Dick’s Picks: An obscure Japanese 7″ from The Mothers of Invention, Trouble Comin’ Every Day

THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION Cruising With Ruben & The Jets (1973 UK black & silver Verve label issue of the 1969 13-track stereo LP, featuring 'greasy love songs' influenced by Doo-Wop & Rock & Roll of the fifties with a Zappa raised-eyebrow twist. Comes housed in a great Cal Schenkel gatefold sleeve depicting the Mothers as anthropomorphic dogs! The cover [VG] has some edge scuffing and slight corner wear, the vinyl looks barely played)

FRANK ZAPPA Sheik Yerbouti (1979 UK 18-track double vinyl LP, recorded [mostly] live in London and featuring a then-new Zappa discovery: a pre-King Crimson Adrian Belew. Housed in a gatefold picture sleeve with lyric inners. The sleeve has a little creasing to the opening edge and a little general storage wear, whilst the vinyl looks barely played)y)

VARIOUS Zapped (1970 US promotional-only 13-track stereo LP sampler including tracks by Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention as well as Tim Buckley, Captain Beefheart, Henske & Yester, Alice Cooper, Wild Man Fischer & more. Comes housed in acustom 'Zappa portrait' sleeve with Warner 'Loss Leaders' inner. The sleeve grades Very Good [1" hairline split in the opening edge corner] with no writing or heavy wear to the panels. The vinyl grades VG+ with light paper scuffs & minor cosmetic wear not affecting play PRO368)

FRANK ZAPPA Waka/Jawaka - Hot Rats (Rare 1972 Argentinean 4-track LP on the tan 'steamboat' label, recorded with a vast array of quality musicians while Frank was recovering from his injuries sustained after being thrown offstage at the Rainbow Theatre in England during the 1971 tour. Comes housed in a front laminated picture sleeve with Spanish song titles. The sleeve appears Excellent with just minor shelf wear with age. There is a small catalogue number sticker on the 'Lada 2' label & the vinyl is nice & clean & grades EX/EX- with some minor paper hairline scuffs to show play)

FRANK ZAPPA Apostrophe (1974 UK first issue 9-track LP from Uncle Frank, including the absurdly brilliant Don't Eat The Yellow Snow & the equally daft Stink-Foot, matte picture sleeve complete with lyric insert. The sleeve is Excellent with minimal shelf wear & the vinyl appears barely played. A great copy showcasing FZ at his most [strictly] commercial! K59201)

FRANK ZAPPA Return Of The Son Of Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar (1981 US 6-track LP, the third of three Barking Pumpkin mail-order issues for the US, with music transcription inner. These Barking Pumpkin inner sleeves were manufactured from thin paper stock, & there is a small split in the closed edges. The picture sleeve [VG+] has the odd light crease & some cosmetic thumb prints either side, whilst the vinyl remains in Excellent condition with barely any play BPR-1113)

FRANK ZAPPA Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar (Scarce 1981 US 7-track LP, the first of three Barking Pumpkin mail-order issues for the US, with music transcription inner. These Barking Pumpkin inner sleeves were manufactured from thin paper stock, &there is a small split in the closed edges. The picture sleeve [VG+] shows some light signs of handling with the odd faint crease, the vinyl remains in Excellent condition with just the lightest cosmetic signs of play BPR-1111)

FRANK ZAPPA Zappa In New York (1991 UK/French-pressed issue of the 1977 11-track double LP, which was recorded live over the Christmas period in 1976 with reinstated original running order, including Punky's Whips, an extended version of Titties 'n' Beer plus the showstopping 'disco version' of the Black Page #1, glossy barcoded gatefold picture sleeve. The sleeve shows minimal wear & the vinyl is Near Mint with few signs of play ZAPPA37)

FRANK ZAPPA Joe's Garage Acts II & III (Limited Edition 1990 Czechoslovakian-only Picture Disc issue of the 1979 10-track double LP concluding the cautionary tale of Joe & his imaginary guitar notes, including the exquisite 'Watermelon In Easter Hay', glossy gatefold picture sleeve complete with fold-out libretto. The sleeve is Excellent [tiny paper mark on the back] & the picture discs are Near Mint)

FRANK ZAPPA Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention (1975 UK 22-track compilation LP featuring early Mothers tracks along with the rare single tracks Why Don't You Do Me Right & Big Leg Emma. The picture sleeve [VG+] shows the odd light corner crease & spot of edge scuffing with the original Rock Flashbacks price sticker attached, the vinyl remains in Near Mint condition with few signs of play)