Classical Composer Reacts to Blessed Relief (Frank Zappa) | The Daily Doug (Episode 214) 

I had chosen this piece, before seeing this, as my exit music. I am dying of ALS and will be undergoing a medically assisted death later this month. It is perfect. Everything is as it was meant to be. I have loved Zappa and his music since Freak Out.

"I should listen to the rest of the album". Yes, yes you should. Enjoy.

Zappa is amazing because there's something for everyone. Classical, rock, jazz, instrumental, comedy you name it, he's done it better than most

Will never understand why Aynsley Dunbar is overlooked as one of Franks great drummers, he's incredible.

OK. So you've done Inca Roads and this gem. You're ready Doug. When you think the time is right, you need to tackle The Adventures of Greggery Peccary (from Studio Tan), as epic (musically speaking) as it gets. Don't be fooled by the Loonie Tunes motif of the lyrics; a true masterpiece of 20th century music.

You should do an interview with Dweezil Zappa, he is one hell of a composer in his own right, and the way he keeps the music of his father alive is nothing short of amazing!!!

"Roxy & Elsewhere" as an album study would be brilliant. Doug - you seemed enamored with Ruth Underwood, her work on this album is INSANE!

"I'm sorry I'm talking over Frank" during a Frank Zappa reaction video is the MOST honest reaction I have ever heard. Bravo!

The whole album is exceptional. "Cleetus Awreetus Awrightus" is like Frankenstein trying to boogie, very funny but also a LOT of musical fireworks on that cut and the whole damn album! Side 2 of the original vinyl: 1. Cleetus Awreetus Awrightus 2. Eat That Question 3. Blessed Relief - The perfect trifecta! ENJOY!!

"Eat That Question" from this same album is a must-listen. Great George Duke intro and solo as well.

I was lucky enough to see this Zappa incarnation in UK on Sept 16 1972,at the Oval Cricket Ground in London..(4 days before my 16th birthday.) Never imagining that 9yrs later,as an assistant engineer at NYC's Secret Sound Studio I would get to work regularly with SNL/Blues Bros band leader,Tom "Bones" Malone who was the trombone/multi horn player in that wonderful Zappa band.

I suggest “G-Spot Tornado” from The Yellow Shark album. Zappa wrote it on a computer system called a synclavier, saying it was too difficult for humans to play, and so the 1st version appears on the Jazz From Hell album. Well, a German orchestra took up the challenge to play the “impossible” song with wonderful results.

Zappa's "The Black Page" is something you just have to listen to, it's completely crazy and known to be one of the most complicated piece of music to play.

Watermelon in Easter Hay - the recorded verion from "Joes's Garage" - it's SO BEAUTIFUL! Please do that one!

Give me the entire "Yellow Snow Suite" any day ("Don't Eat The Yellow Snow"/"Nanook Rubs It"/"St. Alphonzo's Pancake Breakfast"/"Father Oblivion"/"Cosmic Debris").

The Grand Wazoo is one of my favourite Zappa albums. There are brief vocals at the start of one track, but the rest is instrumental, jazzy, beautifully played and really satisfying.

I'm not a musician. I wouldn't know an f sharp from a b minus, but I do understand that "every single note has a reason for being there and is played expertly and is played right where it should be". Beautiful music.

Zappa was In wheelchair this time when he did grand wazoo and waka/jawaka. He was thrown down to ochestral pit in gig and was injured badly. He did those big band recordings while he was recovering.

If you’d like to dive deep, you simply MUST react to Joe’s Garage. The album is in three acts, and written as a screen play. It boils down to the story of a musician living in a time when music has been declared illegal. Having the lyrics at the ready is a must, and all us Zappa fans will love to hear your commentary! Cheers, Doug :)

Zappa's body of work is vast, all his compositions are scored for the most part.

Looking forward to this one. The whole Grand Wazoo album is just fantastic. Frank was one of a kind.

I love seeing reactions by people who realize what's going on musically. They are rare, so thank you!

This tune & Peaches were in the original “Real Book”. . Probably his most straightforward jazz piece ever. A classic.

This entire Album is off the hook...! The front Cover painting is exactly what the "Grand Wazoo" song sounds like...

The only song that would soothe my newborn daughter. Blessed relief indeed! Amazing tune!

It's great to see you enjoying the music of the amazing Frank Zappa

I picked up this album in my teens and dutifully played it at full tilt when I got it home in its entirety. I was completely, and still am, moved by this piece, a beautiful piece Frank left alone to be beautiful. I got down from my room after the album finished to find my parents stood in our hallway, they’d been for the weekly shop and came home as this track came on - it stopped them dead in their tracks. All they said to me as I came down the stairs was: What was that? We’ve just stood here with the shopping and listened to the whole piece. Think they liked it….

“ I’ve got to know what comes before this “ yes, that’s how we all got hooked. I suggest you do just that

“Music is the Best.” - Zappa

FZ is a journey you'll never end... Amazing composer

THe 70s were such an amazing time for music.

A Zappa song that you should appreciate is called "The Black Page #1" a piece known for being extraordinarily difficult to play. While I don't know music theory well, this is almost the case of the pen is mightier than the drums.

Doug I AM really grateful for the sincerity and respect you show for Mr.Frank Zappa's music, especially in this video listen. I've been into Frank Zappa s music since highschool,back in 1975! Love Zappa to this day !! I was fortunate enough to see him twice thanks to my good friend Frank L. A helluva bass player himself at the time of 17. Much appreciated,Doug!! A fellow musician and appreciator. Keith. I'm now 64. Good music seems to never get old. Peace love and damn good 🎶🎵🎶🎵!

Extended play of FZ's 'Yellow Shark' should get up on the Patreon poll sometime. German chamber group playing new arrangements/compositions from Frank, with FZ conducting at times, only a month before his death.

Just beautiful. He released the rehearsals as well.

and he wrote all this!!! pure Genius!

This is my favorite cut on The Grand Wazoo. The whole album is wonderful, but George Duke totally owns this composition. I miss Frank ...

Agree with Roxy and Elsewhere. A singular feel good and mildly complex tune I love is "Peaches in Regalia." Thanks for your attention to Frank🙏.

Thanx for a beautiful reaction! Please keep on doing Zappa!

Mozart said: "The music is not in the notes, but in the silence between."

He had so many amazing albums....this one is near the top for me. Back in my college days, I did a paper for my Jazz History class on Zappa. The professor loved it.

Even more remarkable, Frank made this album in a wheelchair after being pulled off the stage ad breaking his back.

This is the first thing I played the evening I learned of Frank's death 30 years ago this year. I still get emotional listening to it even now. 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

been a fan for fifty years still discover new tracks never gets boring yes he is missed so much grew up with his music tracks of live

don't miss the track "Eat That Question" off this record! next check out some 1970s jazz fusion like Return To Forever (with Chick Corea) or Tigran Hamasyan "Vardavar" live in Montreux

That was an Echoplex that tilted your brow at the conclusion of George Duke's solo. Very fun machine to play with when combined with a Rhodes.

I absolute love this track

I am spreading the word for you guys right now. Everyone who I am meeting on RU-vid now knows of you.

Wonderful choice. I think the advice you got about "pick one" is apt. Enjoy the ride.

“Peaches En Regalia”-a masterwork.

This song always feels like a warm blanket on a cold day.

My friends and I were lucky to see this preformed at the Hollywood Bowl right after this album was released. Zappa was still recovering from being thrown into the orchestra pit in London. He only play guitar on three songs, the rest of the time he conducted.

Doug, just search for Hermeto Paschoal, a great genius from Brazil that was a close friend of Miles Davis. "Pimenteira" is a great song!

The studio version of RDNZL next, Doug! PLEASE!!!!!!!!

You are correct, you need to hear that entire album.

The BEST Zappa track EVER is IT MUST BE A CAMEL on Hot Rats. Period. I've met Frank, and listened to him since 1968.

This was so great!! Love your Zappa reviews

Village of the Sun/Echidna Arf of You/Don't you ever wash that thing - from Live at the Roxy and Elsewhere is a must listen. Astonishing! The best Zappa band at their peak.

To quote the master (FZ) "There is a conceptual continuity" to the album. As my friend Colin said to me when he gave me a copy of "The Grand Wazoo" in 1973: "It gets pretty heavy going on the B side with "Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus" and "Eat That Question", and when you think it's all been too much and you are wondering how much more you can take, then you get "Blessed relief" to put your mind back in order before the end". Colin, you were so right!

I used to play this when I finished work on friday night..physical hard work loading trailers and this was my relief..this can carry my coffin away.....

I reckon this one of the few, if not only instrumentals that doesn't jump in with any surprises. Smooth as... using it for my funeral.

Thanks Doug. Although I have a very large Zappa library, we're listening to this for the first time together. This was sublime.

Thank you for your brilliant and very enjoyable listen and critique. I've heard this music thousands of times and it is such a pleasure to learn more about it from a musician who can identify the key, structure, and intent of a piece of music. Frank, who is my favorite American Composer, was in a wheelchair during the composition and recording of this album, and it is a dramatic turn from the music he was writing and performing earlier. He'd been attacked on stage and pushed off the stage in to the orchestra pit, causing him to spend a month in a hospital in London before returning to his home in Los Angeles. He had a brief tour with this ensemble "The Petit Wazoo" which has been released by the Zappa Family Trust (now Universal Music). See also his "Waka Jawaka Grand Hot Rats" album for more!

"Eat That Question" from the same album is essential!

One of my favourite songs from Zappa. Title matches the music perfectly...

Yes, listen to the whole album! And also "Waka/Jawaka" which is sort of a companion piece with mostly the same musicians.

Several colleges including UH Hilo have a Zappa program as part of their musical curriculum, and a successful Zappa night for the public. Franks son Dweezil performed with the UH Hilo Jazz Orchestra on Zappa night in 2019.

pieces you NEED to listen to: The Black Page #1, Rollo Interior (from the Yellow Snow suite), the Malcolm McNabb (Bee Bop Tango from Roxy and Elsewhere), and Uncle Meat Main Title Theme (Uncle Meat)… these pieces are all quintessential zappa

For a lot of notes, try Zomby Woof. Or Fifty-Fifty, with amazing solos by Frank, George Duke, and Jean-Luc Ponty on electric violin. Or The Black Page, originally composed for drums and so called because the sheet music has so many notes on it.

Your comment about "every note has a reason for being there" is very accurate. There was nothing extraneous or unwanted. It was all planned and executed with a purpose. Frank describe music as air sculptures. This is clearly a sculpture.

I agree with those suggesting "Roxy and Elsewhere" live. "Village of the Sun/Echinda's Arf" starts very sophisticated and lovely then gets "statistically dense" all very musical

One of the most underrated musicians. Unfortunately remembered most for his satire and grunts. Check out his Grammy winning "Jazz From Hell" or his last albums with The London Philharmonic. Life cut too short.

Would love to see your reaction to 'The Ocean Is The Ultimate Solution' from the album 'Sleep Dirt'. It's my favourite Zappa track and a real 13 minute doozy.

Good idea listening to the whole album, it's an excellent Jazzy work, I highly recommend it.

It's all so smooth it's a real Blessed Relief. On if the best modern compositions IMHO

When I want to clear my head of the crap I play to make a living, Zappa has always been my Blessed Relief. It is a delight to have such an insightful and well-informed view as yours. Thank you.

This one is in the Real book, along with Peaches En Regalia (You know, the Jazz Standards book) - Waka/Jawaka is also a great Jazz piece - more interesting than Blessed Relief I'd say - very Duke Ellington in parts. But still quite free in the middle.

Grand experience hearing thru Doug's ears. Ainsley Dunbar had something special going on up the wazoo. Jim Gordon on Excentrifugal Forz is similarly special. F.Zappa appreciated good drumming and sure went thru many drummers.

When my father agreed to help me buy my first stereo, it was this album I took with me and this song I played in the store to test out the speakers. This music excites my head and goes straight to my heart.

I was wondering when you would get around to Frank Zappa! There is a gold mine of musical greatness in Zappa’s catalog. Thank you Daily Doug always fun to watch your’ reaction.

Check out the Black Page...very different and complex

Doug showed Bob Dylan just how to look Chic in that leopard skin pillbox hat.

This entire album is terrific & Blessed Relief is a wonderful conclusion to it. The trumpet solo is delicious!

Thanks Doug, heading off go to spin this whole record now. 👍🏻

I always enjoy the on the fly theory and analysis!

This music is so chill. I often listen to it. One of the best of Zappa. Doug please listen to Slightly all the time by Soft Machine!

Ha ha I love it when the song changes key and Doug is really surprised. I often feel like that when I'm listening to Zappa. There's either a key change, a change in time signature or just a change in mood that catches you off guard. Zappa is the master of that. Most people can't stand it.

"Eat That Question" from the Grand Wazoo album is a brilliant track. I love "Blessed Relief", a beautiful tune

As many have suggested you must listen to The Adventures of Gregory Peccary. Another song that is interesting from a composer's perspective is 'Andy'. It might sound like a pretty normal rock song, but the ways he twists and turns the motif would make Arnold Schoenberg start dancing.

After "Inca Roads", this is a very conventional piece, so your next Zappa adventure should be the "Yellow Snow" suite.

Yes, that whole album is amazing. 'Regyptian Strut'... OMG. My favourite is 'Eat that Question', another amazing tune where George Duke really gets to shine.

WOW! Zappa got all chill also!!! So cool.🌌🧘‍♀️

Yay! Grand Wazoo is one of my favorites!

Not a Zappa fan at all but really enjoyed this piece. Adding it to my personal playlist. Thanks,

The back story for this period of Zapp;as life is bizarre. He was literally hospitalised and confined to a wheelchair after a fan pulled him off the stage at a live concert. During that period, with little mobility, he concentrated on some new musical explorations.

There are times when I feel you are a friend of mine and we are listening music while having a beer, a really really cool feeling actually

The Adventures Of Greggery Peccary is the one to listen to.

Seen Zappa plays Zappa up in Saratoga last Monday. They were amazing. KING crimson was the headliner

Kinda cool that at 6:21, George Duke hints at the main motif from the previous song on the album, "Eat That Question."

That was great! I love watching these videos. Even though I've heard this album dozens of times you analyze it in a way I can't and it's really interesting to hear your insights. Thank you!