Zappa Plays Zappa Tickets

First of all, the line-up: Scheila Gonzalez is the only band member, apart from Dweezil, remaining from the 2008 double DVD of the Portland concert, and those two are the definite stars of the show. Band is also smaller in size (6), with no 2nd guitar and no "special guests". All the new people are fine: there is no questioning D's talent in cherry-picking expert players. Some young white guy fills the vocal duties of Napoleon Murphy Brock with commendable attitude and swagger, though in the end there is no replacing Napoleon. I think the choice of album to tour on left something to be desired: if Dweezil's aim was to give the free-form jazz side of his dad more exposure, I would have preferred The Grand Wazoo, just in terms of quality of songwriting, as a 40th anniversary celebration. Roxy is OK, with about equal amounts of flashy & stupid, and lots of spoken-word riffing & interaction with the audience. D does an OK job on this (including the "dancing" by audience members on the Bebop Tango), but he doesn't have Frank's impertinent personality and really is better off just sticking to the music. So to simplify incredibly, Roxy is more the jazz aspect, and the 2nd half of the show is pretty much just rock. Fun, but loud. To quote the late great Harry Nilsson: "electric guitars have gone 'bout as far as electric guitars can go: if you're talkin' 'bout LOUD, man..." But compared with other offerings on the live circuit, this is excellent. The real deal and not to be missed, if possible, even with the stripped-down band.

I had the great luck of seeing the version of the Mothers of Invention that recorded the Roxy & Elsewhere album and therefore can state with confidence that Frank must be proud, wherever he is, of what his son is doing. Dweezil has wisely chosen not to try to reproduce a carbon copy of the show, but rather to put on an excellent concert in the spirit of what his Dad did. He has developed into a superb guitarist, among the very best in his generation, and has assembled an excellent band that manages to play this complex music as if it was easy. Although at first I thought it would have been nice to see some of the original band members who played on the Roxy album, such as Napoleon Murphy Brock or Ruth Underwood, it was great to see the show performed with the energy that this young band brings to it. Excellent show. A must see event.

My buddy Brandon & I went to the show this past Saturday @ the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto and thought it was KILLER. Dweezil really tore it up on the guitar, the band was tight and they rocked out the Roxy & Elsewhere album. It was well worth the months it took to get here and the cost of the tickets, $64.50 each. I'd go and see Dweez. again for SURE! I never had the chance to see Frank live, too bad for me but this was just as good as far as I'm concerned. Great job by Dweezil & his band! Long Live Frank Zappa!!

Took my 16 year old son as he loves old frank, my first album "Zootalures" fan ever since! Dweezel had such a large menu of arrangements to pick from, but he nailed it good!! Hoping to see him next time around. JayZ.

Frank's music will never die, thanks to Dweezil !!

These are amazingly talented musicians, and they do Zappa's material as well as the old band. And they have fun doing it! Great song selection, from the opening Gumbo Variations through the Roxy set, and an hour of additional material. Dweezel brought a 10 year old kid up from the audience, here for his first ZPZ show, then they came out afterwards to meet anyone wanting to stick around. The only problem was the incongruity between the venue and the audience. Anyone going to see ZPZ would be at home in a beer hall. Many people treated the place as such, instead of a plush theatre. There were dozens of people standing in the aisles, trying to find their seats 3 songs into the show. Then they started climbing over each other to hit the bar and bathrooms continuously through the show. Just when you're getting into a song, someone is trying to step over you. Very distracting. Bur overall, well worth it!

Great time. Love how it's still held at a smaller theater, and it was sit down. Great view no matter where you sit. Just found after the first intermission show seemed to be too loud at times.

For Zappa fans it doesn't get much better, its great to see Frank's son starting to command the stage.

I've been waiting For Dweezil to come back to TO since I heard about his last tour. Friends went on and on about how great the band was. Well, it was worth the wait. Technically they may have been the best band I have ever seen. That quintisential mix of crazy amazing musicianship and bawdy humour. During Dweezil's guitar solos my buddy and I found ourselves looking at each other and bursting out in laughter because we could not comprehend how he was making the myriad of flawless notes. A must see if you like (progressive) music.

the musicianship of this band is amazing. So tight and right on. All of the musicians excel in their field. It is getting harder and harder to find this kind of quality.

Despite the fact that Dweezil doesn't carry any stars on his tour like the old days, I enjoyed the show immensley. Three hours of the tightest music around. And Sheila's voice and sax playing are better than ever!

From the instruments at his disposal, he executed a flawless few sets on stage, (including his enseble cast's performance!) Highly recommended, any time he passes by Vancouver! No mistakes from song to song, Dweezil Zappa stays very true to his father Frank (RIP) Zappa!

my 15th show with Dweezil and the Ensemble. The band as always was flawless. Dweezil's technique continues to evolve as he delves deeper into his father's collection. Heavy Duty Judy opening is a treat. Each band member posses the skill to remain true to Frank's original composition and the ability to solo when called upon. Watching the mulch-talented Sheila Gonzales share licks with Dweezil was one of those moments of virtuosity that one can expect from Dweezil and the band. Dweezil has also mastered that "in the moment" soloing which is so reminiscent of the maestro Frank Zappa (an American Treasure) . This is a tribute, presented by Dweezil Zappa and Zappa plays Zappa, not a tribute band playing the music of Frank Zappa. This is the real thing !

well i wasn't sure what to expect or if i belonged...i'm not the biggest zappa freak...and usually with zappa you are or you're not...a friend(zappa freak)lent me a dvd of zappa plays zappa....only caught first 20 minutes of dvd...and i was a tad bit surprised i was watching some funky orchestral arrangements...but i was expecting more traditional weird zappa stuff...but in no way do you get the feel from the dvd like being there live...but like most things i guess...but this show in particular...especially for not really knowing a lot prior,and the zappa catalogue is humongous....it took me under it's wing right away...i had the help of smokin a bit of white widow before...which just helped set the mood...but boy oh boy can they play....tight and quality....the show was almost 3 hours...but never felt like too much...a couple of intermissions...a packed house with the average age 45 or so...but a very loud(vocal)receptive crowd...the roars and jeers after every song was intense...i've written a few lyric-like things at some recent shows...if i so get inspired...and this 1 of a few notes during this show... So Frankie and his Mothers... All have sons and daughters... Real music will never leave... Next thing u know we're out rockin' with the grandkids... Some people have got the music in them... I just know what it is,that's all... And i pay my respects... Make sure u never forget... To play it loud... Or play it long... Encore Encore Live on brother....live on... Maybe a change still is gonna come... Somethin's bound to come.... i sent it to the 60 year old zappa friend(loaner of dvd)and he appreciated that it's a nice re-cap of the soiree... so $60 also was on my mind,for somethin i didn't know too well....but worth every cent...i had an incredible musical journey if you may...and thanks to today's technology...Frankie on the big screen jamming away with son and friends' for 5-6 songs....so written with a very high recommendation...may peace among music live on

Very very fantastic show. I recommend it to all Zappa's fan. I just wish it will come back so I will go again. the music was so accurate.

Great musical performance! I miss Frank. Can't wait for their next tour in Montreal.

That was an amazing evening. They are all true artists in there own right. They make Frank Zappa's music shine again.Dweezle is as talented a player as his father. Scheila Gonzalez and Ben Thomas are great to watch out front and add alot of fun to the show. I've seen them several times and will continue to go as long as they are willing to come. Can hardly wait to see them again Thanks for a great show again

that was awesome, Thank you zappa fo making all this possible,

THIS ONE IS A TOP 5ER! REALLY GOOD SHOW TO START THE HOLIDAYS ! I ENJOYED EVERY SINGLE SECOND OF IT.

Really BEAUTIFUL show.Fantastic!Hardly reccomended