the.circular.motion.rub.it Posted March 23, 2004 Share Posted March 23, 2004 man, that final lick at the end of the solo in stinkfoot (off apostrophe) is like my favorite lick of all time lets talk about frank! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ steppin in a rhythm to a kurtis blow/who needs a beat when your feet just go +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prague Posted March 23, 2004 Share Posted March 23, 2004 I like how he STARTS "I'm the Slime" with an end-of-song-grind. Then, on the pickup note (on 4) he hits that harmonic to lead into the song. Muscular. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A String Posted March 23, 2004 Share Posted March 23, 2004 Don't eat the yellow snow! Frank rocks. All of his songs have interesting timings. I love his solo stuff. There were two albums I never much cared for though because of the wierd songs he used to do where he would play feedback for 20 minutes and call it a song. The albums were both with Mothers of Invention...let's see...one was "Weasles Ripped My Flesh" and the other one is one my Dad had when I was a kid...Can't remember the name of the album, but it had a tree on it with a sign that said, "This tree is ugly and wants to die". It opened up the wrong way too (Record, for those of you old enough to remember those oversized, black, vinyl cds!) Craig Stringnetwork on Facebook String Network Forum My Music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coyote Posted March 23, 2004 Share Posted March 23, 2004 Raisin' it up, waxin' it down.... Yeah, FZ was amazing. Some of his stuff is indeed stupid and/or unlistenable, but so much of it was sheer genius - and he was a monster guitarist. A unique voice, in all senses. I used to think I was Libertarian. Until I saw their platform; now I know I'm no more Libertarian than I am RepubliCrat or neoCON or Liberal or Socialist. This ain't no track meet; this is football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mavick Posted March 23, 2004 Share Posted March 23, 2004 Frank Zappa rules! Also, Baby Snakes is now out on DVD....what a "classic"! MV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlChuck Posted March 23, 2004 Share Posted March 23, 2004 One of my all-time favorites is "Transylvania Boogie." I love how it morphs from the bulgarian-flavored scales into that cool blues groove by the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DIAMOND DUST Posted March 23, 2004 Share Posted March 23, 2004 Frank was such a twisted little lad. What a genius. I love everything about his music. Joe's Garage, and Apostrophe are my fav's. http://b-cordova.dmusic.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hard truth Posted March 23, 2004 Share Posted March 23, 2004 I think much of his best stuff is on his 'jazzier' albums from the early 70's-Hot Rats, Waka Jawaka and Grand Wazoo. I actually find much of his guitar playing in later years, such as on the Shut Up and Play Your Guitar albums a bit too wanky. On the albums mentioned above the arrangements and the creativity of the other players forced him to play less indulgently. www.oranjproductions.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlChuck Posted March 23, 2004 Share Posted March 23, 2004 I think much of his best stuff is on his 'jazzier' albums from the early 70's-Hot Rats, Waka Jawaka and Grand Wazoo.Yeah, and some of his best writing too. By the way, there's an album titled Hot Rats from 1969 (featuring one of Zappa's classic compositions, "Peaches en Regalia"), and another called Waka Jawaka/Hot Rats from 1972, which is very much akin to his next one, 1973's The Grand Wazoo. I actually find much of his guitar playing in later years, such as on the Shut Up and Play Your Guitar albums a bit too wanky.You know, it's funny, but I read a Guitar Player interview with Frank back in the mid-late 70's and I remember him sort of demeaning the fusion players of the time by commenting on all the "meaningless gnat-notes" they played. And I though, boy, is that ever a case of the pot calling the kettle black... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J J Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 I really haven't got into Zappa a lot but he really has his own style thats for sure I like the song "help i'm a rock!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abnorm Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 Hello, my name is Norm, and I'm a Zappaholic. I too love the fusion albums the most and tend to be turned off by those songs he sings on. Some of my favorite songs: "The Ocean Is The Ultimate Solution" "Eat That Question" "Transylvania Boogie" and so many more I can't think of Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skipclone 1 Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 I was lucky enough to see him live-he was even cool when he was sitting on a chair while the band played fave album-Overnite Sensation I used to have Roxy & Elsewhere-great live set Same old surprises, brand new cliches- Skipsounds on Soundclick: www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandid=602491 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caevan O’Shite Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 Oh, maaan... the instrumental, "Peaches En Regalia", just carries me away, I love that one, one of my all-time favorite tunes! I especially dig the part where the flute and the lead guitar play that unison line, the sound is absolutely chewey! Other fave FZ tunes include "Let's make the Water Turn Black", the later live version of "Zomby Woof", "Watermelon in Easter Hay", "Packard Goose", "We Are Not Alone"... Everything on You Are What You Is, I loved that album! I could just keep going here... I really like his guitar playing, though I sometimes think that people somwhat overrate him in that department. I took it kinda personally when he died, that rarely happens with me when "celebraties" pass on. I can count'em on one hand and still have change left over from flippin' you off! Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do? ~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~ _ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the.circular.motion.rub.it Posted March 24, 2004 Author Share Posted March 24, 2004 the hot rats version of 'peaches...' is of course great, but i REALLY dig the version on the live album tinseltown rebellion... its crazy!! they play it way faster and of course because its live a whole new dimension of zappa insanity emerges +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ steppin in a rhythm to a kurtis blow/who needs a beat when your feet just go +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendrix Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 FWIW-I happen to have more Zappa discs in my collection than those of any other artist. Such quantity and qualtity and diversity. "Blessed Relief" off Grand Wazoo is one of my favs.- its so floaty. Of course there are dozens of other favorites. Given his quirkiness and his prominence during the wild wild sixties I never could quite believe how straight and serious he always seemed to be. However, knowing a keyboard player who tried out for the band in the seventies- i know that Frank really was all about the business of making music and never got caught up in the party. On of my favorite quotes: Q: Frank, so how do you know when a song is done? A: When i just cant stand working on it anymore. Check out some tunes here: http://www.garageband.com/artist/KenFava Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendrix Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 Oh yeah one more thing. Frank considered himself to be a composer who just happened to use a guitar as his main tool. Composer first - player second. Check out some tunes here: http://www.garageband.com/artist/KenFava Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BriBaby Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 Frank Zappa rules! Also, Baby Snakes is now out on DVD....what a "classic"! MV My wife got me that DVD for Christmas, what a great disc! Over 2.5 hours long, classic Frank. I understand that Roxy and Elsewhere is going to be out on DVD soon also. The best thing about the DVD is that is was made before someone got it in their head that to make a good Rock show, you have to use the ultra quick editing techniques that give me a headache. I swear, the Rush one she got me is barley watchable because of that. Once I thought I saw you, in a crowded, hazy, bar........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prague Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 Oh, and "One Size Fits All". The entire album. Buy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mavick Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 Yeah, the Roxy & Elsewhere DVD will be stellar as in "RAW-UNBRIDLEDNESS" Zappa! VVV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D_dup3 Posted March 25, 2004 Share Posted March 25, 2004 Though this may seem a dismissal (it's not) FZ was an excellent example of making the most of one's limitations. While his playing is quite effective & elaborate, it also seldom strays far from the same basic scales used by most rockers (that is, the major scale with a flatted 7th; the Mixolydian mode). Dressing this up with bluesy flatted 3rds & a great deal of filigree (often----& here's his true skill---involving uneven note groups) he was a very skilled player...but mostly in recognizing his limits & refining them into something truly entertaining (something many of his would-be acolytes fail to do). Personally I find him most effective in situations like "Willie The Pimp" or "Black Napkins" where he sails over simple vamps in a way most resembling (to me) Mike Bloomfield. BTW, Zappa once appeared on the old Mike Douglas TV show solo & played "Black Napkins" with Douglas's studio band! Now that''s entertainment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mavick Posted March 26, 2004 Share Posted March 26, 2004 Yeah he didn't, along with others; help innovate FretLess Guitar playing, Tapping with a pick, & xenography etc. Zappa was much, much more than the guitar & scales he played (or the only ones you have heard), but I guess one could say all Hendrix did was play the blues with a poppy edge of distortion........... Zappa vs. Hendrix ....we ALL win! All players work within their limits to overcome their limits. VVV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoes Posted March 26, 2004 Share Posted March 26, 2004 FZ has been the most influential experience on my life as a musician and that's not to say I play anything like his style or anything like that but it's more a sense of liberty and license. He could be guilty of all musical sins without it being a crime. In your face but honest. His ability to conduct and inspire some of the best musicians of the day and guide them through his vision is quite unlike anyone we see on the landscape today. Beef Heart stuff Hot Rats, One Size Fits All, Overnight Sensation, Roxy & Elsewhere, Zoot Allures. In my opinion he was the greatest Jazz/Rock Bandleader of all time. Inca Roads! too funny but so beautiful! Uncle Meat.... some things you play just to get a rise out of your guests! I'm somewhat bothered by the current Zappa Inc. and it's milking process but then what might I do differently? I still think guitars are like shoes, but louder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D_dup3 Posted March 26, 2004 Share Posted March 26, 2004 Originally posted by Michael ATONAL Vick: Yeah he didn't, along with others; help innovate FretLess Guitar playing, Tapping with a pick, & xenography etc. Zappa was much, much more than the guitar & scales he played (or the only ones you have heard), but I guess one could say all Hendrix did was play the blues with a poppy edge of distortion........... Zappa vs. Hendrix ....we ALL win! All players work within their limits to overcome their limits. VVVHope we're not getting touchy here but is this a sarcastic response to my thoughts on FZ? I'm quite familiar with much of his recorded work &, as mentioned, like most of it (well, except some of his more puerile lyrics; "Trouble Coming Everyday" is great; "Titties & Beer" is not so much). You know, the methods you mention (tapping, etc.) all predate his use of them (let alone the rockers that are famous for using them)---check out cats like Tal Farlow (1950s & 60s), for example, to hear some exemplary tapping technique. I wasn't trying to denigrate Zappa but to offer some particular points about his guitar playing, several of which are derived from his own statements. I still prefer him to many of his students (Vai, etc). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mavick Posted March 28, 2004 Share Posted March 28, 2004 d.... Yeah, I know that Zappa didn't invent Tapping, but his using the pick to tap with was interesting. I am just speaking up too; I like people to speak their minds as well. As for Zappa; yeah there are pieces of his I don't like, but on whole Zappa never gets old. V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdog114 Posted April 1, 2004 Share Posted April 1, 2004 Zappa is by far the largest selection in my collection. I have about 65% of his stuff. I was also lucky enough to see him live about 15 times starting in the 70's. There are so many highlights to his catalog, it's hard to pick a bad one. The Shut up and Play stuff can get wanky, but there are plenty of pearls in the collection. He had the hottest bands goin! "Never back-up more than you have to" REAL MEN PLAY TELECASTERS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Combs Posted April 1, 2004 Share Posted April 1, 2004 Frank Zappa was a genius."Watermelon in Easter Hay" is my favorite song.The tone,the phrasing..Brilliant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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