Frank Zappa’s Orchestral Favorites is set to be released in “audiophile quality for the first time” later this summer, according to a press release sent to mxdwn. The special release comes in honor of the 40th anniversary of Zappa’s Orchestral Favorites. The specialty package comes loaded with a three-disc deluxe edition of Zappa’s music, which includes the original album which has been remastered from master tapes, as well as recordings of a previously unreleased two-hour concert, extensive liner notes and cover art that has been newly created. The album will be produced by Ahmet Zappa, Frank Zappa’s son, and Joe Travers, who has played with Duran Duran.
This re-release and all of the new features are very special and noteworthy as Zappa did not approve of the original release of Orchestral Favorites for a multitude of reasons, including the fact that it was simply dumped to fulfill his contract with his former label without his permission or any sort of quality control. There were no liner notes or credits and Zappa has not approved of the artwork. He even stated that the first releases artwork was not up to his high standards. The first release of Orchestral Favorites received little to no promotion, therefore finding a place in the bargain bin pretty quickly. The Zappa Family Trust is seeking to right the wrongs of the original release with the re-release, even though the Zappa Family Trust has gotten in some trouble recently because of a financial dispute, according to mxdnw.
This has not been the first time Zappa re-released Orchestral Favorites, with the first being in 1991, however, it is noteworthy as the press release states that “the new master finally matched to the project tone reel, this is the first time the album has ever been presented how the late, great artist intended.” The re-release is set to drop on August 30th and can be pre-ordered here.
Orchestral Favorites – 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition Track List
Disc 1 – Original Album
1. Strictly Genteel
2. Pedro’s Dowry
3. Naval Aviation In Art?
4. Duke Of Prunes
5. Bogus Pomp
Bonus Track
6. Strictly Genteel (Keyboard OD Version)
Disc 2 – Performance From September 18, 1975
1. Show Star/Bogus Pomp Explained
2. Bogus Pomp
3. Revised Music For Low-Budge Symphony Orchestra
4. The Story Of Pedro’s Dowry
5. Pedro’s Dowry
6. The Story Of Rollo
7. Rollo
Disc 3 – Performance From September 18, 1975 (continued)
1. Black Napkins Instructions
2. Black Napkins
3. Dog/Meat
4. The Players
5. Naval Aviation In Art?
6. “Another Weirdo Number”
7. Lumpy Gravy (Extract)/Improvisation
8. Evening At The Hermitage
9. “A Special Guest Artist”
10. Duke Of Prunes
11. “Absolutely Disgusting”
12. The Adventures Of Greggery Peccary
13. Strictly Genteel
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