With "Orchestral favorites" Zappa returned to the 200 Motels scores. "Bogus pomp" is a suite of the orchestral parts of the "Tuna sandwich" block from 200 Motels, with additional material added. "Duke of prunes" is a more elaborate version of this melody from "Absolutely free", now also including a guitar solo. Of the two new pieces "Pedro's dowry" is a difficult atonal piece, that gives a hint at the later "LSO Vol. I" CD.
The album sleeve gives no information about the recording circumstances. The orchestra performing was a 40-piece group of musicians, specifically assembled for this recording in 1975 (the liner notes of 83) finally give an answer to who took part in it). They did a few concerts in L.A. as the Abnuceals Emuukha Electric Orchestra, the name Zappa also had used for the Lumpy Gravy orchestra. The electric part in this case was Zappa on guitar and some amplified acoustic instruments. The concerts also included the "Revised music for a low budget orchestra", but this piece would make the album overflow and landed on "Studio tan". The material got rerecorded again in the eighties by more renowned orchestras, so "Orchestral favorites" hasn't obtained the status that by itself it deserved.
01. Strictly Genteel
02. Pedro's Dowry
03. Naval Aviation In Art?
04. Duke Of Prunes
05. Bogus Pomp
*1995 Rykodisc / The Zappa Family Trust | RCD 10530/31
Personnel:
Frank Zappa – guitar, vocals
Ian Underwood, Mike Lang & Ralph Grierson – keyboards
Bill Mays – Clavinet
Dave Parlato – bass
Terry Bozzio – drums
Emil Richards, Alan Estes, John Bergamo & Tom Raney – percussion
Mike Altschul – flute and clarinet
Malcolm McNab, Gene Goe & Ray Poper – trumpet
Bruce Fowler, Jock Ellis & Kenny Shroyer – trombone
Dana Hughes – bass trombone
Don Waldrop – tuba & contrabass trombone
Dave Shostac – flute, tenor sax
Gary Foster – 2nd flute (and doubles)
Ray Reed – flute, alto sax
Vic Morosco – clarinet, alto sax
Jay Migliori – clarinet, tenor sax
Mike Altschul – bass clarinet, baritone sax
Earle Dumler – oboe, English horn, bass oboe
John Winter – oboe, English horn
David Scherr – 2nd oboe, tenor sax
Joann Caldwell – bassoon
Bobby Tricarico – bassoon, contrabassoon
David Duke, Arthur Briegleb, Todd Miller & Bob Henderson – French horn
Tommy Morgan – harmonica (on "Duke Of Prunes")
John Wittenberg & Bobby Dubow – violin
Pamela Goldsmith – viola
Jerry Kessler – cello
Lou Anne Neill – harp
Michael Zearott – conductor
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