Frank Zappa and the Mothers – Roxy: The Movie
Eagle Rock Entertainment
http://www.eaglerockent.com

Rating: B+

Frank Zappa and the Mothers are the definition of creative thinking way outside of the box!  This was a band that only had limits because in some cosmic way, all things in a three dimensional universe must have limits.  To say Zappa pushed the boundaries of musical exploration is an understatement—and this movie proves it!

Frank and the Mothers had a three-night residency at the Hollywood club The Roxy around 40 years or so, give or take.  The Roxy, while already iconic, only held around 500 people, making any show there have a very personal feel to the audience. 

It was December of 1973 and Frank was in the mood to play guitar.  He shreds on this sucker.  He was also in the mood to squeeze the same passion out of his band.  A true leader in every sense of the word, part of the fun in watching this DVD is witnessing the maestro lead his talented minions through complex musical passages and then not even acting like the band didn’t just do something unique and spectacular!

It’s all in a day’s work for Zappa.  Much of the concert has appeared on other releases, including the 1974 release Roxy & Elsewhere and the You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore series, but this is the first time the show has been released as a feature film. 

"I'm beyond thrilled that Roxy: The Movie is finally going to be available," Zappa's son Ahmet said in a statement. "It took a herculean effort to bring it to life. So much love, time, energy and attention to detail went into its resurrection. This movie rocks so hard, I think both old and new fans will agree."

This is Zappa and the Mothers at their finest.

Buy this one if you’re a Zappa fan for sure, and if you’re ‘Zappa and the Mother curious’, this is a fine place to start your quest!

Roxy: The Movie Track List:
"Cosmik Debris"
"Penguin in Bondage"
"T'Mershi Duween"
"Dog/Meat"
"RDNZL"
"Inca Roads"
"Echidna's Arf (Of You)"
"Don't You Ever Wash That Thing?"
"Cheepnis-Percussion"
"Cheepnis"
"I'm the Slime"
"Big Swifty"
"Be-Bop Tango (Of the Old Jazzmen's Church)"

By Jeb ‘Mother’ Wright