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Watermelon in Easter Hay
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A tribute to Frank Zappa, in 9/4 time. This is from act III of Joe's Garage, "Joe's Last Imaginary Guitar Solo".
rock cover charts topper
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a unique fusion of genres
The music of Michael Duran includes; "Collaborations" Projects with my Soundclick friends that I have had the honor to work with; "Homespun" Solo projects & Covers done at my home. live band recordings; 2000-2004 "The Shop" Heartbreak Highway 3 piece collab/studio recordings with; Steve Layman; Piano & Synth Steve Torok; Drums Michael Duran; Guitar, Synth, and Bass 1990's "The Knapps Cutoff Band" As Is Studio "open mic" and live recordings with; Marty Nicklin; Bass Steve Layman; Piano & Synth Steve Torok; Drums Michael Duran; Guitar & Synth Thanks to Nathan Bankston, Ray Garcia, and Chris Kenard for their fine vocals. 1980's "B'wana" salvaged tape recordings from my 80s club band. Dan Buck; Drums & Vocals Michael Duran; Guitar synth & Vocals Ron Olson; Bass & Vocals Bill Kramer; Lead Guitar
Song Info
Genre
Rock • Cover Songs
Charts
Peak #3
Peak in subgenre #1
Author
Frank Zappa
Uploaded
May 14, 2019
Track Files
MP3
MP3 19.2 MB • 320 kbps • 8:24
Story behind the song
All instruments played by Michael Duran Fender Stratocaster electric guitar, rhythm & solos Carvin DC127 with Fishman TriplePlay & TEC BC in pitch-shift mode, ambient sweeps, music box, and bells. Carvin LB20 Bass Masterkey61 MIDI keyboard on Vibes. Drums played on Yamaha DD55 drum pads, via MIDI & VITA Rock Drums VST. Joe's Garage is a 1979 rock opera by Frank Zappa. Don Shewey of Rolling Stone magazine wrote, "The guitar solos that Zappa plays in Joe's imagination burn with a desolate, devastating beauty." Zappa self-deprecatingly describes the album as a "stupid little story about how the government is going to do away with 'evil rock music'. Originally released as two separate studio albums on Zappa Records, the project was later remastered and reissued as a triple album box set, Joe's Garage, Acts I, II & III, in 1987. The story is told by a character identified as the "Central Scrutinizer" narrating the story of Joe, an average adolescent male, who forms a garage rock band, has unsatisfying relationships with women, gives all of his money to a government assisted and insincere religion, explores sexual activities with appliances, and is eventually imprisoned for his indiscretions. After being 'rehabilitated' Joe is released from prison into a dystopian society in which music itself has been criminalized, he goes back to his dingy little room where he lapses into despondent insanity, and plays his last imaginary guitar solo in his tortured mind. Joe's Garage is noted for its use of xenochrony, a recording technique that takes guitar solos from older live recordings and overdubs them onto new studio recordings. All of the guitar solos on the album are xenochronous except for "Crew Slut" and "Watermelon in Easter Hay", a signature song that Zappa has described as the best song on the album, and according to his son Dweezil, the best guitar solo his father ever played.
Lyrics
Frank Zappa; Act III SCENE SEVENTEEN WATERMELON IN EASTER HAY CENTRAL SCRUTINIZER: This is the CENTRAL SCRUTINIZER. Joe has just worked himself into an imaginary frenzy during the fade-out of his imaginary song. He begins to feel depressed now. He knows the end is near. He has realized at last that imaginary guitar notes and imaginary vocals exist only in the mind of the imaginer. And ultimately, who gives a f*** anyway?! Excuse me. Who gives a f**k anyway? So he goes back to his ugly little room and quietly dreams his last imaginary guitar solo.
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davidabriggs
May 10, 2021
Just the very thought of covering a Zappa song is daunting beyond belief. You've more than nailed it. My days, this is beyond exceptional.
soundsbyramolly
May 08, 2021
As I got older I started understanding Zappa, and appreciating his writing.
digitalskull
May 03, 2021
I love that album. Awesome tribute to one of his master pieces.
steveweyman
May 02, 2021
Not heard a lot of Zappa but gonna have to check him out . This is brilliant Michael . Awesome guitar and production .
AlexisPatrick
Apr 06, 2021
Michael, I could listen to you play 24/7. Beautiful tone and phrasing. I love your style and your vibrato. Wow, all that variety in your tone and style....your versatility, your music you play. You are amazing. You play with immense feeling. Soundwork and production, always magnificent. Please be proud of yourself.
Swampman And The Machine
Dec 30, 2014
Stunning guitar work cuz !
ALPHA ONE OMEGA
Nov 19, 2014
Sooo.So..Good..Think i can actually tell that vintage baby & 'really' lovin the big David G style in there, esp late on. just amazing work This place is on fire!!
T Blue
Nov 10, 2014
A great tribute fantastic playing Bravo Tim
DOOMTRAINmusic
Nov 03, 2014
A genius musician covered by another genius musician, hats off to you Michael this is SUPERB ""
Roger John
Oct 29, 2014
Nice one. Zappa always had a unique way of seeing things /hearing things and this exemplifies that. Well played.
Bob Forbes
Oct 29, 2014
Fantastic guitar ballad Michael - the 9/4 gives it that resounding capture that each measure has it's own beginning and end. Great riff magic :)
Morten Gjermundsen
Oct 26, 2014
Wow! This is great Michael. I really like the sounds you got here and your playing is fantastic! Im really not that familiar with Zappa, i've only heard some bits here and there, and i know Vai used to work with him. But if his music is as good as this i have to check out more. :) Excellent work Michael. Thanks for sharing!
Ascenzion - Al Massey
Oct 24, 2014
Whoa!!! This is "SPECTACULAR". Can't say anything more...simply "SPECTACULAR". (you should send this to Dweezil Zappa). Wow!!!!
Rodrica Rudge
Oct 24, 2014
Over the years I've listened to a lot of different kinds of music, but for some reason I've not heard a lot of Zappa stuff. This track was an education for me and has certainly made me want to check out more of his work. Sensational guitar work and wonderful backing tracks.
Alan L Cole
Oct 23, 2014
It's beautiful Michael. Just masterful guitar work and tone - the '68 sounds awesome. Bravo Maestro!
Dollar Bill and the Unmentionables
Oct 23, 2014
Wow, you weren't kidding when you had a Zappa thing up. Fantastic! The little backing details and the sound and feel are all here - a stunning tribute. The original has what I feel is Zappa's best and most emotive guitar playing so I can't imagine tackling such an intimidating piece. Well, I suppose it would be worse to try Black Page no.1 since I'm horrible behind a drum kit, heh. That '68 sounds so nice... Very, very well done Michael!!
Falken
Oct 23, 2014
Very very cool cover of Mr.Zappa tune. Even the change of guitarsounds in the mid-section! Autentic soundscape aswell. Amazing work here!
spinaceto
Oct 23, 2014
Have to agree with MikeB about this track my friend: this is FRANK ZAPPA performing again!! All the atmosphere and sound landscapes are bringing me back in time, sublime tones and riffs with your guitar, I laid back and simply listened to, 8 minutes of great music....... THANKS MIKE, CAPITAN, a gift to us listeners, that I really appreciated!! :) :)
The Wretch Recording Laboratory
Oct 22, 2014
So, Mike... thanks to Mike, now I know :). Now, see, this is a case where I'm a little bothered about the "5 stars across the board" ratings I get for songs I feel deserve about 2 and a half... and I'd be happy with that!. A truly wonderful job, and I wish those stars were bigger for this one because every one of them is so very well deserved! Suzie Creamcheese? may I have this dance?
Drumnjon
Oct 22, 2014
JUST AMAZING MICHAEL....... BEAUTIFUL....... OH YEAH............ SWEEEET TRIBUTE to one of my favorites of all times!!! A "MOTHERS DREAM"....... SWEEEEET solo.....yeah! :):):):):) I know hes smilin at yah! Jon:):):):):):):):):)