Zappa Cowbell

Roxy and Elsewhere is one of my favorite Zappa albums for many reasons. The humor, the compositions, the line-up including Napoleon Murphy Brock; George Duke; Bruce, Tom, and Walt Fowler; and the percussion section consisting of Chester Thompson, Ralph Humphrey, and Ruth Underwood. Great, inspiring stuff.

In addition to great lines like “Jazz isn’t dead, it just smells funny,” is this gem at 1:35 in “Be-Bop Tango (Of The Old Jazzmen’s Church)”:

“The cowbell, as a symbol of unbridled passion, ladies and gentlemen!”

If you, too, are aching for more of the ubiquitous percussion instrument, check out www.morecowbell.dj to superimpose a cowbell over any song!