Zappa Plays Zappa (feat. Ray White)
Cain's Ballroom
Tulsa, OK
Aug 13, 2007
written by AJ

They couldn't have picked a better venue. Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa, OK is a musical landmark. Built in the 20s and relevant to nearly every genre of music from jazz and blues to punk rock, its a place musicians and non-musicians alike appreciate but in entirely different ways. The same can be said of Frank Zappa. Even more fitting is that the historic venue recently received an overhaul, restoring and expanding to revive what made the club so important in the past and proving its necessity to the present and future, the task Dweezil Zappa has undertaken with Zappa Plays Zappa.


I find it somewhat funny that the greatest concert I have ever seen in my life would be from something of a tribute band. Now I say tribute band already knowing that's not completely accurate. Zappa Plays Zappa is not just a group of fans with a Frank obsession. Dweezil leads the band of extremely talented young musicians as successfully as he leads the seasoned artists who used to play with his father. Last year's tour featured Zappa members Terry Bozzio and Steve Vai, and the show took a soulful turn this year with the addition of special guest Ray White, who has not lost a bit of his powerful vocals or killer shred-ability since his days with Frank Zappa throughout the 70s and 80s. For anyone who has never heard The Illinois Enema Bandit, all I can say is that it's an absolute must for music fans.


What absolutely floored me about this show was as much the things happening off stage as on stage. The energy in the room was incredible as music fans of all ages (literally...teary-eyed old men and excited children alike) gathered together to celebrate one of the greatest artists in music history. Some were remembering and some were experiencing for the first time, but all looked on with admiration and respect as video of Frank played on the side screen while his son and friends replicated some of his original performances. The faces of the people in the crowd and the people on stage said it all- everyone there was having a uniquely personal emotional experience. That's the power of musical greatness.


Now the show wasn't all a recreation of original performances. Frank appeared on screen from time to time, most notably to perform vocals on Dumb All Over (even in the Bible Belt, the crowd was loving it), however the musicians on stage are more than capable and they riffed, jammed and grooved their way through the nearly 3 hour set, seemingly having the time of their lives. They weren't the only ones. Words cannot fully explain what happened last night, but suffice it to say anyone who believes life-changing performances just don't happen anymore has clearly never seen Zappa Plays Zappa.

Zappa Plays Zappa - Tour De Frank