Lyrics:

Song Review by François Couture

A short instrumental piece lost between the grooves of the 1970 LP Burnt Weeny Sandwich, 'Aybe Sea' never had the chance to make an impression, as it was never performed live. Its theme is inspired by sea shanties (hence the title), a form of music Frank Zappa shortly explored in 1968-1969 (songs like 'Handsome Cabin Boy' and even the first part of 'Toads of the Short Forest'). The featured instrumentation of acoustic guitar, piano, and harpsichord is reminiscent of the 1969 LP Uncle Meat, but in this case the melody is much more straightforward. After the main theme is over, Ian Underwood plays a rare piano solo which brings the piece to its end, but also serves as a pre-introduction to the next track, 'The Little House I Used to Live In,' beginning with a similar solo. Opinions on what 'Aybe Sea' is differ. The record label Ryko included it on Strictly Genteel, a CD designed to introduce listeners to Zappa's classical works. On the other hand, Ed Palermo recorded a version of it for his album ^Ed Palermo Big Band Plays the Music of Frank appa. The truth lies in the fact that the instrumental music Zappa wrote before 200 Motels was unclassifiable back then and still is today.