Broadway the Hard Way

Broadway the Hard Way
File:Zappa Broadway The Hard Way.jpg
Live album by Frank Zappa
Released	October 14, 1988 (LP) May 25, 1989 (CD)
Recorded	February 9 – June 9, 1988
Genre	Hard rock, progressive rock, art rock, jazz fusion
Length	71:03 (CD)
Label	Barking Pumpkin
Producer	Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa chronology
You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 2 (1988)You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 21988 Broadway the Hard Way (1988) You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 3 (1989)You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 31989

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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. This is Official Release #53.

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" (written in 1980), 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. Murder by Numbers segues into Oliver Nelson's Stolen Moments.

Track listing

All tracks by Frank Zappa, except where noted.

Original LP

Side one
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Elvis Has Just Left the Building"	2:24
2.	"Planet of the Baritone Women"	2:48
3.	"Any Kind of Pain"	5:42
4.	"Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk"	9:15

Side two
No.	Title	Length
5.	"Dickie's Such an Asshole"	6:37
6.	"When the Lie's So Big"	3:38
7.	"Rhymin' Man"	3:51
8.	"Promiscuous"	2:03
9.	"The Untouchables" (Nelson Riddle)	3:05

CD version

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Elvis Has Just Left the Building"	2:24
2.	"Planet of the Baritone Women"	2:48
3.	"Any Kind of Pain"	5:42
4.	"Dickie's Such an Asshole"	5:45
5.	"When the Lie's So Big"	3:38
6.	"Rhymin' Man"	3:50
7.	"Promiscuous"	2:02
8.	"The Untouchables" (Riddle)	2:26
9.	"Why Don't You Like Me?"	2:57
10.	"Bacon Fat" (Andre Williams, Dorothy Brown, Zappa)	1:29
11.	"Stolen Moments" (Oliver Nelson)	2:57
12.	"Murder by Numbers" (Sting, Andy Summers)	5:37
13.	"Jezebel Boy"	2:27
14.	"Outside Now"	7:49
15.	"Hot Plate Heaven at the Green Hotel"	6:40
16.	"What Kind of Girl?"	3:17
17.	"Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk"	9:15

Personnel

• Frank Zappa – guitar, producer, main performer, vocals
• Kurt McGettrick – baritone saxophone
• Scott Thunes – bass guitar
• Albert Wing – tenor saxophone
• Ed Mann – percussion
• Chad Wackerman – drums
• Ike Willis – guitar, vocals
• Eric Buxton – vocals
• Paul Carman – alto saxophone
• Walt Fowler – trumpet
• Mike Keneally – synthesizer, vocals, guitar
• Sting – lead vocal on "Murder by Numbers"
• Bruce Fowler – trombone
• Robert Martin – keyboards, vocals

External links

• Release details