Frank Zappa

3-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Music/merch bundles:  Zappa Store

Orchestral Favorites is an odd release in the Zappa catalogue - one that started its life in a very different configuration. The music, recorded live in September 1975 with a full orchestra and Terry Bozzio on drums, was intended to be released as part of a larger project called Läther (posthumously released in 1996).  But after a series of lawsuits surrounding Zappa and his former label, the material was eventually issued without Zappa's approval (nor his usual quality control standards) in 1979. Original versions lacked artist credits and liner notes, and featured cover artwork that Zappa went on to disparage.  The 3-CD Orchestral Favorites: 40th Anniversary  has been given a musical facelift, restoring the album to a vision that Zappa himself might have recognized and containing, as a bonus, the complete September 18 UCLA performance. It features new, high-resolution transfers from the original master tapes; brand-new cover art; and a 32-page book with comprehensive liner notes from vault-keeper Joe Travers, not to mention never-before-seen photos and complete musician credits. In addition to the 3-CD edition, UMe and The Zappa Family Trust will also release a vinyl edition of the original album sequence, newly mastered by Bernie Grundman and pressed onto 180-gram black vinyl at Furnace in Alexandria, VA.