It's Wednesday and I'm still peeping into an empty mailbox.Where is my copy of Joe's Menage featuring Norma Jean Bell? Well, it gives me time to wonder about the few female musicians that Frank had in his band.
Percussionist Ruth Underwood may be the most well known, and we also have Nigey Lennon wo popped up in the 90's and claimed she had played several gigs with Frank ca 1971. But the one I'd like to hear more of is Lady Bianca, the vocalist that was in Frank's band during the fall '76 tour. Unfortunately Frank did release only one song featuring Lady Bianca, Wind Up Working In A Gas Station (You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore - Vol. 6). Now that performance sure has some energy!
We have also heard an audience recording of another show, that is really exciting. Bianca added something extra, beside her abilities as a vocalist she allowed Frank to put up more of a rock theatre where Bianca could play the female role in the songs, maybe that was the reason why she left the tour after just a couple of weeks. On the audience tape one can hear hecklers shouting sexistic comments on Lady Bianca. When she left the band did not sound the same, (still one of Frank's best we would say).
So, hey Gail Zappa, it would be really cool if you decided to release an entire concert featuring Bianca! I'll order it just as fast as I ordered Joe's Menage.
(But where the heck is it?)
6 comments:
Joe´s Menage har fastnat i tullen...har fått vänta evinnerliga tider för att det svenska tullverket lagt vantarna på just mitt lilla paket med cd:s eller dvd:er. Lagom kul.
Hi Peter, your package got stuck at the customs office? If I'm unlucky that is the case for me too. &%/#! Not only will I then have to pay extra (customs fee), but I will also have to wait even longer to get the CD...
//Siggy
This appears to be Bianca's myspace page
here.
Granted I'm just North of L.A. (under a 1000 miles), but I'm no longer watching my mail box for my CD. There are some grainy (similar to Roxy Live and Elsewhere cover) but nice photos of this line up with Bianca. I need to help the family with dinner, but I will sneak down and pop this in later tonight. Can't wait.
Gee, we're jealous...
On Monday we will be sitting on the Radio Dupree porch chanting "please, mr postman".
/Siggy
PS. You meant Norma Jean Bell, not Bianca, right? Freudian slip I guess.
Not Freudian, just old age.
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