Cheap Thrills (Frank Zappa album)

Cheap Thrills is a live album by Frank Zappa, released posthumously in 1998. The album compiles performances primarily from 1970 and 1971 featuring the Mothers of Invention lineup including Mark Volman, Howard Kaylan (both formerly of The Turtles), Aynsley Dunbar, George Duke, and Ian Underwood.

The tracks are drawn from various concerts, showcasing Zappa's improvisational style and complex musical arrangements of the era. While not considered a formal studio release, Cheap Thrills offers a snapshot of the Mothers of Invention's energetic live shows and is notable for its raw sound and the interplay between Zappa and his bandmates.

The album's title, Cheap Thrills, is potentially ironic, referencing both the band Big Brother and the Holding Company's album of the same name and Zappa's own critical perspective on popular culture.

The album provides examples of Zappa's diverse musical influences, incorporating elements of rock, jazz, blues, and avant-garde music. It is considered a valuable document for fans of Zappa's work, providing insight into his live performance style during this period. The album was released by Rykodisc.