I recently picked up the Ryko edition. Several of the tracks sound like they have bad tape drop out. Harder Then Your Husband & Coneheads are the worst offenders, but i hear what sounds like tape damage on several tracks.

2 questions:

1. Is this issue only on the Ryko cd or on all editions?

2. Is it indeed tape damage or an intentional effect?

I was also surprised & disappointed by this album which I'd somehow not heard before. Many of the songs are personal favorites from FZ live cd's, but I didn't like the arrangements on this nearly as much.

There are at least two YAWYI Ryco versions. The first one was a poor sounding one - the second much better. The best sounding version was the European EMI version which is now off the market and goes for big bucks. I will have to look to see if the Ryco versions haave different catalog numbers or if there is anyway to tell them apart.

MUCH can be read on this subject in the forum over at zappa.com - this debate raged for years - finally Ryco snuck out the upgrade.

Some folks claim that as FZ got sicker he had some physical problems - it may have effected his hearing or perhaps as he tried to push thru everything to get it all out on "approved masters" that mistakes were made. This was not the only cd that rec'd such complaints - in the end the two or three were all corrected in silence. This was the one that caused the most bitching however...if you ever come across any of the EMI titles (I think there were 4 of them) grab them up - for nothing else they seem to have a high re-sale value.

Robert, thanks that's interesting. Fortunately I only paid $2 for the cd.

Geff,

Look here - http://www.lukpac.org/%7Ehandmade/patio ... index.html. A very detailed comparison of various versions of FZ's stuff.

Robert already gave you the basic info. I'd have to pull my copies out, but as I recall, the catalog numbers are the same. I don't remember if there were different matrix numbers, but according to this site, it looks like the info in the booklet is the determining factor (other than the sound).

And yeah, I have the EMI version, too (at least I think I do - it's too late to run downstairs and check).

Two bucks? Great score! Sides 3 & 4 (from "You Are What You Is" on) are well worth that, even on the defective CD.

It appears i have the 1990. Thanks for the link!

I'll look for a 1998 one.

As much as I love FZ, almost all of my CDs are the original Ryko pressings.....seemed like too much of a headache to me to rebuy 70+ titles over again. I only rebought where original recording were restored - We're Only In It For The Money, Lumpy Gravy - and a couple of others - Overnight Sensation, Apostrophe.....to my lousy ears, I couln't hear much diference between the originals and remasters on these two.

I remember Zappa doing an interview when the first wave of Rykos came out in 1987 or 88. He said that remixing We're Only In It For The Money was a nightmare because there were a million edits on the original. He described having to go back and physically recutting the tape. Sounded like an ordeal. Don't know why Zappa felt the need to remix and re-record old albums. He and George Lucas just can't leave well enough alone, apparently.

Going to see ZPZ Sunday night in Boston. Should be a good show!