Description
The Road Tapes Series focuses on audio from the Vault that is historical yet sonically less than stellar. Described by the man himself as 'Guerilla Recordings,' Frank Zappa tried to document every performance.

Road Tapes, Venue #1, 1st in the series, takes us to summertime 68, Vancouver, B.C., where the Mothers of Invention played Kerrisdale Arena to an enthusiastic crowd. Captured on mono reel-to-reel, the concert is inspired and showcases a mixture of classic Mothers & live improvisations.

Road Tapes, Venue #2 takes us back to August '73 in Helsinki, Finland. The performances, compiled from 3 shows at Finlandia Hall, are recorded by engineer Kerry McNabb while on his first tour with FZ. This band consists of a lineup that is often regarded as one of FZ's finest. Stars like George Duke, Jean Luc Ponty and Ruth Underwood shine. The compositions become increasingly challenging yet still maintain the humor expected at a live Zappa show. A potent and rewarding release.

Road Tapes, Venue #3 features two complete shows from Tyrone Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, MN. The July '70 Mothers line-up featured Flo & Eddie, George Duke, Ian Underwood, Aynsley Dunbar & Jeff Simmons. FZ's vast Vault does not contain many full shows from this time period, so that alone makes this release a special one. The tapes were recorded to stereo reel-to-reel, but not without problems. Due to their historical relevance, we felt it was worth it, warts 'n all! Venue #3 does not disappoint.

Road Tapes, Venue #1
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A9V0M8U/?tag=imwan-20

Road Tapes, Venue #2
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007I5FJZQ/?tag=imwan-20

Road Tapes, Venue #3
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ETCY8L6/?tag=imwan-20

Apparently #3 is going straight to general release - it's not on zappa.com. Which explains why I couldn't figure out how I missed it. If I don't see it, usually Robert clues me in here.

Road Tapes, Venue #3
Tyrone Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis, MN (5 July 1970)

CD1
Show 1

1. Tyrone Start The Tape
2. King Kong
3. Wonderful Wino (Zappa/Simmons)
4. Concentration Moon
5. Mom & Dad
6. The Air
7. Dog Breath
8. Mother People
9. You Didn't Try To Call Me
10. Agon - Interlude (Stravinsky)
11. Call Any Vegetable
12. King Kong / Igor's Boogie
13. It Can't Happen Here
14. Sharleena

Show 2

15. The 23rd "Mondellos"
16. Justine (Harris/Terry)

CD2
Show 2, continued

1. Pound For A Brown
2. Sleeping In A Jar
3. Sharleena
4. "A Piece Of Contemporary Music"
5. The Return Of The Hunchback Duke (incl.: Little House I Used To Live In, Holiday In Berlin)6. Cruising For Burgers
7. Let's Make The Water Turn Black
8. Harry, You're A Beast
9. Oh No/Orange County Lumber Truck
10. Call Any Vegetable
11. Mondello's Revenge
12. The Clap (Chunga's Revenge)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ETCY8L6/?tag=imwan-20

These 3 and the Lumpy Money Box are all set for re-release

This was news to me The first official release of the 1970 band (Flo & Eddie/George Duke/Jeff Simmons)
This is the show (a portion of King Kong from where the Nancy & Mary Music comes from.

They have said the comng "soons" include

The Rage & Fury
Zappa jam with Pink Floyd 1969
Hot Rats Project Object
Uncle Meat Project Object
another Petite Wazoo release

What I find amazing is these vault releases are all unique and none of them as of yet include any of the 800 plus concerts traded over the years among collectors

Sounds like I'll finally be getting the Lumpy Money box...

You my friend will not be sorry. It's fantastic.

Are these only going to be available through UMe in the U.S.? I have all the general release Zappa titles, but very few of the Barfko-Swill releases because the international shipping is insane. Like $60 for three CDs. So I've picked a few up used and from Amazon Marketplace sellers. I'd love to just be able to order them domestically, but Amazon.ca isn't showing these releases yet. Fingers crossed that these will come out here. And they expand to all the titles.