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Help me get into Frank Zappa

OH.. another great album I seldom see mentioned around here is Zappa In New York. A live LP with the infamous version of Titties and Beer. A must have!
 
I also seldom see 'Chunga's Revenge' mentioned. It was a frequent listen back in my college days. I still spin it up on occassion. I always liked the song 'Sharleena' on it.
 
similost said:
(200 Motels) Didn't know that... I just recently got this one that was in a lot I picked up. Haven't listened to it yet either.. guess I need to..
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You should try to find the film for the full experience; I believe it is available on VHS and DVD, though it may take some effort.
 
I started with Hot Rats and Waka Jawaka,and though they have a decidedly jazz structure, I was permanently hooked.
We're only in it for the Money is another classic that should not be overlooked.
Finally, if your looking for his best ensemble, look no further than the Roxy band. Roxy and Elsewhere and You can't do that on Stage Anymore Vol. 2 (the only in the series to feature an entire live preformance by one band) provide a good look at the way a band can evolve under Frank's guidance. Both recordings are live and the technical advancements from one album to another are astounding. The music may be quirky, but the musicianship is always unparalleled.
 
Sam Cogley said:
Good luck. I've found that Zappa/Mothers stuff is very difficult to locate.
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I don't think I have ever found a playable Zappa album at the thrifts, and visit them frequently. You would have better luck finding them at a used record retailer. Amazon.com has several offerings on vinyl, but the prices shows that there is still quite a market for Zappa.

Regards,

D-Ray
 
d-ray657 said:
I don't think I have ever found a playable Zappa album at the thrifts, and visit them frequently. You would have better luck finding them at a used record retailer. Amazon.com has several offerings on vinyl, but the prices shows that there is still quite a market for Zappa.

Regards,

D-Ray
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I have my dad's original copy of "Freak Out!" from his college days. The rest of my Zappa/Mothers collection came from one $5 buy at a garage sale (the infamous Prog Scroe). I don't think I've ever seen an unplayable Zappa album at a thrift, much less something useful.
 
Roxy and Elsewhere is a good start.

for strictly guitar, get the Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar series.

Ignore the urge to dismiss FZ based on the "dirtier" songs. Listen to the MUSIC. Its often quite complicated. He used a lot of very interesting musical styles and he really was "all over the board" so to speak.

His bands were always VERY GOOD. He aceepted nothing but the best musicians in his bands.

He also used some groundbreaking recording techniques.
 
I started my Zappa collection with these;
Zoot Allures
Zappa In New York
Freak-Out
200 Motels
Weasels Ripped My Flesh
His LPs have something for everybody.
 
zombie1210 said:
Roxy and Elsewhere is a good start.

for strictly guitar, get the Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar series.

Ignore the urge to dismiss FZ based on the "dirtier" songs. Listen to the MUSIC. Its often quite complicated. He used a lot of very interesting musical styles and he really was "all over the board" so to speak.

His bands were always VERY GOOD. He aceepted nothing but the best musicians in his bands.

He also used some groundbreaking recording techniques.
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If you listen to the Mike Douglas interview on youtube, FZ provides an interesting story about how he put the Mothers together.

Regards,

D-Ray
 
"Hot Rats" for 'Willie the Pimp'

and "Weasels Ripped My Flesh" for 'Directly From My Heart'
 
similost said:
OH.. another great album I seldom see mentioned around here is Zappa In New York. A live LP with the infamous version of Titties and Beer. A must have!
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Don't forget Terry Bozzio's amazing "Black Page" on that album as well.

Another album I used to love that doesn't seem to get the same love as other Zappa albums is the triple album Thing Fish. Man, I used to dig that album. :) Late 70s and early 80s Zappa were my favorites in high school.

Which album had Stevie's Spanking on it? That was a good one too! :)
 
The only thrift Zappa lps I found were Freak Out and Absolutely Free together and in not the best condition.Hard to get into either of these.
 
get Apostrophe - great intro as it is fairly traditional rock in a way, plus my favorite of course.....once you have it and are not quite sure what to think after yellow snow etc.., skip on down to Cosmik Debris, crank it up and sit back and enjoy....
now go back and listen to the whole album again.......
now go on a Zappa hunt ...

I must admit I am not a true dye in the wool Zappa fan - for me a lot of the stuff is hit and miss, but that is just me.
But every time I listen to Apostrophe, I go back on a mini quest hunting down my favorite Zappa songs....
(also great stuff - off his Live album - Titties and beer and one of my all time favorites - the Illinois Enema bandit)
Seems I lean towards the ones where he does his mastery quitar work (live Bandit, Cosmik debris etc)...
He was prolific and there is a lot of good stuff around....

but, imo, just getting into him, Apostrophe is the way to go
 
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I have been listening to Zappa since the 60's and have been to over 30 concerts.

It is very hard to recommend a single tune for you to listen to and get a feel for his music. He played music he liked and he wasn't trying to please you. If you like it, good but he didn't care.

Two tunes: Watermelon in Easter Hay from Joe's Garage and Sleep Dirt from Sleep Dirt.
 
Frank Zappa

bikezappa said:
It is very hard to recommend a single tune for you to listen to and get a feel for his music.
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It ain't hard for me. Here's a FZ tune that neatly sums up Frank's thoughts on society: "Who are the Brain Police" from Freak Out! You can't go wrong by starting out at the beginning with the Freak Out double LP. (Help I'm a Rock.)
Some other favorites are We're Only In It for the Money, Fillmore East 1971 (this was a great show!) and Playground Psychotics.
 
nitrous said:
It ain't hard for me. Here's a FZ tune that neatly sums up Frank's thoughts on society: "Who are the Brain Police" from Freak Out! You can't go wrong by starting out at the beginning with the Freak Out double LP. (Help I'm a Rock.)
Some other favorites are We're Only In It for the Money, Fillmore East 1971 (this was a great show!) and Playground Psychotics.
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I just don't know if I'd recommend "We're Only In It for the Money" as an introduction to Zappa. It's definitely entertaining, but not exactly musical. I would be concerned that it would possibly turn off all the but the most adventurous listeners before they gave the more approachable Zappa music a chance.
 
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