Mike Keneally Inca Roads Cardiff 16 March 2003 

No idea that a single acoustic person can make such incredibly complicated song so fully respectful to the original!!!

Of all the Zappa guitarists I often think that Mike Keneally, coming right at the end of Zappa's touring band years, gets a little overlooked! He is a superb player and deserves far greater recognition! This is an incredible feet, to play Inca Roads on acoustic? Solo???? Jeezzz!

Even the guitar couldn't handle it... The power of Mike is unchallenged.

Amazing performance. Frank must have been looking down at him and beaming with pride.

Most awesome thing you're gonna find on the internet

Anyone who even attempts this song, on any instrument....guitar, piano, kazoo...is a legend in my book.

As a guitarist of 35 years I can confirm, that is impossible lol, he has a great feel too, that is hard to get across with other such complex musical forms I find.

The fact that the Universe saw fit to allow Mike Keneally to play in Zappa's band encourages me to think that sometimes things work out the way they are supposed to :)

In any other era, this type of genius would be locked up. Absolutely brilliant.

""Inca Roads"? I thought, how in the hell in the hell is he gonna pull that off? I guess I know now. I will be out back burning my guitars if anyone is looking for me...

somebody give this man a grammy and then end them because this is the best thing ever.

This man's gift is innate and uncanny while coupled with a strong work ethic. If you are familiar with this song then you know how absolutely mind blowing this is.!!

GREAT GOOGLY MOOGLY!!!

Every couple of years I end up back here after a few drinks and it still completely blows my mind. For me one of the best things about this video is that most people watching it would be completely nonplussed. That chasm between perceptions of this video is part of what makes it truly extraordinary for me. A non-musician and non-Zappa fan will see a guy who seems to know what he's doing playing what appears to be random notes with a puzzling melody and apparently random lyrics. A musician and non-Zappa fan would see a very talented individual doing something that's clearly interesting and special, but would also be none the wiser with no more context. A Zappa fan who's a non-musician would understand what's going on and appreciate the massive amount of skill required, but maybe not appreciate all the nuances. But a musician and Zappa fan? Well, that's why I keep coming back here. Mike Keneally is one of the most tragically underappreciated musicians of his generation. The guy is a fucking machine! Just the knowledge that this video exists makes me happy.

I was lucky enough to be at this gig, what an awesome night it was. The most amazing thing is it wasn't a planned show as part of a tour. Mike was visiting friends in Wales and was asked to do it as a one-off. What an amazing down to earth human being he was as well. A big thank you for posting this, it's just brought back some amazing memories :)

Holy Holy Cr** Sh** Fu**.... I clapped out loud in my office when this ended!!!!! Insanely good and respectful of Zappa and George Duke and that whole AMAZING band Zappa had. Mike played the HELL out of this!!!! NICE-NICE-NICE

Fecking genius , and to finish off on the keyboard with that scatting part just showed Mikes true class . Amazing musician

That was an AWESOME PERFORMANCE! It takes a certain talent to entertain a crowd with a song as tough, weird, and long as this one. Then he pulls an ace from his sleeve when he breaks a string and jumps on the Rhodes piano; how cool! This has got to be one of the coolest "open-mic night" -style videos I've ever seen. *Hats off to Mike Keneally!*

I didn't see the wheelbarrow on stage that he wheeled his BALLS in to even TRY this song solo! Fantastic Mike, Bravo!!!

That was THE BEST version I have ever seen, apart from the big man, The show must go on. Friggin awesome

Impressive. You've got to admire the man's guts for even trying this!

Absolutely love it when a genius plays music of another genius (not a statement, just my point of view)

I knew he was gonna break a string! Absolutely insane rendition.

Jaw dropping - absolutely stunning ... i'm lost for works at his greatness....

Nothing short of astounding! Having seen Zappa play it live this comes a close second! Bravo!

Clearly one of the very best guitarists alive.

Genius, best Zappa cover I have ever seen.

Incredible to have the nerve to do that live, just amazing. Hats off to you Mike! Frank would have loved it, what an amazing performance

What the hell did i just see?!?! Video was suggested to me by youtube. When i saw the thumbnail i thought "no way, he can't play inca roads all by himself using only voice and guitar!" And here i sit now, absolutely flabbergasted. Probably the closest thing to the definition of "unbelievable" i have ever experienced! Stunning performance!!!

This is the most amazing performance of a Zappa song I've ever seen. When he breaks a string near the end, it becomes even more amazing.

Fabulous guitar playing and singing... Zappa lives! What a technique, and what a great tune even without the band. How did Frank ever come up with such stuff!!! Mike, you're one of the best guitarists ever... not to mention the keys, too... You's the tops!

After seeing Zappa´s original version and Mike Keneally´s, I´m shure I could live 1000 years and I wouldn´t be able to play that wonderful number !

That performance is simply incredible, inspiring and beyond comprehension. You can feel the passion and love coming from the heart and spirit from Mr. Keneally. God bless you.

Frank’s question “What can you do that’s FANTASTIC?” This.

keep coming back for this mindblower .. gotta see him live

"Well, why don't you sharpen it, then?" - Unbelievable musicianship....Fucking WOW!!!

He should be awarded with a medal for this

Holy shit! He's a great singer too! What a total badass.

A solo acoustic version. Was not expecting that. Suitably bonkers.

Holy shit You are awesome I will pass this on to people who need to know Big love to you From a guy that understands Zappa And how how it’s put together 👌 Manchester England. You are excellent 👌 Brilliant.

"You can't do that [be this brave] on stage any more". Frank would have been impressed ---- then would've demanded a royalty check!

A severely underrated artist.

incredible kenneally !!!!! AMAZING Inca roads alone ....... genius !!!!

Holy cow, Mike. Outstanding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I saw Mike do this at PMT music in Birmingham. I could not believe my eyes and ears. As a musician and arranger, this guy is on another level. Love his work!

Now on my daily playlist.....help open up my ears....he's also cute and joyful...and the way he saves it at the end....

I have no fucking idea how these people can play Zappa's stuff. Orchestra song with multiple parts? It takes four brains to do that :). Of course I know Keneally and I love Zappa's music.

This is possibly the greatest video in the history of video.

Truly EXCELLENT. Hats off to you sir. This is one of my all-time favourite Zappa tunes.

best acoustic performance ever made in history! congratulations

DIVINELY GREAT!!! GREAT GREAT GREAT!!! Hats down fellow!! Thank you so much for this masterpiece cover of Frank

Yikes! That man is so cool. I got to meet him on the last FZ tour and he was just as nice kind and inspiring as he seems. It's great to catch up with him again and see that as original as he is he still keeps the true Zappa spirit in tact. Thanks.

My Hats off..... I consider this song as one of the best construction projects Frank ever did.! The world is not as bright without him now......... musicians like Mike help keep those who will listen, enlightened.

hope frank was some how able to hear that ...shit..what a player ..

WOW MIKE!!!! WHAT'S STOONED PERFORMANCE of this incredible piéce of Zappa's MUSIC ......IS THE BEST!!!!

Sometimes there aren't words to accurately describe witnessing, ah, something. I'm speechless.

Mike--this is AWESOME! Absolutely convinced that FZ would approve! Well done sir!

Whaaaaaaaat a really Great Cover of Frank Zappa beautiful wonderful performance insane I love it woooow congratulations 🎉 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

Fantastic all round musician!

Something beautiful and positive in 2021.... God i miss the old normal.

A beyond brilliant musician playing the music of a beyond brilliant composer... remarkable)

This has made me indescribably happy!

This version is unstoppable and it makes me very happy.. I met Mike once before G3 I was early to show to see Ej and had tickets anyway but just like soundcheck early and Mike was walking around playing the green strat and just all around the room just jamming but no sound I was looking at him and he said hello and I said you mind me asking your walking around doing a sound check but no sound he said oh im marking my territory I said what he said its a mind thing to get over stage freight blew me the fuck away I said tell me more he said he just went around all during sound check in every area of the room so he already played there ive done this every since cause Ive got it myself and it works to an extent but practice is the rest it has to be automatic and Mike came out with Vai and blew everybodies shit away never missed a note and walked around sarchastically as if that shit was so easy and ho hum boring.. fucking wrecked the place.. I love this man because he made me strive to become better and ive worked at reading music more and will continue to do so this month...

holy shit. I would have not thought that was even possible. on acoustic guitar? guess I have a lifetime project ahead of me. well, maybe by the next lifetime.

I never seen or heard this done before... what a challenge!!! 😎 BRAVO!!!!

Makes me want to throw my guitar away......exceptional.....then he goes and plays it on the keyboard too.....bloody hell.

Amazing!! you have to be out of your mind to attempt this

I've never seen such raw talent in a performance before holy shit

Saw him and Bellar play this at East Coast Music in Danbury, CT. many years ago. Mike is just astounding.

Oh. My. God. One size fits all is my favorite zappa album. This totally made my day. Just fuckin AWESOME

Mike K playing Inca Roads solo is one of the best things anywhere ever

Holy shit !!! and they said it couldn't be done.....

That is unbelievably amazing!!!! How the hell????????? So good!

I saw Mike for the first time with Zappa .. it was one of the last concerts of his . It was in the end of May 1988 ... another great musician from Zappa's band! Amazing performance!

Big Zappa fan here. I bow to you, sir.

Love the inclusion of Jazz Discharge Party Hats as the incidental dialogue

This is one of my favorite FZ tunes and Mike did it justice, and then some. What really comes across is that he's just enjoying the hell out of it. I mean, why do anything if you can't enjoy it? A truly brave and masterful performance.

Absolutely! Sing along!

Insane. Unbelievable achievement, playing that tune solo.

Amazing!

I remember an interview (or did I read it?) where Frank said: "...of all the guitarists in the band, Mike (Keneally) had the keenest ear."

OMG...what a brilliant version. Thx all.

Wow this is incredible

Ohhhhhhh MG this is so amazing, I did not know before you are one of the best ever Mike, thank you what you share with us

Inca roads (Impossible version)... amazing

The guitar was like..."enough already" hahaha. Beautiful

this man is unbelieveble...

BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

He makes it look so effortless. Amazing

unbelevable! you are so great man!

Frank Zappa lives!

this is as close as you can get to perfection

Was privileged to see him in "The Zappa Band" last year playing at Whiskey a Go Go. Not well attended, so I had no trouble standing ten feet away and watching him play, alternating between guitar and keyboard with casual dexterity, sometimes playing both at once. I can't imagine having that kind of musical fluency. And he has said in an interview when when he first auditioned for Zappa, he had memorized all the music so he didn't read any of it, just pretended to, as he knew Zappa wanted musicians who could read.

*He kept on goingg after the string snapped, legend*

what a talented man, wonderful.

Just wonderful. Thanks.

Wow, pure talent. This performance is amazing

Stunning skills! To do this complicated tune, on an acoustic, and keyboard, live, is incredible. Thanks for posting this. x

Unbelievable nail biting journey, the guy is a genius!

A hug from me too!!! That was an amazing feat of talent, dedication and love.