I’m an old guy and long, long time Zappa fan and it kind of surprises me that I never get bored or tired to listen to well informed ”Zappa scholars” such as You mr. Edwards! Well Done and keep on feeding U.S. With your knowledge.
Joe's garage. It's a concept album. I think it tops Pink Floyd's The Wall as a wry and sometimes humorous look at a dystopian world. All the songs could be singles. It contains i.m.h.o. two of the most emotionally stirring Zappa tunes ever: Keep it greasy and Watermelon in Easter Hay.
I think Apostrophe and Over-Nite Sensation are probably the best starting point for complete Zappa virgins. Apart from some potentially "upsetting" lyrics and a handful of complex instrumental passages, there's nothing too demanding on either of those two albums. If anything, you could arguably play some of it on the radio! But then you also have people like myself who jumped in at the deep end of the Zappa pool without knowing anything about him, and then quickly realized that it felt good to be wet! I started with Sheik Yerbouti because I liked the cover. After that, it was Civilization Phaze III. Now, those two albums are universes apart, but I loved them both. And when I heard Roxy......oh my sweet Jesus.
Yes agree a great deal with your list, especially Overnite Sensation. In fact if I swapped Joe's Garage for Shiek Yerbouti it's almost identical! Nice 😎👌
In about 1966 I bought the album "Freak Out with the Mothers of Invention" when it came out in California. There was a sticker on the shrink wrap from the manufacturer which read "Has absolutely no commercial value" ))
An IMPOSSIBLE task. I would chop Ship and Sheik and add Over-nite Sensation and Apostrophe…but I’ve been listening for 50 years, so I totally get their inclusion as “intros” to Zappa. LOVE that you included Roxy! That, Fillmore, Just Another Band, and In NY are some of the greatest “live” albums ever produced.
Greggary Peccary (on the Studio Tan/Lather albums) is a complete tour de force. It’s like a bizarre yet incredible soundtrack for an animated short, but it is so evocative, that no video is required to see the whole picture.
Probably one the most difficult discographies to rank no matter how you go about it. And of course as we know its all personal experience based opinion. My personal all time top three is 1. Overnight Sensation, 2. Live in New York, 3. Sheik Yerbouti. Cheers Andy! Zappa is a legend, may he rest in peace.
I love your descriptions, they scream enthusiasm and appreciation. I personally am a massive fan of "You are what you is", "Shut up" "Ship arriving" "Sheik Yerbouti" ( you've mentioned) I ALSO very much like the "Tinseltown" and "Joe's garageI+II+III" albums which feature the Colaiuta band - I can't get enough of them! Thank You!
Thank you for this video. Theese albums are good starting points into the Zappa universe. I would have included something by the 1988 band. Make a Jazz Noise Here or The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life. A Top 10 is never enough with Zappa. Drowning Witch is my favourite Zappa song and also my favourite Song of all time. I agree with your choice for number one - One Size Fits All. More Zappa videos, please!
Great choices all and like you say, you're picking between masterpieces, so a very personal thing...Grand Wazoo is a must!...and i travelled through California with Overnight Sensation in the cassette deck, very rock, but I love that album...Outside Now on Joe's Garage to this day will just pop into my head for no discernable reason
Zappa once said he thought not everyone would get everything he did. The example he gave was Baby Take Your Teeth Out against something like Sinister Footwear. I think he underestimated us. I have the theory / listening chops to understand Footwear but I still love Baby, Take Your Teeth Out Because it is simply fun. Good call on Roxy and Elsewhere - got it on vinyl in Camden Market when I had been into him for a while but was really not prepared for it. YCDTOSA 2 sealed the deal as his funky era.
I remember in the park behind my house 3 guys were trying to win a girl over in their break from work...They were showing off their cricket skills and decided to allow the girl to have the bat as one guy was behind her like a golf instructor showing the stance she needed to hit the ball.......Right then the song' ''baby take your teeth out'' came to mind ...so i turned the system up to eleven and let them have it....The courtship ritual ended right there for some reason.
The sheer volume of The Mahavishnu Orchestra made a great impact on the Roxy band. Zappa wanted to electrify Ruth Underwood's Marimba (which she didn't want done because it meant drilling a hole in every bar. She agreed when Zappa said he would electrify his Vibraphone). The first time they tried it out, the volume was deafening.
I saw the Mahavishnu Orchestra in 1973 and not long after saw Zappa at Wembley. MO were brilliant but Zappa and his band were, for me, far more accomplished and coherent. For me also, there was/is much more diversity and humour in Zappa's music and the performance of that particular band. Ian Underwood was in it for goodness sake! I remember Zappa talking about John McLaughlin but the Mahavishnu comparison is news, to me at least.
Loved this. Hugh Hopper said that Uncle Meat (and King Kong in particular) was a big inspiration for Soft Machine 3. I'd argue that more generally it did have an impact on prog rock and the Canterbury scene.
And also....Krautrock legends like Faust Can Xhol Großschnitt Eroc Floh De Cologne Embryo and various others...check them out , unless you already have!!
Including Mothermania was an interesting way to cram those first 3 groundbreaking early Mothers albums into a single slot. But I do want to highlight FZ’s 3rd album, We’re Only In It For The Money. Obviously, the cover art is a parody of Sgt. Peppers. But I believe, as a concept album and as an artistic achievement, it far surpasses Sgt. Peppers. First, the audio quality is amazing, considering how most rock ‘n roll records sounded in late 1967/early 1968. Plus, the studio trickery, the compositions, beautiful melodies, use of odd time signatures, is all incredible. This is the record that, even more than the first two, set the stage for everything that would follow. Every budding Zappa fan owes it to themselves to check this one out.
I'm delighted to agree with your #1. However, surely there has to be room for Joe's Garage. Watermelon in Easter Hay alone is worth the price of admission. And the story... Let's just say substances and repeated listens went hand in hand. Extraordinary drumming and synth work. And Ed Mann. Contributed heavily to one break up (for which I'm eternally grateful). Ah, happy days.
Saw Narada play this song (with his Narada Micheal Walden Band) a little over 5 years ago,still sounds amazing! Enjoyed watching your video,great job here Andy!
Absolutely agree with "one Size" as his best. Loved it for decades, and still do. Such inspired craziness with a great flow. Thank you, Andy! P.S. "Whip it on me, brother!"
Thank you for posting this. I’m writing as this video starts. My number 1 will always be Freakout. From its disc 1 and disc 2, it cover a huge spectrum of genres. That being said, each subsequent output was also greeted with joy. Miss you,Frank!
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer I think Frank would have more to say on politics in general. In many ways he was very conservative. I would not have been surprised if he supported Trump….with criticisms of course. But the erosion of freedoms by the extreme left would have had him burning the airwaves frying them in speech and song.
Thanks Andy. Well done indeed for a top 10 FZ album list. I’ve been privileged to have seen 14 FZ shows, beginning with the ‘George Duke’ band of Mothers. Met the band in 75, in of all places a Holiday Inn! And five minutes before that was in an elevator with Frank and his bodyguard.. we had a little conversation with him. Should have asked for his autograph but we were too mesmerized. As you probably know, Holiday Inns were part of the Zappa universe. We went in to use the bathroom. Perfect timing. Oh yes, it was also in his birthplace, Baltimore. Anyway, great list. Fantastic! I’m with you on ‘One size fits all.’ And especially ‘Inca Roads,’ which might be one of the finest songs EVER WRITTEN when it comes down to rock, fusion, prog, and mind blowing/boggling! Can’t say enough about it. Wonderful. Thanks again. Love your channel. And your drumming. Must have been a blast traveling the world with Robert Plant. I can’t help but wonder whaat Robert thought of being referred to as Robert Planet by FZ Flo & Eddie? Frank respected Zeppelin. His last tour he was encoring with Stairway to Heaven. And instead of a guitar solo to finish up, the horn section played it note for note. 🎵 🎸👍🏻
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer thanks 4 that. Can you recommend a show with Robert’s band that’s on RU-vid or elsewhere that stands out as a really special night for you drumming or the whole band in agreement that yes, this is a great night? Would love a listen/view. …
Meanwhile we are fortunate enough to have both the complete Roxy performances and the New York shows available. And you notice: Yes, he did some overdubbing on the original issues - but he wouldn't have needed too! Both his and his bandmates' playing is just flawless. I particularly like the variations of Bruce Fowler's solos in the Roxy shows. And of course, Ruth does things "that will amaze everyone"
Thanks for your review. Great to listen someone who understands Zappa. Can't argue with any of the choices, although I would include 'We're only in it for the money' for it's social commentary, recording techniques, opera like story, humour, parody and it's relevance in 1967. I have been listening to Frank from 1969 to the present. By far, the biggest musical influence in my life. I had the privilege to shake his hand, say hello and tell him how much I loved his music. That was 1976.
A nice try, I couldn't choose a top ten, what do you miss out. Joe's Garage, Zappa in New York, Absolutely Free, Only in it for the Money, Uncle Meat, Over Nite Sensation, Freak Out, Jaka/Jawaka, Grand Wazoo, Apostrophe, Favourite Orchestral Pieces and many more. I've not got everything, just 32 but all exceptional albums, there's one for every mood. Nobody else comes close for me. I love Mahavishnu Orchestra, King Crimson, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Yes, Pain of Salvation, Motorpsycho, Henry Cow, Soft Machine, Caravan, Camel, Univers Zero, Van Der Graaf Generator, Max Richter, Brian Eno, Phil Manzanera and loads of others but Frank Zappa with his composition skills, Guitar skills, tape manipulation and Production skills is way above anybody for me but choosing a favourite, impossible.
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer That's a lot though. I haven't got any recordings released after his lifetime, although I've been tempted once or twice. I did get them when they were remastered in 2012. Sadly taken much too soon, it would have been interesting to see where he would have gone with classical music or if he'd return to the guitar, or gone more electronically, or probably a mixture and form a new music. Unfortunately, we can only guess. What an amazing imagination he had, a true one off and for once the word Genius is well deserved.
Love all the Zappa stuff up to 1977. I tend to be a bit more picky about the later stuff. Freak Out and Overnite Sensation big faves for me.Thanks Andy ,will have a look at your longer overview of Frank soon.
There is a definite change there. That coincides with Punk which of course FZ was pretty critical of but also seems to influence him too. Sheik Yerbouti is pretty punky....
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Absolutely! Just Listen to I‘m so Cute! It is a parody on Punk, where he also makes fun of Bozzio, who was into Punk at that time.
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer I wouldn’t say it’s punky, but in songs like Broken Hearts Are For Assholes, it gives me some of that punk attitude, and as a big punk fan, that makes me love Zappa even more
Bravo Andy In the recent years 200 motels has grown to be one of my favorites especially the orchestral suites of 200 motels conducted by Esa Pekka Salonen If I had to choose only one album to bring with me to live in the woods it would be Shut up and play yer guitar The sound and the interaction of Vinnie with Frank was the biggest musical impression I ever had along with the first Mahavishnu album
I agree totally with your comments about Shut Up. The way Vinnie plays is the stuff that made him a legend. It changed jazz forever and its equal to anything Elvin, Tony or Cobham pioneered.
Interesting. I totally agree with your choice for No. 1. Hard to beat Inca Roads, Andy and Florentine Pogen. Great artwork. It was my first intro to Zappa. I bought Studio Tan after and loved that back in 1978.
🌠Inca Roads...I mean yeah..come on...Good List ..hello 2 England & Stonehenge..been there 1 x in december 2000..still my favorite trip 2 this day.. oh & I just watched a video on the history of Inca roads songs..it grew thru different stages...
It's hard to pick ten... even twenty! Great picks. I agree. Re: Burnt Weenie Sandwich I had the eight-track over forty-five years ago and just bought the CD. After all those years it's still fantastic, kids.
This is a difficult task. I think my favorite currently is Uncle Meat and number two is One Size Fits All and my third is The Roxy Performances and after that Hot Rats, Burnt Weeny Sandwich and Lather. Broadway The Hard Way and Make A Jazz Noise Here are both fantastic live albums as is Zappa In New York and the monumental Hammersmith Odeon live shows which provided the source for the basic tracks for Zappa's 1979 album Sheik Yerbouti. There's just so much!
One Size Fits All is also my favourite Zappa album, by my favourite incarnation of The Mothers, the core of which included Napoleon Murphy Brock, Chester Thompson, George Duke, Ruth Underwood and Tom Fowler. And of course the album includes my all-time favourite Zappa song, Andy!!! And yes, Inca Roads doesn't suck either. My other most cherished Zappa albums are from that same period too, those being Apostrophe ('), Bongo Fury and Roxy & Elsewhere. Genius stuff!
Great video. An artist I've just not been able to get in to. I listened to Ship when I was a student, many moons ago, but I just couldn't get in to it, despite loving Steve Vai and Chad Wackerman. I've downloaded a few albums but ... I'll try again. I feel I'm really missing out on something special but I just can't connect to it yet. Thank you.
Hoorah to Roxy and Elsewhere. Almost a perfect live LP, the sound quality is incredible. Up there with Waiting for Columbus by Little Feat as a live performance milestone
Very interresting list, glad you made SATLtSaDW number 2. Well deserved, this album is so overlooked but so brillant. And your number one is perfect. In fact it's a perfect list (except that I don't like Hot Rats at all but nevermind).
Thanks Alix....have a listen to Little Umbrellas again off Hot Rats. When I first listen to it i put side 2 on first by mistake and that tune won me over...
Fantastic presentation and appreciate your knowledge and insight into the Zappa catalogue. One of the thing which stands out for me is the influence of say a Mahavishnu Orchestra on Zappa and in turn Zappa influencing the likes of Hendrix on the use of wah wah and studio effects..
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer I loved the King Crimson presentation too. Very crisp and insightful with a difference. Few guys whom I’m familiar with on Twitter are actively following your channel. It’s always better to get a musicians perspective into the bands we love. Same for McLaughlin and Shakti - big fan myself …Thanks Andy 🙏
@@arunsabherwal6256 Thats fantastic. I want a channel for people who love music...music that blows your mind...that's all. And I want to go up a gear with interviews and more actual music. I'm going to set a Patreon to fund this. I think there are things musicians want to know about that never get said. So for example I know John Bonham was a huge Alphonse Mouzon fan. I know Robert Plant loves A Love Supreme and that Jimmy Page had lessons with John McLaughlin. I want to get into mad stuff like that that never gets mentioned.
Love the way you start to mention the Flo and Eddie era and build up to Chungas Revenge then completely disregard them by going for Hot Rats. Good list though, wouldn't have Ship arriving too late anywhere near my top 30 but all perspectives interesting and valid.
I am a massive Zappa fan with all his albums or most of them. It might taste very similar to yours. I really appreciate you name checking uncle meat. I’m a little surprised grand wazoo isn’t in there, but too many masterpieces to pick from. And I am totally fine with your number one pick I think that would be in my top five your number to pick, however jumped right out at me because I’ll admit that one I have not really listened to very well and so now I need to go back and give it a serious listen. The problem with Frank Zappa‘s collection is it so deep and so rich and so great that I can’t help but I always go back to playing one of his top 10 albums or top 10 favorites of mine. Unless all you wanna listen to is Frank Zappa and I knew a man like that , I tend to drift towards my favorites, because there are so many of them
Interesting! Your list agrees quite well with what I should have made. Anyway, given your introduction, I had expected one of the Flo & Eddie albums to be included, and definitely the Yellow Shark! But, its your list! 😁
I wanted to say "Why didn't you include The Grand Wazoo" but couldn't remember the name of the album. So, thanks for reminding me. Great list. Thanks. 👍
YES! "Inca Roads" was my introduction to Zappa. OSFA is my favorite Zappa album but I agree with all your other choices. "Gregory Peccary" and that whole set of albums are amazing.
A good selection. Picking just one Zappa album for the uninitiated is a difficult task but, having said that, One Size Fits All is a great album featuring his finest rockin' teenage combo & my favourite guitar solo, Inca Roads.. Personally I would have chosen Waka Jawaka, The Grand Wazoo & Jazz from Hell over some of the others but anything by Frank is worthy of our attention. Rather than recommending albums I often refer the curious to tracks that I feel are Frank at his finest: RDNZL, Night School, What's New In Baltimore, Strictly Genteel, G Spot Tornado, Pink Napkins, etc.
Inca Roads, Greggary Peccary, Cheepnis, Keep in Greasy, Drowning Witch, Sinister Foortwear Pt 2, I'm a Beautiful Guy, Deathless Horsie, Little House I Used to Live In, Regyptian Strut, Eat That Question, It Must be a Camel I could go on and on....
Really enjoyed this, Andy. I’m also torn between Burnt Weeny and Uncle Meat. I love that era as much as the later, more muscular fusion stuff. It has an incredible vibe. Yep, One Size is the big one, for sure. In answer to your question: where’s The Grand Wazoo? And Overnite Sensation, which contains some of his most ferocious guitar work! Cheers.
Andy, thanks for the brief history of Zappa albums. I have one Zappa album “Zoot Allures”. He is a musical genius but I am not a fan of his songs, particularly the ones with infantile and/or perverted lyrics. My two favourite pieces on this album are the two instrumentals; Filthy Napkins and title track Zoot Allures. Filthy Napkins was recorded live in Osaka Japan 1976, it features Franks blistering guitar solo (mostly pentatonic scales) over a floating 6/8 or 12/8 meter. However, Frank gets into all of the nooks and crannies with his solos as he seeks out melodic gems; highlighting modes, etc. Bozzio, expertly fills in Franks gaps with beautiful crescendo rolls and as well as sparse syncopated fills. Franks finishes off the solo with similar licks using Wa Wa pedal, adding the final nasty timbre. Totally different yet equally brilliant is Zoot Allures. This slow moving, modern, almost Pavan-like piece, features Frank on two guitars, one clean for chords and the other distorted for melody. A beautiful chord progression, implying lovely modulations, gives the piece its stately elegance. This time the bass fills in the gaps, with sparse truncated lines. Both pieces retain that Edgard Varese layering of rhythms, so desired by Frank in his compositions. FYI; Frank was the head of the Edgard Varese society while he was alive. I was also wondering Andy if you are going to continue with your discussions about music education and philosophy? As I have mentioned before I am a retired music teacher and would love to hear your thoughts and perspectives on these or other related subjects. Otherwise, keep up the great work, I am looking forward to hearing about another one of my musical favourites, Jean Luc Ponty. Jack from Canada
Zoot Allures is a good album but it's not peak Zappa. If you like those instrumentals then Shut Up And Play Yer Guitar is well worth a listen. And yes, the philosophical stuff will always be a part f this channel.
Frank's "perverted" lyrics are satirical, and reflect the unpleasant aspects of life on the road for rock musicians in the USA in the 60's and 70's. Try "Roxy and Elsewhere" for peak musicianship and minimal perversion. (Some musical perversion. But no lyrical perversion. Maybe something about a penguin.)
Read more into his life and the subjects he was talking about in his lyrics. Once you can fully understand Zappa's meaning then the lyrics make more sense and the sarcastic humour is part of it all and don't seem so ridiculous.
I am glad to announce that I have seen all Zappa bands in concert. I was the least impressed by the Zoot Allures band, though it had Terry Bozzio on drums, Tommy Mars on organ and Patrick O ´ Hearn on bass. I just remember sort of a quartett and missed the „ orchestral“ element that Ruth Underwood or Murphy Brock contributed. As for the initiation to Zappas world, I fully agree with your suggestion. I really loved the „George Duke band“ . Saw remains of it few years ago with Tom Fowler and Don Preston. PS: is it true that Don, close to 90, has to live under dire conditions in a dump „somewhere in LA“? If true, what a shame.
My list would be, without regard to eras. Not so big on the early albums and love the George/Chester/Ruth band band: One Size Fits All Roxy & Elsewhere The Grand Wazoo Apostrophe Overnite Sensation Hot Rats Chunga's Revenge Weasels Ripped My Flesh Live In New York Sheik Yerbouti
I had no idea there were any Mothers comp albums. Mind blown. "Let's put all of our biggest hits on one album." "What hits??" I need to give the late 70s albums another listen. Sheik and Joe's Garage never really appealed to me but I haven't listened to them in years. I bought Läther and Jazz From Hell when they first came out and I didn't quite get them. I think I need to reassess them with more mature ears. A few of my top picks: Waka Jawaka Apostrophé Overnight Sensation Make a Jazz Noise Here Weasels Ripped My Flesh Fillmore East The Yellow Shark Although Roxy is a great representation of that era (and fantastic), Apostrophé and Overnight Sensation should be heard in their entirety.
As a Zappa freak, it sucked that I was never in the same country as Frank at the same time he was performing, so it was a joyous occasion to see Dweezil do Roxy and Elsewhere at the Roxy in L.A. some 7 or 8 years ago for the 40th anniversary celebrations of what you rightfully describe as one of the best live albums, ever.
Läther has the German Umlaut Dots on it like on Ö and Ü. They all are a Mixture of A E, O E and UE, very common Sounds in German. So it is Laether in German spelling.
Thanks for this, enjoyable to hear a musician/fan talk about Franks music. Hard to pick 10, maybe impossible to me, SATLTSADB is a surprise for me as top 10, it seems that the first Zappa albums we ever heard are the ones we should include in a 10 best list, for me is Them or US. Heard Marqueson´s Chicken on a mixed cassette tape, it took me 4 months to find out who was behind the amazing vamp, the bass line and that guitar solo that I can hum in its entirely. But it is so hard to leave the Waka/Wazoo, Zappa in NY; Uncle Meat!, Apostrophe, Absolutely Free, just got tired of typing, maybe it would be interesting to list the 10 least liked albums, it might be ugly but easier.
Such an arduous task! But, certainly anyone wanting to first get into Zappa -great choices. I do feel, not specifically including a focused “orchestral” representation of his cannon ( London Sym, Yellow Shark etc) is limiting who/what is Frank Zappa-a composer/ visual artist. This ( my humble interpretation) Zappa saw himself ( in the most positive way) as a composer ala Edgar Varese, Stravinsky etc. His wonderful forays with all the various incarnations of the bands you outlined, were the only economic means for him to have his “compositions” performed-and as we know-mind blowing!! But, as demonstrated by many documentaries, during a tour, you would see him sitting on a plane/bus “composing.” Also, his filmmaking was a vital part of his artistry. For example “Uncle Meat” ( forgive me if wrong) was supposed to or was a film he made. Anyhow, thanks for focusing on Frank!
But his greatest achievement regarding 'orchestral' music was the integration of 'rock' instrumentation into sophisticated modern classical pieces. And for that reason I find his orchestral stuff slightly less compelling. I like Orchestral Favourites best because it sounds like a 70s rock band. But I'm probably wrong on this one
My top 10 would probably have about half of your choices. But I'm in absolute agreement with you on the number 1. One Size Fits All is hands down his best album. And Inca Roads is his best track. Although I think that Echidna's Arf is a strong contender for best track.
I like one size fits all too(even if i didnt like it as much first listen) but i dont know, as far as studio albums i think on george duke era i prefer overnite sensation, thats the one that really get me from the beginning(or the one that got me the most)
10 - Bongo Fury 09 - Zoot Allures 08 - Over Night Sensation 07 - Waka Jawacka 06 - Apostrophe' 05 - Zappa in New York 04 - The Grand Wazoo 03 - Roxy & Elsewhere 02 - Hot Rats 01 - One Size Fits All
Hot Rats was released in '69. Another musically groundbreaking album, King Crimson's In the Court of the Crimson King was released on the same day. This is not a bad list though, it's hard to pick just 10
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer I know right? While I only learned this fact more recently, I always considered both to be truly groundbreaking albums. Also coincidentally my dad had both on vinyl but I wanted my own copy on Cd and bought them on the same day as a teen back in the 90s.
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer For me the beginnings of Progressive Rock starts with FZ 1966 release "Freak Out!" I have 20 FZ Albums: what an intelligent musical innovator he was. Will never be another like him in our lifetimes. Hard for me to pick ten favorites from the 60 Albums he released in his career, you are certainly brave to do so Andy. "Zoot Allures" would have to be in my ten if I was compiling such a list. And what an underrated guitarist Uncle Frank was... listen to the guitar work on the Live version of "Black Napkins" and you will know what I mean. Stay safe and go well.
My list would be very similar, but I got to have 'Weasels' on my list. Side 2 of that album is my favorite FZ lp side , I think of it as one long composition, one that always blows my mind. Music can't possibly be better than Zappa at his best.
Agreed with you Ned, the whole "Freak Out" LP is a gas, to use a well worn 60s phrase. And to think "Freak Out" was released back in 1966, it still sounds fresh today, in 2023. "It Can't Happen Here", indeed. Stay safe and go well.
Best lead guitar ever recorded in my opinion and taste is Pygmy Twilight live in Helsinki 1974. For whatever reason, Pygmy Twilite live seems to be one song where Frank consistently takes off into different territory. the lead guitar work seems to be consistently awesome on live tracks. Compare live 1974 Philadelphia with 197 live in helsinki. So much feel, guitar wizardry, and interesting notes from Frank. Was there something special with PT? i wonder if frank had more invested in this song live in that time period. 1974 seems to be a year where PT recordings really go to different places.
Interesting presentation. Thank you. I've been evaluating my 50+ Zappa lp's/CD's to decide which ones I'd like new vinyl copies of if they exist. It's nice to get another knowledgeable opinion. Like you, I'm also not a Flo & Eddie fan but I perhaps put too much value on the GD/Ruth/Nappy group. I rarely listen to the Drowning Witch and Shut Up albums. Perhaps I should revisit. Of his 1980's and beyond albums, You Are What You Is and Yellow Shark stand out in my mind.
Uncle meat sounds like a toy clock at times...or toy soldiers playing music... A lot of people don't understand the artist Zappa is and they dismiss the Flo and Eddy period as juvenile or knob gags...but he really enjoyed that band and that period and that is why it hurt so much when they just unloaded him and rolled on... Joe's garage must get a look...overnight sensation has no filler...hot rats,,,,Wazoo...trance fusion..shut up and play the 3 album set...live in new york,,one size fits all..chungas revenge(early)...cant do that on stage disc 2....sheik yabouti...roxy and elsewhere...
I think the first two I heard were sheikyerbouti,which apparently was taken as RU-vid name, and freak out. Thier was a great BBC documentary back in day which they followed with clips of mothers etc at BBC amazing stuff which really got me hooked.
1- You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore Vol 2 - The Helsinki concert 1974 2- Road Tapes vol 2 - The Helsinki concert 1973 3- Hot Rats 4- Jazz From Hell 5- Zappa n New York 6- Shut Up And Play Yer Guitar 7- Burnt Weeny Sandwich 8- Ahead of Their Time 9- One Size Fits All 10- The Grand Wazoo
You are totally right there Sky..it should be in there, but which one goes? I would happily swap out Mothermania for Joes Garage but then there would be no early mothers in the list. Plus I have that band covered pretty much by Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar whic is one of my favourite albums by anybody so i hope you get my thinking. It would be at eleven though...
If you list the Zappa compositions that are going to be around for a long time and have stood with works by Mingus, Oliver Nelson, Stravinsky etc., (the ones that musicians will be covering for years to come) You Are What You Is, aint' a front runner or a top 10 FZ album. Also, if memory serves Sinister Footwear is on Them Or Us and not on You Are What You Is. Sheik Yerbouti is another compositionally weak one (at least in Zappa's catalog). Love Burnt Weeny Sandwich, but Uncle Meat gives us a quantitatively larger window of his conceptual continuity. In short Grand Wazoo, Waka Jawaka, Weasels Ripped My Flesh, Yellow Shark, Bongo Fury, Zoot Allures and several others whoop Sheik Yerbouti or You Are What You Is without breaking a sweat.
Why are the compositions that have vocals weaker than those without? Why is the beautiful vocal counterpoint contained in Charlies Enormous Mouth weaker than some of the less inspired jazz noodling on Waka Jawaka? Please tell me the musical difference? Also Sinister Footwear Part 1 in YAWYI and Part 2 on Them or Us.
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer I've certainly been wrong about Zappa before, and could be again...some of my favorite FZ compositions have vocals, (the boot doesn't come out just because some voices pop up). Ranking musical compositions or calling them weak (which I've been guilty of here) can get pretty slippery. I thought those less inspired noodles on Waka Jawaka tasted pretty good. Objectively, if you look at which compositions appear to have gained the most traction or were recorded by other artists* (see tip of the iceberg below), tunes from Sheik Yerbouti and You Are What You Is are very low on the list. I've kept copies of Sheik Yebouti and You Are What You Is and listen to them occasionally. I'll keep at them but very much doubt that the Trout Mask Replica phenomenon will kick in after a few more repetitions. *Absolute Ensemble Asphalt Orchestra Meridian Arts Ensemble Ensemble Ambrosius The Muffin Men Ed Palermo Marco Pacassoni, (highly recommend this one!) Good God Jean Luc Ponty Dweezil Lisa Mezzacappa The Grandmothers of Invention Ensemble Modern Odin Warren Cuccurullo Michael Hedges Omnibus Wind Ensemble Woody Herman Riccardo Fassi Mike Mainieri Octafish Project/Object Colin Towns (NDR Big Band)
One Shot Deal(2008) my fave 'cause it incls "Occam's Razor" Awesome guitar. stil trying to find good version 'T'Mershi Duween' tho? Is it true that Frank Zappa disovered Van Halen's tone before Van did?
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Oh, one that you didn't mention that really deserves at least a mention -- Apostrophe'. I know that the "Nanook Saga" gets a lot of attention, but "Uncle Remus" is such a great song. I mentioned the song to the bass player in my old band one day, and he said, "You think that's good? George Duke's version is even better!" I didn't think this was possible, but I found his album The Aura Will Prevail... and my guy was right! As good as the Zappa version is, George's is even better. Check it out if you haven't already.
Too many best albums, impossible task to reduce it to ten. The albums I couldn't possibly omit are Thing-Fish, Uncle Meat, Lumpy Gravy, Joe's Garage, Them or Us, Apostrophe/Overnight Sensation, and we are already at 6 out of 10... impossible to cram it down to 10. One Size Fits All - agreed, great choice to anyone who's interested in Frank's work, but never heard anything "serious" other than what's occasionally on a commercial radio.
Hmmm, my top 3 are Hot Rats, Freak Out and Apostrophe yes, Apostrophe. And the one with “guacamole queen, guacamole queen, guacamole queen” all over it. And the George Duke live at the Roxy, etc. is amazing.
I always felt Bongo Fury one of his weaker releases, the idea of Beefheart and Zappa together for a whole album seems great but at that point in time they seem to diminish each other's strengths
