A Token of His Extreme (2013)

The 73 minute "concert" course was transmitted from the Original 2" Quad Video Master in 2009 and looks and appears great. The 11 songs are performed by FZ and the Mothers with George Duke on keyboards (and finger cymbals) and Ruth Underwood (percussion) and Chester Thompson (drums) providing the beat with Tom Fowler on bass and Napoleon Murphy Brock on sax and vocals. Performed in front of a live audience, a few of the numbers feature great stop-action animation by Bruce Bickford (a name new to me).

But there is more to the DVD. Bonuses like a "Discography" and "DVDography" are only a collage of
pictures of album and DVD covers but then there is 17-minute (!) video of FZ's appearance on the Mike Douglas Show in 1976 (two years after ATOHE was produced. Douglas, who was extremely supportive of rock stars (John and Yoko spent a week as co-hosts) on his afternoon show from Philadelphia - chats with FZ and gives him a solo performance spot (with FZ accompanied by Douglas' house band). Frank talks about the film and his music tastes along with other guests Jimmie (JJ) Walker (from TV's "Good Times) and Kenny Rogers). This is obviously a rare TV appearance for FZ.

This DVD is basically an extended version of my favorite segment in Dub Room Special: Room Service, Florentine Pogen, Napolean Murphy Brock riding his small tiny hoss during Montana... if you're reading this review, you understand this stuff is gold. This is Zappa's best assemblage of performers playing some highly experimental music. It's a must own for any Zappa fan.

Track Listing:
1/2) The Dog Breath Variations/ Uncle Meat
3) Montana
4) Earl Of Duke (George Duke)
5) Florentine Pogen
6) Stink-Foot
7) Pygmy Twylyte
8) Room Service
9) Inca Roads
10/11) Oh No/ Son Of Orange County
12) More Trouble Every Day
13) A Token Of My Extreme