Frank Zappa - Live In New York

180-gram black 3LP, triple gatefold jacket

Beloved live double album Zappa In New York celebrated with suit of 40th Anniversary releases, including expanded 3LP and digital

Performances from the legendary 1976 four-night stand at New York's Palladium

In 1976, Frank Zappa played four historic sold-out concerts at The Palladium in New York City the week between Christmas and New Year's. These thrilling shows — described by band member Ruth Underwood as "theatrical, outrageous and raucously funny, but also filled with startling and gorgeous music, dating from Frank's 1960s output to literally the moment the curtain went up" — served as the source material for the live double album Zappa In New York which was constructed from the best-played performances with overdubs later recorded in the studio.

Originally slated for release in 1977, the album was delayed for a year due to record label censorship issues, mostly over the controversial song "Punky's Whips," and finally released in 1978. One of Zappa's most beloved collections of songs, the now classic album included a sensational live version of "Sofa" alongside nine new compositions, including the complex percussion-based piece "The Black Page," which has become infamous in the drum community as the ultimate challenge, the Devilish comedic sendup "Titties & Beer," and the notorious aforementioned "Punky's Whips" about Punky Meadows, the flamboyant guitarist for the band Angel.

In celebration of its eventual release in 1978, Zappa In New York will be released on March 29, 2019 via Zappa Records/Universal Music Enterprises as a suite of expanded anniversary editions to commemorate the album's recent 40th anniversary. Overseen by the Zappa Family Trust and produced by Ahmet Zappa and Vaultmeister Joe Travers, the expanded versions will be available as a 5CD box set, 3LP on 180-gram audiophile grade vinyl and digitally.

The 3LP set, pressed at Pallas in Germany, features all-analog mastering of the original album mix, new by Bob Ludwig in 2018. Plus, an additional LP of select bonus content from The Vault. Zappa In New York includes expanded packaging which features previously unseen live photos by Gail Zappa alongside extensive liner notes by band members Ruth Underwood and Ray White (who were part of Zappa's band for these shows) as well as an insightful essay by Joe Travers with Australian writer Jen Jewel Brown.

Zappa In New York capped off a terrific year for the ever-prolific and always-moving musician which included shows around the globe including his second Australian tour and one and only Japanese jaunt, the release of his album Zoot Allures and Grand Funk Railroad's record Good Singin' Good Playin, which he produced, a string of Halloween shows and a performance on "Saturday Night Live" which ended up having a profound impact on the Palladium shows. Following an on-air collaboration with SNL's announcer Don Pardo and the show's house band, Zappa invited them to be a part of the shows after three of the horn players so loved playing with Zappa that they asked if they could be involved. As Travers and Brown write in the illuminating liner notes: "Out of nowhere, the concept of adapting horns to the scheduled concerts became a reality. Frank was immediately swept up in the pleasure and challenge of writing and arranging parts for the existing material."

The collection showcases some of Zappa's most masterful guitar playing and electrifying arrangements as he leads an exceptional band featuring Ray White on vocals and guitar, Terry Bozzio on drums and vocals, Eddie Jobson on keyboard, Ruth Underwood on percussion and synthesizer, Patrick O'Hearn on bass and vocals and David Samuels on timpani and vibes. Don Pardo provided "sophisticated narration" and the brass section, featuring jazz duo the Brecker Brothers with Randy Brecker on trumpet and Michael Brecker on tenor saxophone, was rounded out by the SNL players: Lou Marini on alto sax, Ronnie Cuber on baritone sax and Tom Malone on trombone.