1973 (Feb-Sep): This version is essentially the same as the overproduced "Roxy and Elsewhere" performance, though quite a bit slower, and with the addition of a new, rather out-of-place intro and outro. The tune begins with a melodic instrumental section very reminiscent of the opening theme to "Down in de Dew" off the "Lather" album. After the theme, the vocal section proceeds as on "Roxy", with Duke handling the vocal chores and sounding remarkably like Ike Willis during his Fall '78 "Village of the Sun" duties. The opening theme reappears at the conclusion of the lyrics, appearing in a somewhat mutated version, and serving as the outro for the song. Eventually, this outro is dropped, and we get the Roxy segue into "Echidna's Arf".
1973 (Oct-Dec): This version is essentially the same as the overproduced "Roxy and Elsewhere" performance, though somewhat slower, and with the addition of a new, rather out-of-place intro and outro. For the majority of the tour, the tune begins with a melodic instrumental section very reminiscent of the opening theme to "Down in de Dew" off the "Lather" album. I would not be surprised if this intro actually served as the inspiration for that tune, as the two pieces are remarkably similar. This theme, appearing in a somewhat mutated version, also serves as an outro for several shows early in the tour, before the tune ends coldly. Eventually, this outro is dropped, and we get the Roxy segue into "Echidna's Arf". Both Duke and Brock handle the vocal chores.
1974 (Feb-Mar): This version has two major differences, both of which are found in the strictly instrumental portions of the song. The opening segment sounds altogether different, though it is essentially a rearranged version of the Fall '74 opening segment. It starts off with some random band yelling, before a slow buildup of drums and horns. FZ then steps in, tearing off some licks, with the band solidifying into a brief Disney-esque funk groove. Once the groove is established, the band segues into the main theme as heard on YCDTOSA II. This drops us into the vocal section, which is the same as the Fall '74 version, just not as hectic. Once we get to the solo section, things get weird once again. Brock yells "Mary", there are several seconds of arranged confusion, and a new funk vamp is established. Either Duke or FZ take a very short solo, the two of them trade licks, the band plays a mutated version of the opening theme, and we then return to the closing vocal section. The conclusion of the song is then essentially the same as on the Helsinki show, except for an abruptly performed ending. An interesting version, but inferior to all other "Village" renditions.
1974 Jul-Dec: Played as on YCDTOSA Volume II, with the only improv occurring in Brock's solo (and even then...).
1978: Essentially performed as on "Saarbrucken" from the Beat the Boots Volume I. This version is more akin to the Fall '73 performances- as found on "Roxy and Elsewhere"- than to the more recently performed Fall '74 version. Unlike that later, hyperactive rewrite, the Fall '78 "Village" is taken at a much slower pace, with just enough room left at the end for a casual keyboard or guitar solo.
1979: This treat pops up as an encore one time only this tour, during the simply insane final show of the tour. It is essentially performed as on the previous tour (as heard on "Saarbrucken" from the Beat the Boots Volume I), with a laid back keyboard solo serving as the climax. This version is more akin to the Fall '73 performances- as found on "Roxy and Elsewhere"- than to the more recently performed Fall '74 version. Unlike that later, hyperactive rewrite, this "Village" is taken at a much slower pace, with just enough room left at the end for the casual keyboard stroll.
| August, 1973 (Road Tapes, Venue #2, 2013) | October, 1973 (Halloween 73, 2019) | December, 1973 (Roxy By Proxy, 2014) | December, 1973 (Roxy & Elsewhere, 1974; Zappa Records, 1992) | September, 1974 (YCDTOSA2, Rykodisc, 1988) | September, 1978 (Chicago '78, 2016) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intro #1 | 1:07-1:53 | 0:00-0:36 | ||||
| Intro #2 | 0:00-0:11 | 0:53-1:04 | 0:00-0:10 | |||
| Intro #3 | 0:00-0:16 | |||||
| Approximate | 0:16-0:26 | |||||
| Part A | 1:53-3:15 | 0:36-1:54 | 0:11-1:25 | 1:04-2:19 | 0:26-1:15 | 0:10-1:15 |
| Part B | 3:15-3:55 | 1:54-2:38 | 1:25-2:06 | 2:19-3:01 | 1:15-1:43 | 1:15-1:52 |
| Cue #1 | 1:43-1:48 | |||||
| Intro #3 (vamp #1) | 1:48-2:34 | |||||
| Break #1 | 2:34-2:42 | |||||
| Intro #3 (vamp #1) | 2:42-2:49 | |||||
| Break #2 | 2:49-2:53 | |||||
| Intro #3 (vamp #1) | 2:53-3:01 | |||||
| Approximate | 3:01-3:04 | |||||
| Part A | 3:55-5:12 | 2:38-3:57 | 2:06-3:21 | 3:01-4:17 | 3:04-4:04 | 1:52-3:06 |
| Intro #1 | 5:12-5:40 | 3:57-4:13 | ||||
| Finale #1 | 4:04-4:33 | |||||
| Finale #2 (vamp #2) | 3:06-9:15 |
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