracks==
 
==Tracks==
  
−
#[[Cosmik Debris]] (5:40)
+
{| cellspacing="30"
−
#[[Little Dots Part 1]] (11:00)
+
 
−
#[[Little Dots Part 2]] (12:59)
+
|valign="top"|<div id="LP"><big>'''LP'''</big></div>
−
#[[Rollo]] (9:04)
+
'''Side One'''<br>
−
#[[Kansas City Shuffle]] (6:46)
+
'''"Absolutely Free"'''<br>
−
#[[Columbia S.C. Part 1]] (8:58)
+
(1<sup>st</sup> in a series of underground oratorios)
−
#[[Columbia S.C. Part 2]] (16:40)
+
#[[Plastic People (1966 - Los Angeles)|Plastic People]] (3:40)
 +
#[[The Duke Of Prunes (1966 - Los Angeles)|The Duke Of Prunes]] (2:12)
 +
#[[Amnesia Vivace]] (1:01)
 +
#[[The Duke Regains His Chops]] (1:45)
 +
#[[Call Any Vegetable (1966 - Los Angeles)|Call Any Vegetable]] (2:19)
 +
#[[Invocation And Ritual Dance Of The Young Pumpkin|Invocation & Ritual Dance Of The Young Pumpkin]] (6:57)
 +
#[[Soft-Sell Conclusion]] (1:40)
 +
 
 +
'''Side Two'''<br>
 +
'''"The M.O.I. American Pageant"'''<br>
 +
(2<sup>nd</sup> in a series of underground oratorios)
 +
#[[America Drinks]] (1:52)
 +
#[[Status Back Baby]] (2:52)
 +
#[[Uncle Bernie's Farm]] (2:09)
 +
#[[Son Of Suzy Creamcheese]] (1:33)
 +
#[[Brown Shoes Don't Make It]] (7:26)
 +
#[[America Drinks & Goes Home]] (2:43)
 +
 
 +
|valign="top"|<div id="CD"><big>'''CD'''</big></div>
 +
'''"Absolutely Free"'''<br>
 +
(1<sup>st</sup> in a series of underground oratorios)
 +
<ol>
 +
  <li>[[Plastic People (1966 - Los Angeles)|Plastic People]] (3:42)
 +
  <li>[[The Duke Of Prunes (1966 - Los Angeles)|The Duke Of Prunes]] (2:13)
 +
  <li>[[Amnesia Vivace]] (1:01)
 +
  <li>[[The Duke Regains His Chops]] (1:48)
 +
  <li>[[Call Any Vegetable (1966 - Los Angeles)|Call Any Vegetable]] (2:20)
 +
  <li>[[Invocation And Ritual Dance Of The Young Pumpkin|Invocation & Ritual Dance Of The Young Pumpkin]] (7:00)
 +
  <li>[[Soft-Sell Conclusion]] (1:40)
 +
  <li>[[Big Leg Emma]] (2:31) - bonus track, single version
 +
  <li>[[Why Don't You Do Me Right?|Why Don'tcha Do Me Right?]] (2:37) - bonus track, single version
 +
</ol>
 +
'''"The M.O.I. American Pageant"'''<br>
 +
(2<sup>nd</sup> in a series of underground oratorios)
 +
<ol start="10">
 +
  <li>[[America Drinks]] (1:53)
 +
  <li>[[Status Back Baby]] (2:54)
 +
  <li>[[Uncle Bernie's Farm]] (2:11)
 +
  <li>[[Son Of Suzy Creamcheese]] (1:34)
 +
  <li>[[Brown Shoes Don't Make It]] (7:30)
 +
  <li>[[America Drinks & Goes Home|America Drinks & Goes Home]] (2:46)
 +
</ol>
 +
 
 +
|valign="top"|<div id="2017LP"><big>'''2017 LP'''</big></div>
 +
'''Side One'''<br>
 +
'''"Absolutely Free"'''<br>
 +
(1<sup>st</sup> in a series of underground oratorios)
 +
#[[Plastic People (1966 - Los Angeles)|Plastic People]] (3:40)
 +
#[[The Duke Of Prunes (1966 - Los Angeles)|The Duke Of Prunes]] (2:12)
 +
#[[Amnesia Vivace]] (1:01)
 +
#[[The Duke Regains His Chops]] (1:45)
 +
#[[Call Any Vegetable (1966 - Los Angeles)|Call Any Vegetable]] (2:19)
 +
#[[Invocation And Ritual Dance Of The Young Pumpkin|Invocation & Ritual Dance Of The Young Pumpkin]] (6:57)
 +
#[[Soft-Sell Conclusion]] (1:40)
 +
 
 +
'''Side Two'''<br>
 +
'''"The M.O.I. American Pageant"'''<br>
 +
(2<sup>nd</sup> in a series of underground oratorios)
 +
#[[America Drinks]] (1:52)
 +
#[[Status Back Baby]] (2:52)
 +
#[[Uncle Bernie's Farm]] (2:09)
 +
#[[Son Of Suzy Creamcheese]] (1:33)
 +
#[[Brown Shoes Don't Make It]] (7:26)
 +
#[[America Drinks & Goes Home]] (2:43)
 +
 
 +
'''Side Three'''<br>
 +
'''''Bonus material'''''<br>
 +
#[[Absolutely Free Radio Ad 1]]
 +
#[[Why Don't You Do Me Right?|Why Don'tcha Do Me Right]] (2:37) - single version
 +
#[[Big Leg Emma]] (2:31) - single version
 +
#[[Absolutely Free Radio Ad 2]]
 +
#[["Glutton For Punishment..."]]
 +
#[[America Drinks]] - 1969 [[wikipedia:Remix|remix]]
 +
#[[Brown Shoes Don't Make It]] - 1969 remix
 +
#[[America Drinks & Goes Home|America Drinks & Goes Home #2]] – 1969 remix
 +
 
 +
'''Side Four'''<br>
 +
'''''Blank side with [[wikipedia:Unusual_types_of_gramophone_records#Etched_discs|laser etching]]'''''
 +
 
 +
|}
  
 
==Release Notes==
 
==Release Notes==
 +
 +
Recorded [[Sunset-Highland Studios]] of TTG, November 15-18, 1966.
 +
<br>Produced by: [[Tom Wilson]].
 +
<br>Director of engineering: [[Val Valentine|Val Valentin]].
 +
<br>Recording Engineer: [[Ami Hadani]].
 +
<br>Remix Engineer: [[David Greene]].
 +
<br>Cover art, layout, notes, design, etc.: Zappa
 +
<br>Front cover photo: [[Alice Ochs]].
  
 
==Liner Notes==
 
==Liner Notes==
  
 
==Background Information==
 
==Background Information==
 +
 +
...
 +
[[Absolutely Free: The Complete Libretto]]
 +
 +
Zappa recorded a radio spot to promote this album and [[Freak Out!]]<ref>[http://www.radioechoes.com/?page=play_download&mode=play&dl_mp3folder=P&dl_file=psychedelic_promos_and_radio_spots_196x-xx-xx_frank_zappa_freak_out_and_absolutely_free_lp_promos.mp3&dl_series=Psychedelic%20Promos%20And%20Radio%20Spots&dl_title=Frank%20Zappa%20Freak%20Out%20And%20Absolutely%20Free%20Lp%20Promos&dl_date=196x.xx.xx&dl_size=324.19%20KB Frank Zappa Freak Out And Absolutely Free Lp Promos]</ref>
  
 
====Zappa about the album:====
 
====Zappa about the album:====
 +
 +
<blockquote>"When it came time for us to do our second album, [[Absolutely Free]], MGM proclaimed that we couldn't spend more than eleven thousand dollars on it. The recording schedules were ridiculous, making it impossible to perfect anything on the album. It was typical of the kind of bullshit we had to put up with until I got my own studio.<br> 
 +
[[Gail Zappa|Gail]] and I moved to New York in 1967 to play in the [[Garrick Theatre|Garrick Theater]] on Bleecker Street. The first place we stayed, before we could find an apartment, was the [[Hotel Van Rensselaer]] on Eleventh Street. We were living on a small room on one of the upper floors. I was working on the album cover illustration for [[Absolutely Free]] at a desk by the window. I remember the place being so dirty I couldn't keep the soot off the artwork."</blockquote><div align="right">— [[The Real Frank Zappa Book]].</div>
  
 
==Conceptual Continuity==
 
==Conceptual Continuity==
  
−
The conceptual sequel to [[Imaginary Diseases]].
 
 
==Versions==
 
==Versions==
 +
 +
{| {{Versions Table Header}}
 +
| rowspan="28" align="center" | 2
 +
| rowspan="4" align="center" | 1.1<br>Original<br>[[wikipedia:Stereophonic sound|Stereo]]<br>13&nbsp;Tracks
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | [[wikipedia:Long playing record|LP]]
 +
| [[MGM Records|MGM]] [[Verve_Records|Verve]]<br>{{DiscogsPicLink||V6-5013}}
 +
| 1967-06-26
 +
| None
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| US edition. [[Matrix Numbers|Matrix #]]<br>Side1: V6-5013 SIDE-1 MGS-672<br>Side2: V6-5013 SIDE-2 MGS-673
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | LP
 +
| MGM Verve<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|2670320|SVLP&nbsp;9174}}
 +
| 1967-10<ref name="MStrong">Martin C. Strong, 2004, ''The Great Rock Discography'', p. 1720.</ref>
 +
| None
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| UK edition.
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | LP
 +
| MGM Verve<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|12149738|MV&nbsp;1120}}
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| None
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| Japanese edition.
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | LP
 +
| MGM Verve<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|7772041|710006}}
 +
| 1967
 +
| None
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| German edition.
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan="2" align="center" | 1.2<br>Original<br>[[wikipedia:Monaural|Mono]]<br>13&nbsp;Tracks
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | LP
 +
| MGM Verve<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|1615099|V-5013}}
 +
| 1967-06-26?
 +
| None
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| US edition.
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | LP
 +
| MGM Verve<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|2182884|VLP&nbsp;9174}}
 +
| 1967-10<ref name="MStrong"/>
 +
| None
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| UK edition.
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1.1<br>Original<br>Stereo<br>13&nbsp;Tracks
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | LP
 +
| MGM Verve/[[Wikipedia:Polydor Records|Polydor]]<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|812568|2317&nbsp;035}}
 +
| 1972-06<ref name="MStrong"/>
 +
| None
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| UK edition.
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1.3<br>Remaster<br>[[wikipedia:Stereophonic sound|Stereo]]<br>13&nbsp;Tracks
 +
| align="center" | 1<br>in 7
 +
| align="center" | LP
 +
| [[Barking Pumpkin Records|Barking Pumpkin]]<br>BPR&nbsp;7777-2
 +
| 1985-04-19
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| Included in [[The Old Masters, Box I]] set.
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | Unknown
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | [[wikipedia:Compact audio cassette|CS]]
 +
| [[Zappa Records|Zappa]]<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|6970328|TZAPPA&nbsp;12}}
 +
| ?
 +
| 5016583601249?
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| UK edition.
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan="3" align="center" | '''1.4<br>Remaster<br>[[wikipedia:Stereophonic sound|Stereo]]<br>&<br>2 Bonus Tracks'''
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | [[wikipedia:Compact disc|CD]]
 +
| [[Rykodisc]]<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|1337479|RCD&nbsp;10093}}
 +
| 1989-01
 +
| 0014431009327
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| US edition, [[wikipedia:SPARS Code|AAD]].
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | CD
 +
| Zappa<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|507875|CDZAP 12}}
 +
| 1989-01<ref name="MStrong"/>
 +
| 5016583601225
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| UK edition, [[wikipedia:SPARS Code|AAD]]. Matrix # ZAP 12 MPO 01 @@
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | CD
 +
| Rykodisc<br>D40733
 +
| 1989
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| Australian edition = Rykodisc RCD 10093 stickered with the Ozzie catalog #.
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | Unknown
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | CS
 +
| Barking Pumpkin<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|4452613|D4&nbsp;74214}}
 +
| 1990-10-17
 +
| 0013347421445
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| US edition.
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan="11" align="center" | '''1.4<br>Remaster<br>[[wikipedia:Stereophonic sound|Stereo]]<br>&<br>2 Bonus Tracks'''
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | CD
 +
| [[VideoArts]]<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|14031200|VACK&nbsp;5022}}
 +
| 1994-10-26
 +
| 4988112405257
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| Japanese edition.
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | CS
 +
| Rykodisc<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|10512103|RAC&nbsp;10502}}
 +
| 1995-05-02
 +
| 0014431050244
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| US edition.
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | CD
 +
| Rykodisc<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|5398311|RCD&nbsp;10502}}
 +
| 1995-05-02
 +
| 0014431050220
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| US edition.
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | CD
 +
| [https://www.discogs.com/label/19911-Eldorado Gravadora Eldorado]/Rykodisc<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|2100820|968026}}
 +
| 1995
 +
| 7897181221873
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| Brazilian edition.
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | CD
 +
| VideoArts<br>VACK&nbsp;5111
 +
| 1995-09-25
 +
| 4988112407749
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| Japanese edition.
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | CD
 +
| [https://www.discogs.com/label/108138-Festival-Records-Pty-Ltd Festival]/Rykodisc<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|3316688|D31395}}
 +
| 1995
 +
| 9399603139523
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| Australian edition = Rykodisc RCD&nbsp;10502
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | CD
 +
| VideoArts<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|22707236|VACK&nbsp;5246}}
 +
| 1996-05-30
 +
| 4988112408463
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| Japanese edition = Rykodisc RCD&nbsp;10502 repackaged with an [[wikipedia:obi strip|obi strip]] and extra liner notes in Japanese
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | CD
 +
| VideoArts<br>{{MLPLink|zappa-frank/absolutely-free-vack-1204|VACK&nbsp;1204}}
 +
| 2001-09-21
 +
| 4988112412606
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| Japanese edition, mini-album papersleeve.
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1<br>in 3
 +
| align="center" | CD
 +
| Rykodisc<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|16795344|RCD&nbsp;40582/2}}
 +
| 2002-03-21
 +
| None
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| US edition, included in the [[Threesome No. 1]] box set. [[Matrix Numbers|Matrix #]] IFPI L503 IFPI 8708 DISCTRONICS RCD&nbsp;10502 01
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | CD
 +
| Rykodisc<br>RCD&nbsp;10592
 +
| 2005-07-19
 +
| 0014431059223
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| = VideoArts VACK&nbsp;1204, the barcode is a sticker, the Ryko reference is not printed.
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | CD
 +
| VideoArts<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|2923884|VACK&nbsp;1328}}
 +
| 2008-06-18
 +
| 4988112417717
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| Japanese edition,<br>mini-album papersleeve.
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan="3" align="center" | '''1.5<br>Original Stereo<br>Remaster<br>with<br>2 Bonus Tracks''' (mono)
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | CD
 +
| Zappa/[[Universal Music Group|UMe]]<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|3971790|ZR&nbsp;3835}}
 +
| 2012-07-31
 +
| 0824302383520
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| US edition, manufactured and distributed by UMe<ref name="ZFTEmail">Email announcement by the [[Zappa Family Trust|ZFT]] on July 31<sup>st</sup>, 2012.</ref>.<br>Source: Original 1967 Analog Master.<br>Mastered by Doug Sax with Robert Hadley & Sangwook "Sunny" Nam at The Mastering Lab, Inc., 2012. Matrix # IFPI L328 DIDX-816045 1 ZAPPA.COM A02 IFPI 50A2
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | CD
 +
| Zappa/[[Universal Music Group|UMG&nbsp;Intl]]<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|4747290|0238352}}
 +
| 2012-07-31
 +
| 0824302383520
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| EU edition = Zappa/UMe ZR&nbsp;3835, manufactured in Germany.
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | CD
 +
| Zappa/[http://www.universal-music.co.jp/ Universal Music Japan]<br>UICY-75351
 +
| 2012-11-28
 +
| 4988005737502
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| Japanese edition, audiophile [[wikipedia:Super High Material CD|SHM-CD]], mini-album papersleeve with an obi strip and liner notes in Japanese.
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | '''1.6<br>Original Stereo<br>Remaster<br>with<br>8 Bonus Tracks''' & [[wikipedia:Unusual_types_of_gramophone_records#Etched_discs|Laser-etched Side]]
 +
| align="center" | 2
 +
| align="center" | LP<br>(180 g)
 +
| Zappa/UMe<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|10955583|ZR&nbsp;3835-1}}
 +
| 2017-10-12<ref name="etchedLP">On June 2<sup>nd</sup> 2017, the ZFT initially announced by email the reissue of a '50th Anniversary Expanded Edition 2LP vinyl - coming September 29!' revised later to 'October 6.' The latest revised released dates at Amazon.com were October 13<sup>th</sup> for the US release and November 17<sup>th</sup> for the EU release. According to Zappa Forum users, the first copies were available in american stores on October 12<sup>th</sup>.</ref>
 +
| 0824302383513
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| US edition with 18-page booklet 'libretto', manufactured and distributed by UMe. Mastered and cut directly from the original analog master tape by Bernie Grundman.
 +
|}
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
Line 53: Line 386:
 
[[Category:Discography]]
 
[[Category:Discography]]
 
[[Category:Original Albums]]
 
[[Category:Original Albums]]
 +
[[Category:1967]]
 +
[[Category:The Real Frank Zappa Book (The List)]]

Latest revision as of 03:52, 4 December 2022

Album History
Previous Next
Absolutely Free
Released June 1967
See also:
IINK, Patio, KUR
The Old Masters, Box I
Threesome No. 1
For the song, see Absolutely Free (The Track).
For the revue see Garrick Theatre

Players

Tracks

LP

Side One
"Absolutely Free"
(1st in a series of underground oratorios)

  1. Plastic People (3:40)
  2. The Duke Of Prunes (2:12)
  3. Amnesia Vivace (1:01)
  4. The Duke Regains His Chops (1:45)
  5. Call Any Vegetable (2:19)
  6. Invocation & Ritual Dance Of The Young Pumpkin (6:57)
  7. Soft-Sell Conclusion (1:40)

Side Two
"The M.O.I. American Pageant"
(2nd in a series of underground oratorios)

  1. America Drinks (1:52)
  2. Status Back Baby (2:52)
  3. Uncle Bernie's Farm (2:09)
  4. Son Of Suzy Creamcheese (1:33)
  5. Brown Shoes Don't Make It (7:26)
  6. America Drinks & Goes Home (2:43)
CD

"Absolutely Free"
(1st in a series of underground oratorios)

  1. Plastic People (3:42)
  2. The Duke Of Prunes (2:13)
  3. Amnesia Vivace (1:01)
  4. The Duke Regains His Chops (1:48)
  5. Call Any Vegetable (2:20)
  6. Invocation & Ritual Dance Of The Young Pumpkin (7:00)
  7. Soft-Sell Conclusion (1:40)
  8. Big Leg Emma (2:31) - bonus track, single version
  9. Why Don'tcha Do Me Right? (2:37) - bonus track, single version

"The M.O.I. American Pageant"
(2nd in a series of underground oratorios)

  1. America Drinks (1:53)
  2. Status Back Baby (2:54)
  3. Uncle Bernie's Farm (2:11)
  4. Son Of Suzy Creamcheese (1:34)
  5. Brown Shoes Don't Make It (7:30)
  6. America Drinks & Goes Home (2:46)
2017 LP

Side One
"Absolutely Free"
(1st in a series of underground oratorios)

  1. Plastic People (3:40)
  2. The Duke Of Prunes (2:12)
  3. Amnesia Vivace (1:01)
  4. The Duke Regains His Chops (1:45)
  5. Call Any Vegetable (2:19)
  6. Invocation & Ritual Dance Of The Young Pumpkin (6:57)
  7. Soft-Sell Conclusion (1:40)

Side Two
"The M.O.I. American Pageant"
(2nd in a series of underground oratorios)

  1. America Drinks (1:52)
  2. Status Back Baby (2:52)
  3. Uncle Bernie's Farm (2:09)
  4. Son Of Suzy Creamcheese (1:33)
  5. Brown Shoes Don't Make It (7:26)
  6. America Drinks & Goes Home (2:43)

Side Three
Bonus material

  1. Absolutely Free Radio Ad 1
  2. Why Don'tcha Do Me Right (2:37) - single version
  3. Big Leg Emma (2:31) - single version
  4. Absolutely Free Radio Ad 2
  5. "Glutton For Punishment..."
  6. America Drinks - 1969 remix
  7. Brown Shoes Don't Make It - 1969 remix
  8. America Drinks & Goes Home #2 – 1969 remix

Side Four
Blank side with laser etching

Release Notes

Recorded Sunset-Highland Studios of TTG, November 15-18, 1966.
Produced by: Tom Wilson.
Director of engineering: Val Valentin.
Recording Engineer: Ami Hadani.
Remix Engineer: David Greene.
Cover art, layout, notes, design, etc.: Zappa
Front cover photo: Alice Ochs.

Liner Notes

Background Information

... Absolutely Free: The Complete Libretto

Zappa recorded a radio spot to promote this album and Freak Out![1]

Zappa about the album:

"When it came time for us to do our second album, Absolutely Free, MGM proclaimed that we couldn't spend more than eleven thousand dollars on it. The recording schedules were ridiculous, making it impossible to perfect anything on the album. It was typical of the kind of bullshit we had to put up with until I got my own studio.
Gail and I moved to New York in 1967 to play in the Garrick Theater on Bleecker Street. The first place we stayed, before we could find an apartment, was the Hotel Van Rensselaer on Eleventh Street. We were living on a small room on one of the upper floors. I was working on the album cover illustration for Absolutely Free at a desk by the window. I remember the place being so dirty I couldn't keep the soot off the artwork."

— The Real Frank Zappa Book.

Conceptual Continuity

Versions

ZFT # Version # # discs Format Catalog # Release
(YYYY-MM-DD) 		Barcode
(EAN-13) 		Artwork Comment
2 1.1
Original
Stereo
13 Tracks 		1 LP MGM Verve
V6-5013 		1967-06-26 None   US edition. Matrix #
Side1: V6-5013 SIDE-1 MGS-672
Side2: V6-5013 SIDE-2 MGS-673
1 LP MGM Verve
SVLP 9174 		1967-10[2] None   UK edition.
1 LP MGM Verve
MV 1120 		  None   Japanese edition.
1 LP MGM Verve
710006 		1967 None   German edition.
1.2
Original
Mono
13 Tracks 		1 LP MGM Verve
V-5013 		1967-06-26? None   US edition.
1 LP MGM Verve
VLP 9174 		1967-10[2] None   UK edition.
1.1
Original
Stereo
13 Tracks 		1 LP MGM Verve/Polydor
2317 035 		1972-06[2] None   UK edition.
1.3
Remaster
Stereo
13 Tracks 		1
in 7 		LP Barking Pumpkin
BPR 7777-2 		1985-04-19     Included in The Old Masters, Box I set.
Unknown 1 CS Zappa
TZAPPA 12 		? 5016583601249?   UK edition.
1.4
Remaster
Stereo
&
2 Bonus Tracks 		1 CD Rykodisc
RCD 10093 		1989-01 0014431009327   US edition, AAD.
1 CD Zappa
CDZAP 12 		1989-01[2] 5016583601225   UK edition, AAD. Matrix # ZAP 12 MPO 01 @@
1 CD Rykodisc
D40733 		1989     Australian edition = Rykodisc RCD 10093 stickered with the Ozzie catalog #.
Unknown 1 CS Barking Pumpkin
D4 74214 		1990-10-17 0013347421445   US edition.
1.4
Remaster
Stereo
&
2 Bonus Tracks 		1 CD VideoArts
VACK 5022 		1994-10-26 4988112405257   Japanese edition.
1 CS Rykodisc
RAC 10502 		1995-05-02 0014431050244   US edition.
1 CD Rykodisc
RCD 10502 		1995-05-02 0014431050220   US edition.
1 CD Gravadora Eldorado/Rykodisc
968026 		1995 7897181221873   Brazilian edition.
1 CD VideoArts
VACK 5111 		1995-09-25 4988112407749   Japanese edition.
1 CD Festival/Rykodisc
D31395 		1995 9399603139523   Australian edition = Rykodisc RCD 10502
1 CD VideoArts
VACK 5246 		1996-05-30 4988112408463   Japanese edition = Rykodisc RCD 10502 repackaged with an obi strip and extra liner notes in Japanese
1 CD VideoArts
VACK 1204 		2001-09-21 4988112412606   Japanese edition, mini-album papersleeve.
1
in 3 		CD Rykodisc
RCD 40582/2 		2002-03-21 None   US edition, included in the Threesome No. 1 box set. Matrix # IFPI L503 IFPI 8708 DISCTRONICS RCD 10502 01
1 CD Rykodisc
RCD 10592 		2005-07-19 0014431059223   = VideoArts VACK 1204, the barcode is a sticker, the Ryko reference is not printed.
1 CD VideoArts
VACK 1328 		2008-06-18 4988112417717   Japanese edition,
mini-album papersleeve.
1.5
Original Stereo
Remaster
with
2 Bonus Tracks (mono) 		1 CD Zappa/UMe
ZR 3835 		2012-07-31 0824302383520   US edition, manufactured and distributed by UMe[3].
Source: Original 1967 Analog Master.
Mastered by Doug Sax with Robert Hadley & Sangwook "Sunny" Nam at The Mastering Lab, Inc., 2012. Matrix # IFPI L328 DIDX-816045 1 ZAPPA.COM A02 IFPI 50A2
1 CD Zappa/UMG Intl
0238352 		2012-07-31 0824302383520   EU edition = Zappa/UMe ZR 3835, manufactured in Germany.
1 CD Zappa/Universal Music Japan
UICY-75351 		2012-11-28 4988005737502   Japanese edition, audiophile SHM-CD, mini-album papersleeve with an obi strip and liner notes in Japanese.
1.6
Original Stereo
Remaster
with
8 Bonus Tracks & Laser-etched Side 		2 LP
(180 g) 		Zappa/UMe
ZR 3835-1 		2017-10-12[4] 0824302383513   US edition with 18-page booklet 'libretto', manufactured and distributed by UMe. Mastered and cut directly from the original analog master tape by Bernie Grundman.

Notes

  1. ↑ Frank Zappa Freak Out And Absolutely Free Lp Promos
  2. ↑ Jump up to: 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Martin C. Strong, 2004, The Great Rock Discography, p. 1720.
  3. ↑ Email announcement by the ZFT on July 31st, 2012.
  4. ↑ On June 2nd 2017, the ZFT initially announced by email the reissue of a '50th Anniversary Expanded Edition 2LP vinyl - coming September 29!' revised later to 'October 6.' The latest revised released dates at Amazon.com were October 13th for the US release and November 17th for the EU release. According to Zappa Forum users, the first copies were available in american stores on October 12th.
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