Frank Zappa’s Unreleased Concert Special Set for May 9 Launch
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Synopsis
Frank Zappa's unreleased concert special, filmed at Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, is finally set to premiere on May 9 after 50 years. Directed by Ahmet Zappa, the special titled 'Cheaper Than Cheep' includes a deluxe box set featuring exclusive content.
Key Takeaways
- Frank Zappa's unreleased concert from 1974 is launching.
- The event was filmed at Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood.
- The concert features performances by the Mothers of Invention.
- 'Cheaper Than Cheep' will be available in various formats.
- Deluxe box set includes rare images and liner notes.
Los Angeles, April 26 (NationPress) The legendary guitarist Frank Zappa’s long-awaited concert special, filmed at Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California, is finally set to premiere after half a century.
Frank Zappa’s previously unaired concert special is scheduled for release on May 9.
In June 1974, Zappa and his band, the Mothers of Invention, hosted a select audience at their rehearsal space on Sunset Boulevard. They performed for over two hours while a small film crew documented the event, accompanied by a mobile recording truck for audio capture. Unfortunately, the audio and video did not sync properly, as reported by Variety.
Consequently, the concert that Zappa intended to pitch to TV networks was never released—until now, as the special titled ‘Cheaper Than Cheep’ is set to drop on May 9 through Zappa Records/UMe.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we’d like to welcome you to the world’s cheapest television special, which is being manufactured for your edification right here in the midst of our Mothers of Invention rehearsal hall at 5831 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, California,” Zappa states in the footage. “Can you all turn around and look at each other so everybody who’s watching this can tell where we are and what the inside of this place really looks like? As you can see, it’s cheaper than cheap.”
According to Variety, the special is directed by Ahmet Zappa and produced by Frank Zappa, Vaultmeister Joe Travers, and Ahmet Zappa. ‘Cheaper Than Cheep’ will be available exclusively on Zappa.com, uDiscover Music, and Sound of Vinyl in multiple formats.
A Blu-ray version of the ‘Cheaper Than Cheap’ concert film will be sold as part of a deluxe box set that includes a 2CD and 3LP of the performance.
The box set also features a comprehensive 12-page booklet with rare images and insightful liner notes from Travers, along with a heartfelt tribute from musician Ruth Komanoff Underwood, who played percussion that night.
The Blu-ray will include four bonus features: two additional performances, a blooper reel, and a substantial excerpt from the out-of-print Claymation film, ‘The Amazing Mr. Bickford’. Other options include a Blu-ray video and a 2CD set, in addition to a standalone soundtrack on 180-gram 3LP black vinyl.
