- Audio CD (2 Oct 2006)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: Original recording remastered
- Label: Rykodisc
- ASIN: B0000009SU
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Audio Cassette | Vinyl
- Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 95,541 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
Jubilee Offer: Patriotic Classics for £2.50 |
Product details |
Track Listings
| 1. Filthy Habits |
| 2. Flam Bay |
| 3. Spider Of Destiny |
| 4. Regyptian Strut |
| 5. Time Is Money |
| 6. Sleep Dirt |
| 7. The Ocean Is The Ultimate Solution |
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Sleep Dirt was released in 1979, but recorded at different occasions between 1974 and 1976. It's all studio material, with
drummer Chad Wackerman's first contribution to Zappa's music on 3 tracks (of drum over-dubs). 2 tracks feature Terry Bozzio on drums, and 1 features Chester Thompson (+ Ruth Underwood on percussion).
This is NOT a run-in-the-mill 70's rock/blues Zappa album. At times, it's even "jazzy".
All (3) vocal tracks are sung by Thana Harris, who does an excellent job with her wide-ranged (at times "dirty") voice, and gives Zappa's music a new never before introduced fresh flavour, as does the double bass (heard on 3 tracks) played by Patrick O'Hearn, and the acoustic piano of George Duke. The album is a bit short (around 38 minutes), but the intense material saves it. Shorter FZ albums have indeed been released, so at this price it isn't really a problem.
The 3+ minute title track, featuring a less professional recording technique than the other tracks (therefore giving the tune a certain charm), is an acoustic guitar duo by Frank Zappa (on lead) and James "Bird Legs" Youman - a unusually emotional ballad.
Most of the album brings out a side of Zappa's compositional technique that can't be heard anywhere else, so if you are a collector of his albums - GET THIS ONE TOO!
Sleep Dirt is among my top ten favorites. To give you an idea of my judgement, other favorites include "Apostrophie'", "Joe's Garage", "The Yellow Shark", and "Civilization Phaze III".
drummer Chad Wackerman's first contribution to Zappa's music on 3 tracks (of drum over-dubs). 2 tracks feature Terry Bozzio on drums, and 1 features Chester Thompson (+ Ruth Underwood on percussion).
This is NOT a run-in-the-mill 70's rock/blues Zappa album. At times, it's even "jazzy".
All (3) vocal tracks are sung by Thana Harris, who does an excellent job with her wide-ranged (at times "dirty") voice, and gives Zappa's music a new never before introduced fresh flavour, as does the double bass (heard on 3 tracks) played by Patrick O'Hearn, and the acoustic piano of George Duke. The album is a bit short (around 38 minutes), but the intense material saves it. Shorter FZ albums have indeed been released, so at this price it isn't really a problem.
The 3+ minute title track, featuring a less professional recording technique than the other tracks (therefore giving the tune a certain charm), is an acoustic guitar duo by Frank Zappa (on lead) and James "Bird Legs" Youman - a unusually emotional ballad.
Most of the album brings out a side of Zappa's compositional technique that can't be heard anywhere else, so if you are a collector of his albums - GET THIS ONE TOO!
Sleep Dirt is among my top ten favorites. To give you an idea of my judgement, other favorites include "Apostrophie'", "Joe's Garage", "The Yellow Shark", and "Civilization Phaze III".
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I recently upgraded this album from my old vinyl (along with Studio Tan and Orchestral Favourites - I wanted the 'separates' from Läther as I still find the latter too much of a jumble, and the 'separates' always had a nice cohesion, so...)
This used to be a mini-masterpiece of some of Zappa's most exquisite instrumental pieces, all performed meticulously. It still is, but now we have the dubious bonus addition of grating female vocals all over Flambay, Spider of Destiny, and Time is Money. Ruined. Seriously. To me it's an act of vandalism. This new production hugely diminishes a once-fine album, indeed an album that was originally slated to be called Hot Rats III.
Regyptian Strut is still intact, as is the beautiful perverted lullaby Sleep Dirt (three minutes of Zappa soloing on acoustic guitar). Filthy Habits and The Ocean is the Ultimate Solution are also preserved appropriately. These tracks win two stars. The rest can go away - they throw the whole affair off-balance.
Really. Shame.
This used to be a mini-masterpiece of some of Zappa's most exquisite instrumental pieces, all performed meticulously. It still is, but now we have the dubious bonus addition of grating female vocals all over Flambay, Spider of Destiny, and Time is Money. Ruined. Seriously. To me it's an act of vandalism. This new production hugely diminishes a once-fine album, indeed an album that was originally slated to be called Hot Rats III.
Regyptian Strut is still intact, as is the beautiful perverted lullaby Sleep Dirt (three minutes of Zappa soloing on acoustic guitar). Filthy Habits and The Ocean is the Ultimate Solution are also preserved appropriately. These tracks win two stars. The rest can go away - they throw the whole affair off-balance.
Really. Shame.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Most of the tracks on 'Sleep Dirt' (recorded circa 1974-1976) ended up on Zappa's legendary four record masterpiece 'Lather' (1977). The music contained on this album is some of Zappa's most exciting and experimental ideas on record. Combining lavish feedback on 'Filthy Habits' with the cocktail piano jazz of 'Flambay', Zappa creates a patchwork quilt of opposing musical forms sewn together with the unmistakeable thread of his own genius. The title track is a gem for guitarists as it highlights Zappa's unique sense of melody and phrasing within the context of an acoustic guitar duet (with James Youman) and 'The Ocean is the Ultimate Solution' is a vehicle for drummer Terrio Bozzio to get his rocks off on! This album is for anyone with a taste for interesting music. A smashing album from one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A once superb album, sadly spoilt.
I first heard `Sleep Dirt' years ago on a grubby old cassette. I was already an established Zappa fan by then, but I hadn't even heard of this record. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Martin Leitch
poor
Got the vinyl when it was released (years ago, before you were born !!! got it on CD a while ago, VOCALS mmmmmm not sure. Likes it MUCH better as an instrumental album. Read more
Published 7 months ago by mitzi
My Confusion is lifting
I bought this album in 1979. I had seen him live in Edinburgh Playhouse on the tour supporting Zoot Allures the previous year, then came a flurry of albums, Zappa in New York,... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Numinous Ugo
Where did the vocals come from?
Just bought the CD of this record almost 30 years after buying the original vinyl. Where on earth did those horrendous vocals come from? Read more
Published on 13 Dec 2009 by Mahler
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