The Roxy Performances Explained

The Roxy Performances is a box set by Frank Zappa. It was released as a 7-CD boxset on February 2, 2018.^[1] The collection contains four full shows, a rehearsal, a recording session at Bolic Sound, a sound check, and a previously unreleased version of "The Idiot Bastard Son" titled "That Arrogant Dick Nixon".^[2]

In addition to previously unreleased material, the box set contains material that was released, in different edits and/or mixes, on Roxy & Elsewhere (1974), Roxy by Proxy (2014), and Roxy – The Movie / Roxy the Soundtrack (2015).^[3]

Track listing (digital version)

• Tracks 1–4: 12-10-73 Roxy rehearsal
• Track 5: basic tracks: 12-9-73 Show 1, overdubs at Paramount Studios
• Tracks 6–14: 12-12-73 Bolic Studios recording session

Track listing (CD version)

Disc one

• Tracks 1–14: 12-9-73 Show 1 (tracks 1–14)
• Total length: 76:43

Disc two

• Track 1: 12-9-73 Show 1 (track 15)
• Tracks 2–9: 12-9-73 Show 2 (tracks 1–8)
• Total length: 58:25

Disc three

• Tracks 1–3: 12-9-73 Show 2 (tracks 9-11)
• Tracks 4–8: 12-10-73 Show 1 (tracks 1–4)
• Total length: 74:57

Disc four

• Tracks 1–11: 12-10-73 Show 1 (tracks 5–16)
• Tracks 12–17: 12-10-73 Show 2 (tracks 1–6)
• Total length: 67:50

Disc five

• Tracks 1–11 12-10-73 Show 2 (tracks 7–17)
• Total length: 62:46

Disc six

• Tracks 1: 12-10-73 Show 2 (track 18)
• Tracks 2–15: Bonus Section 1 (tracks 1–14)
• Total length: 70:31

Disc seven

• Tracks 1–10: Bonus Section 2: 12-8-73 Sound Check/Film Shoot (tracks 1–10)
• Total length: 64:41

Personnel

Musicians

• Frank Zappa – lead guitar, vocals, percussion, original producer
• George Duke – keyboards, synthesizer, vocals
• Tom Fowler – bass
• Ruth Underwood – percussion

• Bruce Fowler – trombone, dancing (?)
• Napoleon Murphy Brock – tenor sax, flute, lead vocals
• Ralph Humphrey – drums, percussion
• Chester Thompson – drums, percussion

Also featuring

• Jeff Simmons – dialog on "Dummy Up"
• Pamela Des Barres – dancing
• Carl Franzoni – dancing
• Brenda – dancing

Technical personnel

• Kerry McNabb – recording engineer at The Roxy shows and "That Arrogant Dick Nixon"
• Bob Hughes – recording engineer at Bolic Studios
• Doug Graves – recording engineer at Bolic Studios
• Craig Parker Adams – audio restoration, re-mix, mastering
• Bob Stone – digital re-mix engineer (Bolic Studios)
• Ahmet Zappa – producer for release
• Joe Travers – producer for release, liner notes
• Jen Jewel Brown – liner notes
• Dave Alvin – liner notes

Notes and References

1. Web site: The Roxy Performances Overview. AllMusic. April 20, 2018.
2. News: Zappa's Roxy Box . November 13, 2020 . Santa Fe New Mexican . July 6, 2018.
3. News: Frank Zappa's Legendary 1973 "The Roxy Performances" Captured on Definitive 7-CD Boxed Set Due 2/2 . November 13, 2020 . Glide Magazine . December 18, 2017.