Over-Nite Sensation

by Frank Zappa, The Mothers, Frank Zappa & the Mothers

Overview

Love it or hate it, Over-Nite Sensation was a watershed album for Frank Zappa, the point where his post-'60s aesthetic was truly established; it became his second gold album, and most of these songs became staples of his live shows for years to come. Whereas the Flo and Eddie years were dominated by rambling, off-color comedy routines, Over-Nite Sensation tightened up the song structures and tucked sexual and social humor into melodic, technically accomplished heavy guitar rock with jazzy chord changes and funky rhythms; meanwhile, Zappa's growling new post-accident voice takes over the storytelling. While the music is some of Zappa's most accessible, the apparent callousness and/or stunning sexual explicitness of "Camarillo Brillo," "Dirty Love," and especially "Dinah-Moe Humm" leave him on shaky aesthetic ground. Zappa often protested that the charges of misogyny leveled at such material missed out on the implicit satire of male stupidity, and also confirmed intellectuals' self-conscious reticence about indulging in dumb fun; however, the glee in his voice as he spins his adolescent fantasies can undermine his point. Indeed, that enjoyment, also evident in the silly wordplay, suggests that Zappa is throwing his juvenile crassness in the face of critical expectation, asserting his right to follow his muse even if it leads him into blatant stupidity (ironic or otherwise). One can read this motif into the absurd shaggy-dog story of a dental floss rancher in "Montana," the album's indisputable highlight, which features amazing, uncredited vocal backing from Tina Turner and the Ikettes. As with much of Zappa's best '70s and '80s material, Over-Nite Sensation could be perceived as ideologically problematic (if you haven't got the constitution for FZ's humor), but musically, it's terrific. ~ Steve Huey

Product Details

Release Date:	08/28/2012
Label:	Hip-O / Zappa Records
UPC:	0824302385029

Tracks

1. Camarillo Brillo
2. I'm the Slime
3. Dirty Love
4. Fifty-Fifty
5. Zomby Woof
6. Dinah Moe Humm
7. Montana

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Frank Zappa   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Conductor,Keyboards,Guitar (Electric)
The Mothers   Primary Artist
The Mothers of Invention   Primary Artist
Frank Zappa & the Mothers   Primary Artist
Bruce Fowler   Guest Artist,Trombone
Sal Marquez   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background),Vocals,Trumpet
Jean-Luc Ponty   Guest Artist,Violin,Keyboards,Baritone Violin
George Duke   Guest Artist,Vocals,Keyboards,Synthesizer
Alex Dmochowski   Bass
The Ikettes   Vocals (Background)
Ruth Underwood   Marimba,Keyboards,Percussion,Vibraphone
Kin Vassy   Vocals
Ricky Lancelotti   Vocals
Eric Lancelotti   Vocals
Aynsley Dunbar   Drums
Ian Underwood   Wind,Flute,Guitar,Clarinet,Keyboards,Saxophone,Sax (Alto),Sax (Tenor)
Jeff Simmons   Bass
Ralph Humphrey   Drums
Tina Turner   Vocals (Background)
Tom Fowler   Bass

Technical Credits

Frank Zappa   Audio Production,Mixing,Arranger,Composer,Producer,Group Member
Fred Borkgren   Engineer
Ferenc Dobronyi   Cover Design
Paul Hof   Technician
Jeff Fura   Producer
David McMacken   Illustrations,Cover Illustration
Stephen W. Desper   Engineer
Steve Desper   Engineer
Cal Schenkel   Cover Design,Illustrations
Kansas J. Canzus   Technician
Jay "Dunt" Sloatman   Technician
Kerry McNabb   Mixing,Remixing
Bob Ludwig   Mastering,Remastering
Bob Stone   Engineer,Digital Remastering
Barry Keene   Engineer
Ruth Underwood   Group Member
Kin Vassy   Announcer
Sal Marquez   Group Member
Bruce Fowler   Group Member
Craig Parker Adams   Remixing
Bernie Grundman   Digital Remastering
Ian Underwood   Group Member
John Polito   Mastering,Restoration
Jeff Simmons   Composer
Erich Gobel   Mastering
Joe Travers   Producer
Jean-Luc Ponty   Group Member
Karma Auger   Mastering
Frank Zappa & the Mothers   Performer
Ralph Humphrey   Group Member
George Duke   Group Member
Terry Dunavan   Engineer
Tom Fowler   Group Member