Frank Zappa: A Token of His Extreme DVD

Frank Zappa
A Token of His Extreme
(Eagle Vision)
Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 stars

The first official release of this previously difficult to find 1974 video finds Zappa and his then-Mothers charging through an hour’s worth of material, live in the studio. His extraordinarily talented five piece is a slimmed down version of the Live at the Roxy band and the same musicians who played on fan favorite One Size Fits All from ’75. Animation on one song is courtesy of the amazing Bruce Bickford whose bizarre and intricate stop motion “Claymation” perfectly reflects Zappa’s dizzying sense of tempos and twisted vision.

It’s a treat to see crazed singer/reed player Napoleon Murphy Brock at the peak of his weirdness, clowning around while playing untamed tenor sax. Along with percussionist Ruth Underwood, bassist Tom Fowler, drummer Chester Thompson and keyboardist/singer George Duke, this is arguably Zappa’s finest conglomeration of musicians, which is saying plenty. The special effects are primitive, some of the quick cut editing is annoying and almost impossible to watch. At nearly 12 minutes, “Room Service” is hampered by impromptu foolishness between Zappa and Brock. But this wouldn’t be a typical Frank Zappa gig without his proclivity for excess, which only adds to its charm.

A very cool extra of the Mike Douglas Show from 1976 has Zappa explaining that the video—originally shot as a TV show—was rejected by every American network and syndicator yet was successfully shown in prime time in Europe. Douglas’ other guests were comedian JJ Walker and Kenny Rogers who were probably blown away when FZ soloed with Douglas’ studio orchestra backing him on a jaw dropping instrumental “Black Napkins,” a stunning performance that alone is worth the price of this DVD.

The audio is cleanly remixed stereo and even if the video is on the grainy side, this is a must own for every Zappa fan and a terrific place for newcomers to get a taste of his prodigious talents.