FZ album(s) in which song has appeared

• The Crux Of The Biscuit (2016) as Energy Frontier (Bridge), recorded at Electric Lady, NYC, November 8, 1972
  • parts of the same version, with overdubs, on The Crux Of The Biscuit (2016) as Apostrophe' (Mix Outtake)
    • same version, shorter edit, on Apostrophe (') (1974) as Apostrophe'
      • same version on Zappa en la Radio (1997)
      • same version on Zappa Picks By Jon Fishman Of Phish (2002)
      • same version on Jack Bruce Can You Follow? (6 CD, Esoteric Recordings ECLECBOX 1, June 23, 2008)

Tour(s) on which song is known to have been performed (main source: FZShows, v. 7.1)

• June-August, 1974 (MOI)—known performances: 4
• September-October, 1974 (MOI European Tour)—known quotations: 1
• October-December, 1974 (MOI)—known performances: 2
• April-May, 1975 (MOI with Captain Beefheart)—known performances: 3
• September-December, 1975 (MOI)—known performances: 6
• August-October, 1978 (Europe & North America)—known quotations: 1
• October-December, 1984 (North America)—known performances: 6

Comments

Foggy G, "The Songs That Were Played," We're Only In It For The Touring

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.