It took years for Dweezil to perform this piece in public. He said he considered this to be father's best guitar piece. Before he died, Frank told his wife Gail to get out of the music business altogether and sell his entire catalog, with one exception. She was not to ever sell the rights to Watermelon in Easter Hay. This piece meant something special to Frank. Considering the sheer volume of his work, and how seriously he approached his music it is very telling that this was the one piece he apparently cherished above all others.
This one and Black Napkins. But Ahmet and Diva (who held 60% of the trust) had the lot sold to Universal. So I can expect covers coming up the grand wazoo.
I’m a high school music teacher and will never forget working supply at a school in Clitheroe in the northwest of England. I was teaching a class of year 7 kids and was taking the register, I was calling out the names and came down to the last name and the girls surname was Zappa. I flippantly said, “ no relation to Frank Zappa?”, to my utter amazement she said yes, he was her uncle, her dad was his brother. I asked if she’d met him and she told me she had but didn’t like him as he was a bit “weird”. None of the other kids had a clue who he was and i didn’t want to embarrass the girl more than she already was, but I said that he was a modern day Mozart.
How on earth could she ignore the figure his uncle was and is...? She had to know. Unless there were family issues. Otherwise makes no sense. Or maybe we’re talking very young kids.
Back in 70 I was in 7th grade also, played E flat Alto sax. My band teacher was named Mr. Fryer. Definitely not a fan of FZ. I don't really think he had a clue who Zappa was, then or now. My 1st grade teacher had more freckles than I thought possible, her name was Ms. Fryer. Still is, almost. You see Ms. Fryer married [yrs. latter] Mr. Fryer, to become Mrs. Fryer. I always thought it was a slightly strange coincidence, like you teaching music to a Zappa. This has nothing to do with Frank Zappa really, but reading your comment made me lament that my 7th grade music teacher wasn't hip to Zappa's music, like you. I just wonder what effect it might of had on our school band in those yrs. Imagine the possibilities. Your students are lucky. Maybe Mozart was a latter- day Zappa? lol
The kid turned out to be a Zappa. This is devastating. He is so brave to play this live, exposing himself completely. He plays this so beautifully. You gotta love this guy.
Totally agree. A masterpiece because it touches our hearts again and again ... It has deeply touched me for 35+ years now and still does. A gift that keeps giving. Truely amazing.
It's also Joe's final moment of expression, before he goes to work in the utility muffin research laboratory putting out little green rosettas. Just remembered that I have another counter-culture impulse owed to FZ.
1:54 To see Dweezil with tears & emotions welling up playing his father’s beautiful WIEH the LAST imaginary guitar solo for ‘Joe’ is so amazing and moving. I really love & admire what Dweezil is doing with his father’s music and bringing it all over the world to we the fans who NEED it. 😢
At this point poor Joe is getting sick & tired of being stuck inside his ugly prison cell with all the other wanna be rock stars & also along with the record company executives. There's no more cocaine to shove up their noses nor VD riddled groupies to share with each other so they are forced to pass off their constant boredom snorting laundry detergent & satisfying their sexual urges by plooking each other. Every once in a while Joe must escape this never-ending hell by slipping into the Twilight Realm where he composes imaginary guitar solos & imaginary vocals for imaginary songs wondering if he'll ever get to see the outside world again. But until that time comes, if ever, poor Joe is relegated to dreaming of how much different he'd do things if ever to be released to the outside world. But for now, he's relegated to the sad reality that imaginary guitar notes & imaginary vocals only exist in the imagination of the imaginer!
Tears rolling down my face now. My mum died 3 weeks ago. This song made it all come out. RIP Frank and RIP my wonderful mum Joyce 27th August 1933 - 4th June 2014.
@@thomasbrown6527 wonder if frank was thinking of a place when he made this song, if he did i hope your mum an frank are there. but what a gift of a song frank gave us.
Any musician that can compose a 9 minute piece that's essentially so simple but keep it interesting and emotional obviously has massive talent and skill.
I keep returning...what an intense and somatic way to recall a departed Father.. anyone can resonate with the loss tenderness and respect. Thank you both Zappas.
This is what music is all about, IMO. The tender, simple notes of this theme speak more to me than all the shredded notes I’ve ever heard put together. Magical.
watermelon is easter hay has always made me tear up, I don't know why. No other song has ever made me cry, or come close to feeling sadness. There's just a certain beautiful melancholy it has.
Its 6 am where I live and its new years eve, and I am listening to this tribute for the 10th time in a row. I dont think I haver ever heard something so beautiful like this
It's said that Frank's request was to have this song playing as they lowered him into the ground at his funeral. So that's what the kids did. Knowing that makes sense why it's such a powerful and tearful masterpiece.
I was at this gig with my dad - the biggest Frank Zappa freak you'll ever meet. It was so special to watch Dweezil play his dad's music so beautifully. I was blown away that he chose that evening to play Watermelon in Easter Hay live for more or less the first time. Dweezil is quoted as saying that he thinks this is Frank's best guitar solo and it's clearly very significant to him and very emotional for him to play it. That loud whistle at 2:32 is me.
Ben Haldenby you clearly don't know what you are talking about. Your dad is the biggest Zappa freak? Ha! You don't know me. I am an even bigger Zappa freak than your father could be. Even if it is not true, I am sure I am in good company.
Yep. I got to sit in on a guitar workshop with Dweezil with my son and about 18 other fans. We got to ask questions, and I asked what was his favorite song from his father and Dweezil replied, "Watermelon in Easter Hay".
Hmm, Frank's best? I don't know that's too hard to decide... for example it has to compete with the Inca Roads solo that became the title track to Shut Up 'n Play Yer guitar, but this one may very well be the most emotional. Always makes me tear up...
That had to be the longest 10 minutes of Dweezil's life. If you are a Zappa fan and didn't tear up...well...you aren't really a Zappa fan. Have to admire Dweez for even playing it in public....took guts to stand there and pour out that emotion.
@Olivier Batteris That's right. I cry most times I hear it. I met Dweezil in Philly early on during his ZPZ tours. When asked if he would play WIEH he said, not now, not yet. It's so close to all of our hearts. And yes, Frank's most beautiful piece, most poignant, full of pathos and serenity. I've played this song for total Zappa strangers in France who tell me they float away and feel in the clouds and drift away to a heavenly state.
Still in 2019 he wipes a tear or two away every time he plays it. I know it took him a few years to take the most beautiful FZ song on. Good for him, good for all of us lifelong FZ fans.
Dweezil is on of my favorite guitarists full stop. Hearing him play this and seeing him fight the tears is amazing. Love and miss you Frank. But Dweezil is doing it for you. Much love
Gary Zajdel Oh! it was hard for me to hold back tears when I first heard Dweez play this song, in fact I didn't, I hard tears running down my cheeks. ;-)
Thanks for bumping this vid. I NEEDED to re watch it right about now, as I am trying to learn this song myself, but I need to learn it some more, so thanks again guys.
Tyler Vanner Frank's solo's are manic and sporadic , which I love, Dweezil is much smoother and clean, Frank can make the guitar cut right through me, especially when he plays an SG 1000... I love how Dweez has carried on Frank's music, I'm learning this song atm myself. Cheers.:-)
Several years back I saw Dweezil, and Zappa Plays Zappa, at a concert in New Hampshire. After the show he sat on the stage, gave autographs and chatted with fans. I asked when he would put this in the show. He said "not for many years yet". There was a look on his face you can see in this video. We lost Frank Zappa, a great musician. Dweezil lost that, and his Dad.
Dweezil always has to choke back the tears when he plays this. It is such a lush and beautiful, and now that Frank is gone, a solemn tune. I can absolutely understand the emotion for Dweez. RIP, Uncle Frank. Thank you for the time you were with us.
What a powerful performance! :,( Man, you can really see how emotional it is for him to play this one, and he is really good about keeping that from getting to him usually. From what ive heard this song is very important to him. This was always one of my favorites as well, probably my favorite solo piece of Franks. Its funny because i see a few comments here saying they want this played at their funeral. I have felt the same way for years Also, i know people are cheering when Dweez obviously chokes up a bit. I feel that they are just letting him know that they understand why and feel the same way. That they have his back. We all miss Frank. But hopefully Dweezil can see how many people still love and care about this music and that gives him some comfort.
@@jimventry5509 Nice, thanks. If interested, Buckethead and John Fruciante did the same tribute. Aunt Suzie by Buckethead and Respectfully, Johns before the beginning. I would link but YT hates me and deletes my links. Thanks love!
I first heard this song when my mom played the vinyl LP on her old turntable and Klipsch speaker system. I've heard this song a hundred times since then. It still tears me up. Dweezil played it beautifully. His dad would be proud of him.
This is, and always will be my favourite piece of music until the day i pass. This is the first time I've seen Dweezil cover this and if the original moved me then this has taken it to another level. The father son connotations hold a lot of meaning for me. Without trying to be morose, this WILL be played at my funeral. Absolutely brilliant.
Out of curiosity I played this along with Frank's version on Joe's Garage and it was amazing. I was able to synch them up perfectly and hearing the two of them playing together was intense.
I've listened to this piece so many times, whether it's FZ or Dweezil, and it never fails to bring me to tears. That moment at 3:08 onwards, where Dweezil switches gears on his guitar and kicks those feelings of regret into subtle overdrive, just overwhelms me with deep sadness and reflection... while at the same time you're holding your breath for him... and when Dweezil finishes it with that somber coda, you're already with him, but with the hairs standing on end. And with a feeling of "yes, you've made it!"
To me, this piece is not just sad but also calm and positive. I never thought of it as sad. The music is emotional but contains all sorts of feelings. I think that everything Frank wrote had some positive feeling to it. Dweezil did an awesome job playing it and also a great job recreating the tone of the guitar. The version in Joe's Garage has the best clean and dirty guitar tones I ever heard. Music is the best.
Dweezil is just fantastic, plays Frank's music so well. Been so lucky to speak with him twice after concerts in Norway, He shows his feelings about how much he miss Frank, some tears came from me too.
This is an amazing and touching performance of a great composition, and a fitting tribute to a father Dweezil lost far too soon. The connection between him and Frank is manifest, even palpable. He's done Frank proud.
Dweezil..... I have watched you play this song many times ( I am a guitarist myself) I don't give a fuck what anyone say's! man I can hear your ol' mans influence.... sometimes when I kick back listening to you.... I can hear Frank! I love ya man!
greetings from Germany. My first music love in 1974 was Zappa. Love this guitar and chaos music, lyrics I hardly understood. Today I miss him very much, and the world needs him like never before, politically.
All you beautiful humans, that know tragedy & loss, that find catharsis & comfort here, may your hearts know eternal joy in the gifts that those lost to you gave to you. I have missed my friend Martin for 25 years now, we were all just 22 years old when we lost him at age 22. Our days, nights, sunsets & sunrises, that were accompanied by this truly epic track, are treasured memories that nobody, no thing can take away. I'm so grateful for every single one of those moments. Until we meet again friend, I love you & miss you - but you know that already...
I so appreciate all the comments of those who remember loved ones lost. This song is a perfect anthem for memory and introspection. My wife and I danced to this song at our wedding. It also is a song of love and triumph. It makes me want to conquer the world. I miss you Frank.
Utterly sublime emotion through a guitar, one of the greatest guitar instrumentals ever......Always so loved Franks version but Dweezil does it so beautifully and heartfelt in his Dad's memory... This piece is one I'd have played at my funeral and long may it play forever.
I’ve seen dweezel twice in concert. Every time, he tears up while playing. It is my favorite FZ song and causes me to shed some tears as well. I want this to be shared with family and friends at my celebration of life party
Hard to believe that this beautiful insturmental first appeared on the same album that gave us the song, Why does it Hurt When I Pee? This is lovely, and I give tons of credit to Dweezil and the band for staying true to the mood and not being tempted by the presence of the live audience to try to overdo it and show off.
If I were to meet my untimely demise, my parents are given a playlist for my “celebration of a life in mediocrity” party. This is the last song to be played. What a way to go out. Absolute emotion turned up to 11. RIP FZ. And thank you Dweez.
Not sure what your music taste is or lack off, maybe Ceremony by Joy division or if inna strick metal Diet, Anthrax - in the end; would suit. Stay safe kiddo ❤️
If I had the pleasure of watchin' Dweezil play this song live I would have had had tears runnin' down my cheeks too! I close my eyes and swear I can hear Frank!
What is inherited is not stolen, you were playing with a broken heart but you went ahead as a professional, your father is proud of you wherever he also applauds you with tears of the heart. PS: sorry for the translation I'm using the Google translator and sometimes it does not convey what you really want to write.
This composition is like listening to waves break on the shore or seeing the setting sun. Magnificent, all encompassing, sublime, and revealing. A beginning and ending in ever changing form with time to breathe in the wonder. Love this piece.
Greetings from Palm Desert, CA. We love Watermelon and Easter Hay here. We have always been content with the U-Tube, picture video. This is the first we have seen it Live. Thanks Brother. ❤
Beautiful, I'm in tears, son plays one of his dad's most beautiful songs and thinks of his dad departed. It brings an extra layer of emotion. Your dad will be so proud man, bless you...
I am going to find the SEVEN dislike people on this page and Beat Them With A Rubber Chicken! This Man Is Pouring It All INTO THAT STRAT.. Tears & All...Again...Thank You Dweezil For Keeping Franks Music Alive!
Fuck the chickens or the shirt. It's lead-filled snowshoe time! Who gives a fuck anyway? We all do, Frank. Music is how souls connect with each other, be it humor or heartbreak and it's wonderful seeing Dweezil pour it out just like his dad.
This is possibly my favourite Frank Zappa piece. Really hits me every time I here it. To see his son playing it with so much emotion is really beautiful.
My first impression is that, this piece is, reverential. Thoughtful, measured, and respectful. It is an unpretentious compliment to a great work. It is possible to follow in the footsteps of a maverick, but impossible to recreate his flair. This is as yet, the benchmark, and closest to equal, Frank's original work on Joe's Garage [even when Frank interpreted it in myriad ways in live performances] which will forever be, sublime. And quite Frankly, there is no better complement, than seeing a son follow in his father's footsteps. Outstanding piece by Dweezil.
A friend of mine just asked me if i had a favorite song of all time and I said no. Then aftrr about 20 seconds insaid it would have to be Watermelon in Easter Hay. I can't think of any other song that's any better than this. This is the only one I insisted my kids play at my funeral. That much i know.
never saw Frank. But my friend a big Zappa fan took me to see Dweezil in 2017 & 2018 in culture room in ft Lauderdale. And this piece literally brought me to tears❤. My friend had brought Dweezil's first album to get autographed which he did do graciously.
Touching part of Dweezil's ongoing tribute to his father. Frank was master musician, and this is one of my favorite (if not the absolute number one) pieces. It takes a lot of discipline to play a piece like this. Every note played just so. Nice job. Miss Frank's playing, Miss Frank's mind.
They were in the lobby after the show signing autographs and taking photos. Devoid of pride or arrogance despite having just razed the venue. They were all so sweet, patient, kind, and genuine. Inspirational.
