The Grand Wazoo

The Grand Wazoo is the eleventh album by The Mothers, sixteenth overall by Frank Zappa, released in November 1972. It was written and recorded during Zappa's period of convalescence after being assaulted in December 1971 in London, UK.

Overview

Along with its predecessor Waka/Jawaka, this album represents Zappa's foray into big band music, the logical progression from Hot Rats . This was the last release on Zappa's own Bizarre Records label.

Recording and production

This was the second Zappa album released in a period where he needed to use a wheelchair. Zappa was unable to tour after being assaulted and pushed offstage into an orchestra pit during a concert on December 10, 1971, at the Rainbow Theatre in London, UK.
The album is mostly made up of instrumental pieces, similar in style to those of three previous albums: Hot Rats, Burnt Weeny Sandwich, and Waka/Jawaka.

Track listing

Personnel

Musicians

; "The Grand Wazoo" and "For Calvin "

Mike Altschul - woodwind
Billy Byers - trombone
Joanna Caldwell - woodwind
Earl Dumler - woodwind
Aynsley Dunbar - drums
Tony Duran - guitar
Erroneous - bass
Alan Estes - percussion
Fred Jackson - woodwind
Sal Marquez - vocals, trumpet
Malcolm McNab - brass
Janet Neville-Ferguson – vocals
Tony "Bat Man" Ortega - woodwind
Don Preston - minimoog
Johnny Rotella - woodwind
Ken Shroyer - brass, "contractor and spiritual guidance"
Ernie Tack - brass
Frank Zappa - guitar
Bob Zimmitti - percussion

; "Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus"

Mike Altschul - woodwind
"Chunky" - vocals
George Duke - keyboards, vocals
Erroneous - bass
Aynsley Dunbar - drums
Sal Marquez - brass
Ken Shroyer - trombones
Frank Zappa - vocals, guitar

with:

Ernie Watts - C Melody Saxophone solo

; "Eat That Question"

Mike Altschul - woodwind
George Duke - keyboards
Aynsley Dunbar - drums
Erroneous - bass
Sal Marquez - "multiple toots"
Joel Peskin - woodwind
Frank Zappa - guitar, percussion