@@JeffStarrEverything from Peaches to Shiek is peak Zappa imo. Obviously they're outliers on both ends of the spectrum (both bad and good); but he had almost a solid decade of true greatness. The 74 band is my favorite lineup gun to my head. To me; it's not just Frank, the band also matters. So I could name songs, but I'd rather name lineups lol.
28:40 Frank rated Honesty highly. In my experience and from interviews Frank was always honest which is why I question everyone's disbelief when Frank said that Solitude was not about Gail. I believe him but of course I have no way of knowing, it's just a gut feeling and I concede that it is part of folk lore that the song is about Gail.
I listened to it again recently after finishing this interview and it is an amazing album that does cover pretty much all of Frank's styles. I also listened to "Does Humor Belong In Music" and while it might not be the best place to start it is still great with some very strong performances.
Great Recommendation. "Läther" is a wonderful album to recommend, *especially* to people who have never listened to Zappa before 😥. It has a wide range of styles: Guitar based songs, newsworthy based songs, instrumental songs, social commentary songs, horn/brass based songs, percussion based songs, completely silly songs ("Lemme Take You to the Beach"), and random flourishes of percussion (ty Edgard Varese) and spoken word "glue" between songs. "Läther" (1996), recorded in 1969; 1972-1977 has everything that Zappa is about. I highly recommend it for the young sophisticate.
INDEED! Because, for the Uninitiated THIS album is the BEST because it has SO MANY variations of the Zappa Experience: Guitar oriented pieces. Bass oriented pieces. Piano oriented pieces. Percussion oriented pieces. Horn oriented pieces. Orchestral oriented pieces. Story oriented pieces. Silliness oriented pieces ("Let Me Take You to the Beach"). The BEST ZAPPA ALBUM to recommend to others. 🎸🎼🎹💛❄🦮
Co de Kloet is an important Dutch Zappateer, also Roelof Kiers. Anton Corbijn brings the beef. René Mesritz was a Grandmother for a while. Paul Lemmens' Black Page/Little Umbrellas. One of Zappa's last TV interviews was with Ivo Niehe. You will never hear _vloerbedekking_ again!
Only got to attend 7 or 8 FZ performances, (would fix that if I had a time machine) and have caught three Dweezil shows. Would have to say Dweezil took on a tougher setlist than his dad at those shows and the sound quality was generally better. Dweezil may in terms of chops be able to do more as a guitarist than his dad, but FZ as a composer is beyond quantifiable, which is probably the main reason Dweezil has devoted so much time and effort into working on his dad's compositions, (kind of have to disagree w/ Co's comment about Dweezil as a composer at 8:53). Tunes like Twenty Small Cigars, The Little House I Used To Live In, Idiot Bastard Son, Peaches en Regalia, Blessed Relief, Black Napkins, Zoot Allures, What's New In Baltimore, Echidna's Arf, Sofa and We Are Not Alone to name a few will be covered by jazz, rock and classical musicians for many generations to come.
Listen man. I'm only 4 minutes into this interview. And you know what??? YOU KNOW WHAT?? I will definitely buy your book. Zappa was like a second father.
Try also one that covers three years of Frank's home life not shown in other books from getting up to going to bed, composing and rehearsing with the Mothers, visiting rocks stars, freaks, family squabbles, and more. 'Freak Out! My Life with Frank Zappa, Laurel Canyon, 1968-1971.'
Great talk! I’ll have to read the book again soon, and look forward to the audio version. I remember reading an interview, Jimmy Carl Black, I believe, and there was a link to the audio, so I listened and read along. Very enlightening. About the espresso machine: there’s a picture and desciption in the Zappa Gear book, so I looked it up. Very hard to find that machine. The company Rocket makes a travel friendly $2000+ machine (albeit heavy) , that I would definitely get if I was a travelling musician. I am a Danish timpani player w the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. Thanks for doing this interview!
Thank you very much for watching and leaving this nice comment. I forgot that the espresso machine was in the Zappa Gear book! Haha! I even reviewed that book on my channel. Sounds like you also like espresso. I’ve been thinking about getting a Cafelat Robot as a travel espresso machine with a good hand grinder. Congrats on your cool gig with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. Timpani is really a cool instrument.
Great interview, Co's insight to Franks world is the best and most interesting video the internet. The album NOT to start with is an interesting question and an even more interesting answer !!
Thank you for watching! It was a great honor to interview Co. Regarding the album to not start with, I was expecting something like Thing-Fish or Francesco Zappa so I liked being caught off guard with Co’s choice. Do you have a favorite Zappa album?
I knew Frank, as well, and I was going to comment about Trump, but I see it’s mentioned in this video, so I know I’m kindred spirit. Frank and I talked a lot about politics, and that’s where he would’ve gone if he had lived. I don’t use my real name in UA-cam, but I’ve mentioned him here and there in my social media from time to time. At one point, he wanted to record something for me, and I should’ve let him. I really regret it. At the time, I felt a bit weird about it
Thanks! I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment. I highly recommend reading Co’s book. You may also like the conversation I had with Pauline Butcher, Frank Zappa’s secretary ua-cam.com/video/baqZM1ARoLc/v-deo.html
Very true, I hadn’t thought about that. If viewers want to learn more, please watch my interview with Pauline where we discuss her time working for and living with Frank Zappa: ua-cam.com/video/baqZM1ARoLc/v-deo.html
It was an interview that I read decades ago, couldn't possibly remember where. I thought it was far-fetched too, but he said it in the article. If I'm not mistaken, in the same interview that he knew his phones were tapped. Moon also said something along the lines of his having been assassinated sometime in the years since his death. I am not making these things up or remembering incorrectly. It's just been awhile since I read them.
@@squanto2 There was a bit of conspiracy theory for a while about Frank being murdered but take into account he never went out, never walked anywhere, never sat down to a proper meal, lived an isolated life, drank coffee non-stop and almost chain smoked. The miracle would be if, after all that, he had not been ill.
I’m thinking about buying a new Deluxe Reverb but thanks to your review it definitely won’t be the 68. That buzzing sound is awful and you shouldn’t have to have work done along with add ons for a new out of the box amp. I have 2 Fender combo amps purchased new and no problems. I just sit around playing, I’m not a pro but I do want really good sound. Thanks. 🙏 Your video was really helpful. 👍🌞☮️🎸🎵🩵
Yes, I would look at the ‘65 reissue over the ‘68. Also, if you can try before you buy. If you are only playing at home the Deluxe is a loud amp if you want tube overdrive. The Princeton Reverb might be a better option. Or, the Tone King version of the deluxe reverb might be the best for you.
Fortunate enough to have seen Frank perform live several times I have a large collection of his recorded material. Personally, i like the live recordings best. Iv seen his son perform many times as well. Dweezil is doing an incredible job keeping his fathers music alive. Brilliant guitar player/musician himself i dont think he gets nearly enough recognition for his ability and or efforts. Chip off the ole block! Like his dad when its hot on stage hes quick to rip his shirt off. When he does he looks like the Man from Utopia! hahahah Seen a few FZ cover bands my favorite lately is Stink Foot Orchestra a vocal keyboard horn strong ensemble from the Bay Area Ca. They transcribe all the horn parts and read from charts . They perform with Ray White,NMB, Ike Willis depending on whos available. Very cool. Big fan of FZ approach to guitar which is extremely unique. For the most part he isnt a guitar player who plays through the chord changes but chooses to solo over 1 or 2 chord sections written for that purpose . You can really hear the drummer in him when he plays guitar. Most of it is improv on the spot LIVE . Loves long solos. I love Shut up and play yer guitar and similar bootlegs with collections of live solos strung together. RAVI SHANKAR ish. Hypnotic. He does things that sound almost like a beginner trying to find his way around the fretboard. Stringing strange phrasings with no bending or personal expression to the notes . Some of it sounds out of key or just wrong but those things are inbetween the bursts of vicious screaming shredding maniac guitar licks and i believe serve a purpose to a certain extent . What that is ? hahahahhah Not sure. Regardless i love every bit of it. I often wonder how he managed to be able to do some of the extreme off the wall things on guitar he did . How he could learn to be able to do it reliably live is amazing in itself. Apparently, he didnt rehearse or practice on his guitar much. How thats possible who knows but there it is none the less. I LOVE FZ
Zappa was government sherlock as well as music gem a micturate most of the time. Nobody experimented sound like him. I now play some weird bluesy humour he is a big influence. miss what could have ❤
my answer to the question about his early death: he wouldve written a crapton of really good experimental music being the most important composer of this century
Zappa was a musical genius and maybe from another planet. If you know the real Frank and his values you might be surprised at where he would stand on politics today.
Magdalena is one of my favorites yet that song often gets singled out. People listen to true crime stories with the most disturbing details imaginable and consume it as entertainment. Magdalena is not glorifying it nor milking it the way, say, some podcasters do with actual crimes with real people as characters instead of an absurd fictional tale taking a swipe at human depravity. Look forward to reading the book and hearing Steve Vai's saxophone quartet.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. I am also really curious and excited for the Steve Vai saxophone quartet. I recommend reading Co’s book to learn more about what Flo and Eddie had to say about Magdalena.
@rheniumosmium - I have been a Frank fan for almost 50 years and love his humor and parodies in 99% of his lyrics. There was no excuse for Magdalena then or now. Disgusting song that wasn't funny nor worth memorializing. Notice how he never performed it after the Flo and Eddie tour?
@@Frunobulax74 He never performed that song after because it was made only for the Flo and Eddie band. Same with billy the mountain and eddie are you kidding. That song was written about a true story Howard Kaylan heard while he was in jail
God is calling home the articulate. The wicked are cut off in life's prime doing what they love. By making evil choices they miss out on their full prescribed number of days.
His Small But Loyal Fanbase.. ??? - Zappa has a Very devoted following, Its not Large in the " Pop Star" Sense . His Music will Be Studied by Future Musicians at The Highest Level of Musical Training. - This is Not A " Pop" Star. Frank Zappa Was A Composer.
Frank had woke people in his day, but they didn't call themselves "woke" they called themselves "hippies". And we all know how Frank felt about hippies.
@@Frunobulax74 agree, but that's probably the closest thing Frank had in his day. Its been almost 60 years since then and its progressively gone down hill. Just imagine how its gonna be 60 years in the future.
I think that to answer this we would want to know what your definition of Woke includes. If we use the standard dictionary definition of being "alert to racial prejudice and discrimination" then Frank was likely already woke. I'm pretty sure he would have supported calls to defund the police based on his experiences with cops and frequent criticisms of the police. He would also have been against censorship, as he was during the PMRC hearings.
Some sunny day someone will write a book about you, Co. Thank you for making me a part of your friendship with Frank and his overwhelming honesty!
because he's unique.. and quite possibly the finest musician and composer in the history of modern music
What are some of your favorite Zappa compositions?
@@JeffStarrEverything from Peaches to Shiek is peak Zappa imo. Obviously they're outliers on both ends of the spectrum (both bad and good); but he had almost a solid decade of true greatness. The 74 band is my favorite lineup gun to my head.
To me; it's not just Frank, the band also matters. So I could name songs, but I'd rather name lineups lol.
Woahahahahahahahahaha🤣 ahahaahahahahahahahahaha🤣hahahahahahahahahahahaha🤣hahahahahahaahahhahahaha🤣hahahahahahahahahahahaha🤣hahahahahahahahahahahaha🤣hahahahahahahahahahahahah🤣ahahahahahahahahahahaha🤣hahahahahahahahahahahaha🤣hahahahahahahahahahahah 🤣
Discovered Frank in 1970, and still discovers him EVERY DAY!
Zappa Lives!
He was, and is, hugely influential in my intellectual and cultural formation!
The Zapped anthology which I bought for a buck opened up my world in many ways!
I listened to him when I was a young teen… his music was just effen MINDBLOWING!!!! I will never forget❤️
28:40 Frank rated Honesty highly. In my experience and from interviews Frank was always honest which is why I question everyone's disbelief when Frank said that Solitude was not about Gail. I believe him but of course I have no way of knowing, it's just a gut feeling and I concede that it is part of folk lore that the song is about Gail.
Yup an always honest guy, that place in California...what is it???? Laurel canyon...where honest folks come from...
@@OG-giku-zb8njenough of the sarcasm.
@paulinebutcherbird ....... because frank hated sarcasm 🙄............🤔.....
@@OG-giku-zb8nj You may well pull that face.
@@paulinebutcherbird I may pull pork out of my oven ... 🐖
You're doing a great job with these interviews.
Thanks! Hopefully they are not bad.
What a great interview, thank you 😊
Thank you for watching! Was there a specific question/answer you liked the most?
Meat Light is my favorite document musically currently along with the Wazoo/ Jawaka and Yellow Shark.
I always recommend Läther. It's my favorite.
I listened to it again recently after finishing this interview and it is an amazing album that does cover pretty much all of Frank's styles. I also listened to "Does Humor Belong In Music" and while it might not be the best place to start it is still great with some very strong performances.
The new improved and extended Live in New York is pretty darned good also
One of my favorite eras. I love Terry Bozzio’s drumming.
Great Recommendation. "Läther" is a wonderful album to recommend, *especially* to people who have never listened to Zappa before 😥. It has a wide range of styles: Guitar based songs, newsworthy based songs, instrumental songs, social commentary songs, horn/brass based songs, percussion based songs, completely silly songs ("Lemme Take You to the Beach"), and random flourishes of percussion (ty Edgard Varese) and spoken word "glue" between songs.
"Läther" (1996), recorded in 1969; 1972-1977 has everything that Zappa is about. I highly recommend it for the young sophisticate.
INDEED! Because, for the Uninitiated THIS album is the BEST because it has SO MANY variations of the Zappa Experience: Guitar oriented pieces. Bass oriented pieces. Piano oriented pieces. Percussion oriented pieces. Horn oriented pieces. Orchestral oriented pieces. Story oriented pieces. Silliness oriented pieces ("Let Me Take You to the Beach"). The BEST ZAPPA ALBUM to recommend to others. 🎸🎼🎹💛❄🦮
Co de Kloet is an important Dutch Zappateer, also Roelof Kiers. Anton Corbijn brings the beef.
René Mesritz was a Grandmother for a while. Paul Lemmens' Black Page/Little Umbrellas.
One of Zappa's last TV interviews was with Ivo Niehe. You will never hear _vloerbedekking_ again!
loved the statement(s) regarding beauty. craftsmanship and honesry
Only got to attend 7 or 8 FZ performances, (would fix that if I had a time machine) and have caught three Dweezil shows. Would have to say Dweezil took on a tougher setlist than his dad at those shows and the sound quality was generally better. Dweezil may in terms of chops be able to do more as a guitarist than his dad, but FZ as a composer is beyond quantifiable, which is probably the main reason Dweezil has devoted so much time and effort into working on his dad's compositions, (kind of have to disagree w/ Co's comment about Dweezil as a composer at 8:53). Tunes like Twenty Small Cigars, The Little House I Used To Live In, Idiot Bastard Son, Peaches en Regalia, Blessed Relief, Black Napkins, Zoot Allures, What's New In Baltimore, Echidna's Arf, Sofa and We Are Not Alone to name a few will be covered by jazz, rock and classical musicians for many generations to come.
Listen man. I'm only 4 minutes into this interview. And you know what??? YOU KNOW WHAT?? I will definitely buy your book. Zappa was like a second father.
Try also one that covers three years of Frank's home life not shown in other books from getting up to going to bed, composing and rehearsing with the Mothers, visiting rocks stars, freaks, family squabbles, and more. 'Freak Out! My Life with Frank Zappa, Laurel Canyon, 1968-1971.'
I call him Uncle Frank.
Great talk! I’ll have to read the book again soon, and look forward to the audio version. I remember reading an interview, Jimmy Carl Black, I believe, and there was a link to the audio, so I listened and read along. Very enlightening. About the espresso machine: there’s a picture and desciption in the Zappa Gear book, so I looked it up. Very hard to find that machine. The company Rocket makes a travel friendly $2000+ machine (albeit heavy) , that I would definitely get if I was a travelling musician. I am a Danish timpani player w the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. Thanks for doing this interview!
Thank you very much for watching and leaving this nice comment. I forgot that the espresso machine was in the Zappa Gear book! Haha! I even reviewed that book on my channel. Sounds like you also like espresso. I’ve been thinking about getting a Cafelat Robot as a travel espresso machine with a good hand grinder. Congrats on your cool gig with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. Timpani is really a cool instrument.
@@JeffStarr it sure is, thank you! I am definitevely an espresso/cigarette kind of guy!
Great show thank you well done😅😊
Great interview, Co's insight to Franks world is the best and most interesting video the internet. The album NOT to start with is an interesting question and an even more interesting answer !!
What was the last off the record Zappa Question ?.
Thank you for watching! It was a great honor to interview Co. Regarding the album to not start with, I was expecting something like Thing-Fish or Francesco Zappa so I liked being caught off guard with Co’s choice. Do you have a favorite Zappa album?
Shhhhh…. It’s a secret. 😉
Let him talk!
I knew Frank, as well, and I was going to comment about Trump, but I see it’s mentioned in this video, so I know I’m kindred spirit. Frank and I talked a lot about politics, and that’s where he would’ve gone if he had lived. I don’t use my real name in UA-cam, but I’ve mentioned him here and there in my social media from time to time. At one point, he wanted to record something for me, and I should’ve let him. I really regret it. At the time, I felt a bit weird about it
When you say, 'that's where he would have gone,' do you mean he would have gone into politics had he lived?
Great conversation! Fascinating
Thanks! I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment. I highly recommend reading Co’s book. You may also like the conversation I had with Pauline Butcher, Frank Zappa’s secretary
ua-cam.com/video/baqZM1ARoLc/v-deo.html
@@JeffStarr allready got the book :-)
I will follow up with your suggestion! 👍
Once again, Jeff, you show your skill as an interviewer.
He knew he didn’t have much time because he believed he would be assassinated. He did not expect to have an illness-death.
Very true, I hadn’t thought about that. If viewers want to learn more, please watch my interview with Pauline where we discuss her time working for and living with Frank Zappa: ua-cam.com/video/baqZM1ARoLc/v-deo.html
I seem to recall an interview where Frank voiced a concern that he was being microwaved in his home.
@@squanto2 I've never seen that. Sounds far-fetched to me. Do you have the URL for the interview?
It was an interview that I read decades ago, couldn't possibly remember where. I thought it was far-fetched too, but he said it in the article. If I'm not mistaken, in the same interview that he knew his phones were tapped. Moon also said something along the lines of his having been assassinated sometime in the years since his death. I am not making these things up or remembering incorrectly. It's just been awhile since I read them.
@@squanto2 There was a bit of conspiracy theory for a while about Frank being murdered but take into account he never went out, never walked anywhere, never sat down to a proper meal, lived an isolated life, drank coffee non-stop and almost chain smoked. The miracle would be if, after all that, he had not been ill.
Wow! I haven’t talked to Laurel Fishman for years. I hope she’s doing OK. The last time I talked to her, she was writing horoscopes.
I’m thinking about buying a new Deluxe Reverb but thanks to your review it definitely won’t be the 68. That buzzing sound is awful and you shouldn’t have to have work done along with add ons for a new out of the box amp. I have 2 Fender combo amps purchased new and no problems. I just sit around playing, I’m not a pro but I do want really good sound. Thanks. 🙏 Your video was really helpful. 👍🌞☮️🎸🎵🩵
Yes, I would look at the ‘65 reissue over the ‘68. Also, if you can try before you buy. If you are only playing at home the Deluxe is a loud amp if you want tube overdrive. The Princeton Reverb might be a better option. Or, the Tone King version of the deluxe reverb might be the best for you.
Fortunate enough to have seen Frank perform live several times I have a large collection of his recorded material. Personally, i like the live recordings best. Iv seen his son perform many times as well. Dweezil is doing an incredible job keeping his fathers music alive. Brilliant guitar player/musician himself i dont think he gets nearly enough recognition for his ability and or efforts. Chip off the ole block! Like his dad when its hot on stage hes quick to rip his shirt off. When he does he looks like the Man from Utopia! hahahah Seen a few FZ cover bands my favorite lately is Stink Foot Orchestra a vocal keyboard horn strong ensemble from the Bay Area Ca. They transcribe all the horn parts and read from charts . They perform with Ray White,NMB, Ike Willis depending on whos available. Very cool.
Big fan of FZ approach to guitar which is extremely unique. For the most part he isnt a guitar player who plays through the chord changes but chooses to solo over 1 or 2 chord sections written for that purpose . You can really hear the drummer in him when he plays guitar. Most of it is improv on the spot LIVE . Loves long solos. I love Shut up and play yer guitar and similar bootlegs with collections of live solos strung together. RAVI SHANKAR ish. Hypnotic. He does things that sound almost like a beginner trying to find his way around the fretboard. Stringing strange phrasings with no bending or personal expression to the notes . Some of it sounds out of key or just wrong but those things are inbetween the bursts of vicious screaming shredding maniac guitar licks and i believe serve a purpose to a certain extent . What that is ? hahahahhah Not sure. Regardless i love every bit of it. I often wonder how he managed to be able to do some of the extreme off the wall things on guitar he did . How he could learn to be able to do it reliably live is amazing in itself. Apparently, he didnt rehearse or practice on his guitar much. How thats possible who knows but there it is none the less. I LOVE FZ
Zappa was government sherlock as well as music gem a micturate most of the time. Nobody experimented sound like him. I now play some weird bluesy humour he is a big influence. miss what could have ❤
Explain. Shill dog...
my answer to the question about his early death: he wouldve written a crapton of really good experimental music being the most important composer of this century
“Important” is how he wouldve wanted to be remembered
Zappa was a musical genius and maybe from another planet. If you know the real Frank and his values you might be surprised at where he would stand on politics today.
Okay, so where do you think he would have stood on politics today?
I am a great fz fan, he is a really an amazing musician, but not so much as a husband and father. His music always first, period.
He loved his kids and his wife loved him too not for his love of her which he did in his own way,but for following his purpose.
I believe Paul McCartney said no Freak Out no Sargent Pepper………..
Man I wonder what Frank would think of AI music 🤔
I bet he would embrace the A.I. tools that can help isolate audio from mixed recordings.
frank did music like no one else....
didn't like it all....very early stuff / synclaviar stuff / thing fish....
but have over 40 albums....
Magdalena is one of my favorites yet that song often gets singled out. People listen to true crime stories with the most disturbing details imaginable and consume it as entertainment. Magdalena is not glorifying it nor milking it the way, say, some podcasters do with actual crimes with real people as characters instead of an absurd fictional tale taking a swipe at human depravity.
Look forward to reading the book and hearing Steve Vai's saxophone quartet.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. I am also really curious and excited for the Steve Vai saxophone quartet. I recommend reading Co’s book to learn more about what Flo and Eddie had to say about Magdalena.
I really like that song. The girl turns around and says, "Go eat shit!!!"
@rheniumosmium - I have been a Frank fan for almost 50 years and love his humor and parodies in 99% of his lyrics. There was no excuse for Magdalena then or now. Disgusting song that wasn't funny nor worth memorializing. Notice how he never performed it after the Flo and Eddie tour?
@@Frunobulax74 He never performed that song after because it was made only for the Flo and Eddie band. Same with billy the mountain and eddie are you kidding. That song was written about a true story Howard Kaylan heard while he was in jail
God is calling home the articulate.
The wicked are cut off in life's prime
doing what they love. By making evil
choices they miss out on their full
prescribed number of days.
The gospel of forgiveness has no moral precepts - William Blake
Frank Zappa thought he was a man but he was a muffin 🧁!
Frank Zappa is important ????
To whom, exactly, is he important ????
His Small But Loyal Fanbase.. ??? - Zappa has a Very devoted following, Its not Large in the " Pop Star" Sense . His Music will Be Studied by Future Musicians at The Highest Level of Musical Training. - This is Not A " Pop" Star. Frank Zappa Was A Composer.
He's not
So would frank be for the so called woke culture of today.?
The opposite of being woke is being asleep. Frank wasn't asleep.
@@squanto2 The so called woke of today seem asleep.
Frank had woke people in his day, but they didn't call themselves "woke" they called themselves "hippies". And we all know how Frank felt about hippies.
@@Frunobulax74 agree, but that's probably the closest thing Frank had in his day. Its been almost 60 years since then and its progressively gone down hill. Just imagine how its gonna be 60 years in the future.
I think that to answer this we would want to know what your definition of Woke includes. If we use the standard dictionary definition of being "alert to racial prejudice and discrimination" then Frank was likely already woke. I'm pretty sure he would have supported calls to defund the police based on his experiences with cops and frequent criticisms of the police. He would also have been against censorship, as he was during the PMRC hearings.