Frank Zappa - reccomendations ?

[Hamburger3]

I need some as Iv heard a fair bit but with 50 albums to choose from its hard deciding what to buy.

I like Joes Garage if thats any help.

Cheers

[The Boogerman]

Its a tricky question to answer, as his output was so diverse and different years have their own musical stylings as he adapted his music writing to make the most of the talents of the band members of the time. If you like Joe's Garage, you could try Sheik Yerbouti or Lather.

There's a site here (http://home.epix.net/~eichler/reviews/zappa/overview.htm) , where the writer tries to answer your question.

Zappa is one of my favourite musicians, and I've got nearly all the official releases on LP or CD. The You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore series muight be a good way to get introduced to live performances from the different eras.

I'm happy to answer any more questions. I know there are a few other Zappa fans lurking here, so between us we should be able to point you in the right direction.

[Hamburger3]

Ok Ill try those two albums.

Iv been d/l as much video of Zappa as I can find as its the best I can do untill a dvd is released of the many hours of concert footage of zappa.

I was infroduced to him by my older brother who lent me Joe's Garage and it it was amazing and like nothing else id heard.

Thanks for the reply.

[Adge]

One of my friends has a very good albums review site, and he suggests sheik yerbouti as a starting point too, he's reviewed all the zappa albums here:

http://www.adriandenning.com/mothers.html

Hope that helps.

[The Boogerman]

On the DVD front, there are two things to look out for.

The first is already released in Germany, but appears to be going out of print. The Band from Utopia - A Tribute to the Music of Frank Zappa is a tribute concert by mainly ex-Zappa band members recorded 7 months after Zappa's death. I bought mine from amazon.de but they don't appear to have anymore in stock. If you're tempted you can still get the 60 minute DD and DTS DVD from
G & S Music (http://www.gandsmusic.com) , look under latest releases, costs £19.99 inc p&p.

The second is due to be released by Zappa's Family (http://www.zappa.com) and will be a live DVD from the Roxy series of concerts in 1974. Should be around 3 hours plus and hopefully will be released later this year.

[Woz]

Have you got the complete Joes Garage? I seem to remember that there were two releases, one of which was either just highlights or the start....

[Hamburger3]

Iv got the 2 cd set that originally came on 3 lps.

[gary191265]

Hot Rats
Apostrophe
The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life

All of the above are reasonably accessable Zappa albums.

[Arch Stanton]

There's a good 'best of' out called 'Strictly Commercial' which gives a good cross section of his stuff.

[smst]

I haven't heard most of Zappa's stuff, but I bought Strictly Commercial (accessible compilation) a few years ago and was very impressed. Since then I've only bought Hot Rats and a Cheap Thrills compilation so I'm not familiar with most of his work -- I'll be keeping an eye on these recommendations.

[The Boogerman]

I started off with Over-nite Sensation, from 1973 and that (70's)remains my favourite era of Zappa's music. I've been looking through my LP and CD collection to try to come up with some further recommendations, and should post more in the next day or two.

[jonozz]

Never been all that impressed with what I've heard,but

http://www.allmusic.com/

rate 68s 'Were only in it for the Money' and 73s 'Overnite Sensation'


Best bet IMO would be one of the many compilations available

[beetle]

a good three way starting point for those that don't mind compilations would be 'strictly commercial', 'cheep thrills' and 'son of cheep thrills'. those latter two can be picked up for as little as £3.99 each. at that price, you can hardly go wrong. between them, these three amount to ( almost ) every style of music Zappa ever tampered with.

otherwise get the following

'we're only in it for the money'
'hot rats'
'sheik yerbouti'

but, bare in mind if picking up a single disc album set by Zappa. none of those three ( often picked out as amongst his best work ) sound remotely like each other! so, if you don't dig '....money' chances are there are at least another half a dozen zappa albums you'll at least like a little bit.

hope this helps!

[Hamburger3]

Thanks to everyone who has posted suggestions.

Very helpfull.

[The Boogerman]

Sorry, been a bit busy this week to post my promised recommendations. What I would say is that if anyone is tempted to buy double or triple CD's to check out Australian prices before ordering. Lather (3x CD) was £10-11 compared to £25-30 in UK shops, inc p&p. Chaosmusic.com has served me well, but there are others.

[jacquesbrel]

Just thought any Zappa freaks would want to pick up one or more of the Zappa bargains in the HMV sale.

I've smuggled the following home to add to my collection without my missus suspecting a thing :dork: :

Weasel's Ripped My Flesh £4.99
Burnt Weenie Sandwich £4.99
Chunga's Revenge £4.99
Tinseltown Rebellion (2 LPs on 1 CD) £4.99
Hot Rats £5.99
Sheik Yerbouti £5.99
oh and
Them or Us (2 LPs on 1 CD) £4.99

I've seen one or two others at £4.99 and double cds (eg Uncle Meat) at £9.99

[gary191265]

Originally posted by jacquesbrel


I've smuggled the following home to add to my collection without my missus suspecting a thing...

So I'm not the only one ! Having to boot them under the setee when I go down to pick up the post in the morning's the worst bit !!:)

[papalaz]

One of the few things I obtained from Napster and actually
went out and bought was "You Are What You IS" absolutley
brilliant album, I was hooked after 10 minutes.

Hot Rats is excellent too, although all instrumental.

The guy was a complete genius as far as I'm concerned and I don't dish that accolade out lightly (If fact I'd only include Brian Wilson & Stevie Wonder as others)

He has done some mad stuff though!

good listing here:

http://www.warr.org/zappa.html

EDIT: just realised that question was from a year ago :rolleyes:
oh well.... right off to HMV then :clap:

[The Falcon]

Originally posted by jacquesbrel
Just thought any Zappa freaks would want to pick up one or more of the Zappa bargains in the HMV sale.

I've smuggled the following home to add to my collection without my missus suspecting a thing :dork: :

Weasel's Ripped My Flesh £4.99
Burnt Weenie Sandwich £4.99
Chunga's Revenge £4.99
Tinseltown Rebellion (2 LPs on 1 CD) £4.99
Hot Rats £5.99
Sheik Yerbouti £5.99
oh and
Them or Us (2 LPs on 1 CD) £4.99

I've seen one or two others at £4.99 and double cds (eg Uncle Meat) at £9.99


Fantastic Prices ....its not often you get Zappa cheap...My recommendations are :

If you like Joe's Garage you will like these
Sheik Yerbouti
Tinseltown Rebellion
You are what you is

I would also agree earlier music ...Overnight sensation , hot rats and one size fit all is also superb

[The Boogerman]

Its funny re-reading this thread after about a year, I didn't remember writing any of my responses....

I've had a look at hmv.co.uk to see what's in the sale and the following would be my recommendations for the easiest or best to get in FZ. I've assumed that there's no-one quite ready to try some of the really early stuff (i.e. Freak Out (rocks first double LP. The Mothers were signed in LA on the same day as the Velvet Underground were signed in NYC by Verve. They thought they had signed two R&B acts based (I think on the Mother's track "How could I be such a fool". Having financed the recording of the LP the first they realised they hadn't signed an R&B act was when they launched into recording the second track "Who are the brain police?". About then someone started wearing brown trousers. `Absolutely Free’ and `Lumpy Gravy’ followed. Paul McCartney cited Freak Out as one of his big inspirations for his input into Sgt Pepper. Frank’s response? The next release was called `We’re Only In It For The Money’ and featured a parody of the Sgt Pepper cover (I can post a link if you can’t find a picture), which has since been made the gatefold rather than the cover.) Ooops rambling.....

I’ve separated personal favourites from the sale (marked with a *) and previously recommended titles into categories. If anyone wants any pointers on the other titles please let me know.

Compilations And Live Collections
Cheap Thrills
Son Of Cheep Thrills
Have I Offended Someone
* You Cant Do That On Stage Anymore Vol. 3

Early 70's Rock
* Roxy & Elsewhere
* Apostrophe
* Over Nite Sensation
* One Size Fits All
Chungas Revenge
Bongo Fury (with Captain Beefheart)

Late 70's Rock
* Zoot Allures
* You Are What You Is
* Joes Garage Acts 1 2 & 3
* Sheik Yerbouti

80's Rock
Tinseltown Rebellion
Broadway The Hard Way
Them Or Us

Doo Wop
*Cruising With Ruben & The Jets

Jazz Rock
Weasels Ripped My Flesh
Burnt Weeny Sandwich
* Hot Rats
Waka Jawaka
* Grand Wazoo

[jacquesbrel]

Originally posted by The Boogerman
Compilations And Live Collections
Cheap Thrills
Son Of Cheep Thrills


It's worth mentioning that these compliations are "budget" priced (c. £4) so may be even cheaper in the sale and therefore an ideal introduction for the Zappa novice.

A category (or 2) not suggested by The Boogerman would be Instrumentals (Guitar) and Instrumental (Classical) but I'll resist going further as Zappa defies cartegorisation and there's enough info on Zappa (and sound files) out on the web for those that want to explore.

[The Boogerman]

Originally posted by jacquesbrel
It's worth mentioning that these compliations are "budget" priced (c. £4) so may be even cheaper in the sale and therefore an ideal introduction for the Zappa novice.
I think they are £2.99 rather than the usual £4.99.
A category (or 2) not suggested by The Boogerman would be Instrumentals (Guitar) and Instrumental (Classical) but I'll resist going further as Zappa defies cartegorisation and there's enough info on Zappa (and sound files) out on the web for those that want to explore.
I didn't add these (or other categories) as the CD's aren't in the sale.

HMV? :thumbs:

[jacquesbrel]

Hey, The Boogerman, are you really from Bavaria? I saw Zappa perform in the Festung (castle) at Wurzburg in 1982. Wonderful memory.

[Blank Frank]

No-one mentioned "Lumpy Gravy" yet ? It's "We're Only In It's.." mutant elder twin brother kinda thing. Hard going in places but worth it, IMO.

Before my CD player & its CDs got half-inched from the old Suzuki last year, I used to have both those two burned onto a single 80min CDR.

[The Boogerman]

Originally posted by jacquesbrel
Hey, The Boogerman, are you really from Bavaria? I saw Zappa perform in the Festung (castle) at Wurzburg in 1982. Wonderful memory.

Hi Jacques, the answer's yes and no. I'm a Brit (from the Bristol area) who moved to Munich four months ago. Must admit it was a great decision, the scenery, women and beer are fantastic. :D

[jacquesbrel]

Originally posted by The Boogerman
Hi Jacques, the answer's yes and no. I'm a Brit (from the Bristol area) who moved to Munich four months ago. Must admit it was a great decision, the scenery, women and beer are fantastic. :D


...and the smell of vomit as you enter the beer halls...?

[The Boogerman]

Originally posted by jacquesbrel
...and the smell of vomit as you enter the beer halls...?

Non existant actually. The Bavarians are really proud people and everything is (generally) really clean especially the beer gardens, beer halls and bars. To give you an idea of scale, my local Bier Garten (recently voted best in Munich) has seating outside for 2300 people. One of the largest is the Chinese Tower in the Englisgh Garden and has seating for 5500 people. These guys love their beer.

I ordered 5 Zappa CD's from the HMV website in the sale (slowly duplicating my vinyl collection), as I don't have a local store. They were shipped the next day, but I'm still waiting five days later, should be hear by the end of the week. Please!!!

[jacquesbrel]

Originally posted by The Boogerman
Non existant actually. The Bavarians are really proud people and everything is (generally) really clean especially the beer gardens, beer halls and bars. To give you an idea of scale, my local Bier Garten (recently voted best in Munich) has seating outside for 2300 people. One of the largest is the Chinese Tower in the Englisgh Garden and has seating for 5500 people. These guys love their beer.

I ordered 5 Zappa CD's from the HMV website in the sale (slowly duplicating my vinyl collection), as I don't have a local store. They were shipped the next day, but I'm still waiting five days later, should be hear by the end of the week. Please!!!

Re Beer in Munich: how the ****** do the waitresses in their dirndls carry up to 6 litre steins of beer? Do they all rest on the bosoms or is it in their wrist action?

Re Zappa at HMV: yes, the HMV sales are useful for replacing Zappa vinyl - I'va also picked up some Zappa cds cheap (eg Weasels @ £6) at Music Zone; if there's not one near you they might do mail order I think.

[jamiesd]

has to be Joes Garage

It's the tops

:thumbs: