This set works perfectly on a couple of different levels. As an introduction to the "non-serious" part of Frank's World, it's great. While it doesn't have most of the "signature" tracks (Peaches, Montana, Dancin' Fool, Valley Girl, etc.), it gives the needed depth and breadth (Sorry Gail). The Zappa catalog is both vast and varied. So how do you get the guitar playing, arranging, twisted humor, and maybe even a hint of the monsterous line-ups that Frank put together (again and again and again)? There isn't a studio record that can do it, largely because so much of Frank's reputation was built on his live shows.

In two discs, we get a 15 year overview (1969-1984). We get on-the-road-between-show-conversation and on stage rap, covering (ahem) topics from vomiting on stage during a show (The Florida Airport Tape) and various health problems in the band (Diseases Of The Band) to sharing life on the road with groupies (The Groupie Routine, on a far better night than the Filmore record), and what some fans are willing to do to hitch a ride.

And then there's the bands performance, the improvising, and Frank's guitar work. On disc one, "The Mammy Anthem" is pure molten metal. "Big Swifty" is equal parts pulsing jazz track and other worldly guitar solo. The disc closes with a 20 minute version of "Don't Eat The Yellow Snow" that includes an almost out of control audience participation segment that no other musician could ever hope to instigate, let alone pull off.

The highlights on disc two include an absolutely crushing 15 minute version of "The Torture Never Stops" (the original version on "Zoot Allures is pretty darn great too). The three tracks taken from the 1981 MTV Halloween (Dumb All Over>Heavenly Bank Account>Suicide Chump) are over the top. They rock, they swing, they make you laugh, and it's all political.

And that is another facet of Frank's World: Social critic. If you're easily offended, this may not be the disc for you. He gives The Church a pretty thorough hosing. There's "raw" language and sexual references throughout, but by no means gratuitous.

To the merely curious or casual fan, this might be a bit much. Better you find out now, rather than later. This set is an absolute must for any fan of Frank Zappa's rock music. For those interested in Franks electronic/"serious music," check out "The Perfect Stranger." Part electronic, part orchestral, you get a little sample of the other two musical parts of Frank's World. "Jonestown" is one of the most haunting pieces of music I've ever heard.

No, you can't do this on stage anymore. And that is a crying shame.

The ycdtosa series is essential listening for any zappa fans. this is the first installment. it starts off with some dialogue from 1970, then the sofa lecture-straight into conceptual continuity! The flo and eddie version of sofa is beautiful. you can't go wrong with sofa (it also appears in the 2nd disc as the closing song). Then we go forward in time , to 1982 one of frankie's most technically proficient bands. The mammy nuns theme from thing fish, a staggering solo from frank, which is one of the highlights of this album. After a splendid 1980 u didn't try to call me, the 1979 band is introduced to us. They are a sick bunch, with stomach flu, malnutrition and mental health problems but whip up a terrific tryin' to grow a chin anyway. sung by denny walley who fluffs a line at the end! Then we go back to the 60s mothers with a nice medley. they broke up (or frank disbanded them morelike) a few months after this. After some more flo and eddie with the groupie routine, we get a tasty slice of the 73-74 mothers. ruthie-ruthie is a louis-louis type tune, and babette. Then a 73 i'm the slime and a stonking big swifty. Frank solos majestically again and george duke is delightful. The last track on disc 2 is an earth-shattering 1979 yellow snow, complete with audience poetry recitals and the 'rollo' section. great. disc 2 has a terrific plastic people from 69 sung to the louis-louis tune again. fabulous. A 77 torture hits great heights with a 7 minute zappa guitar excursion.(a la rat tomago). a snappy 82 fine girl is followed by a zomby woof from the same gig, with a juicy zappa solo. after some more 1969 treats (oh no and sweet leilani) the 1984 band, the much maligned 84 band, get their moment to shine. we get a bitchin deathless horsie, a hilarious dangerous kitchen and a similarly hilarious be in my video. the 84 band rule. some youarewhatyouis songs from 1981 band. dumb all over-a classic. heavenly bank account and suicide chump too. these were taken from the mtv special. there are more songs from this mtv show in vol 3. to wrap up the 82 band in italy with tell me you love me and the aforementioned sofa . italy 3, west germany 1, and a lot of satisfied customers. Thank you.

They're right, you can't do this on stage any more. This is the best of the amazing series. "Yellow Snow" is incredible. And "Dangerous Kitchen" takes some beating. The two versions of "Sofa" are so different, it gives you a feel for the genius of the guy. You'll probably also like YCDTOSA #2 (Helsinki gig) and YCDTOSA #3 (for the amazing Ike Willis foolishness, and the pastiche-and-patch "King Kong"). But what the hell, buy them all. There will never be another Zappa, and oh, do we miss him now.

I have still yet to hear Vol. 5. However, I risk saying that besides the special case of Vol. 2 (a single concert by the much beloved '74 Mothers), this one is probably the most successfull installment of the series. Read, something for everyone. No matter how you may dislike some Zappa line-up or other, it is unlikely that no part of this double CD at all won't give you immense listening pleasure (if you enjoy Zappa's music, of course). I am tremendously thrilled by the Roxy band (1973) version of "Big Swifty", one of the hottest pieces of jazz-rock music I have ever heard, anywhere... very different from the original studio version. Three words: GEORGE DUKE SMOKES! (And we all know that if Duke smokes, then so will the Zapper!) Spend the dough for this ditty alone, and listen to 'em go... It is that good! I am also fond of the lovely minuet groove of "Once Upon a Time" (a prelude to "Sofa"), with Jim "The Lord" Pons' nasal bass voice that is so funny... The London 1978, 20 minute version of "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow" includes an otherwise unavailable "classical" composition called "Rollo", that features striking 12-tone style vocals by Tommy Mars, and an overall impressive performance by an eight-piece band, half of whom were affected with various road diseases and ailments... That is quite historical and has "MC" Zappa giving one rather snide shot at the English people's eating habits (though one cannot help but question here the American composer's own notorious Wiener-based diet...) and having punters come on stage to recite poetry. Which is... enlightening!... Lastly, I will second the "molten metal" metaphor by the other reviewer with regard to the instrumental "Mammy Anthem", performed as it is in Palermo ('82). That was recorded in the middle of an actual riot in the audience, complete with tear gas bombs (which can be overheard here), that says quite a lot about the band leader's guts and work ethics! One other beautiful tune!

I found it slighty disconcerting to see FZ's music pigeon-holed as "Progressive" on the Amazon website. Zappa has a vast and varied body of work ranging from fusion to 4/4 rock. If you listen closely to the things he did onstage in this compilation you will find this to be true. "The Evil Prince" is a scathing indictment against Android Lloyd Webber and his almost single-handed destruction of the Broadway musical. How can you not laugh when you hear George Duke intone about his "Great plan". When my then wife first heard Volume 1 she said; "How can you listen to that"? I replied how can you not? That was 12 years ago. J.... is long gone. Frank is still here.