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Help me get into Frank Zappa

bbb777

bbb777

Active Member
Where should i start? I have heard nothing but good things about him, but honestly have never heard anything by him. What albums should i start with? who does he sound like from a musical standpoint.

so yah...help a Zappa challanged classic rock fan out
 
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start with burnt weenie sANDWICH-MOTHERS OF INVENTION, than apostrophe and overnight sensation.. and sheik yurbuti....
 
There's a "greatest hits" collection (for lack of a better word) on (IIRC) Rhino called Strictly Commercial. That's how I started our son on FZ; he now has a huge collection (and there is plenty out there).
 
When I first discovered Zappa, Hot Rats was my jumping in point. It's mostly instrumental (one track has vocals) and contains some of Frank's best compositions although I haven't come close to hearing everything he recorded. Zappa does have a vast catalog and you could spend a lifetime acquiring everything.

One Size Fits All and Over-nite Sensation are also very good starters.

I should mention that Hot Rats was the beginning of an instrumental trilogy of sorts. It was followed by Waka Jawaka (some refer to it as Hot Rats part II) and then The Grand Wazoo. If you dig Hot Rats I recommend getting those to complete the trilogy.
 
mhardy6647 said:
There's a "greatest hits" collection (for lack of a better word) on (IIRC) Rhino called Strictly Commercial. That's how I started our son on FZ; he now has a huge collection (and there is plenty out there).
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This is true, and it's a great starting place for a newb. There is another posthumous release called 'Have I Offended Someone' which is a collection of, you guessed it, offensive (to some?)/funny/silly songs etc... another great place to start.
 
Cool_Manchu said:
I would suggest Joe's Garage Act I and Sheik Yerbouti, then possibly Apostrophe.
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Agreed.

Start with Joe's Garage, which is full of very catchy songs which are simultaneously very witty, sophisticated, ironic, risque, and nuanced. All played flawlessly by a group of incredible musicians. Sheik Yerbouti is much in the same vein.

But then I would head back to his first- Freak Out. JG and Freak Out are something like 12 years apart, but you can already see where one would lead to the other. Then go for Apostrophe.

After that, you should be hooked and can explore all the other stuff at your leisure.:thmbsp:

"Just follow the magic footprints..."
 
A screening of 200 Motels followed by an audition of Just Another Band From L.A. will cover the "Flo & Eddie" period for the Mothers...
 
If you listen to Jazz I would start with Hot Rats.

If you listen to rock start with Overnight Sensation.
 
I think the best way to get started would be to hit youtube and check out some of his live performances, and some of his interviews. Some great stuff there, and it will let you get to know him personally a little better. Then maybe you could get into his music a little easier...

A few examples..
Stinkfoot live 74
First Appearance on the Steve Allan Show (there are 4 parts of this video. VERY entertaining)
Watermelon in Easter Hay (VERY GOOD guitar playing)
In The Sky
Room Service (Some of his great narrative work, similar to the style of Titties and Beer)
 
I suppose I am the skunk at the picnic, but I never have been able to enjoy Zappa, but he was a unique talent whose sound is difficult to compare to anyone else---plus he was all over the place musically.
 
OverNight Sensation is the album that made Zappa explode in popularity. When that came out,evryone had the album. I would start there. Then Strickly Commercial.
 
Apostrophe was very popular and is easy to listen to. Probably shouldn't be too hard to find as a used LP.

The album's all great fun, and the closing cut, Stinkfoot will give you a good quick introduction to FZ as guitarist.

The poodle bites
The poodle chews it
 
I have been a fan of Frank's since 1968. This is my short list of essential Zappa albums.

Uncle Meat
Burn't Weeny Sandwich
Hot Rats
Apostrophe'
One Size Fits All
Lather
Shut Up'n Play Yer Guitar
Them Or Us
You Can't Do That On Stage Any More Vol. 2
Zappa\Wazoo
Imaginary Diseases
One Shot Deal
 
Cactus Bob said:
If you listen to Jazz I would start with Hot Rats.

If you listen to rock start with Overnight Sensation.
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Agreed, although I think that The Grand Wazoo is even a better jazz album than Hot Rats (both are great). Hot Rats may be easier to find, however, and offer a bit more diversity in musical style.

Overnight Sensation and Apostrophe are probably equally good for this style of Zappa rock. Overnight sensation probably has wilder lyrics, whereas Apostrophe may be musically (very) slightly better.
 
The one album I seldom hear anyone mention is Zoot Allures, and that's one of my favorites...
 
Good stuff.

Personally, I recommend:

Freak Out: 1st Mothers album
200 Motels (hard to come by)
Rueben and the Jets: (Frank does some really good doo wop tunes)
Just another Band From LA
Bongo Fury w/Captain Beefheart
Roxy Live & Elsewhere:(Saturday Night Live performance of Penguin in Bondage and Cheepnis, fun to listen to)
Live at the Filmore- 1971
Apostrophe
Overnight Sensation
Ship Arriving too Late to Save a Burning Witch: (Has Valleygirl on it)

Just about anything Frank and the Mother did is worth a listen.
 
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