InDiscReetions: 
vs. those "other" albums
The following track list compares the track sequence of the original four-LP configuration of Läther with the same tracks as they appear on the released Warner Brothers/DiscReet LPs. Note that this refers strictly to the LP configurations of these albums; the compact disc editions contain many further mixing and editing differences. Title variants are also noted. Even little ultra-picky ones.
This is followed by recording details (where known) of the tracks on the individual albums. The original vinyl editions of these albums bore no credits or liner notes. When the albums were reissued on CD in 1991, Zappa added musician credits, but these were incomplete and probably incorrect in places. Recording info was still lacking. The release of Läther has done little to alleviate this situation. Consequently I have had to rely on secondary sources for some recording locations and dates. (Sources used include Michael Brenna's The Big Note and Miles' Zappa: A Visual Documentary.)
Is there any significance to the fact that the six compositions that do not appear on the DiscReet releases all appear consecutively on Läther?
Side One
RE-GYPTIAN STRUT: Version on Läther same as track titled "Regyptian Strut" on Sleep Dirt.
NAVAL AVIATION IN ART?: Version on Läther same as on Orchestral Favorites (where it appeared without the question mark--I TOLD you this would get picky).
A LITTLE GREEN ROSETTA: This version unique to Läther. (Second half is a shorter version of "Ship Ahoy" from Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar.)
DUCK DUCK GOOSE: Not released elsewhere.
DOWN IN DE DEW: Not released by Warners. (Same as on The Guitar World According To Frank Zappa.)
FOR THE YOUNG SOPHISTICATE: This version unique to Läther.
Side Two
TRYIN' TO GROW A CHIN: This version unique to Läther.
BROKEN HEARTS ARE FOR ASSHOLES: This version unique to Läther.
THE LEGEND OF THE ILLINOIS ENEMA BANDIT: Version on Läther same as track titled "The Illinois Enema Bandit" on Zappa In New York.
Side Three
LEMME TAKE YOU TO THE BEACH: Version on Läther same as track titled "Let Me Take You To The Beach" on Studio Tan.
REVISED MUSIC FOR GUITAR & LOW BUDGET ORCHESTRA: Version on Läther same as on Studio Tan.
RDNZL: Version on Läther same as track titled "REDUNZL" on Studio Tan.
Side Four
HONEY, DON'T YOU WANT A MAN LIKE ME?: Version on Läther is a different performance from the track on Zappa In New York (though the presence of mallet percussion, not credited on Läther, indicates that it is from the same run of shows).
THE BLACK PAGE #1: Version on Läther is a shorter edit of track from Zappa In New York.
BIG LEG EMMA: Version on Läther same as on Zappa In New York.
PUNKY'S WHIPS: Version on Läther same as on rare, uncensored version of Zappa In New York.
Side Five
FLAMBÉ: Version on Läther is a shorter edit of track titled "Flambay" on Sleep Dirt.
THE PURPLE LAGOON: Version on Läther same as on Zappa In New York.
Side Six
PEDRO'S DOWRY: Version on Läther same as on Orchestral Favorites.
LATHER: Version on Läther same as track titled "I Promise Not To Come In Your Mouth" on Zappa In New York.
SPIDER OF DESTINY: Version on Läther is a shorter edit of track from Sleep Dirt.
DUKE OF ORCHESTRAL PRUNES: Version on Läther same as track titled "Duke Of Prunes" on Orchestral Favorites.
Side Seven
FILTHY HABITS: Version on Läther is a shorter edit of track from Sleep Dirt.
TITTIES 'N BEER: Version on Läther is a longer edit of track titled "Titties & Beer" Zappa In New York; same as on rare, uncensored version of Zappa In New York.
ONE MORE TIME FOR THE WORLD: Version on Läther is a shorter edit of track titled "The Ocean Is The Ultimate Solution" on Sleep Dirt. (Note: the CD issue of Läther uses the latter title for this track.)
Side Eight
THE ADVENTURES OF GREGGERY PECCARY: Version on Läther is a slightly longer edit of track from Studio Tan.
Zappa In New York
source:
- All tracks: live at the Palladium, New York City, December 1976 (plus some studio overdubs)
- Date of release: March 1978
- "Sofa," "Manx Needs Women," "The Black Page Drum Solo" and "The Black Page #2" from this album were not included on Läther. "Honey, Don't You Want A Man Like Me?" from this album is a different recording from the one on Läther.
Studio Tan
sources:
- "The Adventures Of Greggery Peccary": studio, December 1974 (with 20-piece orchestra)
- "Let Me Take You To The Beach": Record Plant 1976 (probably 1976 overdubs on ca. 1969 rhythm tracks [Hot Rats sessions])
- "Revised Music For Guitar & Low-Budget Orchestra": Record Plant 1974 (band-only sections) plus Royce Hall 1975 sessions with overdubs (orchestral sections--see Orchestral Favorites, below)
- "RDNZL": Caribou Studios, January 1975
- Date of release: September 1978
Sleep Dirt
sources:
- "Flambay," "Spider Of Destiny," "Time Is Money": studio 1974 or '75 (from the never-realized Hunchentoot project)
- "Regyptian Strut": studio 1974 or '75 (a Grand Wazoo-era composition possibly also meant for Hunchentoot)
- "Filthy Habits," "Sleep Dirt," "The Ocean Is The Ultimate Solution": Zoot Allures outtakes, studio 1976 ("Sleep Dirt" Caribou Studios, December 1974)
- Date of release: January 1979
- "Time Is Money" and "Sleep Dirt" from this album were not included on Läther.
- The credits for both Läther and the Sleep Dirt CD list Patrick O'Hearn as bassist on "Flambay" and "Spider Of Destiny." If this is correct, he must have overdubbed his parts later, as George Duke, also on these tracks, did not work with Zappa after October 1975, while O'Hearn did not link up with Zappa until nearly a year later.
Orchestral Favorites
source:
- All tracks: Royce Hall, UCLA sessions 1975 (plus some studio overdubs)
- Date of release: May 1979
- "Bogus Pomp" and "Strictly Genteel" from this album were not included on Läther.
Frank Zappa on Läther
Gail Zappa on Läther
The press on Läther
A review of Läther
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