Difference between revisions of "Ahead Of Their Time"

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<div style="float:right;">
 
{{Album Release Infobox |
 
{{Album Release Infobox |
 +
    Home          = [[Album History (by Cover)|Album History]] |
 
     Previous album = [[Playground Psychotics|Previous]] |
 
     Previous album = [[Playground Psychotics|Previous]] |
 
     Next album    = [[The Yellow Shark|Next]] |
 
     Next album    = [[The Yellow Shark|Next]] |
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     Cover          = Missing.png |
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     Cover          = AheadOfTheirTime.jpg |
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     Name          = Missing cover |
+
     Name          = Ahead Of Their Time |
 
     Released      = April 1993 |
 
     Released      = April 1993 |
 +
    Related        = See also:<br>{{IINKLink|lyrics/Ahead_Of_Their_Time.html}},{{ZPLink|vinylvscds/ahead-of-their-time.html}},{{KURLink|fz-discography/ahead-of-their-time}}<br>[[Weasels Ripped My Flesh]]<br>[[Mystery Disc]]<br>[[Zappa Box (Later Works)]]<br>[[68/10/25 London UK Royal Festival Hall|68/10/25 concert in London]] |
 
}}
 
}}
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
== Players ==
+
==Players==
−
*[[Frank Zappa]] (guitar &vocals)
+
 
−
*[[Ian Underwood]] (alto sax & piano)
+
*[[Biography|Frank Zappa]] (guitar, vocals)
−
*[[Bunk Gardner]] (tenor sax & clarinet)
 
−
*[[Jim "Motorhead" Sherwood|Euclid James Motorhead Sherwood]] (baritone sax & tambourine)
 
−
*[[Roy Estrada]] (bass & vocals)
 
−
*[[Don Preston]] (electric piano & odd noises)
 
−
*[[Arthur Dyer Tripp III]] (drums & percussion)
 
 
*[[Jimmy Carl Black]] (drums)
 
*[[Jimmy Carl Black]] (drums)
−
*Assisted by members of [[The BBC Symphony Orchestra]]
+
*[[Roy Estrada]] (bass, vocals)
 +
*[[Bunk Gardner]] (tenor sax, clarinet)
 +
*[[Jim "Motorhead" Sherwood|Euclid James Motorhead Sherwood]] (baritone sax, tambourine)
 +
*[[Don Preston]] (electric piano, odd noises)
 +
*[[Arthur Tripp]] (drums, percussion)
 +
*[[Ian Underwood]] (alto sax, piano)
 +
*Assisted by members of the [[BBC Symphony Orchestra]]
  
−
== Tracks ==
+
==Tracks==
−
#[[Bogus Pomp|Prologue (Bogus Pomp)]] (03:07)
 
−
#[[Progress?]] (04:45)
 
−
#[[Like It Or Not]] (02:22)
 
−
#[[The Jimmy Carl Black Philosophy Lesson]] (02:01)
 
−
#[[Holding The Group Back]] (02:00)
 
−
#[[Holiday In Berlin]] (00:57)
 
−
#[[The Rejected Mexican Pope Leaves The Stage]] (02:55)
 
−
#[[Undaunted The Band Plays On|Undaunted, The Band Plays On]] (04:34)
 
−
#[[Agency Man]] (03:17)
 
−
#[[Epilogue]] (01:52)
 
−
#[[King Kong]] (08:14)
 
−
#[[Help, I'm A Rock]] (01:38)
 
−
#[[Transylvania Boogie]] (03:07)
 
−
#[[A Pound For A Brown On The Bus|Pound For A Brown]] (06:50)
 
−
#[[Sleeping In A Jar]] (02:24)
 
−
#[[Let's Make The Water Turn Black]] (01:51)
 
−
#[[Harry You're A Beast|Harry, You're A Beast]] (00:54)
 
−
#[[The Orange County Lumber Truck|The Orange County Lumber Truck, Part 1]] (00:47)
 
−
#[[Oh No]] (03:22)
 
−
#[[The Orange County Lumber Truck|The Orange County Lumber Truck, Part 2]] (10:41)
 
  
−
== Release Notes ==
+
<big>'''CD'''</big>
−
== Liner Notes ==
 
  
−
== Background Information ==
+
#[[Bogus Pomp|Prologue (Bogus Pomp)]] (3:07)
−
Recorded 28 October 1968.
+
#[[Progress?]] (4:45)
−
 
+
#[[Like It Or Not]] (2:22)
−
''From FZ's liner notes:''
+
#[[The Jimmy Carl Black Philosophy Lesson]] (2:01)
−
 
+
#[[Holding The Group Back]] (2:00)
−
The show opens with Ian, Bunk & Art pretending to perform a serious piece of music for acoustic piano, clarinet & percussion. (They have already been introduced to the audience as The three talented members of the group -- because they can read music.) The piece (later known as BOGUS POMP), heard here in its world premiere, eventually became part of the score to 200 MOTELS, as did most of the other selections. (Research oriented listeners might want to check out the [[Honker Home Video|HONKER HOME VIDEO]] of [[True Story Of 200 Motels|THE TRUE STORY OF 200 MOTELS]]. If your video retailer doesn't stock Zappa video product, it can be ordered by phone from [[BARFKO SWILL]] -- just call 818 PUMPKIN)  
+
#[[Holiday In Berlin, Full Blown|Holiday In Berlin]] (0:57)
−
 
+
#[[The Rejected Mexican Pope Leaves The Stage]] (2:55)
−
Anyway, while the three talented members of the group attempt to perform [[Prologue (Bogus Pomp)|The Prologue]], Don Preston, in a villains cape and top-hat, sneaks onstage, interrupting their trio with a loud blast of modern electronic music.
+
#[[Undaunted The Band Plays On|Undaunted, The Band Plays On]] (4:34)
−
 
+
#[[Agency Man]] (3:17)
−
The trio protests the interruption, to which Don responds that performance of diatonic music (and eating meat) will preclude them from seeing his aura. They argue that diatonic music is good and his electronic music is horse-shit. He argues that diatonic music is too old-fashioned, and that There must be growth! You've got to eat macrobiotic food -- and study astrology! (It is worth noting that, although the plot was my idea, each band member was responsible for generating his own dialog).
+
#[[Epilogue]] (1:52)
−
 
+
#[[King Kong (1968 - London)|King Kong]] (8:14)
−
This causes the talented trio to quit The Mothers, in order to Form their own band with a lot of discipline. Suddenly, through the magic of stage-craft, their new, disciplined combo (14 members of the BBC symphony) marches on stage, wearing tuxedos, with robot-looking designs painted on their faces. Ian, Bunk and Art put on tuxes, get some bolts and widgits painted on their faces by a roving make-up artist, and take up performance positions within the BBC ensemble.
+
#[[Help, I'm A Rock]] (1:38)
−
 
+
#[[Transylvania Boogie]] (3:07)
−
At this point, Motorhead wanders out, piddling with his tambourine. He sees the BBC disciplined combo, covets their uniforms, and demands to join their group. The ensemble rebukes him because he can't read music. In spite of this, he plans to force his way in.
+
#[[A Pound For A Brown On The Bus|Pound For A Brown]] (6:50)
−
 
+
#[[Sleeping In A Jar]] (2:24)
−
While the orchestra plays [[Like It Or Not|LIKE IT OR NOT]], Motorhead rummages on stage through a pile of musical instrument cases, magically locating a rumpled tuxedo of his own, along with enough grease paint to transform himself into a shabby replica of a robot combo member.
+
#[[Let's Make The Water Turn Black]] (1:51)
 +
#[[Harry You're A Beast|Harry, You're A Beast]] (0:54)
 +
#[[The Orange County Lumber Truck|The Orange County Lumber Truck, Part 1]] (0:47)
 +
#[[Oh No]] (3:22)
 +
#[[The Orange County Lumber Truck|The Orange County Lumber Truck, Part 2]] (10:41)
  
−
Next during the [[The Jimmy Carl Black Philosophy Lesson|JIMMY CARL BLACK PHILOSOPHY LESSON]] we learn that If you wanna get laid after the show, you gotta play rock n roll music an drink beer -- you're not gonna get laid anyway with those uniforms on! He announces his intention to quit The Mothers, planning to make his way into the audience in order to hustle some young ladies. It was my unfortunate duty to remind him that here in London, your'e not gonna get any pussy unless you like a pop star --. The make-up team dresses him up to look like a cross between Donovan and [[Jimi Hendrix]]. With a bottle of beer (DOUBLE DIAMOND) in each hand he charges into the audience.
+
==Release Notes==
  
−
Just a few weeks before this show, the Pope had announced a ban on birth control pills (in spite of the persistent rumors that the Vatican had major financial holdings in a Swiss company that manufactured the little devils). To commemorate this, [[Roy Estrada]] strides on stage wearing a floor length chain-mail dress with enormous aluminum tits, and an ornate Catholic ceremonial head-dress. He is carrying a childs plastic sand bucket filled with SMARTYS (the British equivalent of M&Ms). The inscription on the bucket reads NO MORE UGLY BABIES! While chanting in Latin, he hurls fistfuls of candy into the audience, in lieu of birth control pills.
+
==Liner Notes==
  
−
He approaches Ian in his robotically transformed state and begs for an audition as an opera singer with Ians new group, claiming that he has to leave The Mothers -- he's holding the group back because he's a Mexican (He actually used to think this was true, and told me so on several occasions.
+
==Background Information==
  
−
Ian lets him try out. His selected aria:
+
*Recorded  [[68/10/25 London UK Royal Festival Hall|Royal Festival Hall, London - 25th October 1968]].
−
[[Holiday In Berlin|HOLIDAY IN BERLIN]] (We had just played there a few weeks before, and experienced a riot ). As he finishes, the robot combo boos him. At this point, [[The Rejected Mexican Pope Leaves The Stage|THE REJECTED MEXICAN POPE LEAVES THE STAGE]].
+
*See also: [[Progress? (The Play)]]
  
−
The robots play again and Motorhead, who has completed his disguise attempts to join them, interrupting with a psychotic soprano sax cadenza. The robots blow him away with several ugly chords. Seeking solace with the church he approaches The Rejected Mexican Pope for consolation. The Rejected Mexican Pope responds by attempting anal intercourse. Meanwhile...
+
==Conceptual Continuity==
  
−
During this musical section, [[Don Preston]], chemically altered via macrobiotic snack consumption, is transformed into a Phantom Of The Opera-like monster. While members of the robot combo hiss and boo him, he sneaks around behind the stage set-up, planning a terrible revenge for the rejection of his electronic music. He pounces on the unsuspecting Underwood in the midst of his rapturous piano solo, strangles him, throws him to the floor, and takes his place on the bench. The final revenge? He spews forth a morbidly diatonic piece, entitled [[Agency Man|SELL US A PRESIDENT, AGENCY MAN]].
+
==Versions==
−
 
 
−
Were The Mothers of Invention Ahead of their time? at least in the case of [[Agency Man|AGENCY MAN]] (written in 1967), about [[Ronald Reagan]] running for president. (Since [[Bill Casey]] was Reagan campaign manager, and later became head of the CIA, the idea of a political sales pitch emanating from an agency man takes on a whole new dimension.
 
−
 
 
−
Jimmy Carl, Motorhead, Roy & Bunk are reunited by Dons sentimental stylings. They dance and hug each other, forming a chorus line for backing vocals, while Ian lies in a crumpled heat at the side of the stage. On the downbeat of the [[Epilogue|EPILOGUE]], Ian miraculously returns to life, strangles Don, and hurls him down a flight of steps, regains control of the Steinway and finishes out the show with the orchestra.
 
−
 
 
−
== Conceptual Continuity ==
 
−
 
 
−
== Versions ==
 
  
 
{| {{Versions Table Header}}
 
{| {{Versions Table Header}}
−
| rowspan=6 align="center" | 61
+
| rowspan="9" align="center" | 61
−
| rowspan=6 align="center" | '''1<br/>Original<br/>[[Wikipedia:Stereophonic sound|Stereo]]'''
+
| rowspan="7" align="center" | '''1<br>Original<br>[[Wikipedia:Stereophonic sound|Stereo]]'''
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
−
| align="center" | [[Wikipedia:Compact disc|CD]]
+
| align="center" | {{CD}}
−
| [[Barking Pumpkin]]<br/>D2 74246
+
| [[Barking Pumpkin Records|Barking Pumpkin]]<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|4378142|D2&nbsp;74246}}
 
| 1993-04-20
 
| 1993-04-20
 
| 0013347424620
 
| 0013347424620
Line 97: Line 75:
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | CD
 
| align="center" | CD
−
| [[Zappa Records|Zappa]]<br/>CDZAP 51
+
| [[Zappa Records|Zappa]]<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|746225|CDZAP&nbsp;51}}
 
| 1993-04 or 1993-05
 
| 1993-04 or 1993-05
 
| 5016583605124
 
| 5016583605124
 
| &nbsp;
 
| &nbsp;
−
| UK edition.
+
| UK edition. [[Matrix Numbers|Matrix #]] MAYKING RECORDS CDZAP51 10226331 01 %
 
|-
 
|-
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | CD
 
| align="center" | CD
−
| [[Rykodisc]]<br/>RCD 10559
+
| Barking Pumpkin/[https://www.discogs.com/label/734889-MSI-2 MSI]<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|9711552|MSI&nbsp;80065}}
 +
| 1993?
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| Japanese edition.
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | CD
 +
| [[Rykodisc]]<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|1412669|RCD&nbsp;10559}}
 
| 1995-05-30
 
| 1995-05-30
 
| 0014431055928
 
| 0014431055928
Line 113: Line 99:
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | CD
 
| align="center" | CD
−
| [[VideoArts]]<br/>VACK 5099
+
| [[VideoArts]]<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|8795150|VACK&nbsp;5099}}
 
| 1995-07-26
 
| 1995-07-26
 
| 4988112406933
 
| 4988112406933
Line 121: Line 107:
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | CD
 
| align="center" | CD
−
| VideoArts<br/>VACK 5234
+
| VideoArts<br>VACK&nbsp;5234
 
| 1996-05-30
 
| 1996-05-30
 
| 4988112408340
 
| 4988112408340
 
| &nbsp;
 
| &nbsp;
 
| Japanese edition.
 
| Japanese edition.
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1<br>in 7
 +
| align="center" | CD
 +
| VideoArts<br>VACK&nbsp;5917
 +
| 2007-09-05
 +
| ?
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| Japanese edition, mini-album papersleeve, included in the [[Zappa Box (Later Works)]] set.
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan="2" align="center" | '''2012 Remaster<br>[[wikipedia:Stereophonic sound|Stereo]]
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | CD
 +
| Zappa/[[Universal Music Group|UMe]]<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|4185853|ZR&nbsp;3887}}
 +
| 2012-12-18
 +
| 0824302388723
 +
| &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>.
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | CD
 +
| Zappa/[[Universal Music Group|UMG&nbsp;Intl]]<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|5819127|0238872}}
 +
| 2012-12-18
 +
| 0824302388723
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| EU edition = Zappa/UMe ZR&nbsp;3887, manufactured in Germany.
 
|}
 
|}
 +
 +
==Notes==
 +
 +
<references/>
 +
 +
==See Also==
 +
 +
*[[Weasels Ripped My Flesh]]
 +
*[[Mystery Disc]]
 +
*[[Zappa Box (Later Works)]]
 +
*[[68/10/25 London UK Royal Festival Hall]]
  
 
[[Category:Discography]]
 
[[Category:Discography]]
 
[[Category:Original Albums]]
 
[[Category:Original Albums]]
 +
[[Category:1993]]

Latest revision as of 05:48, 18 December 2022

Album History
Previous Next
Ahead Of Their Time
Released April 1993
See also:
IINK,Patio,KUR
Weasels Ripped My Flesh
Mystery Disc
Zappa Box (Later Works)
68/10/25 concert in London

Players

Tracks

CD

  1. Prologue (Bogus Pomp) (3:07)
  2. Progress? (4:45)
  3. Like It Or Not (2:22)
  4. The Jimmy Carl Black Philosophy Lesson (2:01)
  5. Holding The Group Back (2:00)
  6. Holiday In Berlin (0:57)
  7. The Rejected Mexican Pope Leaves The Stage (2:55)
  8. Undaunted, The Band Plays On (4:34)
  9. Agency Man (3:17)
  10. Epilogue (1:52)
  11. King Kong (8:14)
  12. Help, I'm A Rock (1:38)
  13. Transylvania Boogie (3:07)
  14. Pound For A Brown (6:50)
  15. Sleeping In A Jar (2:24)
  16. Let's Make The Water Turn Black (1:51)
  17. Harry, You're A Beast (0:54)
  18. The Orange County Lumber Truck, Part 1 (0:47)
  19. Oh No (3:22)
  20. The Orange County Lumber Truck, Part 2 (10:41)

Release Notes

Liner Notes

Background Information

Conceptual Continuity

Versions

ZFT # Version # # discs Format Catalog # Release
(YYYY-MM-DD) 		Barcode
(EAN-13) 		Artwork Comment
61 1
Original
Stereo 		1 CD Barking Pumpkin
D2 74246 		1993-04-20 0013347424620   US edition.
1 CD Zappa
CDZAP 51 		1993-04 or 1993-05 5016583605124   UK edition. Matrix # MAYKING RECORDS CDZAP51 10226331 01 %
1 CD Barking Pumpkin/MSI
MSI 80065 		1993?     Japanese edition.
1 CD Rykodisc
RCD 10559 		1995-05-30 0014431055928   US edition. Matrix # IFPI 2U8G WEA mfg. OLYPHANT ifpi L901 W6064 A4 P2 310559-2 01 M1S1
1 CD VideoArts
VACK 5099 		1995-07-26 4988112406933   Japanese edition.
1 CD VideoArts
VACK 5234 		1996-05-30 4988112408340   Japanese edition.
1
in 7 		CD VideoArts
VACK 5917 		2007-09-05 ?   Japanese edition, mini-album papersleeve, included in the Zappa Box (Later Works) set.
2012 Remaster
Stereo 		1 CD Zappa/UMe
ZR 3887 		2012-12-18 0824302388723   US edition, manufactured and distributed by UMe[1].
1 CD Zappa/UMG Intl
0238872 		2012-12-18 0824302388723   EU edition = Zappa/UMe ZR 3887, manufactured in Germany.

Notes

  1. ↑ Email announcement by the ZFT on July 31st, 2012.

See Also

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