Apostrophe ': Encyclopedia - Apostrophe '

Apostrophe (')

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Apostrophe (') is an album by Frank Zappa, released in April 1974, in both stereo and quadraphonic formats. Its opening track, "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow", was Zappa's first chart single, reaching position 86. The album reached number 10 on the Billboard charts in 1974, making it Zappa's highest charting album.

Continuing from the commercial breakthrough of Over-Nite Sensation (1973), this album is a similar mix of short songs showcasing Zappa's humor and musical arrangements. The record's lyrical themes are often bizarre or obscure, with the exception of "Uncle Remus" which is an extension of Zappa's feelings on racial disharmony featured on his earlier song "Trouble Every Day".

The first half of the album loosely follows a continuing theme. "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow" tells of a dream the singer had where he saw himself as an eskimo named Nanook. A fur trapper comes up from behind Nanook's igloo and begins to assault a baby seal. Nanook responds by rubbing yellow snow (or rather, snow which had been urinated on by huskies) in his eyes, blinding him. The fur trapper remembers an ancient eskimo legend and travels to "the parish of St. Alphonzo". At this point the album takes an unexpected turn and instead tells of rambunctious antics ("wheedled on the bingo cards in lieu of the latrine") and follows with a scenario in which a leprechaun "stroked it".

As the album reaches "Cosmik Debris", there are several references to earlier albums and songs. The "dust of the Grand Wazoo" is mentioned, as well as "the toads of the short forest" (featured previously on 1970's Weasels Ripped My Flesh and on Over-Nite Sensation, specifically "Camarillo Brillo"). The title track is an instrumental featuring Cream bassist Jack Bruce and drummer Jim Gordon.

Apostrophe ' - Track listing

1. "Don't Eat The Yellow Snow" – 2:07
2. "Nanook Rubs It" – 4:38
3. "St. Alphonzo's Pancake Breakfast" – 1:50
4. "Father O'Blivion" – 2:18
5. "Cosmik Debris" – 4:14
6. "Excentrifugal Forz" – 1:33
7. "Apostrophe (')" – 5:50
8. "Uncle Remus" – 2:44
9. "Stink-Foot" – 6:33

Apostrophe ' - Album credits

• Frank Zappa – arranger, keyboards, vocals, producer, main performer, editing, bass guitar, guitar
• Lynn – vocals, backing vocals
• Kerry McNabb – vocals, backing vocals, engineer, remixing
• Ian Underwood – keyboards, saxophone, wind, guitar
• Ruth Underwood – keyboards, percussion
• Sal Marquez – trumpet
• Sue Glover – vocals, backing vocals
• Ray Collins – vocals, backing vocals, guitar
• Jim Gordon – drums
• Aynsley Dunbar – drums, guitar
• Tom Fowler – bass guitar
• Napoleon Murphy Brock – saxophone, backing vocals
• Robert Camarena – vocals, backing vocals
• Ruben Ladron de Guevara – vocals, backing vocals, bass guitar
• Debbie – vocals, backing vocals
• Alex Dmochowski – bass guitar
• Tony Duran – rhythm guitar
• Tony Durant – guitar
• Erroneous – bass guitar
• John Guerin – drums
• Don "Sugarcane" Harris – vocals, violin
• Ralph Humphrey – drums
• Bob Ludwig – Technician
• Jack Bruce – bass guitar
• George Duke – keyboards, vocals, backing vocals
• Bruce Fowler – trombone
• Jean-Luc Ponty – keyboards, violin

• Cal Schenkel – artwork, graphic design
• Barry Keene – engineer
• Ferenc Dobronyl – cover design
• Paul Hof – technician
• Oscar Kergaives – technician
• Brian Krokus – technician
• Mark Aalyson – photography
• Bob Stone – transfers, digital remastering
• Steve Desper – engineer
• Terry Dunavan – engineer
• Zach Glickman – marketing
• Bob Hughes – engineer

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Apostrophe '", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki