Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar

by Frank Zappa

Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar cover art
  • Type: Compilation
  • Released: 11 May 1981
  • Label: Barking Pumpkin
  • Country: United States
  • Length: 1:47:28
  • Community rating: 3.49/5 from 3 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Originally issued as a mail-order triple-LP box set, this unique compilation consists almost entirely of heavy, complex electric guitar solos extracted from various live performances. The collection isolates Zappa's formidable instrumental prowess and highly distinct, spontaneous compositional logic away from his satirical vocal material.

Genres

Descriptors: Avant Garde, instrumental, improvisation, technical, progressive

Tracklist

  1. Five-Five-Five (2:36)
  2. Hog Heaven (2:48)
  3. Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar (5:38)
  4. While You Were Out (6:03)
  5. Treacherous Cretins (5:34)
  6. Heavy Duty Judy (4:38)
  7. Soup 'N Old Clothes (7:56)
  8. Variations On The Carlos Santana Secret Chord Progression (3:58)
  9. Gee, I Like Your Pants (2:31)
  10. Canarsie (6:08)
  11. Ship Ahoy (5:22)
  12. The Deathless Horsie (6:21)
  13. Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar Some More (6:53)
  14. Pink Napkins (4:38)
  15. Beat It With Your Fist (1:58)
  16. Return Of The Son Of Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar (8:30)
  17. Pinocchio's Furniture (2:05)
  18. Why Johnny Can't Read (4:35)
  19. Stucco Homes (9:08)
  20. Canard Du Jour (9:59)

Credits

  • Arthur Barrow - bass
  • Vinnie Colaiuta - drums
  • Bob Harris - keyboards
  • Tommy Mars - keyboards
  • Ike Willis - rhythm guitar
  • Ray White - rhythm guitar
  • Steve Vai - rhythm guitar
  • Peter Wolf - keyboards

More from Frank Zappa: full discography