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Artist |
Mike Keneally & Beer For Dolphins |
| Title |
Dancing |
| Label |
Exowax Records |
| Reviewer |
Richard Proplesch |
| Rating |
 |
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Life as an ex-Zappa sideman has its own perks and
predicaments. Just ask Steve Vai, Napoleon Murphy Brock,
or Jimmy Carl Black and you'd probably get three very
different responses from them about their old boss. The
performing experience does, however, elevate those
musicians (and there were dozens of dozens over time) to
a different status among fans who expect nothing less
than superior technical virtuosity. Or at least the
tendency to sound like Frank at times. Keneally's last
album “Nonkertompf” was an ambitious double disc set
that eagerly accepted the guitarist's knowledge of
clique-ish Motherisms: complex ensemble work coupled
with quick-shifting mood swings, with silly lyrical
debris resembling Frank's bent-cynic sense of humor.
Dancing is a healthy step back from Zappa's inner
sanctum, but still close enough for the inevitable
influence spotting.
"We'll Be Right Back" is one of
those raggedy song-stories, a perplexing parable of
religious intolerance that seems to change meter and
melody every two seconds, while the
instrumental "Selfish Otter" puts the entire cast
through some spellbinding changes. On the other side,
Keneally loves the smooth and simple pop attributes of
Todd Rundgren ("Only Mondays" is pure, unashamed Runt)
and doesn't mind a blues vamp to stretch out his strings
("Taster"), which never seem to fit Frank very well.
Keneally's partners, Beer For Dolphins, are a terrific
band (complete with horns and marimba) that gently ease
into poppish backgrounds ("Backwards Deb"), but amply
navigate Keneally's strangled avant-natured work ("The
Mystery Music"). One of Frank's few sidemen that has a
musical life of his own.
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© 2001 AMZ/music-reviewer.com
Robert R. Lewis
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