Frank Zappa ‘Funky Nothingness’ Complilation Features Rare & Unreleased 1970 Studio Recordings

Hear “Work With Me Annie/Annie Had A Baby” from the sessions believed to be planned for a potential Hot Rats sequel.

By Scott Bernstein Apr 21, 2023 7:13 am PDT

In February and March 1970, guitarist Frank Zappa entered the studio with a five-piece band at new Los Angeles studio Record Plant to lay down tracks purportedly intended for a sequel to his 1969 debut solo album, Hot Rats. While Zappa wound up changing paths and turning his attention to other projects, 25 tracks from the sessions, 23 of which are previously unreleased, have been compiled for the forthcoming Funky Nothingness collection, due out on June 30 via Zappa Records/UMe in a variety of formats.

Frank Zappa “Vaultmeister” Joe Travers unearthed tapes in various formats from the sessions and upon listening with Ahmet Zappa, the pair realized they hit paydirt. “With archival releases from the vault, it is normal to find different arrangements of past tunes featured in live concerts and studio settings with other bands, but actual NEW compositions are few and far between, especially from within Zappa’s golden years of the ’60s and ’70s,” explained Travers, who co-produced the compilation with Ahmet Zappa. “Funky Nothingness delivers on all fronts, showcasing Zappa’s love for rhythm and blues, picking up where Hot Rats left off with extended instrumental work-outs fusing rock, jazz, and classical elements into music that can only be described as ZAPPA. The guitar work and virtuoso musicianship are in full effect.”

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Zappa was joined in the studio by former Mothers member Ian Underwood (keyboard, saxophone, rhythm guitar), violinist and vocalist Don “Sugarcane” Harris, Wrecking Crew bassist Max Bennett and English drummer Aynsley Dunbar. With Frank also behind the board in the producer role, the five-piece rolled through new originals, interesting cover choices and free-flowing jams. “Largely instrumental, these recordings showcased the guitarist’s virtuosity, while offering what could have easily been the sequel to Hot Rats, had it ever been released,” noted press materials announcing the compilation.

Frank Zappa did pick his favorite takes and mixed the tracks for potential release before mothballing the project. Joe Travers and Ahmet Zappa chose those 11 cuts as the basis of Funky Nothingness. A three-disc expanded deluxe edition adds two discs of outtakes, alternate edits, unedited masters of songs from the era, studio jams and “other bonus nothingness.”

Funky Nothingness has been previewed with the previously unreleased track “Work With Me Annie/Annie Had A Baby.” The medley pairs covers of two Hank Ballard & The Midnighters’ 1954 hits: the Ballard-penned “Work With Me Annie” and its answer song, “Annie Had A Baby,” written by Henry Glover and Sydney Nathan. Don “Sugarcane” Harris provides vocals. Listen to the medley below:

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Funky Nothingness Tracklist

CD 1: Funky Nothingness – The Album

  1. Funky Nothingness
  2. Tommy/Vincent Duo I
  3. Love Will Make Your Mind Go Wild
  4. I’m A Rollin’ Stone
  5. Chunga’s Revenge (Basement Version)
  6. Basement Jam
  7. Work With Me Annie / Annie Had A Baby
  8. Tommy/Vincent Duo II
  9. Sharleena (1970 Record Plant Mix)
  10. Khaki Sack
  11. Twinkle Tits

CD 2: Zappa/Hot Rats ’70 Session Masters and Bonus Nothingness

  1. Chunga’s Revenge (Take 5)
  2. Love Will Make Your Mind Go Wild (Take 4)
  3. Transylvania Boogie (Unedited Master)
  4. Sharleena (Unedited Master)
  5. Work With Me Annie/Annie Had A Baby (Alternate Edit)
  6. Twinkle Tits (Take 1, False Start)
  7. Twinkle Tits (Take 2)

CD 3: Zappa/Hot Rats ’70 Session Masters and Bonus Nothingness

  1. The Clap (Unedited Master-Part I)
  2. The Clap (Unedited Master-Part II)
  3. Tommy/Vincent Duo (Unedited Master)
  4. Chunga’s Revenge (Take 8)
  5. Halos and Arrows
  6. Moldred
  7. Fast Funky Nothingness

Additional Frank Zappa Articles

  • Frank Zappa Goes From Nightclub To Arena On ‘Zappa 80: Mudd Club/Munich’ Archival Release

    Frank Zappa Goes From Nightclub To Arena On ‘Zappa 80: Mudd Club/Munich’ Archival Release 

  • Watch Frank Zappa Play ‘Mudd Club’ In 1980 At The Room That Inspired The Song

    Watch Frank Zappa Play ‘Mudd Club’ In 1980 At The Room That Inspired The Song 

  • Listen To Frank Zappa's Audacious Guitar Solos From October 29, 1977

    Listen To Frank Zappa's Audacious Guitar Solos From October 29, 1977 

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