I recently downloaded the Zappa Plays Zappa (the 3-disc version, not the silly 1-disc that was released in stores) and I love it. So, I've been picking up some Zappa discs when I find them at a good price. So far I have picked up:

Roxy And Elsewhere
Tinseltown Rebellion
Freak Out
Lumpy Gravy
We're Only In It For The Money
One Size Fits All
You Are What You Is

And I have Lather and The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life on the way.

Others that are for sure on my to-buy list:
Hot Rats
Waka/Jawaka
Overnite Sensation
Grand Wazoo
Apostrophe

Also, I'm leaning toward getting the following also:
Zoot Allures
Sheik Yerbouti
Ship Arriving Too Late To Save A Drowning Witch
Guitar


So, does anyone have any opinions on any of the stuff that I do not have? What others are must-buys and which can be skipped? His catalog is rather daunting as there are so many releases.

Hot Rats, Sheik Yerbouti, Guitar, Overnite Sensation, and Apostrophe are all essential. You might want to try the Live at the Fillmore set he did with the Turtles, some bizarre and funny stuff on there. Also I recommend You Are What You Is and Absolutely Free. Check out his Allmusic listing, they have a pretty good rundown on his albums that has served me well over the years.

Hot Rats is the only one I ever really got into.

I recently saw Zappa Plays Zappa @ Progressive Nation 2009 in Virginia and was really surprised at how much I enjoyed their playing. I've never been hugely into Zappa although I've tried a few of his early Mothers of Invention albums. I'd be interested in hearing how the 3 disc set sounds?

Oh..and uhm...more Zappa recommendations too, of course

Michael

No love for Joe's Garage here?

Where to begin? Try Volumes 2 and 5 of You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore as well as the 3-disc Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar.

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I just love Overnite Sensation / Apostrophie and Joes Garage.

Shit! I just typed a big, long response & then lost it. What do you like out of what you've heard?

We're only in it for the Money is probably my favorite.

Will you be getting into any Captain Beefheart? It's the next logical step.

An update:

So Far I have acquired and listened to the following:
Freak Out – Decent debut
Absolutely Free – I like this one better than the first, especially the “vegetable” suite
We’re Only In It For The Money – the best of the Mothers studio albums
Lumpy Gravy – I can appreciate what he is trying to do, but this is a hard listen. Probably not something I’ll pick up often.
Uncle Meat – I like a lot of the music, but the 40 minutes of talking are horrible.
Hot Rats – Love this one. The only thing I don’t care for are the Captain Beefheart vocals
Just Another Band From LA – Love this one, especially the version of Call Any Vegetable
The Grand Wazoo – Love this one
Over-Nite Sensation – I think this one is a bit overrated. I like Zomby Woof the most
Apostrophe – I like this one. May be a tad bit overrated, but still good
Roxy & Elsewhere – Love this one
One Size Fits All – Love this one
Zoot Allures – Love this one, except for Disco Boy
Studio Tan – Like this one a lot
Sheik Yerbouti – Good, but a bit overrated as there is a decent amount of filler. Bobby Brown is my fave on here
Joe’s Garage – OK. The lyrics wear on me after a while. Watermelon In Easter Hay is lovely
Tinseltown Rebellion – This one is kinda panned critically, but I like it quite a bit
You Are What You Is – Like this one quite a bit. Teenage Wind is my favorite
Them Or Us – Like this one quite a bit
Meets The Mothers Of Prevention – Just got it. Haven’t listened to it yet.
The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life – Like this one a lot
YCTDOSA 1 - Just got it. Haven’t listened to it yet.
YCTDOSA 2 – Half way through it and it is great so far. Classic lineup
YCTDOSA 3 – Good.
Ahead Of Their Time – The spoken play at the beginning doesn’t warrant repeat listens, but the last 2/3rds, the music, is good.

I have the following ordered but they haven’t arrived:
Crusing with Ruben & The Jets
Burnt Weeny Sandwich
Weasels Ripped My Flesh
Chunga’s Revenge
Waka/Jawaka
In New York
Shut Up And Play Your Guitar
Make A Jazz Noise Here

Will definitely be ordering the following at some point:
Fillmore East 1971
Sleep Dirt
Orchestral Favorites
Ship Arriving Too Late…
Broadway The Hard Way
Guitar
YCDTOSA 4, 5, 6

Not sure about (anyone have opinions on these?):
200 Motels
Bongo Fury
Man From Utopia
Jazz From Hell
Does Humor Belong In Music


Also, does anyone have opinions on any of the posthumous releases (Oz, Buffalo, Dub Room, Wazoo, etc.)?

200 Motels is mostly a slog. It's basically a collection of song sketches, with a few gems here and there. I seem to recall liking Jazz From Hell.

This is what I have, what would you recommend next?

Freak Out
Absolutely Free
We’re Only In It For The Money
Hot Rats
Just Another Band From LA
The Grand Wazoo
Over-Nite Sensation
Apostrophe
One Size Fits All
Zoot Allures
Burnt Weeny Sandwich
Weasels Ripped My Flesh
Sheik Yerbouti

I've been listening to Zappa for 30 years and thought I heard most if not all of the catalogue. I always ignored One Size Fits All for some reason mistakenly thinking it was a the Flo and Eddie lineup. One Size Fits All is the greatest Zappa lineup (George Duke, the incomparable Ruth Underwood, Chester Thompson, Tom Fowler and Napoleon Murphy Brock) and it may be his best album ever. Apparently, a lot of people feel the same way and I missed out all these years! (I always went for Roxy/Elsewhere as his best - same band same era as One Size Fits All.) The album is technically amazing and I'm pretty sure if safe listening for those easily offended by Zappa lyrics.)

It's easy to miss out on giant catalogues. Make sure you don't get lost like I did.

Inca Roads


Check out Ruth Underwood: