The 50th Anniversary 4CD + 1Blu-ray edition of Frank Zappa’s 1975 One Size Fits All takes fans deep into the creation of a progressive rock classic. Packed with alternate versions, outtakes, and live rarities, the real showpiece is the Blu-ray Disc—featuring two high-resolution stereo mixes (96 kHz/24-bit and 192 kHz/24-bit), plus DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and Dolby Atmos surround sound mixes that bring Zappa’s genius to life like never before.
The Dolby Atmos mix of One Size Fits All is the undeniable star of this anniversary set, delivering an immersive, three-dimensional experience that pulls you straight into Zappa’s sonic world. Without resorting to gimmicks, the producers skillfully exploit the album’s rich, multi-layered production. This is especially apparent on “Inca Roads” — Zappa’s tongue-in-cheek nod to the 1970s fascination with alien visitations — complete with swirling synthesized spaceship effects and other interstellar flourishes.
Of course incredible musicianship and solo improvisations appear at most every twist and turn throughout One Size Fits All, from of Zappa himself on guitar as well as vibraphonist/percussionist Ruth Underwood and keyboardist/vocalist George Duke. The stereo mixes sound very nice as well and I honestly haven’t decided which version I like better of the two hi-res options presented on that front.
When it comes to bonus material, this set doesn’t disappoint. Highlights include a blistering, previously unreleased 6-channel mix of “San Ber’dino” from 1993 (yes, 1993) and a quadraphonic version of “Sofa #1.” The real curveball, though, is a video bonus — two tracks from the legendary 1974 KCET-TV broadcast (originally issued on DVD as A Token of His Extreme) — making their debut here in high-resolution form and on Blu-ray for the very first time.
The video has been restored and re-edited, and while I still need more time for a proper comparison, my first impression is that it feels less manic than the original, caffeine-fueled broadcast. Notably, it drops the whimsical—but admittedly distracting—clay animation featured on the original DVD. Overall, the video looks remarkably good considering the likely videotape source, and it offers a tantalizing glimpse of what a fully restored version of the complete performance could deliver someday.
The other four CDs in the One Size Fits All 50th Anniversary set are a wonder. Beyond including the 2012 Bob Ludwig remaster of the main album and a wealth of outtakes and alternates, the set includes a 1974 live concert from Sports Palace Ahoy in Rotterdam, Amsterdam plus some bonus tracks from Gothenburg Concert Hall in Sweden culled from the same tour. While not sonically perfect, in general it sounds very enjoyable and most importantly it finds the band especially on fire.
All in all, the One Size Fits All 50th Anniversary set is a triumph. The liner notes from Vaultmeister Joe Travers, percussionist and vibraphonist Ruth Underwood, and writer David Fricke provide fascinating insights into the creation of this landmark album. Most striking is the revelation that Zappa’s relentless pursuit of perfection, while fueling his brilliance, also played a role in the eventual collapse of this legendary lineup.
If you haven’t already picked up a copy of this edition, I certainly urge you to grab a copy sooner than later while they’re still in print. This 50th Anniversary edition of Frank Zappa’s 1975 One Size Fits All is a treasure trove you’ll be diving into for a long time to come. I know I will. Get it.
Where to buy: $65.98 at Amazon
Mark Smotroff is a deep music enthusiast / collector who has also worked in entertainment oriented marketing communications for decades supporting the likes of DTS, Sega and many others. He reviews vinyl for Analog Planet and has written for Audiophile Review, Sound+Vision, Mix, EQ, etc. You can learn more about him at LinkedIn.
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