1974
This tune was only played several times on this tour, one of the performances being Halloween with Bruce Fowler, and another being 11/23/74, which was, of all shows, the one with Mike Erso on bass (see BAND MEMBERS for details on this). For the shows other than Halloween, the tune is essentially performed as it is on the album- a little rougher around the edges, obviously- with Frank solo only. The Halloween version is especially sweet, though, as it segues out of a Bruce Fowler led "Big Swifty". This holiday version of "Apostrophe" sounds somewhat different than the original, in that there appear to be more written parts. As performed here, the song reminds me of "Son of Mr. Green Genes", with written parts interspersed with solo sections. The 10/31 version is not the monster that "Son" is, but it does have that sort of feel to it.1975 Apr-May
Performed at least twice on this tour (5/13 and 5/23), both times erupting out of the chaotic opening improv of each show. It is essentially performed as on "Apostrophe", with Fowler going heavy on the bass after the main theme, and Frank and his solo carrying us through the remainder of the tune. Whether it be this tour, or Fall '74, or, ahem, even the '84 tour, this is one continually great live number, and another candidate for the "Why isn't this on the Stage series?" awards.1975-76
Essentially performed as on "Apostrophe", allowing for obvious differences in instrumentation. This tune appears several times early in the tour, erupting out of the opening jams that opened each show. As on the album, we get a heavily distorted bass solo starting off the solo section, followed by a typically hot Frank solo.1984
Performed several times as a show opener throughout the tour. Essentially, a typically sterile version of the main theme with a Frank Zappa solo. Not really a jam as the studio version is, or as the handful of '75 performances felt like, but simply a vehicle for an opening guitar solo. Great to hear, just not mindblowing.
Research by Tan Mitsugu, Charles Ulrich and Patrick Buzy
Whilst in the USA I also played a session with Frank Zappa and Jim Gordon that ended up on Frank's album "Apostrophe". We had met before and he suggested that it might be fun to work together. For that session he originally wanted me to use a cello on the track, but as my instrument was back in London he hired one from a company in New York. It was so bad that I couldn't use it. That's when he suggested doing something with me playing my EB 3 bass and the track "Apostrophe" came out of that.
Q. Where'd you run into Jack Bruce? How did you decide to record with him?
FZ. I met Jack in 1967 when we were working at the Garrick Theater in New York. And I've seen him on and off since that time and when that track was recorded I was traveling around with a ten-piece group of which Jim Gordon was drummer.
Q. You're talking about APOSTROPHE?
FZ. Yes. Well, Jim Gordon was a friend of his and when we were in NY we went to see the concert of Bruce, West and Laing at Radio City Music Hall and so after the concert we went over to his hotel and talked for a while and he had the day off and we had the day off, so he decided to go into the studio and jam.
11/06/72 - 'Radio City Music Hall' New York, New York
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