A unique once-in-a-lifetime set-up; from the Saturday Night Live band, Lou Marini, Ronnie Cuber, and Tom Malone guest Zappa's band on stage, along with SNL's announcer Don Pardo, jazz-vibraphonist David Samuels, and the Brecker Brothers, at the Palladium in NYC during Christmas week 1976. The rhythm section consists of musicians with more routine in Zappa's music; Ray White (although he was quite new,) Eddie Jobson, Patrick O'Hearn, Terry Bozzio, and faithful percussion virtuoso Ruth Underwood. Aside from some re-arrangements of earlier released tunes, the album featured a lot of new material upon its release, but much of it would be re-recorded and re-released later during the composer's career, so there aren't more than three selections on these two discs that aren't available on other Zappa albums. In their original forms, both "Black Page #1" and "Black Page #2" are included - a nice treat. The overall musicianship on these discs is pretty loose and free, which isn't necessarily always for the better, since the album, aside from "Illinois Enema Bandit," "I'm The Slime," "Big Leg Emma," and "The Torture Never Stops," features very complicated compositions with very specific voicings and rhythmic phrases that call for a nitpicky performance in order to work. It's a shame that Zappa never recorded studio versions of songs like "I Promise Not To Come In Your Mouth," "Honey, Don't You Want a Man Like Me," "Manx Needs Women," and "Approximate" because even if these are fine performances by famous virtuoso musicians, the overall performance comes through a bit hectic and sometimes slightly unorganized due to the possible lack of practice of this particular line-up. A lot of the horn players are sight-reading during the performance.
For dedicated Zappa-fans, owning these discs is definitely a must, but for those less familiar with the FZ universe, who might be looking for great ensemble playing by a Zappa-band from this era, I suggest listening to e.g. the 1975 album "One Size Fits All" before spending money on this one; being familiar with aspects of the FZ universe will help you appreciate this recording. If you have watched and liked the newly released "Baby Snakes" DVD, you certainly should consider adding "Zappa in New York" to your collection.

I was fortunate enough to have seen Zappa in live performances (3)... and actually saw this tour although not in NYC. The first time I saw him live I remember how strange it felt to be digging the music but laughing at the same time as the group went through their performance.. totally cool experience. I still listen to this album a lot..like many Zappa fan's I go throught phases of listening to different pieces of his work.. they're all so good and entertainging.

I was a little supprised that the previous reviewers had not touched on one the most incredible tenor sax solo's to ever be recorded. Michael Brecker absolutely blows you away with this piece (purple lagoon). If this tune does not produce chills down your spine.. there may be no hope for you.

Very nice guitar piece on "pound for a brown" and the "easy teenage New York eversion of the Black Page". At one point in my life I almost exclusively listened to Zappa.. but I'm learning to get a life.

Buy this album and enjoy.

What an amazing talent. So sad that he's gone. This was Frank Zappa at his best in the 1970's. The band's tight, the recording is perfect. And then there's Frank. The funny stuff is really funny (Punky's Whips, The Illinois Enema Bandit) and the guitar is unmatched (The Black Page, I Promise.) The remastered sound is great--has a real kick to it. Zappa fans probably already have this, but the curious to learn what Frank Zappa was like live could do no better than this album.

This is one of Zappa's best albums.

Yes, the lyrics are great on the first disc, but that's not why I think you should buy the album. The music by itself is worth every penny!

Terry Bozio is one of the few drummers I look to for inspiration, and you'll see why. In Punky's Whips, he not only sings lead vocals, but is flipping through the sheet music all while playing amazingly! Zappa's solos are brilliant...and then there's Don Pardo, ex-Jeopardy! voice, who sings on I'm the Slime (and yes, he is the slime).

Now I could go on about Ray White, Eddie Jobson, Patrick O'Hearn, and the rest of the gang, but that would take all the fun out of listening to the album for the first time (and many times after!) and being simply amazed, now wouldn't it?

If you're a Zappa freak this is a great one to add to the collection. Even if you own the albums some these songs are from, you should know that every time the song is played, it's different in one form or another.

If you're a Zappa virgin, then this is a perfect album to buy. Not only do you get a taste of Zappa's humor and improvisation, but you get a mouthful of his musical genius!

Don't think about it, get it. The only reason to not like it, is not having heard it.

This is quickly becoming one of my all time favorite Zappa albums. I am playing the living tar out of it. I never got the original LP, and I'm glad, as this CD version has to be far superior to it. It has 5 bonus tracks, all of which really enhance the album. It's bursting with some great original material (Ti$$ies and Beer, the sensitively titled I Promise Not to Come in Your Mouth, the epic The Purple Lagoon/Approximate, and the hilarious tracks The Illinois Enema Bandit and Punky's Whips), and it has great live versions of classic Zappa. I usually don't like Zappa's "comedy" songs, but Punky's Whips and Illinois Enema Bandit are really funny. Cruisin' for Burgers runs an epic 9 1/2 minutes, with a great guitar solo. It's better than the short version from Uncle Meat. I'm the Slime has a very enthusiastic Don Pardo (from SNL) announcing, and The Torture Never Stops has a much more looser feel to it than on the studio version (and it makes it better). The band is incredibly tight as usual, and the SNL horn section really seems to be enjoying themselves (Zappa got the best out of his musicians). Warner Brothers deleting Punky's Whips for fear of offending Punky Meadows is hilarious (even though it did appear on Baby Snakes shortly after this album). One of Zappa's most brilliant albums....