Frank Zappa ‘Over-Nite Sensation’ 50th Anniversary Reissue Features 57 Previously Unreleased Tracks

The Frank Zappa camp is celebrating the 50th anniversary of his landmark 1973 album Over-Nite Sensation with a super deluxe edition of the LP containing 88 tracks, 57 of them previously unreleased. Over-Nite Sensation: 50th Anniversary Edition is set to arrive on November 3 via Zappa Records/UMe.

Ahmet Zappa and Zappa Vaultmeister Joe Travers produced and compiled Over-Nite Sensation: 50th Anniversary Edition. The five-disc (4CD/1Blu-ray Audio) super deluxe edition contains the 2012 Bob Ludwig remaster, FZ’s original 4-channel Quadraphonic mix — available again for the first time since 1973 — as well as the hi-res stereo 2012 remaster by Bob Ludwig.

All three original album offerings present the classic Zappa LP’s seven tracks including favorites like “I’m The Slime,” “Fifty-Fifty,” “Zomby Woof” and “Camarillo Brillo.” Also included are unreleased masters, highlights and mix outtakes from the original 1973 sessions mastered by John Polito.

Two previously unreleased 1973 concerts with the band that recorded the album from the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles and Cobo Hall in Detroit also feature in the compilation. Additionally, the super deluxe edition contains a 48-page booklet and unseen photos from the album cover shoot by Sam Emerson. Journalist Mark Smotroff and Joe Travers also provide liner notes and new essays. The super deluxe edition’s 88 tracks will also be available via hi-res streaming services. Two separate vinyl editions are in the works as well.

Following two albums in 1972 — the jazz-fusion Waka/Jawaka and big band The Grand Wazoo — Over-Nite Sensation saw the Maestro retooling his sound and band once again, which included Zappa taking on more lead vocal duties. Amazingly backing up Frank was Tina Turner and The Ikettes as FZ tracked Over-Nite Sensation at Ike Turner’s Bolic Sound studio in Inglewood, California. Ricky Lancelotti and Kin Vassy also appeared as guest vocalists on the LP.

Rounding out the band were now-famous Zappa collaborators including wind instrumentalist Ian Underwood, percussionist Ruth Underwood, trombonist Bruce Fowler, bassist Tom Fowler, keyboardist George Duke, violinist Jean-Luc Ponty, drummer Ralph Humphrey and trumpeter Sal Marquez. Zappa would take the band on the road, with the ensemble featured on the two previously unreleased live shows from Los Angeles and Detroit.

Check out the tracklist and pre-order the 50th Anniversary Over-Nite Sensation Super Deluxe Edition. Preview the collection with an outtake of “Fifty-Fifty” below: