This historic 1980 Munich concert has the distinction of being the first ever live direct to digital stereo recording of Zappa. The show was the last of the Spring/Summer tour with the group playing at peak performance. The entire concert is featured on three 180g audiophile vinyl LP’s and mastered by Bernie Grundman in 2022. The package features photography and memoir from George Alper, who worked for FZ, along with liner notes from Arthur Barrow & Vaultmeister Joe Travers.
The Olympiahalle in Munich set. Produced by Ahmet Zappa and Zappa Vaultmeister Joe Travers, this historically significant release, releasing March 3rd via Zappa Records/UMe, marks the first time that full concerts have ever been released featuring the 1980 line-up of Zappa leading the five-strong band which included the dual vocal attack of Ike Willis and Ray White, Arthur Barrow on bass, Tommy Mars on keyboards, and newcomer David Logeman on drums.
Additionally, this is the first posthumous release of this distinct, brief line-up, as Logeman, who replaced drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, would end up leaving when Colaiuta returned to the band. Previously only two tracks from these shows – “Love Of My Life” from Mudd Club and “You Didn’t Try To Call Me” from Munich – were ever released by Zappa on his CD live series, “You Can’t Do That On Stage Anymore“.
22-track full Munich. The package features cover photography and a host of rare and unseen photos of Zappa and the band members in the accompanying 17-page booklet shot on tour by superfan George Alper. Alper, the son of seminal ’60s photographer Joe Alper, who befriended Zappa and became part of his inner circle in NYC and eventually sold merch on tour, provides some of his personal memories in the extensive liner notes that also includes an introduction from Joe Travers, a detailed track-by-track of the setlists by band member, Arthur Barrow, who also offers up a reminiscence about the tour and 1980 lineup,
The concert at Munich’s Olympiahalle arena was the final show and saw the band firing all on cylinders after three months on the road together. The set, which included most of the songs played at the Mudd Club, was nearly twice as long and also featured such highlights as “Cosmik Debris,” “Dancin’ Fool,” “Pound For A Brown,” “The Illinois Enema Bandit,” and a cover of Tony Allen’s “Nite Owl.” Notably the band played an early rendition of “Pick Me, I’m Clean,” which Zappa would release the following year on the double live album, “Tinsel Town Rebellion“.
Zappa ’80:Munich is an opportunity to experience Zappa and his terrific yet transitory 1980 band playing two fantastic concerts at two very different venues for the first time.
The Fat Angel Sings 