Getting into Frank Zappa

I am a big fan of Frank Zappa.
And I have many fond memories of Frank Zappa and the Mothers.

Back in the 1970s & 1980s, I saw them live many times in Michigan and other places, often on special occasions.

For example, one year I saw the Mothers on Mothers day in Detroit when they performed an extended (and unique) version of Don't Eat the Yellow Snow live. I've never heard another version like it. After the concert we drove back to East Lansing, and I did a radio show that night (at MSU) and couldn't stop taking about the show. Needless to say, I played a lot of the Mothers music to my listeners.

Another time, I drove up to Flint, Michigan to catch Frank and the Mothers live with Flo & Eddie. It was pandemonium. They sent giant orbs out into the audience, and had a streaker run across the stage (Frank was amused). They were so tight that night, with Frank on the right side of the stage directing the show (as he liked to do), while at the same time Flo & Eddie were completely improvising in their own world on the left side of the stage. It was like seeing two different bands performing at the same time, yet both were totally in synch with each other. Happy together.

Another year (and another tour), we drove all the way to Chicago, just to see the Mothers live on Halloween night. How could one pass up an opportunity like that? Another unique show that was totally fantastic.

And another time I had a wedding to go to, but the Mothers were playing in Detroit at the same time! What could I do? Well, I had to see the Mothers. I went all dressed up (in my wedding tux, which made me stand out as I was on the main floor - Frank was amused). Their bass player had just broken his arm and couldn't play. But Frank didn't cancel the concert. He used a stand-in bass player and did long guitar improvisations instead of their standard set. He was an incredible guitarist, on par with the best. And to see him just play his guitar was amazing. Oh, I did manage to make it to the wedding afterwards.

So what does this have to do with recommending where to start with Frank Zappa and the Mothers?
Well, one the most memorable times I saw the Mothers was at the Bayfront Theater in St. Petersburg, Florida.
The date was December 1, 1984.
And at this show, I decided to ask Frank to sign two albums for me.
Well, if you could pick any two albums for Frank to sign, which two would you choose?
To me it was obvious.
I had him sign my copies of Hot Rats, and Uncle Meat.
They have to be my two favorite albums by him. No doubt.
I still have these two albums with his signature on them.
And that's where I would start if I were just getting into Frank Zappa and the Mothers.

What memories of one of the truly great artists of our generation!

 

Now that you guys mention it, guess I'm going to add Freak Out! soon to my collection

 

Get the MOFO for the original mix. Or the vinyl reissue. The standard CD is poo.

 

I made two mega compilations of Frank's instrumental stuff, with the awesome help from forum Zappa enthusiasts, and I still get blown away by it. Highly recommended;




Zappa: The Central Instrumentalizer Vol I

1. Filthy Habits – Sleep Dirt (1979)
2. Twenty Small Cigars – Chunga’s Revenge (1970)
3. Pink Napkins – Shut Up And Play Yer Guitar (1981)
4. We Are Not Alone – The Man From Utopia (1983)
5. Zoot Allures – Zoot Allures (1976)
6. Treacherous Cretins – Shut Up And Play Yer Guitar (1981)
7. Apostrophe’ – Apostrophe’ (1974)
8. Rat Tomago – Sheik Yabouti (1979)
9. Black Napkins – Zoot Allures (1976)
10. Watermelon in Easter Hay – Joe’s Garage (1979)
11. Rejyptian Strut – Sleep Dirt (1979)
12. Sofa No.1 – One Size Fits All (1975)
13. What’s New in Baltimore – FZ Meets the Mothers of Prevention (1985)
14. Tink Walks Amok – The Man From Utopia (1983)
15. G-spot Tornado – Jazz From Hell (1986)
16. Blessed Relief – The Grand Wazoo (1972)
17. Peaches En Regalia – Hot Rats (1969)
18. Aybe Sea – Burnt Weeny Sandwich (1970)
19. Imaginary Diseases – Imaginary Diseases (2007)
20. Sexual Harassment in the Workplace – Guitar (1988)
Running time: 1:39:07


Zappa: The Central Instrumentalizer Vol II

1. I Promise Not to Come in Your Mouth – Zappa in New York (1978)
2. Duke of Prunes – Orchestral Favorites (1979)
3. Son of Mr Green Genes – Hot Rats (1969)
4. Flambay – Sleep Dirt (1979)
5. Eat That Question – The Grand Wazoo (1972)
6. The Orange County Lumber Truck – Weasels Ripped My Flesh (1970)
7. Theme From The 3rd Movement Of Sinister Footwear – You Are What You Is (1981)
8. St. Etienne – Jazz From Hell (1986)
9. Sleep Dirt – Sleep Dirt (1979)
10. D.C. Boogie – Imaginary Diseases (2007)
11. Rubber Shirt – Sheik Yerbouti (1979)
12. Jim & Tammy’s Upper Room – Guitar (1988)
13. RDNZL – Studio Tan (1978)
14. Marque-Son’s Chicken – Them Or Us (1984)
15. Ancient Armaments – Halloween (1978)
16. Bowling on Charen – Trans-Fusion (2006)
17. Echidna’s Arf (Of You) – Roxy & Elsewhere (1974)
18. Big Swifty – Waka-Jawaka (1972)
19. Envelopes – Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch (1982)
20. Montreal – Imaginary Diseases (2007)
Running Time: 1:54:33

 

Do you mean that the 2012 cd is bad?

 

Yes, it's just a clone of the old crappy Ryko CD. The original mix is on MOFO.

 

Ah, I think I found it:

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JBXOGC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

This site and it's members can be a blessing at times. Good thing I asked before buying the 2012 cd, cheers!

 

I think a lot of us have a list like this.

Now, I still quite like the music for all the ones you skip except for "Find Her Finer". That one is just boring to me. The music for "Punky's Whips" is some of his best.

As for your guilty pleasures, I'm really sick of "Bobby Brown". I just don't like the song. I don't care what the lyrics are, the music is unremarkable.

I, also, don't see the appeal of "Goblin Girl", either. Yeah, yeah. It's a pun. I get it. Groan.

To be honest, I don't listen to "Brown Shoes Don't Make It" much. The music is first rate and it's a great political statement, but the whole "what would you do, Daddy?" section just gives me the creeps. I know that Frank is just playing the part of a creep, but still.

 

At least we're in the position of creating our own now

 

I was listening to Montana from A Token Of His Extreme yesterday. Sonically, this has to be the finest FZ recording. Just amazing. One of the best recorded bass drum sounds I've heard.
Oh yeah.......the playing ain't too shabby either

 

if you are fresh to frank i would keep it simple at first and go for original albums.
if you like the 73 clip you showed the obvious first choice is roxy and elswhere.

my personal favourites are

roxy and elsewhere
apostrophe
one size fits all
bongo fury
we're only in it for the money
hot rats
sheik yerbouti
joe's garage
zoot allures
just another band from l.a.
ship arriving too late to save a drowning witch
them or us

if you like the more instrumental stuff
waka jawaka
grand wazoo
would be added onto that list

zappa has a very broad brushstroke, so be aware how different his albums can be from each other

 

if you like video concerts.
roxy the movie is absolutely brilliant on bluray

 

I only have Freak Out! and We're Only In It For The Money and I'm okay with that.

 

So happy one of the things I did in my life was getting into Zappa before he died. Only wished I had done so sooner.

I dont even listen much any more but oy did I devour between 92-2002.

Ive even read Negative Dialectics of Poodle Play. It was easier than listening to 2 sides of Thing Fish.

 

Thats awesome but you’ll want Absolutely Free and Burnt Weeny Sandwhich pretty soon.

 

Anybody have the 2012 edition of Them Or Us? Just wondering if it got a bit of a volume boost? My old Ryko CD sounds a bit anemic. This album is an old favorite since it was my first Zappa purchase on CD back in 1986.

 

I keep thinking I should tackle that book. The reviews are all over the place on it. Sounds like I'd throw it across the room halfway through!

 

my mate had it and i read it. i found it to be annoying. the author seemed to care more about trying to seem intelligent than actually put anything down worth reading

 

Well.... Don't forget what Frank said:
"Lumpy Gravy" is the 'flip-side' to "....Money"!

 

The 2012 Them Or Us does indeed have a (not excessive) volume boost & sounds fine.
If you want to know anymore info re: the 2012 remasters, plenty of info here: 2012: What We Knew and When We Knew It

 

Great!...
Just ANOTHER one I'm gonna have to re-buy... sometime in the future!

 

"Do it, Do it"

 

Watson's analyses of Zappa's lyrics may have appealed to academics with a knowledge of literature and philosophy, but as FZ stated in the interview at the end of the book, he didn't sit around reading that stuff. I remember reading that Mike Keneally critiqued the book, but I never read his commentary. Maybe it's posted on his website? I'm not sure?

 

it was probably the eighties when i read it. i don't really remember the content as such, i just remember finding it kind of obnoxious. it's not as if i didn't understand what he was saying, it was just that it seemed to be an attempted act of obfuscation. like he had just got his degree in literature and wanted people to know it lol

 

The Poodle Bites!