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Warren Cuccurullo — th@n.ks 2:/Fr@n.k
(Imago 72787-23002, 1996, CD)

by Rob Walker, Published 1997-10-01

th@n.ks 2:/Fr@n.k Cover art

From 1979 to 1981, Cuccurullo was Zappa's featured "rhythm guitarist," filling the prestigious position occupied by Adrian Belew before him and later to be assumed by Steve Vai. Handling musical chores beyond the capabilities of many a lead guitarist, Cuccurullo's contributions can be heard on Joe's Garage, Tinseltown Rebellion, and the Shut Up 'n' Play Yer Guitar series. With this distinguished pedigree, many Zappa fans were less than thrilled when Cuccurullo moved on in the latter '80s to become lead guitarist and musical director for that much maligned top-40 act, Duran Duran. But anyone who thinks that Cuccurullo's considerable talents may have atrophied during his decade of tenure playing accessible pop will be in for quite a shock with this release. An uncompromising and heartfelt tribute to his musical mentor, th@n.ks 2:/Fr@n.k is a collection of 11 Cuccurullo instrumentals recorded with a simple trio lineup that shows off the guitarist's skills remarkably. The overall sound is generally quite heavy, driving, and at times even perhaps a little bit overbearing. Amidst the crunching onslaught of the power trio, however, emerge some spectacular guitar solos. Indeed, what sets this apart from other heavy guitar albums of this sort is Cuccurullo's improvisational creativity, flexibility, and tastefulness. Far from the sterile and languorously showy scale-and-pattern speed work of the likes of Johnson, Satriani, and even Vai, Cuccurullo delivers some of the most acutely musical and emotive solos I've heard in the hard rock arena since, dare I say, Zappa himself. Fellow Zappa alum and world class drummer Vinnie Colaiuta turns in a superb performance as well, lending his subtle, dynamic touches particularly well to the handful of mellower, more delicate pieces which prove to be the album's strongest and most lyrical. The closing title track, in particular, shows just how much Cuccurullo learned and retained from his stint with Zappa. A relaxed live track featuring Zappa's favorite two chord vamp, Thanks 2:Frank could be fairly easily mistaken for a mid '70s outtake from Inca Roads. This release should prove to be a noteworthy addition to the canon of Zappa-related work, but no familiarity with Zappa is necessary to fundamentally appreciate what this album is about — virtuosic solo guitar work a few steps above what most of the rest of this genre has to offer.

Filed under: New releases, Issue 13, 1996 releases

Related artist(s): Talvin Singh, Pino Palladino, Warren Cuccurullo

 

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