The Mothers 1970 Clamshell Box

Odds are if you’re looking at this box, you already like this era of the Mothers. This is, in my humble opinion, the era when The Mothers was most like a band, and not just Zappa and some guys. The banter and interactions shows they had a real good rapport with each other. So I’m not gonna try and convert people into the Flo & Eddie camp. This is from 1970, so 200 Motels, the groupies, and old Mothers tunes are what you’ll find here. No Billy the Mountain, Sofa, or Magdalena. It’s filled with the bawdy humor and tight harmonies this lineup is known for. I’m slowly maki g my way through the four discs, savoring each one, giving it multiple listens. The studio stuff is interesting, and there are some good cuts here, but I mainly bought it for the live stuff, honestly. The sound quality is good on discs 1 and 2 and ranges from good to excellent on disc 3, such is the problem with these old recordings which have been stored in a vault for 50 years. Disc 4 is fun if you can get into the right headspace to listen to some audience level recordings. But, if you’re reading this, I’m guessing you already listen to your fair share of aud recordings. It’s fun to hear Zappa interact with the band and people on the streets. The sound quality can be really good here. If you like this era of the Mothers you’ll like this. If you’re not a fan (like I was until two years ago) you may want to pass this up.Hopefully this do another box set for the 1971 lineup next year! Would love to hear more high quality recordings from this era!

I don't write many reviews, but Frank Zappa has been a permanent part of my life and humour for nearly 50 years. What foresight Frank and crew had to record "everything" . The gems contained within this collection sound so completely fresh! I don't wish to give anything away because there are so many great lasting moments remastered and so beautifully recorded here. Frank, I continue to admire and salute you (up in Heaven)! You brought us the gift of your musical genius and amazing laughs that have sustained these 54 years of my life thus far. I share Frank's wit and wisdom with anyone revving to bend an ear.

For many Zappa fans, his first 10 years was his most classic period. These recordings are smack-dab in the middle, and if you love the Flo & Eddie era, you'll really like this set. Fidelity isn't always the best - there are some crude recordings - so don't get your hopes up. And there's a fair bit of Zappa's self-indulgent material, but that's what he does. I love about half of the tracks, and like the other half. :) I'm happy to add it to my collection!

More for the real enthusiast, it has some great playing , and gives a good look into that period of inspiration.

The Flo & Eddie era of the Zappa timeline is what divides a lot of FZ fans. Most fans seem to either love or hate this group. If you're on the 'LOVE' side of this equation, this is a set that you will want to own. The discs are for the most part of decent sound quality- some of the live stuff isn't that great and I wonder if Frank would have released. Disc #1 is the studio recordings- sound like demos and band practice but the sound quality is excellent. You also get a small 'Mothers" button, a small booklet, and there are some nice photos on the disc holders. If you're not a big fan of this era, you probably have a good number of better recordings like JABFLA, FILLMORE 1971, Carnegie Hall, etc., and you can skip this.

I usually hate Flo and Eddie, but they didn't ruin this set for me. Many long jam sessions which is the Zappa I prefer.

This release really ties together earlier and later musical themes that run throughout Frank Zappa's output. Buy with confidence!

My husband is a Frank Zappa fan! He loves this set! Thank you!

No se si quedamos muchos, creo que no… pero para los que quedamos es un box interesante de un periodo del que existen pocas grabaciones. Un CD en estudio y el resto en vivo.Curiosamente aquí es más que notable su conexión con el Music hall americano. Eran otros tiempos, pero su música sigue viva

A must have for any die hard Zappa Fan. The sound is surprisingly good overall ! You won’t be disappointed

pour les fans. Des inédits studio. Et des lives .mais ce n est pas sa meilleure periode

If you do not know Franks music but are curious then this should not be your introduction - try One Size Fits All. If you want to find out what the Flo & Eddie period was all about try Fillmore East.However, if you like Frank's music and the Flo & Eddie period especially and you like listening to works in progress and you like hearing unique moments caught live in concert even at the expense of sound quality...then you will want this 4cd box.The music is slightly underwhelming when set against my expectations, but unlike other reviewers I do not feel I was conned by the ZFT...that would have been Joes Domage. At forty quid it is a bit pricey but if you are a completist then you will get this and hopefully enjoy it too.

Diese kurzlebige Mothers-Konstellation, die insbesondere durch die Stimmen von Flo & Eddie und das Schlagzeugspiel von Aynsley Dunbar geprägt war, zählt sicher zu den beliebtesten. Diese umfangreiche Box enthält ausschließlich Material dieser Band, darunter einige sehr interessante Studio-Sessions, aus denen das Stück "Sharleena" stammt, das auf dem Chunga's-Revenge-Album landete, dort aber mit deutlich mehr Hall versehen wurde. Hier also das trockenere Original.Ich besitze mittlerweile sicherlich über 100 CDs des Meisters und stieß in dieser Box dennoch auf Songs, die ich noch nie gehört habe. Somit eine weitere erfreuliche Veröffentlichung aus dem offensichtlich unerschöpflichen Fundus der Zappa-Familie.