Larsen, Jon - Strange News From Mars
SKU
28-ZONIC2001
Jon Larsen, guitar, martian; Tommy Mars, keyboards, telephone; Bruce Fowler, trombone; Arthur Barrow, general magic & bass; Rob Waring, marimba; Jimmy Carl Black, vocal, percussion; Knut Reiersrud, guitar/harmonica; Hakon Mjaset Johansen, drums
"Norwegian guitarist, composer, painter and surrealist Jon Larsen has recorded a concept album with some of the musicians from Frank Zappa’s famed band The Mothers of Invention. Strange news for Mars tells the story of the spacecraft Big Ear III’s voyage to the red planet. Underway captain Zurcon and his crew are about to solve three of the greatest mysteries to mankind. Only hearing the record itself will reveal what these are, but needless to say, extra terrestrial intelligence is a key here. The album is written, arranged and produced by Jon Larsen in its entirety. It was recorded in Los Angeles in March 2007 with Tommy Mars, Bruce Fowler, Jimmy Carl Black and Arthur Barrow. Strange News also features musical stunts from Norwegian musical dignitaries such as Knut Reiersrud, (guitar/harmonica), Rob Waring (marimba), Ole Morten Vågan (bass), and Håkon Mjåset Johansen (drums). Zappa’s old musicians were so taken by the project and the sessions that they immediately requested a sophomore. And now the plan as to make it a trilogy! Tours are already in the planning. What joyous luck then that Zappa’s old crew, the individual members of which Larsen always so admired, should approach him with a desire to play on his Mars concept. - For this is what happened when Larsen went over to LA to start the sessions; they heard of the project and wanted to play."