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Any Frank Zappa fans here?
- Thread starter Andy Coconut
- Start date
If you wanna go down the Zappa rabbit hole... these guys are touring right now
stinkfootorchestra.com
The Stinkfoot Orchestra – A 14-piece tribute to Frank Zappa featuring Zappa alumni
stinkfootorchestra.com
My favorite Zappa period is the early Mothers, maybe up through Weasels Ripped My Flesh. Some of that stuff, particularly on Absolutely Free, is among the most ingenious and hilarious stuff I've ever encountered, in any medium.
My problem with Zappa, though, is that I miss some "humanity" in his music. I like my geniuses to have a little warmth and tenderness along with the cleverness. Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Wonder had and have that entire spectrum. Zappa seems to me to be brilliant but kind of cold.
The early Mothers -- the motley crew of Mexican-American R&B and doo wop musicians asked to play Stravinsky extracts -- were sloppy and earthy enough to warm it up for me. It was fantastic. When Zappa got into fusion, I lost interest.
My problem with Zappa, though, is that I miss some "humanity" in his music. I like my geniuses to have a little warmth and tenderness along with the cleverness. Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Wonder had and have that entire spectrum. Zappa seems to me to be brilliant but kind of cold.
The early Mothers -- the motley crew of Mexican-American R&B and doo wop musicians asked to play Stravinsky extracts -- were sloppy and earthy enough to warm it up for me. It was fantastic. When Zappa got into fusion, I lost interest.
If you haven't heard "Unmitigated Audacity", I highly recommend it. It's live, the audio quality is not great, but holy moly. That's THE Zappa live performance I would have wanted to catch, if I was granted the ability to pick one to be transported to. This really helped shape my understanding of art and music in my late teens. Thank you, Frank.
There's so many great '74 shows.
It's the band - IMHO, Zappa's best. Roxy and Elsewhere is my all-time favorite record. I wore it out.
It's the band - IMHO, Zappa's best. Roxy and Elsewhere is my all-time favorite record. I wore it out.
Any Frank Zappa fans here?
Here! Me!My favorite FZ album!
I first heard it back in the late 60s when I was in high school. The songs greatly influenced my attitude and thinking (for the better) for the rest of my life!
(Perhaps more of a social commentary kind of album than actually music but there is music.)
I got turned on to Frank in 1979 when I found Sheik Yerbouti on a commuter train someone had left behind. I spent years turning my friends onto cuts like, Bobby Brown, Broken Hearts, and all the other goofy Lyric'd tunes etc. as we laughed and laughed. But it was the epic Yo Mama that gave me hints of needing to find out more of what Frank had to offer. That lead me to Apostrophe, Hot Rats and The Roxy show. I have over 100 of his albums now but still haven't gotten through a quarter of his stuff.
Part of the Beat the Boots collection.
For the uninformed, it was a collection of bootlegs Zappa reclaimed after releasing them himself. Hence the audio quality as they were bootlegs or unprocessed studio recordings.
Beat the Boots! - Wikipedia!
So I guess the OP was to solicit feedback from Frank Zappa fans as seen by most all posts from the original. After reading a few posts that can be seen. Not trying to discount your opinion on the matter but after seeing this is the vibe why anyone would want to offer a counter option, which is your right. One would or should expect negative feedback venturing in with fans.The OP asked a question, "Any Frank Zappa fans here?" I answered it. I'm not sure why that's a problem. I didn't rebut every post that said they like Zappa. I didn't say anyone was a Richard Cranium because they like him. Are we now to the point where we're not allowed to post opinions? Are contrary opinions now so offensive that we can't just move on to the next post if we disagree?
If the post seems to be discussing the pros and cons of a subject, that would have been received differently. I have negative opinions on things that I don't share when the conversation is pro on something or with fans, unless there is a safety or health component that is being missed, but other than that, why? Why butt heads when there is no need to be contrary just to hear myself talk. It seems like a waste of time and effort to be putting myself out there like that
If I don't like something, I move on. Why say I hate the Mesa Subway line (as an example) everytime I see a post singing its praises. That would be a waste of life and time
But you're inactive so you probably won't see this
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Did you stop being a snowflake as your signature suggests?The OP asked a question, "Any Frank Zappa fans here?" I answered it. I'm not sure why that's a problem. I didn't rebut every post that said they like Zappa. I didn't say anyone was a Richard Cranium because they like him. Are we now to the point where we're not allowed to post opinions? Are contrary opinions now so offensive that we can't just move on to the next post if we disagree?
Edit: just noticed he's inactive so probably not. Sorry I got notification that this zombie thread was resurrected and couldn't resist. Crank some Frank!
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fwiw, I have subsequently learned that the brown SG was either fully built or partially (re-)built by Rex Bogue, but the custom electronics were designed and built by Jim Williams (currently sole proprietor of Audio Upgrades) ...who worked closely with Rex Bogue at the time.
PA: Language
If you are a Zappa fan and have never seen 200 Motels, do yourself a favor and watch it. it's available on Amazon.
Here's a rip.
If you are a Zappa fan and have never seen 200 Motels, do yourself a favor and watch it. it's available on Amazon.
Watch 200 Motels | Prime Video
The great Frank Zappa's outrageous psychedelic precursor to today's music videos features "The Mothers of Invention" wreaking havoc in a typical American town. Ringo Starr narrates.
www.amazon.com
Here's a rip.
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I did this song in my teenage combo The Reef Aires a little while after it came out.
Good times
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Love FZ. I think my fave albums are Waka/Jawaka; The Grand Wazoo and Live at the Roxy and Elsewhere
Grew up with him from the git go as a kid, my parents being beats.
The first 5 records graced the household turntable. Then a few in between: Hot Rats, Weasles, Chuga's, Fillmore East, 200 Motels, Band from LA, OverNight, Apostrophe, One Size.
My FAVE album is Zoot Allures - just phenomenal guitar playing. Pretty much my getting off point as far as buying his albums. After this he started putting out so much stuff, couldn't keep up. But had so many friends that listened to him, heard just about everything.
Nobody like him! Really like the Zappa life story DVD, always tear up.
Glad Dweezil is keeing his Dad's music alive!!
Always considered him and George Carlin to be the USA societal watchdogs. Miss them both terribly.
The first 5 records graced the household turntable. Then a few in between: Hot Rats, Weasles, Chuga's, Fillmore East, 200 Motels, Band from LA, OverNight, Apostrophe, One Size.
My FAVE album is Zoot Allures - just phenomenal guitar playing. Pretty much my getting off point as far as buying his albums. After this he started putting out so much stuff, couldn't keep up. But had so many friends that listened to him, heard just about everything.
Nobody like him! Really like the Zappa life story DVD, always tear up.
Glad Dweezil is keeing his Dad's music alive!!
Always considered him and George Carlin to be the USA societal watchdogs. Miss them both terribly.
