What if a crazy Zappa fan had all the albums in some form, and wanted to look for every different version of every album – not each and every edition ever made, but every version where the audio content was somehow unique? Which versions would they need? Here’s a table that tries to address that kind of question

Check it out here.

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There’s an online petition to have a street in Amsterdam named after Frank Zappa. Berlin already has theirs – as shown above.

Thanks to KillUglyRadio.com

Steve Vai and MusicCares are giving you the chance to bid on a one hour private guitar lesson with Steve, with all procees being donated to the MusicCares Foundation.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from world-renowned, Grammy Award-winning guitarist, Steve Vai. From his early days with the legendary Frank Zappa to his 1985 appearance in the film Crossroads to his current and longstanding success as a solo artist, Vai has made his mark in music history. Whether you are a guitarist or your loved one is a guitarist, there is no denying the perfection of this experience as a holiday gift. So place your bids now!

Visit the eBay auction for more details and bidding requirements. This auction ends on December 6, so don’t miss out on the ultimate holiday gift for yourself or a loved one!

Click here to visit the auction.

More than twenty-one years after its first release, The Great Nostalgia has been expanded by six additional tracks. Frank Zappa heard the album in 1986 and thought that the track “Ageless Love” was outstanding and should kick off the album. Bob Harris, who is currently working with ’80s rock legends Axe, wanted to change the song order because he highly valued Zappa’s opinion, but the album had already been pressed. Out of respect for Frank Zappa, “Ageless Love” is now the first track on Crossfire’s reissue, and Jeremy Barber’s violin has replaced the original keyboard emulation of that instrument.

Suzannah (Thana) Harris, known to Zappa fans for her vocals on the revised Sleep Dirt album, can be found throughout The Great Nostalgia on the tracks “Ageless Love,” “The Flower” and three of the bonus tracks. Of the additions to the album, Thana and Bob’s duets on the standard “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” (live at the Zappanale 13 festival) and It’s A Beautiful Day’s “White Bird” (from Thana’s album Thanatopsis) are obvious highlights.

Guitar legend Steve Vai played electric sitar on “Autumn In Nepal,” presented here in Vai’s remixed version. He also played lead guitar on a remixed version of the bonus track “There’s Still Hope.” Fellow FZ band member Tommy Mars played on “Autumn In Nepal,” and noted bassist Stuart Hamm contributed to the track “The Flower.” Billy James, known to music fans as the Ant-Bee, played percussion on the entire album. James’ tasteful use of percussion instead of drum machines is a very important asset to the longevity of The Great Nostalgia, as it sounds fresh without the usual ‘80s trappings.

One instrumental track recorded at the original sessions, “The Blue Gazebo,” has been included on this edition. Two more recent tracks complete the album: the brilliant piano ballad “Magnet And Iron” and “Nobody Wins In A War,” featuring sped-up vocals from Bob, Thana and son Nathan Harris.

Order your copy here.

Jan 21, ’08 Osaka, Zepp Osaka
Jan 22, ’08 Tokyo, Zepp Tokyo
Jan 23, ’08 Yokohama, Yokohama Blitz

Tickets are available here.

• DVD Of The Year: Frank Zappa Classic Albums
• Band Of The Year: Rush
• Album Of The Year: Porcupine Tree – Fear Of A Blank Planet