London Symphony Orchestra, Vol. I
Studio album by
Frank Zappa
ReleasedJune 9, 1983
RecordedJanuary 12–14, 1983
StudioTwickenham Film Studios (London)
Genre20th-century classical
Length51:55
LabelBarking Pumpkin
ProducerFrank Zappa
Frank Zappa chronology
Baby Snakes
(1983)		 London Symphony Orchestra, Vol. I
(1983)		 Boulez Conducts Zappa: The Perfect Stranger
(1984)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
London Symphony Orchestra, Vol. II
Studio album by
Frank Zappa
ReleasedSeptember 17, 1987
RecordedJanuary 12–14, 1983
StudioTwickenham Film Studios (London)
Genre20th-century classical
Length43:37
LabelBarking Pumpkin
ProducerFrank Zappa
Frank Zappa chronology
Jazz from Hell
(1986)		 London Symphony Orchestra, Vol. II
(1987)		 The Old Masters Box III
(1987)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic [2]

London Symphony Orchestra is an album series by Frank Zappa, released in two parts as London Symphony Orchestra, Vol. I in 1983 and London Symphony Orchestra, Vol. II, in 1987. They were recorded at the same sessions, in January 1983. The two albums were later combined, and re-released on a Rykodisc CD as London Symphony Orchestra Vol. I & II (1995).

Background

Volume I features the London Symphony Orchestra performing four instrumental compositions — "Sad Jane", "Pedro's Dowry", "Envelopes", and "Mo 'n Herb's Vacation" — from sessions recorded in January 1983. The album was Zappa's fourth to employ an orchestra, following Lumpy Gravy (1967), 200 Motels (1971) and Orchestral Favorites (1979).

The album was recorded using a digital 24-track recorder. It was one of the earliest digital multitrack recordings of an orchestra. By recording the orchestra with many microphones very close to the instruments the album sounds more detailed than possible with previous stereo recording techniques. Extensive use of editing was employed to fix musical mistakes.

The original vinyl LP recordings were tweaked in the studio to hide out-of-tune and wrong notes as well as to add in a sheen of reverb to further obscure parts. These audio "enhancements" were removed when the recordings were remixed for the compact disc re-issue in 1995. This version of the album was combined with London Symphony Orchestra, Vol. II (1987), and re-released on a Rykodisc CD as London Symphony Orchestra Vol. I & II.

Track listings

Volume One

All tracks written, composed and arranged by Frank Zappa.

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."Sad Jane"10:05
2."Pedro's Dowry"10:26
3."Envelopes"4:11
Side two
No.TitleLength
4."Mo 'n Herb's Vacation
  • First Movement – 4:50
  • Second Movement – 10:05
  • Third Movement – 12:56"
27:11

Volume Two

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."Bogus Pomp"24:32
Side two
No.TitleLength
2."Bob in Dacron"12:12
3."Strictly Genteel"6:53

CD

Disc One
No.TitleLength
1."Bob in Dacron, First Movement"5:36
2."Bob in Dacron, Second Movement"6:34
3."Sad Jane, First Movement"4:46
4."Sad Jane, Second Movement"5:04
5."Mo 'N Herb's Vacation, First Movement"4:47
6."Mo 'N Herb's Vacation, Second Movement"10:04
7."Mo 'N Herb's Vacation, Third Movement"12:50
Disc Two
No.TitleLength
1."Envelopes"4:06
2."Pedro's Dowry"10:25
3."Bogus Pomp"24:34
4."Strictly Genteel"6:56

Personnel

Musicians

Production staff

  • Frank Zappa – producer
  • Mark Pinske – recording engineer
  • John Vince – cover design
  • James Stagnita – graphic design (Vol II)
  • Mark Hanauer – cover photo (Vol II)

References

  1. ↑ Ruhlmann, W. (2011). "London Symphony Orchestra, Vol. 1 - Frank Zappa | AllMusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved 21 July 2011.
  2. ↑ Ruhlmann, W. (2011). "London Symphony Orchestra, Vol. II - Frank Zappa | AllMusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved 21 July 2011.
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