Non-Classical: di. ZAPPA, Frank: Montana

di. ZAPPA, Frank (1940-1993)

Montana

15 versions in chronological order

from Waka/Wazoo (2022):

1. December 15, 1972

FZ, guitar, vocals
Tony Duran, slide guitar
Malcolm McNab, trumpet
Gary Barone, trumpet
Tom Malone, tuba
Bruce Fowler, trombone
Glenn Ferris, trombone
Earle Dumler, oboe
Dave Parlato, bass
Jim Gordon, drums
(6:57)

from Over-Nite Sensation (1973):

2. March 20/May 26, 1973
FZ, guitar, vocals
Ralph Humphrey, drums
Sal Marquez, trumpet, vocals
George Duke, keyboards
Tom Fowler, bass
Bruce Fowler, trombone
Ruth Underwood, percussion
Ian Underwood, flute, clarinet, tenor saxophone
Jean-Luc Ponty, violin
Kim Vassy, vocals
Tina Turner, backing vocals
Debbie, backing vocals
Lynn, backing vocals
(6:36)

from Road Tapes, Venue #2 (2013):

3. August 24, 1973
FZ, guitar, vocals
Jean-Luc Ponty, violin
George Duke, keyboards
Ian Underwood, bass clarinet, synth
Ruth Underwood, percussion
Bruce Fowler, trombone
Tom Fowler, bass
Ralph Humphrey, drums
(7:02)

from Halloween 73 (2019):

4. October 31, 1973
FZ, guitar, vocals
Napoleon Murphy Brock, tenor saxophone, flute, vocals
George Duke, keyboards
Bruce Fowler, trombone
Ruth Underwood, percussion
Tom Fowler, bass
Ralph Humphrey, drums
Chester Thompson, drums
(6:55)

from The Roxy Performances (2018):

5. December 9, 1973
FZ, guitar, vocals
Napoleon Murphy Brock, tenor saxophone, flute, vocals
George Duke, keyboards, vocals
Bruce Fowler, trombone
Ruth Underwood, percussion
Tom Fowler, bass
Ralph Humphrey, drums
Chester Thompson, drums
(7:49)

from The Roxy Performances (2018):

6. December 10, 1973
same peronnel as #5
(6:57)

from Zappa/Erie (2022):

7. May 8, 1974
FZ, guitar, vocals
Jeff Simmons, guitar, harmonica, vocals
George Duke, keyboards
Don Preston, synth
Napoleon Murphy Brock, tenor saxophone, flute, vocals
Bruce Fowler, trombone, vocals
Walter Fowler, trumpet
Tom Fowler, bass
Ralph Humphrey, drums
Chester Thompson, drums
(7:51)

from Zappa/Erie (2022):

8. May 12, 1974
same personnel as #7
(6:11)

from The Dub Room Special! (2007)

9. August 27, 1974
FZ, guitar, percussion, vocals
Napoleon Murphy Brock, saxophone, vocals
George Duke, keyboards
Ruth Underwood, percussion
Tom Fowler, bass
Chester Thompson, drums
(4:23)

from You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 2 (1988)

Montana (Whipping Floss)
10. September 22/23, 1974
FZ, guitar, vocals
Napoleon Murphy Brock, saxophone, vocals
George Duke, keyboards
Ruth Underwood, percussion
Tom Fowler, bass
Chester Thompson, drums
(10:15)

This is an exceptionally cool version. A guy in the audience wants them to play The Allman Brothers Band's Whipping Post (see Post cclxxvii). After that, the band begins Montana, but Zappa stops them after six bars, because it's "too fast" for Ruth and Chester. He then counts it off again and it becomes a "ballad."

from Zappa/Erie (2022):

11. November 12, 1974
FZ, guitar, vocals
George Duke, keyboards, vocals
Napoleon Murphy Brock, tenor saxophone, flute, vocals
Ruth Underwood, percussion
Tom Fowler, bass
Chester Thompson, drums
(10:14)

from Zappa in New York 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition (2019):