The MoFo Project/Object 2CD Set
Disc 1 - Freak Out! Original Vinyl Stereo Mix 60:57 Disc 2 - Sessions (see annotations below)
1) Hungry Freaks, Daddy (3:33) 1) Trouble Every Day (Basic Tracks) (7:07)
2) I Ain't Got No Heart (2:35) 2) Who Are the Brain Police? (mono single mix) (3:24)
3) Who Are the Brain Police? (3:26) 3) I Ain't Got No Heart (Basic Tracks, stereo) (2:34)
4) Go Cry on Somebody Else's Shoulder (3:43) 4) You Didn't Try To Call Me (Basic Tracks, stereo) (2:58)
5) Motherly Love (2:50) 5) How Could I Be Such a Fool? (mono single mix) (2:11)
6) How Could I Be Such a Fool? (2:17) 6) Anyway the Wind Blows (unreleased 1987 remix) (2:51)
7) Wowie Zowie (2:56) 7) Go Cry on Somebody Else's Shoulder (Vocal Overdub Take 2) (3:47)
8) You Didn't Try To Call Me (3:22) 8) Motherly Love (Vocal Overdub Master Takes) (3:09)
9) Anyway the Wind Blows (2:56) 9) "Tom Wilson" (Interview Segment) (0:33)
10) I'm Not Satisfied (2:42) 10) "My Pet Theory" (Interview Segment) (2:18)
11) You're Probably Wondering Why I'm Here (3:42) 11) Hungry Freaks Daddy (Basic Tracks) (3:26)
12) Trouble Every Day (5:53) 12) Help, I'm a Rock (1970 FZ Remix) (4:43)
13) Help, I'm a Rock (4:43) 13) It Can't Happen Here (1970 FZ Remix) 3:58
14) It Can't Happen Here (3:59) 14) Freak Out Drum Track w/Timp. & Lion (4:04)
15) Return of the Son of Monster Magnet (12:23) 15) Watts Riot Demo/Fillmore Sequence (2:07)
16) Freak Out Zilofone (3:00)
17) Low Budget Rock & Roll Band (2:42)
Tracks in bold are currently intimated to be unique to this 2CD release. Disc 1 is the first-ever CD release of the entire, original 1966 stereo mix of "Freak Out!" Details follow:
The MoFo Project/Object 2CD set comes in a two-disc jewel case, similar to the ones that house the Ryko '95 versions of the "Stage" series. It's official release 78, and comes on the restored "Zappa Records" label. It's produced by Gail Zappa and Joe Travers, Doug Sax and Sunny Nam mastered Disc 1, and John Polito of Audio mechanics mastered Disc 2. The booklet contains several essays, as well as some track annotations (tracks 14-16 on Disc 2 have their original FZ titles). Details on the tracks themselves follow:
Disc 1: The long-awaited CD debut of the original, 1966 stereo mix of Freak Out! The liner notes imply that it's derived from a 1987 FZ transfer, although it may be sourced from the earlier transfer used for the Old Masters LP. It sounds pretty spiffy, allowing for the fact that the original stereo vinyl mix has always had a slightly pinched frequency response, which is most noticeable on the tracks that were definitely remixed for the 1987/1995 Rykodisc CD (for example, "Hungry Freaks, Daddy"). Note also that "It Can't Happen Here" is its own track here, separated from "Help, I'm a Rock." For those who hated the remix/work-part mishmash of the 1987/1995 Ryko disc (along with its arbitrary fades and de-effected "Brain Police"), this will be manna from heaven.
Disc 2: Disc 2 contains a smorgasbord of outtakes, in-progress tapes, alternate mixes, and unreleased/demo material. Intriguingly, much of it comes from a fascinating source: FZ apparently kept a mono "reference" tape running at all times, which captured several bits of audio excitement that wouldn't necessarily be preserved on multi-track and/or session tape. A rundown of the tracks follows:
1) Trouble Every Day (Basic Tracks): From the FZ reference tape. The released version, but missing several overdubs (most notably the harmonica) and with a single-tracked vocal. It also continues past the "normal" fade, giving us more of the jam that ends the track. The snare that leads off the single is MIA here, implying that it was part of a later overdub. Fascinating.
2) Who Are the Brain Police?: The mono single mix. Pretty similar to the stereo mix.
3) I Ain't Got No Heart (Basic Tracks): Not from the FZ worktape. Instrumental version of the backing track to the released version, in stereo. Missing lead guitar overdubs, and also doesn't edit into the ending freakout section, letting you hear the music that portion eventually replaced. Cool!
4) You Didn't Try to Call Me (Basic Tracks): Not from the FZ worktape. Instrumental version of the backing track to the released version, in stereo. Intriguingly, while the orchestral overdubs are present, several others--including the eventual 12-string overdub--aren't.
5) How Could I Be Such a Fool?: The mono single mix.
6) Anyway the Wind Blows: A 1987 remix. Now this is a fascinating thing. A drastic remix of the cut, with MUCH louder vocals, MUCH more prominent bass (pushed throughout the song), and a more "balanced" stereo layout. Presumably, this was a mix made for--but ultimately not used for--the 1987 disc, which instead seems to use a VERY differently equalized copy of the vinyl mix.
7) Go Cry on Somebody Else's Shoulder: From the FZ reference tape. It's a vocal overdub session for the released version of the song, but an early attempt, with some different lyrics ("I gave you my high-school ring/down at the malt-shop, baby"). This is exactly the sort of material which is probably not preserved on the multitracks, and it's a treat to hear. We learn that Mary Poppins is a junkie.
8) Motherly Love: From the FZ reference tape. Another vocal overdub session, but this one is from the sessions that produced the released version. In fact, it sounds like it is the released version, as Frank is obviously double-tracked. The mono balance emphasizes the vocal tracks; the track is otherwise dry. Intriguingly, it fades out.
9-10) Tom Wilson/My Pet Theory: From a 1986 interview. Discourses on Tom Wilson, and how the 1960s were "really stupid" due to merchandising, and how we're really not created equal. Interesting to hear, and Frank's explanation of the "smoothing-out" of differences references the idea behind the "Freak Out!" concept.
11) Hungry Freaks, Daddy (Basic Tracks): Not from FZ's mono tape, according to the liner notes, but in mono (or very narrow stereo). The basic tracks, excluding various overdubs (lead guitar again, percussion, kazoo) and vocals.
12) Help, I'm a Rock (1970 Mix): Remixed by FZ and Stan Agol at the Record Plant, L.A., 8 January 1970. We haven't quite pinned down either this or "It Can't Happen Here" yet; they're mixes without obvious projects attached to them (Mothermania came out several months prior). It doesn't seem to differ too much from the standard stereo mix? I reserve the right to revisit this track.
13) It Can't Happen Here (1970 Mix): Remixed by FZ and Stan Agol at the Record Plant, L.A., 8 January 1970. Well, this is different. Frank's "lead vocal" is buried in comparison with other mixes, with some of the previously inaudible backing vocals pushed to the forefront and some entirely new (to the mix, I guess) vocals brought up. Dig the "I'm not worried at all" at around 2:22. It also has the "push the shots" line included. I should cross-reference the Mothermania mix before making too many conclusions.
14) Freak Out Drum Track w/Timp: From the FZ reference tape. Mike Espinoza says: "Belongs in "Return Of The Son Of Monster Magnet", but can't find where it goes or if it's an outtake."
15) Watts Riot Demo/Fillmore Sequence: The first part of this track is a demo of "Trouble Every Day," which the liner notes denote as being from the same demo sessions that spawned the material on Joe's Corsage. It's a bit muffled; it sounds as if it's been hit by a bit of noise reduction. It seems to be incomplete. We move next to a variation on "You Didn't Try To Call Me" and "Go Cry on Somebody Else's Shoulder" recorded live (!!!) at the Fillmore (!!!) in 1966 (!!!!). I want more of this. It segues very neatly into:
16) Freak Out Zilofone: From the FZ reference tape. Clearly some sort of Help, I'm a Rock bit. Exciting!
17) Low Budget Rock & Roll Band: From the FZ reference tape of the infamous "late-night" FO session. Separated from the above by the sound of a door closing. Part of a jam, and then Frank's exhortation to the various assembled freaks to please, for the love of God, leave the studio.
Hoianghuzhouhiuphoeginglau is goedemorgen, hoor ik Bassie en Adriaan al zingen; nou, ik versta d'r geen kút van!
(Superworm)