'Let's Make the Water Turn Black' was a true story about two brothers, Ronnie and Kenny Williams - a couple of musicians I knew in 1962 during the early Paul Buff/Pal Records era (it was Ronnie who introduced me to Paul).
It is difficult to describe these guys, their family and their 'hobbies' - so much of it will sound like fiction - however, let me assure you that this has all been documented on tape, in their own words.
After having no contact with Frank for many years, Ronnie reportedly showed up in the front row of a 1975 MOI concert in Pomona, California, yelling, 'Do the song about the boogers,' and was subsequently invited on stage as a special guest.
1968: Essentially performed as on "Ahead of Their Time"- the instrumental version.
1974: Essentially performed as on "Unmitigated Audacity" from Beat the Boots Volume I.
1975: Funky! A whole different arrangement, with a rollicking funk beat. The music is set up in your standard verse/chorus format, with some extra ooh's and aah's, and a musical bridge segueing either into a short Duke or Frank solo after the second chorus. As the solo peters out, the music enters this repetitive yet interesting funk groove, which gradually fades in volume and leads us to the next tune. Quite a shame this one never got released. Even Brock's vocals- which were frequently annoying by this stage in his Zappa career- were all right on this piece. One of the reasons why everyone needs to track down a tape from this tour.
1988: Essentially performed as on MAJNH- the instrumental version- and always performed as part of the Big Medley.
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