Jazz from Hell

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Jazz from Hell
Studio album by Frank Zappa
Released	November 15, 1986
Recorded	1980; 1985 - 1986
Genre	Computer music, Experimental Rock
Length	34:26
Label	Barking Pumpkin Records Capitol Records
Producer	Frank Zappa
Professional reviews
All Music Guide link Rolling Stone (favorable) link
Frank Zappa chronology
The Old Masters Box Two (1986) Jazz from Hell (1986) London Symphony Orchestra, Vol. 2 (1987)

Jazz from Hell is an instrumental album from Frank Zappa. It was released in 1986 by Barking Pumpkin Records (vinyl) and by Rykodisc (CD). All compositions were executed by Frank Zappa on the Synclavier DMS with the exception of "St. Etienne."

"While You Were Art II" is a Synclavier performance based on a transcription of Zappa's improvised guitar solo on the track "While You Were Out" from the Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar album. The unreleased original Synclavier performance was done using only the unit's FM synthesis, while the recording found here was Zappa's "deluxe" arrangement featuring newer samples and timbres.

In the initial Europe CD release, the album was featured as the second album on a "two for the price of one compilation," with nine tracks from Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of Prevention on the same disc.

Zappa won a 1988 Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance for this album.

"Night School" was possibly named for a late-night show that Zappa pitched to ABC; the network did not pick it up. A music video was made for the song.

"G-Spot Tornado," assumed by Zappa to be impossible to play by humans, would be performed by Ensemble Modern on the concert recording The Yellow Shark. The track ends in nearly two minutes of applause.

Although an instrumental album, Meyer Music Markets sold Jazz from Hell featuring an RIAA Parental Advisory sticker.^[1]

Contents 1 Track listing 1.1 Side one 1.2 Side two 2 Personnel 3 References

[edit] Track listing

All compositions written and arranged by Frank Zappa.

[edit] Side one

1. "Night School" – 4:47
2. "The Beltway Bandits" – 3:25
3. "While You Were Art II" – 7:17
4. "Jazz from Hell" – 2:58

[edit] Side two

1. "G-Spot Tornado" – 3:17
2. "Damp Ankles" – 3:45
3. "St. Etienne" – 6:26
4. "Massaggio Galore" – 2:31

[edit] Personnel

• Frank Zappa – Lead Guitar, Synclavier
• Steve Vai – Guitar (Rhythm), Guitar
• Ray White – Guitar (Rhythm), Guitar
• Tommy Mars – Keyboards
• Bobby Martin – Keyboards
• Ed Mann – Percussion
• Scott Thunes – Bass
• Chad Wackerman – Drums
• Bob Rice – Computer Assistant
• Bob Stone – Engineer
• Greg Gorman – Cover Photo

[edit] References

v • d • e Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention Main albums Freak Out! • Absolutely Free • We're Only in It for the Money • Lumpy Gravy • Cruising with Ruben & the Jets • Uncle Meat • Hot Rats • Burnt Weeny Sandwich • Weasels Ripped My Flesh • Chunga's Revenge • Fillmore East - June 1971 • 200 Motels • Just Another Band from L.A. • Waka/Jawaka • The Grand Wazoo • Over-Nite Sensation • Apostrophe (') • Roxy & Elsewhere • One Size Fits All • Bongo Fury • Zoot Allures • Zappa in New York • Studio Tan • Sleep Dirt • Sheik Yerbouti • Orchestral Favorites • Joe's Garage • Tinseltown Rebellion • Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar • You Are What You Is • Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch • The Man from Utopia • Baby Snakes • London Symphony Orchestra, Vol. 1 • Boulez Conducts Zappa: The Perfect Stranger • Them or Us • Thing-Fish • Francesco Zappa • Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of Prevention • Does Humor Belong in Music? • Jazz from Hell • London Symphony Orchestra, Vol. 2 • Guitar • You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 1 • You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 2 • Broadway the Hard Way • You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 3 • The Best Band You Never Heard in Your Life • You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 4 • Make a Jazz Noise Here • You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 5 • You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 6 • Playground Psychotics • Ahead of Their Time • The Yellow Shark Posthumous albums Civilization Phaze III • The Lost Episodes • Läther • Mystery Disc • Everything Is Healing Nicely • FZ:OZ • Halloween • Joe's Corsage • Joe's Domage • Joe's XMASage • Imaginary Diseases • Trance-Fusion • Buffalo • The Dub Room Special • Wazoo Compilations Mothermania • The Guitar World According to Frank Zappa • Strictly Commercial • Frank Zappa Plays the Music of Frank Zappa: A Memorial Tribute • Have I Offended Someone? • Strictly Genteel • QuAUDIOPHILIAc • The Frank Zappa AAAFNRAA Birthday Bundle Box sets The Old Masters Box One • The Old Masters Box Two • The Old Masters Box Three • Beat the Boots • Beat the Boots II • The MOFO Project/Object Films and videos 200 Motels • Baby Snakes • The Dub Room Special • Video from Hell • Does Humor Belong in Music? • The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels • The Amazing Mr. Bickford • Uncle Meat Related articles Cultural references to Frank Zappa • Frank Zappa discography • The Real Frank Zappa Book • The Rage and the Fury • Dance Me This • Zappa Plays Zappa