If you are not a die-hard fan or only a casual FZ fan, then it is recommended that you wait and purchase this album at a later time.

The two teasures in this album are:

1. "Scumbag" - the infamous Jam between FZ, John Lennon & Yoko Ono from 1971. Lennon put this song on his "Sometime In New York" album but removed Flo & Eddie's backing vocals. This is the original version that the fans were meant to hear.

2. "Billy The Mountain" - This is the 30 minute version that includes the electric piano solo not included in the 24 minute version released on the "Just Another Band From L.A." album. There are also less out-dated references in this version, making this the "superior" version of this story song about a mountain named Billy, his tree-wife Ethel and the disasters and murder they cause. If you're reading this article, you probably already know the story.

The rest contains snippets of dialogue from the Flo & Eddie period of the "Mothers" Band (1970-71) that is somewhat intersting but nothing amazing or essential, save the "Mudshark Interview" with an Edgewater Inn employee that further explains the meaning of the "Mud Shark" dance/song found on the Fillmore East album.

If you hate the Flo & Eddie period of FZ's music, stay away from this one.

If you're just starting your FZ collection this wouldn't be a great place to start, it might put you off. This is music and dialogue snippets from Frank Zappa's 1970-1971 band, which featured flo and eddie, aynsley dunbar, george duke(1970), don preston(1971) jim pons (71) jeff simmons(70) ian underwood, and sometimes bob harris(71). If you don't know much about Frank's various line-ups and their popularity with the fans, well then this particular group is the least popular, and is often joked about and had nasty things said about it by the fans on their web pages or whatever mainly for the presence of flo and eddie who sang with high pitched whiney vocals. Some of this abuse is way over the top especially when you listen to some of the music. The dialogue portions are mildly entertaining, it's better if you've seen 200 motels and are familiar with this band. There is a funny interview with a hotel proprietor concerning mudshark fishing from hotel bedrooms and possible 'acts' with the fish. A few candid tape recorded moments too.

There is quite a bit of music on the album, i reckon about 80 to 90 minutes worth and most of it is excellent. Don Preston shines on minimoog, for example the intro to 'scumbag' also on 'billy the mountain'. Lots of flo and eddie versions of old mothers tunes: 'cruising for burgers', sleeping in a jar, mom and dad, concentration moon, status back baby .A really top Sharleena. If you can come to terms with the singing, these are terrific! Divan is part of the sofa routine, zanti is a sound check , brixton still life is a good guitar solo . Then you have John and Yoko doing their thing, it's a mixed bag. 'well' and 'scumbag' are enjoyable. Then you have yoko ono screeching for about 15 minutes(ok about 3 or 4 minutes, but it seemed like 15). Avant-garde or just poo-poo? Take your pick. CD2 has a majestic billy the mountain. This is an acquired taste but grows on you. It shows how frank could combine comedy routine with great music, and also has don preston solo. Overall it's as good as the other flo and eddie live stuff like filmore 71 and just another band from LA, if not better. I suppose the extra money might be a minus factor, but it's got lots of good bits.

Lukewarm side-project of '92. "Billy the Mountain" is an excellent epic with some on-target comedy for "Funny Zappa" fans but not enough creativity really for "Genius Zappa" fans. Both sections of "A Typical Day On the Road" are only for fans interested in hearing some of the Mothers' unpleasant conversations during their tours. Hardly good listening. "The True Story of 200 Motels" is better, but still...However, along with "Billy the Mountain" there are other standouts on this 2-disc set; "Concentration Moon" and "Mom & Dad" both have excellent live renditions here, and a few of his rare jam sessions will be a real treat for seasoned Zappa veterans. Also of note to Beatlemaniacs (like your's truly) Zappa's promised mix of the "Fillmore East" jam sessions with John Lennon and Yoko are also included. "Scumbag" sounds more complete (you find there are more than "two words" in the song) and all of the tracks sound much cleaner than those on "Sometime in New York City." Zappa's genius pops through occassionally on this album, but it is for the initiated only.

While this CD does contain a seemingly endless collection of intrusive and often oppressive tape recorded snippets from life with the Mothers on the road, this CD is still a MUST for Zappa fans. Why? Three words: Billy the Mountain. This epic half-hour-long tune will take you on a musical journey alonside Billy (an actual mountain) and his wife Ethel (a tree growing out his side) as they spread havoc across America, on their way to New York to collect royalties for all the postcards they's unknowingly posed for. Musically, it is vintage early-70s Zappa, with Flo and Eddie wailing over Frank's bizarre chord progressions and unpredictable rythms, making for a wild, but compelling, musical ride. Billy the Mountain in concert is an experience that is well worth sifting through the less-inspiring content on this CD.

After listening to this once, in the future you will skip most of the spoken parts. The music is great however. Billy is actually better, especially the Studebaker part and the recurring Las Vegas theme. They must have performed it a lot in those days but they were still having fun performing it. No need to buy this with your first 20 Zappa cd's however.