The highlight of this 6 CD set is the first part, a long awaited release of a concert with the spring 1974 Mothers, the 10th anniversary of the Mothers tour. Edinboro, PA 8 May 1974:
Don't be sad over the absense of percussionist Ruth Underwood here, She had obviously other things to attend to. On the good side is that we now get three horn players (Walt Fowler, Bruce Fowler and Napoleon Murphy Brock). We get the two drummers Chester Thompson and Ralph Humphrey. We get Jeff Simmons on rhythm guitar, and both George Duke and Don Preston on keyboards.
This band is very funky and powerful. Also appreciated is the fact that they haven't started to joke around and play the songs too damn fast. Highlights of this show: Pygmy Twylyte, Dupree's Paradise (so much better than the lame version on YCDTOSA Vol.2), the 60's medley (a lot better than the way some of these tunes were played on FZ:OZ). It is also interesting to hear the guitar solo on Son Of Orange County that in edited shape ended up on Roxy & Elsewhere. An example of Zappa's best editing work.
Erie, PA 12 November 1974:
This is a show features the same band as in Helsinki 1974 (YCDTOSA Vol.2). A great band but unfortunately they play some of the songs too fast. Is that a sign of getting tired of the repertoire after long and extensive touring? And since the band now has only one horn player (Brock) and one drummer (Thompson) some of the funky feel is lost although George Duke does his best.
Erie, PA 12 November 1976:
This is the same lineup as on the album Philly '76 and it's pretty much the same repertoire too. It's not bad but the sound quality on Philly '76 is just better, and maybe the performance too.
Summary: Don't let my opinion on the latter two shows mislead you. This release is definately worth checking out...through streaming service or even buying the 6 CD set. It's just that the Erie, November 74+76 shows do not add too much that has not been released before, BUT the lineups are terrific and one Zappa show is never exactly the same as another one. And last: The Erie 6 CD set has a bunch of bonus tracks from other concert dates.
Sigurd Huckle, Radio Dupree
