''Philly '76'' is a live album by Frank Zappa, recorded on October 29, 1976 at the

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Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania#Municipalities, largest city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the List of United States cities by population, sixth-largest city i ...

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...

, and released by the Zappa Family Trust on December 21, 2009 to commemorate Frank Zappa's 69th birthday. It is the fourth installment on the Vaulternative Records label that is dedicated to the posthumous release of complete Zappa concerts, following the releases of '' FZ:OZ'' (2002), '' Buffalo'' (2007) and '' Wazoo'' (2007).

History

The live band featured on the recording included Bianca Odin on vocals and keyboards, who only toured with Zappa's band for a few weeks in the fall of 1976. One cut from this concert ("

Wind Up Workin' in a Gas Station "Wind Up Workin' in a Gas Station" is the opening song on Frank Zappa's 1976 album ''Zoot Allures''. The song contains a fake German accent from Zappa as a result of Zappa's fascination with the German culture. In concert, the extensive repetitio ...

") was released on '' You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 6'' in 1992. Prior to the release of ''Philly '76'', no other recordings featuring Bianca Odin had been officially released. Also appearing for the first time on the album are a performance of " Stranded in the Jungle" (originally recorded in 1956 by the Jay Hawks, later covered by The Cadets,

Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen were an American rock band founded in 1967. The group's leader and co-founder was pianist and vocalist George Frayne IV, alias Commander Cody (born July 19, 1944 in Boise, Idaho, died September 26, 2021 ...

and the New York Dolls, and included in the non-Zappa Family Trust release ''Frank Zappa's Jukebox'') and a verse of lyrics in "Titties 'n Beer" not included in previously released versions of the song, which illuminates Zappa's original title for the song, "Chrissy Puked Twice".

Critical reception

Critics regard Philly '76 as a unique entry in the Zappa discography, largely due to Lady Bianca. Michael Schell wrote "It's hard to overstate just how significant her presence is in mitigating the most troublesome effects of Zappa's lyrics. Simply having a woman singing the lead on a track like Dirty Love dramatically softens its impression compared to Zappa's own snide and rather sinister-sounding delivery on other albums…Black Napkins is special thanks to Bianca's wordless voice solo, distinguished by her rapid shifts from chest to head voice, and even a few multiphonics. It's the only Zappa track I can think of with this kind of prominent jazz-style solo from a female singer." Progarchives.com concluded "Bianca's gospel tinged vocals add much to songs like Dirty Love…The set is weighted toward Zappa's pop side, with the only true prog moments being The Purple Lagoon. While I wouldn't recommend this as a Zappa starting point, it is an excellent addition to a collection."

Track listing

Musicians

* Frank Zappa – lead guitar, vocals * Bianca Odin – vocals, keyboards *

Ray White Ray White (full name Ray Shirley White Sr) is an American soul vocalist and rock and blues guitarist, best known as a member of Frank Zappa's touring ensembles. He was drafted into Zappa's band in late 1976, being featured on rhythm gu ...

– rhythm guitar, vocals *

Eddie Jobson Edwin "Eddie" Jobson (born 28 April 1955) is an English musician noted for his use of synthesizers. He has been a member of several progressive rock bands, including Curved Air, Roxy Music, U.K. and Jethro Tull. He was also part of Frank Zap ...

– keyboards, violin * Patrick O'Hearn – bass, vocals *

Terry Bozzio Terry John Bozzio (born December 27, 1950) is an American drummer best known for his work with Missing Persons and Frank Zappa. He has been featured on nine solo or collaborative albums, 26 albums with Zappa and seven albums with Missing Perso ...

– drums, vocals

References

{{Authority control Frank Zappa live albums 2009 live albums