One of Frank Zappa's micro-operas. By Mike Keneally and the Orchestra of Our Time, conducted by Joel Thome. Recorded at the Ritz, New York, November 1991.
he day I met Frank Zappa in August 1967, I had to take down the lyrics of Absolutely Free from a reel-to-reel tape Frank had brought with him to London from America. When he read my transcription, I told him I thought this song was immoral and instead of throwing me out the door, he debated with me for half an hour about its moral status. Long-story-short, I ended up living and working in his log cabin in Laurel Canyon, Hollywood.
excellent, I was singing Brown Shoes when I was 6 years old... I had no idea what it meant of course, but my sisters girlfriends all loved it... truly the reason I started playing guitar. Very faithful to the original, well done!!
Wonderful to see my percussion teacher, first mentor & dear friend... & genius, Joel Thome, conducting Orchestra of Our Time, collaborating w/ Frank Zappa. So many incredible, heart memories. Great piece. Wow, really brings up some stuff for me.
It's good to hear this version. He does a good job. I first heard this song performed by zappa himself (live) on Tinseltown Rebellion and liked it then. Nice one for sharing.
great show that was, indeed! i got the VHS as well and i remember becoming a Keneally fan the night i watched it for the first time! i was blown away, when he played the guitar solo in Any Kind Of Pain note for note!!! ;-) viva Zappa! viva good music!
Wonderful... really impressed. & I was lucky to have my request in Mannheim Germany to hear 'Brown Shoes,' with then 1973 band. I even helped sing it shouting up the words to Zappa while the band and he went for it:
Mike Keneally is one of the gods. He can play anything on keys and guitar. He played a lot with Steve Vai too, and more recently Devin Townsend for the Empath tour. Same drummer here too! Morgan Agren
I suggest you listen to it on Absolutely Free. Frank sang it much better. This guy is a good musician but lacks the vocal quality that Frank had. To me, the the song is saying that success is not about being financially well off. Frank was also saying that a 13 year old had sexual experience which some do and did. And yes, to fuck on the White House lawn. Don't try to get it. Enjoy as much as you can. Listen to it 3 times in a row. Frank used blues, jazz and contemporary serious music.
Really too bad Frank’s not around to comment and write about the tragedy happening in Washington and America today. He predicted it. The slime coming from your TV ( and phone), the plasticity, it’s still there more than ever. And meanwhile the greedy power mongers are dictating our healthcare, civil rights, liberty etc.
This song is about Frank's involvement in the Masons and I imagine the guilt he felt. Guilt because Frank was a member of the very thing he claimed to hate.
