FRANK ZAPPA - What to buy???
03-24-04, 01:10 PM
#1
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FRANK ZAPPA - What to buy???
I have enjoyed a few Frank Zappa compilations over the years but I would like to delve deeper into his catalog.
Can anyone recommend some albums? collections?
Thanks.
Can anyone recommend some albums? collections?
Thanks.
03-24-04, 01:25 PM
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Freak Out
Lather
Joe's Garage
Apostrophe
Over-Nite Sensation
One Size Fits All
Hot Rats
The Grand Wazoo
Waka/Jawaka
Zoot Allures
Sheik Yerbouti
Chunga's Revenge
Uncle Meat
Weasels Ripped My Flesh
Yellow Shark
Shut Up N' Play Yer Guitar
All are essential IMHO and display the extremely wide range of Zappa's compositions.
Question to you... Do you have any favorites from the compilations that you have listened to? I can probably point you in a good direction - based on those - for starters...
< Big Zappa fan here
Lather
Joe's Garage
Apostrophe
Over-Nite Sensation
One Size Fits All
Hot Rats
The Grand Wazoo
Waka/Jawaka
Zoot Allures
Sheik Yerbouti
Chunga's Revenge
Uncle Meat
Weasels Ripped My Flesh
Yellow Shark
Shut Up N' Play Yer Guitar
All are essential IMHO and display the extremely wide range of Zappa's compositions.
Question to you... Do you have any favorites from the compilations that you have listened to? I can probably point you in a good direction - based on those - for starters...
< Big Zappa fan here
03-24-04, 01:28 PM
#3
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There's one "Best of" collection that I'm aware of, called "Strictly Commercial." Pretty much touches on his best known songs, like "Valley Girl" and "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow."
Of the early Zappa, from the 1960s, I'd go with "Freak Out!" and "We're Only in it for the Money." Those are probably the high points of The Mothers of Invention.
For later Zappa, I'd say "Sheik Yerbouti" and "You Are Whay You Is."
Of the early Zappa, from the 1960s, I'd go with "Freak Out!" and "We're Only in it for the Money." Those are probably the high points of The Mothers of Invention.
For later Zappa, I'd say "Sheik Yerbouti" and "You Are Whay You Is."
03-24-04, 01:51 PM
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Originally posted by Josh-da-man
There's one "Best of" collection that I'm aware of, called "Strictly Commercial." Pretty much touches on his best known songs, like "Valley Girl" and "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow."
Of the early Zappa, from the 1960s, I'd go with "Freak Out!" and "We're Only in it for the Money." Those are probably the high points of The Mothers of Invention.
There's one "Best of" collection that I'm aware of, called "Strictly Commercial." Pretty much touches on his best known songs, like "Valley Girl" and "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow."
Of the early Zappa, from the 1960s, I'd go with "Freak Out!" and "We're Only in it for the Money." Those are probably the high points of The Mothers of Invention.
03-24-04, 02:00 PM
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Originally posted by Josh-da-man
There's one "Best of" collection that I'm aware of, called "Strictly Commercial." Pretty much touches on his best known songs, like "Valley Girl" and "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow."
There's one "Best of" collection that I'm aware of, called "Strictly Commercial." Pretty much touches on his best known songs, like "Valley Girl" and "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow."
As for my specific recommendations, depends on what you're looking for... The humor, the jazz, the classical compositions, the guitar chops, etc...
03-24-04, 03:15 PM
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Originally posted by Illinois Enema Bandit
I'd add a couple of FZ's live albums:
Roxy & Elsewhere
Live in New York
I'd add a couple of FZ's live albums:
Roxy & Elsewhere
Live in New York
:::wondered if the Enema Bandit would make an appearance in this thread:::
Also... On DVD... "Baby Snakes" is a must have and highly recommended... As is the "Halloween" DVD-Audio.
03-24-04, 10:04 PM
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Johnny Zhivago has some excellent picks. I'd suggest Sheik Yerbouti as a starter. (You've got to love Broken Hearts are for A**holes if only for the title!) Seriously, he has a great band on that album, including Terry Bozzio and Adrian Belew. (Belew's City of Tiny Lights just freakin' rocks.)
My second favourite Zappa album is admittedly an odd choice, Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar, which is essentially two CDs (originally a three LP set) of live guitar solos. Now, the idea of listening to Frank noodle away for a hundred minutes or so definitely sounds weird, but it's damn cool! (Steve Vai, a young protoge of Frank, plays on a few tracks I believe.) People often forget that beyond the Titties and Beer lyrics, Frank could really shred an ax.
My second favourite Zappa album is admittedly an odd choice, Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar, which is essentially two CDs (originally a three LP set) of live guitar solos. Now, the idea of listening to Frank noodle away for a hundred minutes or so definitely sounds weird, but it's damn cool! (Steve Vai, a young protoge of Frank, plays on a few tracks I believe.) People often forget that beyond the Titties and Beer lyrics, Frank could really shred an ax.
Last edited by Damage; 03-25-04 at 11:19 AM.
03-25-04, 12:50 AM
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If I had to pick one Zappa CD---just one---for someone, especially to start with---it would have to be ONE SIZE FITS ALL.
I think it's not only one of his most accessible albums, but one of his best, with a great balance of material, memorable songs and humor.
I think it's not only one of his most accessible albums, but one of his best, with a great balance of material, memorable songs and humor.
03-25-04, 02:00 PM
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Live:
Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar
Halloween DVD-A (even if you don't have a DVD-A player, the DTS track sounds great!)
Baby Snakes DVD-V
Studio:
Lather
Apostrophe (the oop Ryko AU20 gold disc is the best!)
We're only in it for the Money
Uncle Meat
Hot Rats
You just gotta dive in. There's no clear entry point, and absolutely no escape.
Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar
Halloween DVD-A (even if you don't have a DVD-A player, the DTS track sounds great!)
Baby Snakes DVD-V
Studio:
Lather
Apostrophe (the oop Ryko AU20 gold disc is the best!)
We're only in it for the Money
Uncle Meat
Hot Rats
You just gotta dive in. There's no clear entry point, and absolutely no escape.
03-25-04, 07:29 PM
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zappa.com has a great streaming radio feed that plays random Zappa stuff all the time...give it a listen to figure out where to jump in first.
03-25-04, 10:10 PM
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"Overnite Sensation" and "Apostrophe" are (or used to be?) available as two-albums-on-one-CD ... which is probably the best place to start for the smallest investment. It also helps that this was prime Frank Zappa.
03-25-04, 11:06 PM
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Originally posted by Richard Malloy
You just gotta dive in. There's no clear entry point, and absolutely no escape.
You just gotta dive in. There's no clear entry point, and absolutely no escape.
Originally posted by Saxofonix
"Overnite Sensation" and "Apostrophe" are (or used to be?) available as two-albums-on-one-CD ...
"Overnite Sensation" and "Apostrophe" are (or used to be?) available as two-albums-on-one-CD ...
03-26-04, 06:50 PM
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Rykodisc has a couple "Cheap Thrills" compilations which are pretty cheap.
http://www.rykodisc.com/Catalog/dump/rykoalbums_776.asp
http://www.rykodisc.com/Catalog/dump/rykoalbums_990.asp
http://www.rykodisc.com/Catalog/dump/rykoalbums_776.asp
http://www.rykodisc.com/Catalog/dump/rykoalbums_990.asp
