Ed Palermo: Toads of the Short Forest
Track
Toads of the Short Forest
Group
The Ed Palermo Big Band
CD
The Ed Palermo Big Band Plays the Music of Frank Zappa (Astor Place 4005)
Musicians:
Ed Palermo (alto sax), Bob Mintzer (tenor sax),
Cliff Lyons, Phil Chester, Chuck Fisher, Jeff Lederer, Al Hunt (reeds); Liesl Whitaker, Jeff Holmes, Jami Dauber, Ronny Buttacavoli (trumpet); Dan Levine, Dale Kirkland (trombone); Jack Schatz (bass trombone), Bob Quaranta (piano), Ted Kooshian (organ), Paul Adamy (electric bass), Ray Marchica (drums)
.Arranged by Ed Palermo. Composed by Frank Zappa
.Recorded: New York, July 10 & 11, 1996
Rating: 90/100 (learn more)
The next time some sourpuss tells you that the big band is dead . . . whip out your copy of The Ed Palermo Big Band Plays the Music of Frank Zappa. Better yet, just cold-cock the guy and keep your copy of this CD. It's too good to share with the naysayers, plastic people, brain police, San Bernardino police department, and other small-minded weasels who wouldn't appreciate a big band unless it had bubbles floating out from behind the bandstand. Ed Palermo takes this song from Zappa's Weasels Ripped My Flesh (but without also borrowing -- alas! -- the stylish Roy Lichtenstein-esque illustration that distinguished this memorable Mothers' release) and reworks it into a smooth band chart. Bob Mintzer high-steps over the 6/8 rhythm with such grace and ease that soon you're forgetting about weasels and toads, and are ready for the TV dinner by the pool.
Reviewer: Ted Gioia
Tags: big band · zappa covers
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