The Dub Room Special! (1984 Video) User Reviews

Absolutely amazing!

[sandrewsmith · 10/10 · 22 June 2002]

This television special from the early 1980s by Frank Zappa is an amazing amalgamation of concert footage from 1974 and 1982. Astute viewers will note that the 1974 footage is from the KCET-TV special the Mothers did in that year - from which most of the "Inca Roads" track on One Size Fits All is taken. The performances by all musicians involved are intense, notably those of percussionist Ruth Underwood and singer/saxophone player Napoleon Murphy Brock. It's really great to be able to see these Mothers perform: these are two of the best performing ensembles that Frank ever put together. Also of interest: writer Massimo Bassoli sings "Tengo na minchia tanta", which you may recognize from the CD release of the Uncle Meat soundtrack. If you can track this show down (EBay is a good place to start), I highly recommend it.

Classic Zappa for the initiated

[roko-10 · 10/10 · 2 February 2008]

Any Zappa fan is going to enjoy this movie.There are memorable performances of such titles as STINKFOOT and INCA ROADS.Looks to be clips cobbled together from two different performances. The movie has Frank's signature zany surrealism and the musicianship is impeccable. The Mothers line-up includes Napoleon Murphy Brock whose on-stage antics make for humor-filled viewing.

An air of good humor envelops the film and the claymation sequences are superb.

Probably only relevant to Zappa fans,any novice would probably find the whole project confusing.

Superb Clay Animations!

[bas_vossen · 28 August 2004]

Bruce Bickford is the man who made the amazing sparkling clay animations in which zappa's hands expand to having twenty fingers and this playing the most incredible soloos until a monster that's growing from his neck is biting fingers off...in the meantime you see short scenes of frank zappa in his studio with his buddies. One particular funny scene is when zappa sits in the 'claymation' studio making a clay puppet that looks like himself move in almost human ways, making a pic of every slight movement. Next the pics are framed in the animation movie and you see the puppet gesturing at the real Frank Zappa. This makes people wanna produce their own claymations!

Awesome, and worth the price of admission

[iam-tpop · 10/10 · 28 February 2006]

I am a big Zappa fan. the performance of Napoleon Murphy Brock (unbelievable talent) on Florentine Pogen and the live "room service" rap session is something that should not be missed, I have a very keen sense of music and admire musical talent from a musicians perspective, Dub Room special delivers a feeling of the live electricity that Zappa shows deliver. HIGHLY Recommended. Be assured that the Inca Roads portion of this DVD is edited to include claymation during most of the song, this is an important part of the DVD where I would have loved to see the band play. What a lineup including Chester Thompson Genesis live tour drummer, George Duke jazz Superstar Ruth Underwoods percussion contributions are also very worthy and of course little stevie vai, say no more this DVD delivers.