**Frank Zappa Thread**

[Haiku Jimi]

Originally Posted by harryhoudini

what are zappa essentials to get pulled into his genius? albums, songs, videos? where should i start?

Originally Posted by brendangen412

Apostrophe
Hot Rats

Yeah these two are great starters.

Apostrophe is a perfect mix of amazing song-writing/composition and classic Zappa weirdness (without being over-the-top like some of his 80's stuff is)

Hot Rats is more jazzy, but the first track on it is what made me "get" Zappa.

Some songs to check out on youtube:

Peaches en Regalia
Uncle Remus
My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama
Inca Roads
Willie the Pimp

[thom hudson]

Rang Tang Ding Dong, I am the Japanese Sandman..Take eight

[harryhoudini]

Originally Posted by Haiku Jimi

Yeah these two are great starters.

Apostrophe is a perfect mix of amazing song-writing/composition and classic Zappa weirdness (without being over-the-top like some of his 80's stuff is)

Hot Rats is more jazzy, but the first track on it is what made me "get" Zappa.

Some songs to check out on youtube:

Peaches en Regalia
Uncle Remus
My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama
Inca Roads
Willie the Pimp

heard phish cover this, then checked out a video of zappa playing it online, then said "i need to know more".

[pure_guava]

Originally Posted by Haiku Jimi

Yeah these two are great starters.

Apostrophe is a perfect mix of amazing song-writing/composition and classic Zappa weirdness (without being over-the-top like some of his 80's stuff is)

Hot Rats is more jazzy, but the first track on it is what made me "get" Zappa.

Some songs to check out on youtube:

Peaches en Regalia
Uncle Remus
My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama
Inca Roads
Willie the Pimp

The number one Zappa tune, in my opinion

As far as albums go, also check out Freak Out, One Size Fits All, We're Only In it For the Money, and Overnite Sensation.

And to add to the list of songs:
Camarilo Brillo
Joe's Garage
Big Swifty

[Haiku Jimi]

The one thing I don't love about Zappa, honestly, is his guitar soloing/improvising.

Don't get me wrong, he's obviously an amazing player/musician/composer and he's played many a great solo. But his style just doesn't always click with me. The way he never pauses or leaves any space; never emphasizes a note; hardly ever bends, etc. It's a bit mechanical, IMO. It's a like a constant attack.

I know it's just personal preference, but I guess I'm more accustomed to players like Clapton or David Gilmour who show more emotion and restrain in their playing.

I've always wanted to know how a true Zappa fan feels about his playing.

[Socks]

Information is not knowledge
Knowledge is not wisdom
Wisdom is not truth
Truth is not beauty
Beauty is not love
Love is not music
Music is the best...

That's one of my favorite quotes regarding music

I have huge respect for Zappa, not just for his music but for his whole philosophy towards music and the music industry in general

[RushianSyrinx]

Originally Posted by thom hudson

there's nothing like a catholic girl
at the c-y-o
when they learn to blow

they're learning to blow!
all the catholic boys

warren cuccarullo!

Catholic boys

Kinda young Kinda wow

Catholic boys

Vinnie Colaiuta!

[TomtheRevelator]

I've been a huge Zappa fan for over 10 years. I've heard (or at least am familiar with) all of his official albums (which now numbers nearly 100). He is indisputably a genius composer, songwriter, guitarist, bandleader, producer/engineer, and all-around artist.

I know people hate Greatest Hits albums, but I think _Strictly_Commercial_ is actually a very good introduction to Zappa. Also, if you can find a torrent of the 1996 NPR radio show "Frank Zappa: American Composer," that's also a great primer.

I've recently been studying Frank really hard again. Despite his genius, here are the problems I see, personally (only my opinion, mind you):

1. He made music, sometimes, that only HE enjoyed. Try sitting through an entire album of his Synclavier compositions. I don't know anyone who can stomach more than one or two pieces.
2. He almost always could ruin a great melody by adding too many notes and going in off-kilter directions with it.
3. The musicianship of his bands was amazing, but again, I like a little more restraint and melody.
4. He would complain about not being able to get on American radio, like he was some kind of victim, when he made a bunch of offensive (or otherwise non-accessible) songs that would not have fit on any radio format. He wanted to have his artistic/rule-breaking cake and eat the exposure one too.
5. He was so convinced of his superiority that he had very little perspective on his own material.
6. He was a real misanthropist, and very mean-spirited.
7. I know he satirized EVERYone, but sometimes I think it went a little too far. For instance, I think a lot of his satire of blacks, women, and gays was downright bigoted. He could get around the blame (like by having a black man sing his racial commentary songs), but the material is still there, clear as day.

Now don't get me wrong, Zappa is one of the kings of American music, but a lot of people are turned off by his art. I get it. He's not for everyone, and even the people he *IS* for need to understand that he's problematic, and probably no one will like all the music. A lot of it just isn't fun to listen to.

[Socks]

Originally Posted by TomtheRevelator

1. He made music, sometimes, that only HE enjoyed. Try sitting through an entire album of his Synclavier compositions. I don't know anyone who can stomach more than one or two pieces.

People who are into modern classical music? I mean a lot of his Synclavier works were inspired by composers like Varese or Stravinsky. Definitely not music for everyone, but not necessarily just for himself.

[TomtheRevelator]

Originally Posted by Socks

People who are into modern classical music? I mean a lot of his Synclavier works were inspired by composers like Varese or Stravinsky. Definitely not music for everyone, but not necessarily just for himself.

A. He was no Varese or Stravinsky.
B. Since everything was "synthesized" on the Synclavier (obviously), with early-to-mid-80s MIDI sounds, it all sounds quite dated and cheesy to the modern ear.

Zappa was a genius. It's just not always fun music to listen to.

[Socks]

Originally Posted by TomtheRevelator

A. He was no Varese or Stravinsky.
B. Since everything was "synthesized" on the Synclavier (obviously), with early-to-mid-80s MIDI sounds, it all sounds quite dated and cheesy to the modern ear.

Zappa was a genius. It's just not always fun music to listen to.

you like lists don't you

[TomtheRevelator]

Originally Posted by Socks

you like lists don't you

1. Yes.
2. They're a good way to organize points, especially on message boards
3. Have a wonderful Christmas

[Socks]

Originally Posted by TomtheRevelator

1. Yes.
2. They're a good way to organize points, especially on message boards
3. Have a wonderful Christmas

I saw it coming but I loled

[thom hudson]

figured this was the best place to post this...sad news:

http://www.spin.com/articles/captain-beefheart-dies-69

rip

[Haiku Jimi]

Originally Posted by thom hudson

figured this was the best place to post this...sad news:

http://www.spin.com/articles/captain-beefheart-dies-69

rip

Just saw this Don't want to make a thread, most people aside from Bo and a handful of others won't know who he was.

A great guy with a huge imagination and personality.

[BotheLaneFan]

The most genius genius ever.

[thechad90000]

I've decided to push this thread back up front because I'm just getting into Zappa for the first time. I've been digging Hot Rats and Apostrophe like crazy lately. Any other suggestion that are like those two.

[BotheLaneFan]

Originally Posted by thechad90000

I've decided to push this thread back up front because I'm just getting into Zappa for the first time. I've been digging Hot Rats and Apostrophe like crazy lately. Any other suggestion that are like those two.

Overnite Sensation and Apostophe are basically brother and sister. Joe's Garage is amazing. Freak Out! is great. We're Only in it for the Money is probably Frank's most important work.

[Haiku Jimi]

Originally Posted by thechad90000

I've decided to push this thread back up front because I'm just getting into Zappa for the first time. I've been digging Hot Rats and Apostrophe like crazy lately. Any other suggestion that are like those two.

Aside from those two, I'm a big fan of One Size Fits All (one of his best songs is on it) and Overnite Sensation.

Joe's Garage is good, but it gets a little more into his shorter, 3-4 minute parody songs and "lets try to be offensive" material, with less emphasis on the composition (personal opinion.)

We're Only In It For The Money and Freak Out! are great, like Bo said. They're from his earlier years, before the Hots Rats-era jazz/rock period. We're Only In It is basically a big jab at flower power, but it's a great album.

[BotheLaneFan]

Zappa in NY is great too.

[thechad90000]

Thanks a lot guys. Yeah I'm really digging him a ton and wondering how the hell I went this long without actually listening to him.

[thom hudson]

http://www.jambands.com/news/2011/05...a-plays-zappa/

[SqueeBaBooSquee]

Hot rats Willie the pimp, one of the most badass songs ever.

[treytreyw222]

Good to see this thread pop up. I grew up basically being fed frank Zappa, my dad was obsessed(still is) so I dig most of his work. Saw a Zappa plays Zappa show with my dad once and it was badass.

[thechad90000]

I'm so hitting up that Nashville show.

[grace2]

Didn't know this existed. Sweet.

Hot Rats is such an awesome album.

[Elliott Evans]

On a bit of a Zappa marathon. First time hearing The Yellow Shark, Bongo Fury, Over-Nite Sensation and Them or Us. Good stuff.

[Elliott Evans]

"And speaking of torture, how about this ugly son of a bitch?"
[rips into Theme from Bonanza]

[patthebear]

I've been on a Zappa kick lately.

I picked up his DVD "Dub Room Special" last summer. Such an awesome DVD. Check out this clip. Some really funny banter between Zappa and his "co-host" and his band is absolutely KILLING IT in the background. My god, they are so good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThE5yyploDk#t=0h8m0s

[treytreyw222]

Originally Posted by patthebear

I've been on a Zappa kick lately.

I picked up his DVD "Dub Room Special" last summer. Such an awesome DVD. Check out this clip. Some really funny banter between Zappa and his "co-host" and his band is absolutely KILLING IT in the background. My god, they are so good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThE5yyploDk#t=0h8m0s

I've been on a really big Frank Zappa kick recently as well....this seems to happen once every few months

Love some Zappa