Apostrophe (') is the fifth solo album and eighteenth in total byFrank Zappa, released in March 1974[1] in bothstereo andquadraphonic formats. An edited version of its lead-off track, "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow", was the first of Zappa's threeBillboard Top 100 hits, ultimately peaking at number 86. The album itself became the biggest commercial success of Zappa's career, reaching number 10 on the USBillboard 200.
Apostrophe (') remains Zappa's most commercially successful album in theUnited States. It was certified gold by theRIAA on April 7, 1976 and peaked at number 10 (a career-high placement) on theBillboard 200 chart in 1974.[2] Continuing from the commercial breakthrough ofOver-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 racism featured on his earlier song "Trouble Every Day".[3]
The first half of the album loosely follows a continuing theme. "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow" and "Nanook Rubs It" tell of a dream the singer had where he saw himself as anEskimo namedNanook. It continues into "St. Alfonzo's Pancake Breakfast", which Zappa said was inspired by a television commercial for Imperial margarine.[4]
As was the case with many of Zappa's albums,Apostrophe (') was a melange of archival and recent recordings; side one ofApostrophe (') and the wholeOver-Nite Sensation album (released as the immediate predecessor toApostrophe (') in 1973) were recorded simultaneously during the spring of 1973. The tracks on side two originate from various 1972 sessions with overdubs recorded in 1973 and 1974, except for "Excentrifugal Forz", where the drum track (played byJohnny Guerin) originally came from theHot Rats sessions in 1969 (along with the bass and drum tracks for "Lemme Take You to the Beach" onStudio Tan (1978) andLäther (1996), although in the case of "Excentrifugal Forz" this is not actually noted in either the album liner notes or official correspondence),[5][6][7] and "Stinkfoot", where the basic track, possibly originally known as "The Bass & Drums Song",[8] dates from theChunga's Revenge sessions in early 1970 as the backing track to a cover ofLightnin' Slim's "I'm A Rolling Stone".[9]
"Apostrophe'" is an instrumental featuring a very fuzzed bass part byJack Bruce fromCream, and with session drummerJim Gordon, who was on tour with Zappa's band at the time of the session in November 1972. Zappa stated of Bruce in one interview, "Well, that was just a jam thing that happened because he was a friend of (drummer) Jim Gordon. I found it very difficult to play with him; he's too busy. He doesn't really want to play the bass in terms of root functions; I think he has other things on his mind. But that's the way jam sessions go."[10]
Village Voice criticRobert Christgau wrote in his review: "Disillusioned acolytes are complaining that he's retreated, which means he's finally madetop ten, but that's just his reward for professional persistence. If anything, the satire's improved a little, and the title piece—an improvisation with Jack Bruce, Jim Gordon, and rhythm guitarist Tony Duran—forays into quartet-stylejazz-rock. Given Frank's distaste for 'Cosmik Debris' you'd think maybe he's come up with something earthier thanMahavishnu, but given his distaste for sex you can be sure it's more cerebral instead."[12]
Apostrophe (') andOver-Nite Sensation, recorded with the same group of musicians, are the subject of aClassic Albums series documentary fromEagle Rock Entertainment, released on DVD May 1, 2007.
In July 2016, the Zappa Family Trust released a CD of alternate mixes, different takes and live versions of material fromApostrophe (') titledThe Crux of the Biscuit.[15][16] It includes early versions of "Down in De Dew", which Zappa considered forApostrophe (') but later included onLäther.
On September 13, 2024 album was re-released with new remaster, additional studio material and concert performances from 1974 on six CD and Blu-Ray Audio discs.
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