Length 71:03 (CD) Release date 14 October 1988 Label Universal Music LLC | Artist Frank Zappa Producer Frank Zappa | |
 | ||
Released October 14, 1988 (LP)
May 25, 1989 (CD) Recorded February 9 – June 9, 1988 Broadway the Hard Way
#53 (1988) You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 3
#54 (1989) Genres Progressive rock, Jazz fusion, Hard rock, Art rock, Rap rock Similar Frank Zappa albums, Progressive rock albums | ||
Frank zappa outside now broadway the hard way
Broadway the Hard Way is a Frank Zappa live album recorded at various performances along his 1988 world tour. It was first released as a 9-track vinyl album through Zappa's label Barking Pumpkin Records in October 1988, and subsequently as a 17-track CD through Rykodisc in 1989.
Contents
Music and lyrics
This album was compiled from Zappa's last tour in 1988, in a band format. Most of the songs are satirical of prominent contemporary figures, chiefly in the political sphere, and of current social and political trends. Zappa's individual targets include Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan on "Dickie's Such An Asshole" (written in 1973), Jesse Jackson on "Rhymin' Man", Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker and Pat Robertson on "Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk", and Michael Jackson and his family on "Why Don't You Like Me?". In "Any Kind of Pain" (which Zappa's band had performed as an instrumental in 1976, but was not finished as a vocal song until 1988), he satirises the manner in which an imagined vapid model is exploited and despised by the men who employ her.
The album contains several covers, from the jazz standard "Stolen Moments" to the Police song "Murder by Numbers" (with a guest appearance by Sting). "Outside Now" is from Joe's Garage, and "Why Don't You Like Me" can be easily recognized as a remake of Zappa's 1970 title "Tell Me You Love Me." "Rhymin' Man" is filled with melodic quotes from evergreens such as "Happy Days Are Here Again", "Hava Nagila", "La Cucaracha" and "Frère Jacques". In "What Kind of Girl" there is a line from "Strawberry Fields Forever" and a segment from the "Battle Hymn of the Republic"; while "Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk" quotes "Louie Louie", "Rock of Ages" and Marius Constant's Theme from The Twilight Zone.
Despite the title, Zappa did not intend the material for a theatrical production, but the album received a Grammy nomination in 1990 for Best Musical Cast Show Album, losing to Jerome Robbins' Broadway.
Track listing
All tracks by Frank Zappa, except where noted.
Personnel
Songs
1Elvis Has Just Left the Building2:25
2Planet of the Baritone Women2:48
3Any Kind of Pain5:42