Difference between revisions of "Absolutely Free"

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     Name          = Absolutely Free |
 
     Name          = Absolutely Free |
 
     Released      = June 1967 |
 
     Released      = June 1967 |
     Related        = See also:<br>[[The Old Masters, Box I]]<br>[[Threesome No. 1]]
+
     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)]].''
 +
 +
==Players==
  
==Players==
 
 
*[[Frank Zappa|FZ]] (guitar, vocals)
 
*[[Frank Zappa|FZ]] (guitar, vocals)
 
*[[Ray Collins]] (vocals, tambourine, "prune")
 
*[[Ray Collins]] (vocals, tambourine, "prune")
Line 59: Line 61:
 
   <li>[[Invocation And Ritual Dance Of The Young Pumpkin|Invocation & Ritual Dance Of The Young Pumpkin]] (7:00)
 
   <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>[[Soft-Sell Conclusion]] (1:40)
   <li>[[Big Leg Emma]] (2:31) - bonus track
+
   <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
+
   <li>[[Why Don't You Do Me Right?|Why Don'tcha Do Me Right?]] (2:37) - bonus track, single version
 
</ol>
 
</ol>
 
'''"The M.O.I. American Pageant"'''<br>
 
'''"The M.O.I. American Pageant"'''<br>
Line 72: Line 74:
 
   <li>[[America Drinks And Goes Home|America Drinks & Goes Home]] (2:46)
 
   <li>[[America Drinks And Goes Home|America Drinks & Goes Home]] (2:46)
 
</ol>
 
</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 And Goes Home|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 And Goes Home|America Drinks]] - 1969 [[wikipedia:Remix|remix]]
 +
#[[Brown Shoes Don't Make It]] - 1969 remix
 +
#[[America Drinks And 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.
 
Recorded [[Sunset-Highland Studios]] of TTG, November 15-18, 1966.
 
<br>Produced by: [[Tom Wilson]].  
 
<br>Produced by: [[Tom Wilson]].  
Line 84: Line 123:
 
<br>Front cover photo: [[Alice Ochs]].
 
<br>Front cover photo: [[Alice Ochs]].
  
==Liner Notes==  
+
==Liner Notes==
==Background Information==  
+
 
 +
==Background Information==
  
 
...
 
...
 
[[Absolutely Free: The Complete Libretto]]
 
[[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:====
  
([[The Real Frank Zappa Book]])<br>
+
<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 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>
  
"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> 
+
==Conceptual Continuity==
[[Gail Zappa|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."
 
  
==Conceptual Continuity==
+
==Versions==
==Versions==  
 
  
 
{| {{Versions Table Header}}
 
{| {{Versions Table Header}}
| rowspan=21 align="center" | 2
+
| rowspan="28" align="center" | 2
| rowspan=4 align="center" | 1.1<br>Original<br>[[Wikipedia:Stereophonic sound|Stereo]]<br>13&nbsp;Tracks
+
| rowspan="4" align="center" | 1.1<br>Original<br>[[wikipedia:Stereophonic sound|Stereo]]<br>13&nbsp;Tracks
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | [[Wikipedia:Long playing record|LP]]
+
| align="center" | [[wikipedia:Long playing record|LP]]
| [[MGM]] [[Verve_Records|Verve]]<br>V6-5013
+
| [[MGM]] [[Verve_Records|Verve]]<br>{{SUTCLink|pictures/absfree_anotherUSstereo.jpg|V6-5013}}
 
| 1967-06-26
 
| 1967-06-26
 
| None
 
| None
 
| &nbsp;
 
| &nbsp;
| US edition.
+
| 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" | 1
 
| align="center" | LP
 
| align="center" | LP
| MGM Verve<br>SVLP 9174
+
| MGM Verve<br>{{SUTCLink|pictures/absolutelyfree_uk_1st_stereo.jpg|SVLP&nbsp;9174}}
| 1967
+
| 1967-10<ref name="MStrong">Martin C. Strong, 2004, ''The Great Rock Discography'', p. 1720.</ref>
 
| None
 
| None
 
| &nbsp;
 
| &nbsp;
Line 120: Line 162:
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | LP
 
| align="center" | LP
| MGM Verve<br>MV 1120
+
| MGM Verve<br>{{SUTCLink|pictures/absfree_japan_mv1120_blacklabel.jpg|MV&nbsp;1120}}
 
| &nbsp;
 
| &nbsp;
 
| None
 
| None
Line 128: Line 170:
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | LP
 
| align="center" | LP
| MGM Verve<br>710006
+
| MGM Verve<br>{{SUTCLink|pictures/absfree_german_loews.jpg|710006}}
 
| 1967
 
| 1967
 
| None
 
| None
Line 134: Line 176:
 
| German edition.
 
| German edition.
 
|-
 
|-
| rowspan=2 align="center" | 1.2<br>Original<br>[[Wikipedia:Monaural|Mono]]<br>13&nbsp;Tracks
+
| rowspan="2" align="center" | 1.2<br>Original<br>[[wikipedia:Monaural|Mono]]<br>13&nbsp;Tracks
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | LP
 
| align="center" | LP
| MGM Verve<br>V-5013
+
| MGM Verve<br>{{SUTCLink|pictures/absolutelyfreeUSA_mono.jpg|V-5013}}
 
| 1967-06-26?
 
| 1967-06-26?
 
| None
 
| None
Line 145: Line 187:
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | LP
 
| align="center" | LP
| MGM Verve<br>VLP 9174
+
| MGM Verve<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|2182884|VLP&nbsp;9174}}
 +
| 1967-10<ref name="MStrong"/>
 +
| None
 
| &nbsp;
 
| &nbsp;
 +
| UK edition.
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1.1<br>Original<br>Stereo<br>13&nbsp;Tracks
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | LP
 +
| MGM Verve/[[Polydor]]<br>{{SUTCLink|pictures/absfree_ukreissue73.jpg|2317&nbsp;035}}
 +
| 1972-06<ref name="MStrong"/>
 
| None
 
| None
 
| &nbsp;
 
| &nbsp;
 
| UK edition.
 
| UK edition.
 
|-
 
|-
| align="center" | 1.1<br>Original<br>[[Wikipedia:Stereophonic sound|Stereo]]<br>13&nbsp;Tracks
+
| align="center" | 1.3<br>Remaster<br>[[wikipedia:Stereophonic sound|Stereo]]<br>13&nbsp;Tracks
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | LP
 
| align="center" | LP
| [[Barking Pumpkin]]<br>BPR 7777-2
+
| [[Barking Pumpkin]]<br>{{SUTCLink|pictures/absfree_omb_bpr_7777-2.jpg|BPR&nbsp;7777-2}}
 
| 1985-04-19
 
| 1985-04-19
 
| &nbsp;
 
| &nbsp;
Line 162: Line 213:
 
| align="center" | Unknown
 
| align="center" | Unknown
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | [[Wikipedia:Compact audio cassette|CS]]
+
| align="center" | [[wikipedia:Compact audio cassette|CS]]
| [[Zappa Records|Zappa]]<br>TZAPPA 12
+
| [[Zappa Records|Zappa]]<br>TZAPPA&nbsp;12
 
| ?
 
| ?
 
| 5016583601249?
 
| 5016583601249?
Line 169: Line 220:
 
| UK edition.
 
| UK edition.
 
|-
 
|-
| rowspan=3 align="center" | '''1.3<br>Original<br>[[Wikipedia:Stereophonic sound|Stereo]]<br>15&nbsp;Tracks'''
+
| rowspan="3" align="center" | '''1.4<br>Remaster<br>[[wikipedia:Stereophonic sound|Stereo]]<br>&<br>2 Bonus Tracks'''
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | [[Wikipedia:Compact disc|CD]]
+
| align="center" | [[wikipedia:Compact disc|CD]]
| [[Rykodisc]]<br>RCD 10093
+
| [[Rykodisc]]<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|1337479|RCD&nbsp;10093}}
 
| 1989-01
 
| 1989-01
 
| 0014431009327
 
| 0014431009327
 
| &nbsp;
 
| &nbsp;
| US edition.
+
| US edition, [[wikipedia:SPARS Code|AAD]].
 
|-
 
|-
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | CD
 
| align="center" | CD
| Zappa<br>CDZAP 12
+
| Zappa<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|507875|CDZAP 12}}
| ?
+
| 1989-01<ref name="MStrong"/>
| 5016583601225?
+
| 5016583601225
 
| &nbsp;
 
| &nbsp;
| UK edition.
+
| UK edition, [[wikipedia:SPARS Code|AAD]]. Matrix # ZAP 12 MPO 01 @@
 
|-
 
|-
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
Line 197: Line 248:
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | CS
 
| align="center" | CS
| Barking Pumpkin<br>D4&nbsp;74214
+
| Barking Pumpkin<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|4452613|D4&nbsp;74214}}
 
| 1990-10-17
 
| 1990-10-17
 
| 0013347421445
 
| 0013347421445
Line 203: Line 254:
 
| US edition.
 
| US edition.
 
|-
 
|-
| rowspan=8 align="center" | '''1.3<br>Original<br>Stereo<br>15&nbsp;Tracks'''
+
| rowspan="11" align="center" | '''1.4<br>Remaster<br>[[wikipedia:Stereophonic sound|Stereo]]<br>&<br>2 Bonus Tracks'''
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | CD
 
| align="center" | CD
| [[VideoArts]]<br>VACK 5022
+
| [[VideoArts]]<br>VACK&nbsp;5022
 
| 1994-10-26
 
| 1994-10-26
 
| 4988112405257
 
| 4988112405257
Line 214: Line 265:
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | CS
 
| align="center" | CS
| Rykodisc<br>RAC 10502
+
| Rykodisc<br>RAC&nbsp;10502
 
| 1995-05-02
 
| 1995-05-02
 
| 0014431050244
 
| 0014431050244
Line 222: Line 273:
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | CD
 
| align="center" | CD
| Rykodisc<br>RCD 10502
+
| Rykodisc<br>RCD&nbsp;10502
 
| 1995-05-02
 
| 1995-05-02
 
| 0014431050220
 
| 0014431050220
Line 230: Line 281:
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | CD
 
| align="center" | CD
| VideoArts<br>VACK 5111
+
| [[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
 
| 1995-09-25
 
| 4988112407749
 
| 4988112407749
Line 238: Line 297:
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | CD
 
| align="center" | CD
| VideoArts<br>VACK 5246
+
| [[Festival Records|Festival]]/Rykodisc<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|3316688|D31395}}
 +
| 1995
 +
| 9399603139523
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| Australian edition = Rykodisc RCD&nbsp;10502
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | CD
 +
| VideoArts<br>VACK&nbsp;5246
 
| 1996-05-30
 
| 1996-05-30
 
| 4988112408463
 
| 4988112408463
 
| &nbsp;
 
| &nbsp;
| Japanese edition = Rykodisc RCD 10502 repackaged with an [[wikipedia:obi strip|obi strip]] and extra liner notes in Japanese
+
| 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" | 1
 
| align="center" | CD
 
| align="center" | CD
| VideoArts<br>VACK 1204
+
| VideoArts<br>{{MLPLink|zappa-frank/absolutely-free-vack-1204|VACK&nbsp;1204}}
 
| 2001-09-21
 
| 2001-09-21
 
| 4988112412606
 
| 4988112412606
Line 254: Line 321:
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | CD
 
| align="center" | CD
| Rykodisc<br>RCD 40582/2
+
| Rykodisc<br>RCD&nbsp;40582/2
 
| 2002-03-21
 
| 2002-03-21
 
| None
 
| None
 
| &nbsp;
 
| &nbsp;
| US edition, included in the [[Threesome No. 1]] box set. [[Matrix Numbers|Matrix #]] IFPI L503 IFPI 8708 DISCTRONICS RCD 10502 01
+
| 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" | 1
 
| align="center" | CD
 
| align="center" | CD
| Rykodisc<br>RCD 10592
+
| Rykodisc<br>RCD&nbsp;10592
 
| 2005-07-19
 
| 2005-07-19
 
| 0014431059223
 
| 0014431059223
 
| &nbsp;
 
| &nbsp;
| = VideoArts VACK 1204, the barcode is a sticker, the Ryko reference is not printed.
+
| = VideoArts VACK&nbsp;1204, the barcode is a sticker, the Ryko reference is not printed.
 
|-
 
|-
| align="center" | Unknown
 
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | CD
 
| align="center" | CD
| VideoArts<br>VACK 1328
+
| VideoArts<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|2923884|VACK&nbsp;1328}}
 
| 2008-06-18
 
| 2008-06-18
 
| 4988112417717
 
| 4988112417717
 
| &nbsp;
 
| &nbsp;
 
| Japanese edition,<br>mini-album papersleeve.
 
| 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/[[wikipedia:Universal Music Enterprises|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 [[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/[[wikipedia: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>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==
 +
 +
<references/>
  
 
[[Category:Discography]]
 
[[Category:Discography]]
 
[[Category:Original Albums]]
 
[[Category:Original Albums]]
 +
[[Category:1967]]
 
[[Category:The Real Frank Zappa Book (The List)]]
 
[[Category:The Real Frank Zappa Book (The List)]]

Revision as of 07:42, 28 November 2020

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).

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 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 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. 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.