[Music] Frank Zappa

[Super Steve Earle]

Mmmmm.... I prefer these:

The Spotlight Kid (1972)
Clear Spot (1972)
Unconditionally Guaranteed (1974)
Doc at the Radar Station (1980)
Ice Cream for Crow (1982)

Did you see him at the Dome in 75?

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Sadly not and I don't know why. My best gig mate was a huge fan and I still like Clear Spot and Ice Cream for Crow.

 

[Beanstalk]

My favourite Zappa album is The Best of Frank Zappa.

 

[monty uk]

If you can find it, there's a DVD of the Roxy and Elsewhere concerts - which is my favourite album, partly because of nostalgic reasons as much as the music. As somebody else said, his choreography and is outstanding and explains how he gets the sound he does. Two drummers with full kits, Ruth Underwood playing a massive glockenspiel set.

While Zappa ambled round the stage smoking and playing a guitar relaxed but totally in control.

He was a workaholic perfectionist. His own books and other biographies are fascinating, but you'll need to get past the unsavoury bits.

Saw him live a few times, absolutely incredible.

 

[marlowe]

This is a bit of a find - Frank and the band displaying their musical chops - a 25 minute version of the King Kong Variations

Imagine the BBC running an unedited version of a band playing one song for so long, it wouldn't happen now. I'd imagine the appearance of sex offender Roy Estrada would cause a few palpitations.

I had the Live in New York album and near the end of "The Illinois Enema Bandit" FZ paused the song and announced, " This is for Roy Estrada wherever he is", and then he continued with... "Wanna wanna wan an enema, en- enema".

This always confused me at the time as I couldn't work out why Frank would be doing a dedication to the actor who played the motorcycle cop, Officer Frank Poncherelli in the American TV series "Chips".

I only discovered years later that Roy Estrada was the former bassist for the Mothers of Invention and the guy in Chips was called Erik Estrada, not Roy.

 

[marlowe]

.

 

[Klaas]

I have no idea where 'You are what you is.' sits in the Zappa canon, but it's the only album of his I have ever owned, and I loved it. Not sure why I never explored any more of his stuff.

 

[Tony Towner's Fridge]

Hiot Rats but if you like Frank Zappa then why not have listen to Captain Beefheart as well? All great music!

TNBA

TTF

 

[WATFORD zero]

Nobody has mentioned

Which has some superb tracks on.

 

[monty uk]

This is fantastic.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Thanks again everyone. Hot Rats has emerged as my favorite of the bunch I have listened to….this particular album is top draw, its as good as any recorded music I have ever heard.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Phew. I thought this was an RIP thread - oh, wait a minute...

Joking aside, you could follow up with a bit of Captain Beefheart. Trout Mask Replica probably his best, and paid for by Zappa.

I gave Trout Mask Replica last night. It was a bit more challenging than I anticipated, but can see the appeal. I’ll give it another spin at a more appropriate moment.