Pianist Dementia: Music of Frank Zappa

by Dave Hartl

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brainwise Dave Hartl's playing is precise and passionate, the perfect tribute to Zappa. And much like stripping down a pop or rock song (a la acoustic or unplugged versions) can display some brilliance inherent in the original tune, playing Zappa on solo piano truly showcases the man's compositional genius. Thank you for these recordings, Dave!

Vairano I've been listening to the same old FZ material for 35 years or longer now and definitely needed a new approach to it. I love this album, stripped to the bone of lyrics that did not age well, keys and guitars that pile up, DH focuses on the wonderful melodies FZ composed. Toads is a fine example, I picked it because it is none of the songs that are repeated on every cover album. Favorite track: Toads of the Short Forest.

syncopatte Amazing! 10 fingers to transmit about 10 musicians from the most inventive band!
Dave Harti, are you from outer space?
Zappa told in my dreams that he's very proud of this release (he's also saying that you should check the Roxy Performances...

Marc Mennigmann No, it’s not Zappa easy listening ~ it’s Zappa with less words, which makes it less offensive for some people. I still love the text versions better, but these piano only tracks reveal a lot details that are otherwise unheard. An this is a Gift. Thank you, Dave! Favorite track: Black Napkins.

Tariq Saleh Enjoying this album a great deal. Thanks Favorite track: Uncle Remus.

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Comes in jewel case with notes and portrait of Frank Zappa by Al Moretti

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Full Digital Discography

9

releases

Get all 9 Dave Hartl releases available on Bandcamp and save 35%.

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Tales of the Plague, Some Other Where: Music of Brian Groder, Pianist Dementia: Music of Frank Zappa, Busman's Holiday, The Night Café, Lab Work, Straight, a Head, Foreign Growth, and 1 more. , and , .

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1.	Peaches en Regalia 03:16	buy track
2.	Let's Make the Water Turn Black 02:00	buy track
3.	20 Small Cigars 02:08	buy track
4.	Cletus Awreetus Awrightus 03:11	buy track
5.	Uncle Remus 02:52	buy track
6.	Oh No 01:31	buy track
7.	Black Napkins 03:23	buy track
8.	Theme from "Lumpy Gravy" 01:49	buy track
9.	Watermelon in Easter Hay 05:23	buy track
10.	Mother People 02:01	buy track
11.	Holiday in Berlin 05:12	buy track
12.	Little Umbrellas 03:11	buy track
13.	Penis Dimension 02:34	buy track
14.	Big Swifty 04:06	buy track
15.	Why Does It Hurt When I Pee? 02:17	buy track
16.	The Idiot Bastard Son 02:24	buy track
17.	Toads of the Short Forest 01:43	buy track
18.	Sofa #1 03:15	buy track
19.	Son of Mr. Green Genes 05:08	buy track
20.	Blessed Relief 04:12	buy track

about

I've been playing Frank Zappa compositions as solo piano pieces for years. Stripped of the lyrics (where most people stop with Zappa), the music is filled with brilliant and innovative traits that suddenly become obvious: beautiful melodies, sophisticated harmony, and some of the most challenging rhythmic concepts every written.
But most of all, these are virtuosic, demanding pieces that, I hope, pay tribute to one of the 20th Century's most talented composers. "The present day composers refuse to die," indeed.

credits

released December 10, 2019

Dave Hartl: piano
All compositions by Frank Zappa, Munchkin Music, except "Uncle Remus" by Frank Zappa & George Duke
Recorded at Morningstar Studios, East Norriton, PA
Dave Schonauer: recording, mixing, and mastering engineer
Al Moretti: portrait of Frank Zappa (www.almorettimusic.com)
©2019, Foaming at the Ear Music

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about

Dave Hartl Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Dave Hartl is a life-long Philadelphian. He plays jazz, funk, classical, fusion, and more, using piano, organ, accordion, synths, Chapman Stick, guitar, and bass. Current projects include the Ronstadt Revue, work with Paula Johns, the funkjazz group Musical Collusion (check out their page here on Bandcamp), and arranging and playing accordion with The Divine Hand Ensemble. ... more

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