Recommend some Frank Zappa
12-12-04, 06:03 PM
#1
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Recommend some Frank Zappa
I've already got Apostrophe, You Are What You Is and Joe's Garage and I love em all. Which should I go to next?
12-12-04, 07:33 PM
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Don't get Weasles Ripped My Flesh so soon, listen to his other, easier to listen to/grasp stuff first before getting that.
The first three Mothers of Invention albums are a good start.
The first three Mothers of Invention albums are a good start.
12-12-04, 07:44 PM
#4
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Freak Out
We're Only in it for the Money
Sheik Yerbouti
and, possibly, "Strictly Commercial," the FZ greatest hits compilation. (I know some fans hate this album, but it makes a decent overview of Zappa's more commercial-sounding work for newbies.)
We're Only in it for the Money
Sheik Yerbouti
and, possibly, "Strictly Commercial," the FZ greatest hits compilation. (I know some fans hate this album, but it makes a decent overview of Zappa's more commercial-sounding work for newbies.)
12-12-04, 08:09 PM
#5
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Hot Rats
Shut Up and Play Your Guitar (all guitar solos, outstanding)
The Man From Utopia
Mothers - Filmore East June 1971 (the infamous mudshark)
It might be easier to recommend what not to buy:
Broadway the Hard Way (Show tunes Zappa style)
Lumpy Gravy (experimental hippie crap)
Jazz from Hell (instrumental jazz music, really synth heavy)
Not that they're necessarily bad (although I think Lumpy Gravy is unlistenable), but they're pretty esoteric and nothing like the three you listed above.
Shut Up and Play Your Guitar (all guitar solos, outstanding)
The Man From Utopia
Mothers - Filmore East June 1971 (the infamous mudshark)
It might be easier to recommend what not to buy:
Broadway the Hard Way (Show tunes Zappa style)
Lumpy Gravy (experimental hippie crap)
Jazz from Hell (instrumental jazz music, really synth heavy)
Not that they're necessarily bad (although I think Lumpy Gravy is unlistenable), but they're pretty esoteric and nothing like the three you listed above.
12-12-04, 10:59 PM
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These are all ESSENTIAL:
Hot Rats
Overnite Sensation
Shiek Yerbouti
Roxy and Elsewhere
You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore live sets
Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life
Yellow Shark
One Size Fits All
Hot Rats
Overnite Sensation
Shiek Yerbouti
Roxy and Elsewhere
You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore live sets
Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life
Yellow Shark
One Size Fits All
12-13-04, 06:31 AM
#7
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I agree with some of those above by going chronological. Freak Out, Only in it for the Money, Lumpy Gravy (if you're a fan of hippie crap 
).
Unless you like him for his guitar playing, in which case I would recommend Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar....
enjoy
). Unless you like him for his guitar playing, in which case I would recommend Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar....
enjoy
12-13-04, 12:07 PM
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Based on the 3 you own and love... I would highly recommend that you pick up Overnite Sensation, Shiek Yerbouti, One Size Fits All, Zoot Allures and Lather. One level below that and a little more in the free jam, jazz mode of all things Zappa... Hot Rats, Waka/Jawaka and The Grand Wazoo. I'll also recommend Chunga's Revenge, since that record doesn't get enough love.
Of the early Mothers era... Freak Out is an essential rock record, listen to the production and place it in the context of it's time. Incredible. That said... I'm not a huge fan of Lumpy Gravy, Absolutely Free or We're Only In It For The Money. Personally, I think the early Mothers records are NOT a good place to start in the Zappa universe... However, and that said part two, I do quite enjoy Weasels Ripped My Flesh and Uncle Meat.
From a couple of the above recommendations... Yellow Shark is a classical album of FZ compositions and is quite good. The "You Can't Do That On Stage" series are all good. The Roxy show is coming on DVD, so you might want to hold out and wait to see what the DVD has to offer when it's released.
Also... You own a DVD player, you must immediately go and buy Baby Snakes... And if you're DVD-A equipped, ready for hi-rez, both DVD-A releases to date (Halloween and Quadiophiliac) are worth seeking out.
Of the early Mothers era... Freak Out is an essential rock record, listen to the production and place it in the context of it's time. Incredible. That said... I'm not a huge fan of Lumpy Gravy, Absolutely Free or We're Only In It For The Money. Personally, I think the early Mothers records are NOT a good place to start in the Zappa universe... However, and that said part two, I do quite enjoy Weasels Ripped My Flesh and Uncle Meat.
From a couple of the above recommendations... Yellow Shark is a classical album of FZ compositions and is quite good. The "You Can't Do That On Stage" series are all good. The Roxy show is coming on DVD, so you might want to hold out and wait to see what the DVD has to offer when it's released.
Also... You own a DVD player, you must immediately go and buy Baby Snakes... And if you're DVD-A equipped, ready for hi-rez, both DVD-A releases to date (Halloween and Quadiophiliac) are worth seeking out.
Last edited by Johnny Zhivago; 12-13-04 at 12:12 PM.
