Yes, I have Hot Rats and like it, so you can probably see why Weasels was a bit of a surprise. Can you and the others who responded to my post suggest what I should try next? Thanks guys.
Civilization Phase III is weird even by Zappa standards. With its alternating tableaux of instrumental music and improvised dialogue, it's like a more linear (and much longer) version of Lumpy Gravy. People living inside a piano and an allegory of the decline of civilization. It begins as comedy/theatre of the absurd, and gets progressively darker, finally morphing into a horror show. A major work indeed. Beautifully packaged double CD.
This is crazy to me! My interest is Zappa goes: his guitar playing > his band (I legitimately like every iteration) > his instrumental arrangements and compositions > his songs w/ lyrics > hijinx and satire Zappa is as original a guitar player as you'll find. He rarely plays 'licks,' rarely (never?) uses guitar cliches; was always an innovator (see: his super distinctive wah style), is always recognizable within seconds. I could listen to him play solos all day. Some of my favorite Zappa music is found on the guitar albums (shut up, guitar, trance-fusion), which is why the Hot Rats box--with all the previously unheard jams and guitar stuff--was an instant purchase for me. I especially enjoy the way he builds solos, ignores bar lines, and applies Cage-ian concepts to rock music (see: his 'xenochrony' trick). I also like his tone, at least until the mid 80s. He always seems to play on the very edge of feedback; he's like a surfer or something. Skip ahead to around the 14th minute of his link below. Here, Zappa has played an improvised solo and then had it notated so that the other instruments could overdub it as if it were a “part.” Pretty crazy / amazing. And these next two are just great examples of his guitar playing. Listen to this version of Black Napkins—how his long sustained notes just sorta blossom into feedback. Beautiful! Who else in the canon of rock and roll ever sounded like this?! YouTube YouTube
I took the chronological route from Hot Rats on, that worked very well: Burnt Weeny Sandwich & Chunga`s Revenge (a few bluesy flavours) , then Waka Jawaka & The Grand Wazoo.
...one more day until my 1970 box shows up...god I’m a patient mofo. NP: Just Another Band From L.A. Label: Zappa Records – ZR 3847 Series: Zappa – 14, Official Release – #14 Format: CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered Country: US Released: 2012 Bass, Vocals – Jim Pons Cover – Cal Schenkel Drums – Aynsley Dunbar Guitar, Vocals – Frank Zappa Keyboards, Synthesizer [Mini-moog] – Don Preston Lead Vocals – Howard Kaylan, Mark Volman Producer – Frank Zappa Remastered By – Bob Ludwig Wind [Winds], Keyboards, Vocals – Ian Underwood Written-By – Frank Zappa Source: 1972 Original Analog Master. Originally released 1972. All Selections recorded live at Pauley Pavilion, UCLA, Los Angeles, August 7, 1971.
Road Tapes, Venue #3 Label: Vaulternative Records – VR 2016-1, UMe – VR 2016-1 Series: Road Tapes – Venue #3 Format: 2 × CD, Album Country: US Released: 2016 Recorded live at the Tyrone Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, MN. 5 July 1970.
a fovourite fer sure! N-LITE is a true masterpiece of composition what else is even remotely like it?
A longtime go-to for me as well. One of my favorites when I need a quick fix. The guitar playing on the back half is just incredible. Is your CD indexing all messed up on this, too? On mine, the song titles and numbers in the sequence do not correlate (they're off from the beginning by one)
Currently listening to Burnt Weeny Sandwich I would have liked to discuss the latest release Mothers 1970 boxset, but , I have to admit, I always had a hard time with the Flo && Eddie period. For those of you who liked it, you have my blessing.
I hear ya but really but it wasn't that bad. It was like Flo & Eddie blended in with Frank & Mothers without sticking out like a sore thumb. At least that's my take after listening to the new box straight through.
