Dwezil Zappa and Steve Vai are Family

[Pappy P]

I see some of us have already been peeking at the GP august issue.

 

Well I think the Dwezil Zappa article is cool. I think it's great that he is going to such an effort to revive his father's music.

 

I'm one of the people his is trying to reach, I've never actually heard any of Frank's music, but I already feel compelled to go buy some of his albums.

 

I think the Steve Via article was cool too, the way he talked about what it was like working for Frank.

 

Both Dwez and Stev talked about Gambale's concept of economy picking.

[Guitar Geezer]

...and you gotta love Franks SG on the Cover

[Sleaze_Disease]

Definately listen to Frank Zappa. The man changed my life. The first time I heard songs like "Camarillo Brillo" and "Bobby Brown Goes Down" it was over, I was sold. Plus, he incorporates tons of different styles of music into his own. Pure genius that Zappa guy is.

[Kramer Ferrington III.]

Originally posted by Pappy P:

I've never actually heard any of Frank's music, but I already feel compelled to go buy some of his albums.

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**sound of pin dropping in the distance**

 

Really? That's terrible, don't they play him on late night radio and so on?

 

I'm starting to get into his stuff, after a lifetime of loathing his music. I've got his first solo album, "Hot Rats", and am definitely going to get some other stuff.

[Fingerstyle_Jim]

I've always said that Frank Zappa is the most under-rated guitarist that ever lived. The reason becomes clear when you listen a few albums, lots of x-rated lyrics and music that doesn't fit mainstream radio. I remain one of his biggest fans,

 

Jim

[Squ]

So where do you start? The man has like 50 albums

[Trucks]

The thing I find so great and inspiring about Frank da Zap is how as a kid he dreamed of being a professional classical musician until he realised this wouldnt make him any money.. and went on to be the inovative crazy mofo that he was.. I just find it amazing that he felt to make a go of music he had to make the music he did... I mean.. thats gotta be a real long shot right??? The man was a genius.. albiet a bit of a pervert

[Trucks]

Originally posted by Squ:

So where do you start? The man has like 50 albums

The one that converted me to a Zappa fan was Apostrophe. But I know people that only rate his very early albums... Like Absolutely Free which is also pretty good.

[A String]

There's a good double album called "Apostrophe/Overnight Sensation" it's comprised of two of his best albums in one package. Also, I've always liked "Joe's Garage".

 

Here a link to the double album on Amazon:

 

Click Here

[Justus A. Picker]

Originally posted by A String:

There's a good double album called "Apostrophe/Overnight Sensation" it's comprised of two of his best albums in one package. Also, I've always liked "Joe's Garage".

 

Here a link to the double album on Amazon:

 

Click Here

Yeah, that's a good place to start because they're more accessable than some of his other stuff. I really like Studio Tan as well. "Concerto For Guitar & Low Budget Orchestra" is brilliant.

His orchestral works are the stuff he'll be remembered for in 200 years imo.

[Big Red 67]

Originally posted by lee83:

Originally posted by Squ:

So where do you start? The man has like 50 albums

The one that converted me to a Zappa fan was Apostrophe. But I know people that only rate his very early albums... Like Absolutely Free which is also pretty good.

I think Apostrophe has a Jack Bruce bass solo on it. If I am right, it's a killer solo regardless.

[Abnorm]

I have at least 25 Zappa CDs. I'm mainly a fan of his jazz-rock fusion music, and if you like that kind of music, I could recommend "Waka/Jawaka" or "The Grand Wazoo" CDs. If you prefer his comedic music like the song "Titties and Beer," then you may want to try the aforementioned "Apostrophe" or "Overnite Sensation" or even his early albums like "We're Only In It For The Money."

[Trucks]

Originally posted by A String:

There's a good double album called "Apostrophe/Overnight Sensation" it's comprised of two of his best albums in one package. Also, I've always liked "Joe's Garage".

 

Here a link to the double album on Amazon:

 

Click Here

I dunno man.. I find Joes Garage fun to listen to every now and again but it went a bit way off for me.. He seemed more interested in writing about naked women or women in wet t-shirts or having sex with cyborgs than making music... Cool chilled out solo in watermelon though..

 

However, no matter how rediculous his lyrics were he usually put alot into the music.. Even joes garage (the title track) in all its three chord glory sounded pretty cool

[AlChuck]

Big Red 67, yes, that is Jack Bruce playing bass, and Jim Gordon on drums, on "Apostrophe" from the Apostrophe album.

 

I tend to most like his instrumental jazz/rock/classical stuff, like the above mentioned Waka Jawaka/Hot Rats and The Grand Wazoo. Some of this kind of stuff is scattered throughout his recorded output -- really great compositions like "Twenty Small Cigars," "Peaches en Regalia," "King Kong"...

[Griffinator]

Originally posted by Abnorm:

I have at least 25 Zappa CDs. I'm mainly a fan of his jazz-rock fusion music, and if you like that kind of music, I could recommend "Waka/Jawaka" or "The Grand Wazoo" CDs. If you prefer his comedic music like the song "Titties and Beer," then you may want to try the aforementioned "Apostrophe" or "Overnite Sensation" or even his early albums like "We're Only In It For The Money."

I definitely would not recommend We're Only In It For The Money to a first timer. It's a great album, but it's wayyyyyyyyyy out there in abstract-land, and it's a totally satirical piece, in both lyric and compositional method.

 

Apostrophe/Overnight would be the place to start for a new listener - definitely the most accessible Zappa material out there.

 

There were a lot of albums he produced that were 100% satire, from the songs themselves all the way to the production value - my favorite is Ship Arriving Too Late To Save A Drowning Witch - one of the records Steve Vai performed on. Right down the line it's a great big slam on early 80's hair-metal, including the deliberately bad sound quality of the record. You could put it side by side with a copy of Motley Crue's Shout At The Devil and the overall tone would be identical (albeit Frank's songwriting is vastly better....)

[Bejeeber]

I remember really liking his orchestral music, which is where his very advanced musical mind took center stage, no lyrics to love or hate.

 

There was one with the London Symphony orchestra, and some of that type of cool instrumental stuff (at least I thought so at the time)on both Burnt Weeny Sandwich and Weasels Ripped My Flesh. Jeez I hope I'm remembering those albums correctly.....

 

Other favorites were Studio Tan, Overnight Sensation and Apostrophe.

[Wheelz]

I've been a Zappa fan ever since Overnite Sensation which led me to discover his earlier work which is both ground-breaking and alot of fun to listen to. He was one of the greats, IMHO.

 

Another great album is a live performance "Roxy and Elsewhere" Phenomenal performances by George Duke, Ruth Underwood et al... and of course Frank.

 

I can attribute my appreciation of fusion to Frank Zappa. R.I.P.

 

Nods to Dweezil for keeping his dad's music in the know.

[mdrs]

"Give me your dirty love, like yo mama makes that funky poodle do"

 

"I'm moving to Montana, gonna raise me up a crop of dental floss."

 

The man had the sickest, and wickedest sense of humor rock and roll may have ever experienced! His writing, and playing were consistantly innovative, and brilliant. I'll go see Dweeze and Vai, but I wish I could see Frank.....

 

Anyone out there ever see Frank live??

 

Don

[Gifthorse]

Dweezil is a monster, so is Vai, Zappa was the man though. I don't care for most of the circus shit, but he was a helluva lead player with UNIQUE style beyond most.

 

Gambale is a mutant. When I listen to some of the playing off that album 'truth in shredding' he did with Holdsworth I am baffled on every level..

 

I bought one of his live bebop albums in the 80's and I hated it. Didn't seem to have any melody. I think my ear wasn't tuned either. But in any event, I love his abilities on guitar, he is one of the best technicians on the planet for electric guitar.

[skipclone 1]

Originally posted by mdrs:

"Give me your dirty love, like yo mama makes that funky poodle do"

 

"I'm moving to Montana, gonna raise me up a crop of dental floss."

 

The man had the sickest, and wickedest sense of humor rock and roll may have ever experienced! His writing, and playing were consistantly innovative, and brilliant. I'll go see Dweeze and Vai, but I wish I could see Frank.....

 

Anyone out there ever see Frank live??

 

Don

Yes! I was fortunate to catch him in N.Y., excellent show but I hafta run, can`t say more for now. For me it was Overnite Sensation- Peaches en Regalia was a theme song for a radio program I liked.I used to have a copy of Roxy and Elsewhere on vinyl too, Pygmy Twilight rocked!

[Wheelz]

I saw him in concert 3 times. The "Apostrophe", "One Size Fits All" and "Zoot Allures" tours. All fantastic and crazy performances. All fine albums too.

[Tone Taster]

Originally posted by Squ:

So where do you start? The man has like 50 albums

Cut to the chase and get

 

"shut Up & Play Yer guitar"

 

He basically takes his whole style and seals it up right there

 

Also, w/Vinny Colaiuta

 

Then get his 1988 release called "Guitar"

 

You get all of his kileer solos w/o the dorky lyrics

 

although some of his stuff had some cool entendres on some serious issues at the time

 

Especially the thing fish album

[Caevan O'Shite]

Originally posted by Pappy P:

"I'm one of the people his is trying to reach, I've never actually heard any of Frank's music, but I already feel compelled to go buy some of his albums."

Highly recommended! FZ's awe-reet 'n' awe-rite. So cool I can't stand it.

 

Originally posted by Squ:

So where do you start? The man has like 50 albums

Uncle Frank hisself said, "People don't know what they like, they like what they know."

 

Go here, for a little guidance in where to begin with what to get to know from his back-catalog:

 

http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/icons/icon2.gif "Oeuvre Easy: awe-reeety, awe-ritey!" (Guitar Player Forum)

 

http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/icons/icon2.gif "Oeuvre Easy: awe-reeety, awe-ritey!" (Guitar Player Editor's Office)

[Big Red 67]

Originally posted by Bejeeber:

I remember really liking his orchestral music, which is where his very advanced musical mind took center stage, no lyrics to love or hate.

 

There was one with the London Symphony orchestra, and some of that type of cool instrumental stuff (at least I thought so at the time)on both Burnt Weeny Sandwich and Weasels Ripped My Flesh. Jeez I hope I'm remembering those albums correctly.....

 

Other favorites were Studio Tan, Overnight Sensation and Apostrophe.

Get Yellow Shark!

[Caevan O'Shite]

My suggestions for a good starting place would be:

 

You Are What You Is, an excellent example of later-period FZ Band with Steva Vai onboard;

 

followed by You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore Vol. 1 (compare the two early- and late-period live versions of "Sofa"; too cool! And the live version of "Zomby Woof" here is absolutely smokin', a rock performance masterpiece!)...

 

...and, for the adventurous listener who isn't deterred by long (but excellent, even brilliant and inspired) instrumentals that don't much resemble conventional pop-song structures, Shut Up 'N Play Yer guitar.

 

Once ya got them under yer belt, you might move forwards by goin' backwards to Apostrophe (my initial introduction to FZ many Presidents ago) and Hot Rats ("Peaches En Regalia" has long been one of my all-time favorite tunes by anyone, anywhen)...

 

Here're some links to some 'pages with sample-clips for you to listen to:

 

http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/icons/icon2.gif You Are What You Is (CD Universe)

 

http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/icons/icon2.gif You Can\'t Do That On Stage Anymore - Vol. 1 [LIVE] (Amazon)

 

http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/icons/icon2.gif Shut Up \'N Play Yer guitar (Amazon)

 

http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/icons/icon2.gif Apostrophe (Amazon)

 

http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/icons/icon2.gif Hot Rats (Amazon)

[Caevan O'Shite]

Bumpin' tha sample-clips (above) for Pappy's lissinin' plezzure...

 

So, waddya think, Paps?

[Drwinston]

An album that hasn't been mentioned yet (that I saw) is Tinseltown Rebellion. I think it is a great place to start - some funny numbers, some serious stuff, and some killer guitar (with Vai). It also used the overdub process that he was fond of, which was to record the stuff live and then fix it up in the studio. You can get this album pretty cheap at most places.

 

Also, don't forget about Sheik Yerbouti. You're guaranteed to laugh (or cringe) a few times. Great bands on both of these albums, btw.

[Pappy P]

I haven't had a chance to listen yet. But I'm sure I will like them.

 

Thanks for all the info guys.

[alittlebatty]

I read the article while I was at work...very interesting,and while Dweezil was figuring out how to play dads stuff,I'm sure Frank was right there with him coaching him all the way. I'm another one of those who never listened to Franks stuff-I believe for the things Dweezil mentioned....some of the songs that got radio airplay had pretty off the wall lyrics and song titles. So I'll have to start giving him a listen,and I'm glad for this thread-gives one a place to start.