As an avid music listener and zealous Frank Zappa fan, I can’t even begin to describe the amount of joy that was oozing out of me, when I caught word that there was going to be an entire set dedicated to Frank Zappa at Little Econ Love Fest. Although work kept me from enjoying the three day festivities of local music, art, and fun, I was lucky enough to catch Christian Ryan’s Garage: A Tribute to Frank Zappa.
For those who may not be too familiar with the artist; Frank Zappa was an amazingly talented avant-garde composer, songwriter, and musician. Creating over 60 albums in his lifetime, the sounds he would blend ranged from rock, jazz, jazz fusion, synth, and orchestral music. Other than being a fastidiously devout and disciplined musician, Zappa created music that was well known for being humorous, politically charged, and at some points obscene. But, that’s what was so great about Zappa. He could make your brain twist with his meticulous composition, while singing about penguins in bondage (knirps for moisture).
The week of the project’s debut, I got an opportunity to sit down with Christian Ryan, the mastermind that organized the project that would bring the spirit of Zappa to Little Econ Love Fest. Christian Ryan is saxophonist and flutist that currently plays with a multitude of local bands in the Orlando and surrounding area. To name a few: Leisure Chief, Holey Miss Moley, Control This, Bengali 600, Ancient Sun, A Thousand Wolves, Evan Taylor Jones Band, Central Ayr Productions, and Joose. He has also sat in and recorded music with too many of Orlando’s local flavor to list, but let it be known that he is well seasoned in many genres of music.
Christian and I met at Downtown Credo Coffee — in the midst of his strenuous schedule—so I could take a moment to pick his brain and get some background information; starting with his love affair with Zappa’s music, up into the inception of this project, and the musicians behind it. From one musician to another, Christian explained to me how much he appreciated Zappa for his variety of composition and unmitigated talent. In his youth, Christian became enamored with how impeccably arranged Zappa’s music is something that any enthusiast can find of value.
When choosing the musicians to fit the bill for this project, Christian reached out to friends, who are also knowledgeable musicians that shared the same fascination with Zappa and his music. There would be a core ensemble of seven musicians and eleven guest appearances throughout the set.
The Garage core members included: Tim Turner - Guitar, David Vanegas - Bass, Keegan Matthews - Keyboards, Ian McLeod - Mallets and Percussion, Joey Lanna - Drums, Corey Paul - Trombone, and Christian Ryan - Saxophones and Flute.
Special guest appearances by: Tommy Shugart - Guitar, Chris Sgamatto - Alto Saxophone, Danny Clemmons - Vocals, Nalani & Kela Rothrock - Backup Vocals, Rick Krasowski - Guitar and Vocals, Fae Nageon De Lestang - Violin, Grant Hudson - Guitar, Dani Jaye - Violin, David Melancon - Trumpet, and Kevin McMann - Saxophones.
On Saturday, February 13th, 2016, I set out for Maddox Ranch in Lakeland, Florida to attend the Little Econ Love Fest. Although the weather was cold—to the standards of many Floridians—the night was perfect to be spent under the open sky. The stages were set up side by side. Each band that was scheduled did not have to compete with another, since their sets were scheduled without any conflict—a luxury for music listeners who know the heartbreak of having to choose bands when conflicts in a schedule arise—cue the Bonnaroo schedule of any year for an example of a music lover’s heartbreak.
I have to be honest when I say that the sound check was extensive, but in its own right. There were seven core members of the band, with eleven guest appearances…I don’t know much about front of house, but I can only imagine that 18 musicians would ensure a lot of preparation and detailed work. The band began with “Don’t Eat The Yellow Snow”, which planted a huge sh*t eating grin on my face. The bassist David Vanegas’ vocals were assiduously reminiscent of Frank Zappa. I knew in that moment that I was in for a huge treat, even more so when I realized we were getting spoiled with a set list of 19 songs.
The set included a fair mix of instrumental songs, as well as many lyrically humorous songs from Zappa’s discography. The entire set was comprised of music that represented Zappa and his large arrangement of genres, extremely well. There wasn’t one Zappa fan that went back to their tents that night unsatisfied.
There was a continuous rotation of horns that would occupy the stage that stimulated the auditory perception. Those elements of sound, paired with the percussion, keyboard/synth, and drums that Ian McLeod, Keegan Matthews, and Joey Lanna contributed, created those very recognizable shades of Frank Zappa that pour out of his music. One notable mention was “Montana”, where Grant Hudson (Guitar), joined Tim Turner (Guitar and Vocals) to create a dueling combination of ripping guitar solos between the two. It was so intriguing to see the musicians interacting with each other and having fun with the material.
Another mention, “I’m The Slime” that filled the stage with guest appearances by incorporating soulful backup vocals from Nalani and Kela Rothrock, and additional horns from David Melancon (Trumpet), Kevin McMann (Saxophone), and Chris Sgamatto (Alto Saxophone). Though this was a tribute, the musician’s took their own interpretation of the music and ran with it. This was best displayed in “Dupree’s Paradise” where Fae Nageon De Lestang Flat Land’s violinist, accompanied the band in this tenacious cover that isn’t for the faint of musicians to attempt.
Prior to the festival debut the band practiced in different segments. The show was the only time that all 18 musicians were able to play together, which only unveils their ability to create an energy and appreciation for Zappa’s music that was felt instantaneously. It takes an extreme amount of discipline to learn such an extensive— as well as meticulously technical— amount of music that Frank Zappa created and shared with many. For that, I commend all of the musicians that were a part of this project that created a living memory of Frank, for all of us nerds.
I’ve included a link to The Sober Goat Productions’ video recording of the entire set below.
If your senses are salivating after watching the entire set above and you are hating yourself for not getting the change to check out Christian Ryan’s Garage… don’t inflict too much fear of mission out upon yourself, because the core ensemble of this project will be scheduling shows in the near future. Check out Christian Ryan’s page for more details on future dates!
Christian Ryan’ Garage: A Tribute to Frank Zappa Set List
Little Econ Love Fest 2/13/16
Don't Eat The Yellow Snow
Nanook Rubs It
St. Alfonzo's Pancacke Breakfast
Father O'Blivion
Pygmy Twlyte
Magic Fingers *
I'm The Slime + ^ #
Eat That Question
Peaches En Regalia #
My Guitar Wants to Kill Your Mama ^
Penguin in Bondage
Montana >
Dupree's Paradise %
Willie The Pimp ! @
Village of the Sun
Sharleena ~ ^ #
Florentine Pogen *
Cosmik Debris +
Encore:
Zomby Woof + ^ @
featuring
* Danny Clemmons - Holey Miss Moley
+ Nalani & Kela Rothrock
^ David Melancon & Kevin McMann - Captain Green
# Chris Sgammato - Displace
> Grant Hudson - Captain Green
~ Tommy Shugart - The Groove Orient
@ Rick Krasowski - Ancient Sun
! Dani Jaye - Come Back Alice
% Fae Nageon De Lestang - Flat Land
