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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 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.

http://www.allmusic.com/album/broadway-the-hard-way-mw0000198537

http://diffuser.fm/frank-zappa-broadway-the-hard-way-released-on-cd-anniversary/

01. "Elvis Has Just Left the Building" 2:24
02. "Planet of the Baritone Women" 2:48
03. "Any Kind of Pain" 5:42
04. "Dickie's Such an Asshole"  5:45
05. "When the Lie's So Big" 3:38
06. "Rhymin' Man" 3:50
07. "Promiscuous" 2:02
08. "The Untouchables" (Riddle) 2:26
09. "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

Musicians

    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