I.
Umagumma (Pink Floyd) 1969
What an odd album! Originally intended as a bridge between old and new material (ushering in Atom Heart Mother), Umagumma is IMHO the Floyd's second most underrated album and one of the only official live records of the original quartet with Gilmour.
The second disc is, as it appears, a collection of songs written and executed by individual members. Not many of the studio songs are structured for the whole group. In fact, only Grantchester Meadows and The Narrow Way were played for any length of time on tour (in '69 and '70). Sysyphus was understandably only played live once.[list=1]
Live Disc
[*]Astronomy Domine (Barrett) - 8:29 [*]Careful With That Axe, Eugene (Gilmour/Mason/Waters/Wright) - 8:50 [*]Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun (Waters) - 9:12 [*]A Saucerful of Secrets (Gilmour/Mason/Waters/Wright) - 12:48
Studio Disc
[*]Sysyphus, Pt. 1 (Wright) - 1:08 [*]Sysyphus, Pt. 2 (Wright) - 3:30 [*]Sysyphus, Pt. 3 (Wright) - 1:49 [*]Sysyphus, Pt. 4 (Wright) - 6:59 [*]Grantchester Meadows (Waters) - 7:26 [*]Several Species of Small Furry Animals Grooving in a Cave with a Pict (Waters) - 4:59 [*]The Narrow Way, Pt. 1 (Gilmour) - 3:27 [*]The Narrow Way, Pt. 2 (Gilmour) - 2:53 [*]The Narrow Way, Pt. 3 (Gilmour) - 5:57 [*]The Grand Vizier's Garden Party: Entrance, Pt. 1 (Mason) - 1:00 [*]The Grand Vizier's Garden Party: Entertainment, Pt. 2 (Mason) - 7:06 [*]The Grand Vizier's Garden Party: Exit, Pt. 3 (Mason) - :38 [/list=1]
II.
Zappa In New York [live /w overdubs] (Frank Zappa) 1978
Like 'Studio Tan', 'Orchestral Favorites', & 'Sleep Dirt',
Frank Zappa's 'Zappa In New York' ('78) is one of the seperated pieces of the master-set Läther that Warner Brothers squashed before it ever got released. Recorded at New York City's Palladium in December 1976, this album features one of Zappa's best bands playing some of his most interesting music. It even has Don Pardo!
The one thing I consistently ask myself about Frank Zappa's long career is "How could he record that much music, much less write it?" This album, along with his other live work, adds the question of how in the hell he could get people to perform the music to his exacting standards?
Just watching Terry Bozzio perform the Black Page drum solo is exhausting (and exhillirating). At the same time, you have the other half of the live content like Illinois Enema Bandit, Punky Whips, or Tittles and Beer to liven up the set. As much as I like the instrumentals, you do need a break every once in a while. That's where songs like the excellent interpretation of Cruising For Burgers and Sofa come in. This is yet another great place to get introduced to Frank.
note: There are quite a few 'naughty bits' here. Shoo away the kiddies and bosses, lest you be put to the question![list=1][*]Titties and Beer (Zappa) - 7:35 [*]Cruisin' for Burgers (Zappa) - 9:12 [*]I Promise Not to Come in Your Mouth (Zappa) - 3:31 [*]Punky's Whips (Zappa) - 10:50 [*]Honey, Don't You Want a Man Like Me? (Zappa) - 4:11 [*]The Illinois Enema Bandit (Zappa) - 12:42 [*]I'm the Slime (Zappa) - 4:24 [*]Pound for a Brown (Zappa) - 3:40 [*]Manx Needs Women (Zappa) - 1:50 [*]The Black Page Drum Solo/Black Page #1 (Zappa) - 3:50 [*]Big Leg Emma (Zappa) - 2:17 [*]Sofa (Zappa) - 2:56 [*]Black Page, No. 2 (Zappa) - 5:35 [*]The Torture Never Stops (Zappa) - 12:34 [*]The Purple Lagoon/Approximate (Zappa) - 16:41 [/list=1]