Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar Some More

When Frank Zappa originally released the Shut Up 'n Play Your Guitar series, it was released as three separate vinyl albums. It was then later put together as a three record set. When the age of the compact disc dawned it allowed the three vinyl set to be turned into two CD's. I have chosen to review the albums in their original forms as individual records instead of as the two disc set that I currently own.

So, let me introduce you to Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar Some More.

The album opens with Variations On The Carlos Santana Secret Chord Progression, which much like the first Shut Up 'n Play Is a great lead of to the album. It's fast, bouncey, really get's the heart pumping, and the title isn't just a catchy gimmick. It really is Zappa sounding like he has unlocked the secret to a Santana solo. In fact I would love to hear Santana do a cover of this track, to get his take on it.

Then it's on to Gee, I Like Your Pants. This is totally 2:32 of some free form Jazz rockin'. It's a great recorded Jam, that just sort of dies out as quickly as it starts up.

Next up is Canarsie, which is musically insteresting. That's about all I really have to say about the song. Even though it's 6:06 for the most part I find it one of the weakest songs on the album. It's way too much on the erratic, experimental, Acid Jazz, for me, and I don't even know if that's the right description, but it's the best I can think of.

Ship Ahoy is beyond words. This song must have been a major influence on Buckethead. I can hear some tricks that Vai pulled. If John 5 has heard and been inspired by this track I'd be amazed. I mean this song is the type of solo, and it's pretty much a solo, even though there is bass and drums, that people should still be talking about today, especially because of how ahead of it's time it was. This is by far the best track on the first side of the album, and one of the best tracks all together. The limited drum work that is on this track is provided by Terry Bozzio. Unlike Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar which had Vinnie Colaiuta playing drums exclusively, this album features Bozzio on two tracks. This one and the last track on the album.

Now, I want to mention that with the two disc CD set I so get to experience something one doesn't often get to experience normally with the digital format. Side one of Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar Some More is on the second half of disc one in the three album / double disc collection, and side two is on the first half of disc two, so it's like flipping the vinyl. It's a nice touch.

The second half of the album opens with a really cool, and cute, background track, that Frank just opens up over top of. The Deathless Horsie is just a great way to open up the second side of the album. The track is a little loose, very wild, and yet so magically orchestrated. It's put together and arranged in a way that let's you enjoy it with the fullest quality.

Next up is Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar Some More and you can totally see where Steve Vai got his influence. Sure he doesn't play on this track, but you'd think that he does. I really can not get over how amazing of a guitar player Frank really was. It's a shame that he was only able to release around sixty-three albums in his short lifetime. It's also a shame that most of the thirty or so albums that have been released since his passing are live albums, because it's tracks like this, that I keep hoping will eventually pop up out of the vault.

Then there is Pink Napkins to finish off the album. It's so sexy, and slinky, and seductive. I believe there are two types of people in the world when it comes to this song's title. Those that automatically jump to the wrong conclusions, which says alot about their mental character. Then there are those that take it at face value which is, according to the historical account, how it should be taken. The song's title was inspired by the napkins at his daughter's party. Either way it doesn't matter, because this song is totally about the music. It's my favourite song on this album. That's what this track is too. It's a song. While Ship Ahoy is an amazing solo and one of my favourite tracks in the entire Guitar series, this is one of the best songs and a great way to close the album.

This is not my favourite album in the series, but it does contain two of the best tracks. If I had to buy the album separately I would and not think twice about it. But I wouldn't like it as much.

8/10 - content

8/10 - production

7/10 - personal bias