My Top 20 Frank Zappa Albums

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 23 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 96

  • @disasterpiece16
    @disasterpiece16 2 роки тому +6

    My top 5
    1. Uncle Meat
    2. We're Only In It For The Money
    3. Sheik Yerbouti
    4. Freak Out!
    5. Burnt Weenie Sandwich
    I'm still discovering Frank's vast catalogue, so I can't really make a bigger list. Great video.

    • @SimonMcGrath-o8jk
      @SimonMcGrath-o8jk Місяць тому

      Never a Massive fan of Uncle Meat but Weazles Ripped My Flesh holy shit it blows me away, Hot Rats god almighty Live in New York Tinsel Town Rebellion ,Were only in it....,Fillmore East, Just Another Band From LA wow there's so many more sorry Joes Garage too. Please listen to all if u haven't already but my favourite wud be Weazles but tomorrow it'd be Roxy. Get the.... picture!!! It changes for me so much as I love his music so much and have different moods so huh huh wots the deal.

    • @pechondelgado
      @pechondelgado 14 днів тому +1

      ​@SimonMcGrath-o8jk Uncle Meat is excellent if you sorta edit it down a bit. Pull out Louie Louie and a couple other live jams and make it a little more concise, then it's right at the top.

    • @disasterpiece16
      @disasterpiece16 14 днів тому

      @@pechondelgado I honestly didn't even like Uncle Meat at first, I actually regretted buying it. Upon listening to it further, I realized that most of it went over my head. I don't really mind when double albums have a bit of experimental filler, which is something I think Zappa did very well. I agree that the Louie Louie part was a bit much, but I like some of the other live bits in there.

  • @zafotbeeb
    @zafotbeeb Рік тому +1

    You are the first person that I know of too rate "Burnt weenie sandwich" #1 aside from myself that is. Hot Rats being my alternate #1 depending upon my mood. Really enjoyed your perspective on all things Zappa.

  • @NateBouchard
    @NateBouchard 2 роки тому +3

    Fantastic video, and really good list. This makes me want to dive more into his discography again, especially Burnt Weeny Sandwich

  • @PetesCDVinylWorld
    @PetesCDVinylWorld 2 роки тому +5

    Definitely suprised at your number 1. One Size Fits All is probably my favorite. I will be doing a top 10 or 15 vid soon as well

  • @michaelbrinkers1145
    @michaelbrinkers1145 2 роки тому +4

    I have been a hardcore Zappa fanatic, having all his official albums released in his lifetime. But, with his death, I haven't been keeping up with his posthumous "releases". I look forward to some commentary from you (or others), on how to navigate the prolific outpouring of these "official" albums, .... presumably they are of a higher quality than the "Beat the Boots" stuff, and are approved by his family. Unlike the Grateful Dead's "Dick's Picks", or Neil Young's "Archive" series, I'm looking for more than concert recordings and alternate-takes..... more of the nature of Bob Dylan's "Bootleg" series, "new", unreleased material.

  • @alancumming6407
    @alancumming6407 Рік тому

    A really hard thing to do and if I had to do it it would change every other day but, it would not at any time include Man From Utopia. The rest of your list are things of great beauty. Thank you.

  • @bobgordon236
    @bobgordon236 2 роки тому +1

    Good choices. My top 3 are: Mind Over Mutter / Where Did I Leave My Keys / Valley Girl

  • @skl31
    @skl31 2 роки тому +1

    Great top 20, I'm with you on the No1 slot too an absolute masterpiece 👍

  • @joeydanielski962
    @joeydanielski962 2 роки тому +1

    I've had a nice copy of 200 Motels for a few years now, but I've always kind of gotten intimidated once I finish the first LP.
    You're review makes me want to dig it out again and give it another shot.

  • @soundsfromthewestcoast9939
    @soundsfromthewestcoast9939 2 роки тому +1

    Hi Richard, just discovered your channel thanks to another Richard - the vinylizing progger. Loved this video. I first got into Zappa back in the mid 70s thanks to a cheap comp album covering his early albums (which at the time were impossible to find here in the UK). Ranking my favoutite albums would be incredibly difficult...
    Grand Wazoo, Waka Jawaka, and Roxy & Elsewhere (my favourite Zappa live album) would all have to be in the top 10. Money too.
    Burnt Weeny Sandwich is a classic - though I always associate it with Weasels as that's how I own the album - as a twofer - superb double album. Talking of classing two albums together, I do the same with One Size Fits All and Overnight Sensation for some reason - maybe because I discovered them at the same time - they too would be in my top 20.
    I don't really know a lot of the later albums too well, but one that I've always enjoyed is Ship Arriving Too Late... - that may be a contender.
    I very recently managed to find a copy of 200 Motels at a record fair, and I think straight off that would also be in there. As of course would Hot Rats and Lumpy Gravy!
    I wouldn't put Sheik Yerbouti in there - not keen on it lyrically (though I'm not a prude), but I find it, though brilliantly played, as too clean and well produced for my taste if you know what I mean. Funnily enough it was on that tour that I saw him play for the first and only time (and it was great!).
    The reason your name came up was because Richard and I were discussing whether we would be purchasing the expanded Fillmore East set. I'm not a great fan of the original album, but am tempted. I have in fact ordered the Rainbow Theatre set, so I suppose I may go for the Fillmore East too.
    Will definitely be checking out more of your videos, Cheers...Pete

    • @calvinwazoo
      @calvinwazoo  2 роки тому +2

      Thanks for dropping by! Just the other day I received the Fillmore/Rainbow box sets, both the vinyl and the CD, but haven't listened to them yet. Will soon enough, however. Cheers!

    • @redlioness6627
      @redlioness6627 2 роки тому

      It wasn't Transparency was it?

  • @joeydanielski962
    @joeydanielski962 2 роки тому +1

    I also think that we have fairly similar Zappa tastes, you've got yourself a new subscriber.
    Thanks man. 🙌🎃

  • @atulah7
    @atulah7 Рік тому

    I like your list. Mostly it makes me realize that there are a few albums that I did not fully appreciate- namely Uncle Meat, Bongo Fury and 200 Motels. Time to go back to those and give another listen.

  • @ΧαρηςΖορμπας
    @ΧαρηςΖορμπας 6 місяців тому

    Hi there, this is Harry from NW Greece!!! A great list, with deeper explanation on each album, I mostly agree on the content, my taste would place them differently, but that's the way it should be... I'm not that great fun of the first period, maybe I need to give those albums a few spins and delve deeper, so, my picks would be something like this:
    01: The Grand Wazoo
    02: Apostrophe
    03: OverNite Sensation
    04: One Size Fits All
    05: Burnt Weeny Sandwitch
    06: Hot Rats
    07: Lumpy Gravy
    08: Waka Jawaka
    09: Uncle Meat
    10: Joe's Garage
    ... if I am to rewrite the list some other time, there could be a toss-up in the positions of each, or there could be a new entry, such is the tremendous quality of the master!!!

    • @calvinwazoo
      @calvinwazoo  6 місяців тому

      Hello, thanks for finding my video and watching!

  • @wirralnomad
    @wirralnomad Рік тому

    The original UK Freak Out was a single album and so was missing quite a lot of music from the usual double album.

    • @calvinwazoo
      @calvinwazoo  Рік тому +1

      Yeah, that was odd how they did that.

    • @wirralnomad
      @wirralnomad 11 місяців тому

      @@calvinwazoo
      Indeed, I do prefer the double but I only have the single album.

  • @thepianofixer
    @thepianofixer Рік тому

    Hello there I enjoy watching your video I have a question about the vinyl records that Donald may have for does have asbestos in them if you find out anything please let me know thank you very much.

    • @thepianofixer
      @thepianofixer Рік тому

      Hey I'm sorry but my phone and it's not doing what it's supposed to do just disregard that first message and I'll try again do you know anything about the vinyl records have an asbestos in them

    • @calvinwazoo
      @calvinwazoo  Рік тому

      @@thepianofixer Vinyl records as far as I know do not have any asbestos in them and never did. Vinyl tile and flooring, however, did, up until 1980. There's no reason I can think of to put a fire retardant in a vinyl record.

  • @pastoulon
    @pastoulon 2 місяці тому

    Over-nite sensation, one size fits all and Joe’s Garage I are definitely the best three albums. No question about it. And of course The Yellow Shark with the Ensemble Modern.

  • @shame69
    @shame69 Рік тому

    That was a terrific and surprising list. Sweet to see 'Man From Utopia' getting some love. Just as good was seeing those excellent album sleeves in all their proper-sized glory. A question, however: Why do you keep the vinyl OUT of the sleeve?

    • @calvinwazoo
      @calvinwazoo  Рік тому +2

      Reduces ringwear on the sleeve, plus, with older, more fragile sleeves, I can just take the record out to play without having to handle the sleeve.

    • @shame69
      @shame69 Рік тому +2

      @@calvinwazoo Impressive idea. Grand advice. Thanks.

  • @jonnaah9683
    @jonnaah9683 Рік тому +1

    Interesting presentation! Zappa has been one of my very favorites since I discovered him in 1966. And here I am getting into a Zappa kick as an old guy, listening to his music and exploring other Zappa fans on UA-cam.
    Your selections run the gamut for me, from some of my favorites to decidedly not so. I'm glad to say that the album I just wrote a negative comment about on your channel is not on your favorites list. And your number one became my favorite for a while when it came out, and is still among my (many) favorites 53 years later. It's, as you say, largely a sentimental thing.
    I could never make a top 20 list (of anything), and certainly not a number one choice. It's too complicated. Sentiment and critical assessment mix in producing my response to music (and most anything). I may like something that I think is trash, or care nothing for something I recognize as having great merit. And my response may change from moment to moment or year to year. So rating is about impossible. But Zappa has always been a top rank favorite of mine, as a composer and musician, and as a famous intellect and character.
    Surely our response to Zappa's music is also affected by when and in what order we first heard it. I heard his albums in order as they were released, until the 1980s when it started getting mixed up. It is also affected by how old we were when we first heard it. Also by what music we had been exposed to previously. For me, in 1966, that had been classical music and 60s pop. I wonder what you had listened to when you first heard Zappa. I note that none of his "classical" albums are on your top 20 list (well, maybe except Lumpy Gravy, which is different, really).
    I've gone on and on. I'll surely check out other of your videos. I hope you'll respond to my comments here and the on the other video.

    • @jonnaah9683
      @jonnaah9683 Рік тому +1

      Btw, I was a young teen in 1966. I'm in my early 70s now.

    • @jonnaah9683
      @jonnaah9683 Рік тому +1

      And: Yellow Shark and Civilization Phase III are very high on my "list".

    • @calvinwazoo
      @calvinwazoo  Рік тому

      First Zappa album I heard was Absolutely Free roughly about the time of its release. I was probably 10 years old at the time.

    • @jonnaah9683
      @jonnaah9683 Рік тому +1

      What I meant was: what kinds of music you were familiar with at that time? You were quite young to be hearing AF! There was nothing comparable when I was 10.

    • @calvinwazoo
      @calvinwazoo  Рік тому

      @@jonnaah9683 I am the youngest of my siblings, so I was exposed to what they were listening to, mostly from my older brother and one particular sister. So Beatles, early Bee Gees, Nina Simone, Ray Charles, Cream. Because of my mother's influence I had been listening to orchestral music since I was 5, the Peer Gynt suite with Hall of the Mountain King. I started to play saxophone when I was about 10.

  • @bert0522
    @bert0522 Рік тому

    I have them all, it all started with Freak Out when I was 13. Now at 70 I own everything I can get my hands on or afford. Jim

  • @redlioness6627
    @redlioness6627 2 роки тому +1

    Nice original British Chunga you have hanging on your wall, like the original uncensored 1977 New York album Chunga was everywhere back in the day, so cheap to buy with the yellow and green cover, sadly for us Brits the age of the internet put an end to that, it was our little secret to have such albums that differed from the US markets and the likes, but since the internet opened everything up like a can of worms international buyers have practically bought up most copies left making it pretty difficult and definitely expensive to own such albums as the yellow Chunga and the 1977 uncensored New York albums.

  • @broadcastmedia
    @broadcastmedia Рік тому

    What I've noticed from all the 'top' Zappa albums videos on UA-cam is they're all different, not much overlap. That kind of says something about Zappa's catalog. That's why you have to have them all.

  • @guyakerstimelord
    @guyakerstimelord 5 місяців тому

    1:28 nice pun there "quite frankly"

  • @RobertFithen
    @RobertFithen 2 роки тому

    Great overview after watching your individual album videos. I've actually never heard "One Size Fits All", for years for some reason I thought it was a compilation. Is that "We're Only In It..." cover the one with the re-recorded drum tracks or are there original versions with that cover? I only have both cd versions of those. "We're Only In It..." would be my favorite followed by "Freak Out" and then "Overniite Sensation". I mentioned before in another comment that I'm currently on a discography journey and some of Zappa's I've never heard before. I just did "Uncle Meat", which I'd heard several times and "Hot Rats" which I'd only heard once before. I didn't care for those at all, probably because I'm just not a fan of a lot of jazz. "Weasels Ripped My Flesh" was my very first Zappa experience and I just didn't and don't get it after multiple listens over the years. Getting ready to hear "Burnt Weanie Sandwich" for the first time ever right now so the timing of your video is perfect.

    • @calvinwazoo
      @calvinwazoo  2 роки тому +1

      When WOIIFTM was released on CD, that's when the new drum and bass tracks were introduced. Vinyl releases prior to that did not contain these added tracks. And subsequent - although I'm not sure when - vinyl releases used the original masters. My video for WOIIFTM explains that Zappa came up with this excuse that the original tapes were so badly oxidized, he had to do it over for a CD release, but when the later remasters came out, the engineers said the OG tapes were fine.

    • @calvinwazoo
      @calvinwazoo  2 роки тому +1

      Zappa also said he re-recorded those tracks to appeal to a new generation of listeners who had grown up with that type of sound production. While he admitted that long-time Mothers fans hated the remixes, he asserted that younger listeners preferred them.

    • @RobertFithen
      @RobertFithen 2 роки тому

      @@calvinwazoo I had heard that too. I just always thought if it had the actual Sgt Pepper cover (not the yellow photo), it had the changed tracks. That's how the old Ryco Cds were.

    • @calvinwazoo
      @calvinwazoo  2 роки тому

      @@RobertFithen The early pressings had the reversed cover because Verve records were afraid they'd get sued. It wasn't until much later they reversed the reversed cover.

  • @vinylizingprogger
    @vinylizingprogger 2 роки тому

    I have a lot of Zappa under my belt, but far to go. Interesting video. I will have to check out your album reviews. Hot Rats is perhaps my favorite, and loved the Dweezil tour with it. Also got the box set. Nothing to wake you up as some isolated Beefheart vocals.I often find myself turning on Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar. Cheers, another Richard

  • @stephenmarsden5379
    @stephenmarsden5379 6 місяців тому +1

    Weasels Ripped My Flesh of course is not a Flo & Eddie album, it is a fully fledged Mother's of Invention album, a companion piece to Burnt Weenie Sandwich in actual fact.

    • @calvinwazoo
      @calvinwazoo  6 місяців тому

      Did I say in the video that Weasels was among the Flo and Eddie releases? If I did, that was an error. I might have been thinking Chunga's Revenge. Thanks for watching!

    • @stephenmarsden5379
      @stephenmarsden5379 6 місяців тому

      Yes, at 8.34. Weasels did come out around the of Chungas but is compiled from leftover MOI material. I also don't entirely think of Chungas as a Flo & Eddie album either, although they are on it, as their contributions are limited to just two or three vocal parts with none of the irritating theatrics featured on Filmore etc.

  • @brkly99
    @brkly99 2 роки тому

    Gumbo variations is also one of my very favourite Zappa tunes. I love the extended version (Big Legs) on the box set

    • @calvinwazoo
      @calvinwazoo  2 роки тому +1

      That Hot Rats Sessions box set is amazing! Thanks for watching!

  • @MrWaterpumpkin
    @MrWaterpumpkin 2 роки тому

    Absolutely agree with your #1, Burnt Weeny is my fav too.. I understand that you feel awkward with albums like Filmore, Joe's Garage, Zappa In NY but I can't do without them and together with Dirt , Weasels, Sharks and so on make it ... top 30 :) To sum up, good choice anyway

  • @cultvult
    @cultvult 2 роки тому

    My Top 5 in no particular order. We’re only in it for the money, Just another band from LA, 200 Motels, One size fits all, and Waka Jawaka. The Flo and Eddie years have a special place in my heart, because my friend Lance and I, being 14 year old Beatlemaniacs, went with his Mom to the Cinerama Dome to see Wings over America, and it was a double feature with 200 Motels, so his Mom says, “Oh, Frank Zappa. Why don’t we stay for that,” forever warping my young mind, and changing my life forever in all the best ways.

  • @sanso3955
    @sanso3955 2 роки тому +2

    I think my top 3 would be, Absolutely Free first, Second We Are Only In It For The Money and third Lumpy Gravy

    • @michaelbrinkers1145
      @michaelbrinkers1145 2 роки тому +1

      I'm like you. Although I kept with Zappa until his death, I always had a slight bias towards the first MOI version of the band (eg., Underwood, Preston, Black, Estrada, Sherwood, et al). It surprised me to hear Zappa, in later interviews, diss this version of the band. Maybe his later band members were better skilled musicians...., but the original MOI seemed to have more "soul".

    • @sanso3955
      @sanso3955 2 роки тому +1

      @@michaelbrinkers1145 yes i feel that too,
      also, it depends a lot on my mood during the week which is going to be my favorite album, although lumpy gravy I always have it as the third (sorry if I miss a word, English is not my main language but I understand it)

  • @joaopaulowdeandrade7905
    @joaopaulowdeandrade7905 8 місяців тому

    1) London Symphony
    2) Civilization Phase III
    3) Perfect Strangers
    4) Grand Wazoo
    5) Waka Jawaka
    6) Sleep Dirty
    7) Studio Tam
    8) Burn Weenie Sanduich
    9) Make Jazz Noise Here
    10 )Live in New York
    11) Ahead of Their Time
    12) Jazz From Hell
    13) Absolutely Free
    14) Lumpy Gravy
    15) Overnight Sensation
    16) Zoot Allures
    17) 200 Motels
    18) Hot Rats
    19) Freak Out
    20) Uncle Meat

  • @martinottmann
    @martinottmann 2 роки тому +1

    I guess I'll have to give it a try:
    1) The Grand Wazoo
    2) Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar
    3) Sleep Dirt
    4) Orchestral Favorites
    5) Roxy & Elsewhere
    6) Waka/Jawaka
    7) 200 Motels
    8) One Size Fits All
    9) Hot Rats
    10) Uncle Meat
    11) London Symphony Orchestra Vol. I & II
    12) Burnt Weeny Sandwich
    13) Overnite Sensation
    14) Weasels Ripped My Flesh
    15) We're Only In It For The Money
    16) Bongo Fury
    17) Lumpy Gravy
    18) Absolutely Free
    19) Freak Out
    20) Apostrophe (')

  • @simonzai7386
    @simonzai7386 Рік тому

    What's New in Baltimore from... 'Meets the Mother's of Prevention" album is arguably his most beautiful solo.' Yo Mama' is underrated as well

  • @ayeatropoulos1
    @ayeatropoulos1 11 місяців тому

    My go-to #1 is (almost) always "One Size Fits All"

  • @simonzai7386
    @simonzai7386 Рік тому

    I'm pretty sure Dweezil has that guitar.He got them all after Pops went.

  • @marvinspira3491
    @marvinspira3491 2 роки тому

    Weasels Ripped my Flesh doesn't feature Flo & Eddie , it features the last incarnation of the 60's Mothers with Lowell George and Sugar Cane Harris.

    • @calvinwazoo
      @calvinwazoo  2 роки тому

      Did I say that? My mistake for sure if I did.

  • @GlenKellawayfromthebasement
    @GlenKellawayfromthebasement 2 роки тому

    Great ranking video Richard..I could listen to you talk Zappa all day..Surprised Freak Out was ranked so low..My top ten would be 1/Hot Rats 2/Burnt Weeny Sandwich 3/ Absolutely Free 4/Apostrophe 5/ Waka Jawaka 6/ Bongo Fury 7/One Size Fits All 8/ Freak Out 9/Zoot Allures 10/We’re Only In It For The Money ..👍❤glen

    • @calvinwazoo
      @calvinwazoo  2 роки тому

      A solid list! Thanks for watching!

  • @nedmerrill5705
    @nedmerrill5705 2 роки тому

    _You Are What You Is_

  • @martinMZ72
    @martinMZ72 2 роки тому

    I've been a Zappa fan for 36 years now. The first record I owned was Overnite Sensation which I bought in 1986.
    Here's my list:
    We're only in it for the money
    Freak out
    Absolutely Free
    Hot Rats
    Over Nite Sensation
    Grand Wazoo
    Apostrophe
    Cruising with Ruben and the Jets
    Lumpy Gravy
    Waka/Jawaka

    • @davidbowman4259
      @davidbowman4259 2 роки тому +1

      Did you want Overnite in there twice?

    • @martinMZ72
      @martinMZ72 2 роки тому

      @@davidbowman4259 Thank you!

  • @guybarouk8875
    @guybarouk8875 Рік тому

    You should not forget "Zappa in NYK"

  • @juanfilipwinifred
    @juanfilipwinifred 2 роки тому

    My top 5 would have to be
    5-we’re only in it for the money
    4-apostrophe
    3-hot rats
    2-lumpy gravy
    1-freak out

  • @grantross2609
    @grantross2609 2 роки тому

    Ok I could see the first 19 coming BUT how many folks were thrown by his no. 1 !
    Suspect most zappa nerds would have bet their house on Joe's Garage I II & III !
    Also, no sign of some of the great man's more ambitious efforts like Thing Fish......
    Good reasoning throughout tho....
    PS. Ship Ahoy is a genuine masterpiece imo !

    • @calvinwazoo
      @calvinwazoo  2 роки тому

      Haha, you're not going to like my review of Thing Fish when I get to it.

  • @Alix777.
    @Alix777. 2 роки тому

    Maybe I missed it, but "Ship Arriving Too Late To Save A Drowning Witch" is not in your top 20 ?

    • @calvinwazoo
      @calvinwazoo  2 роки тому

      No, it is not. It’s a good release, just not in my top 20

  • @gregoryg3256
    @gregoryg3256 Рік тому

    🌠Good Review...🌌🪐

  • @Warp75
    @Warp75 2 роки тому

    I can’t disagree with Burnt Weeny Sandwiches being numero uno.
    I like the period of ‘66 to ‘75 best & Chunga’s Revenge being the really underrated one.

    • @calvinwazoo
      @calvinwazoo  2 роки тому

      I also have an emotional attachment to BWS as I would listen to it nearly every day when I was 12 and 13, most of the time with headphones.

    • @Warp75
      @Warp75 2 роки тому

      @@calvinwazoo The Little House I Used to Live In is sublime.
      Great channel Calvin subscribed

  • @ayeatropoulos1
    @ayeatropoulos1 11 місяців тому

    As much as I loved the turtles. I have to admit that the flo and eddie years are my least favorite.

  • @robbie4860
    @robbie4860 2 роки тому

    Unbelievable how much music has hit rock bottom in 2022. Which 22' artist could write/ compose songs like artist of the 60s & 70s? Absolutely NONE...

    • @calvinwazoo
      @calvinwazoo  2 роки тому +1

      If you've not listened to Car Seat Headrest, Parquet Courts, toe, Mdou Moctar, or Geese, then I suggest you do.

  • @danderbridge4828
    @danderbridge4828 Рік тому +1

    20 is too many

  • @davidbowman4259
    @davidbowman4259 2 роки тому

    Pretty new to the Zappa canon. So far, I'm mightily impressed with his 1-2-3 punch of Overnite Sensation, Apostrophe and One Size Fits All (1973-75).

    • @calvinwazoo
      @calvinwazoo  2 роки тому

      With 2 certified Gold albums, that trio remains an impressive series of releases for certain.

    • @tomgrosemusic
      @tomgrosemusic 2 роки тому

      David, you left out Roxy And Elsewhere, which was an astounding release in 1974. It blew our minds.

    • @davidbowman4259
      @davidbowman4259 2 роки тому +1

      @@tomgrosemusic Thanks for that, Tom! I've heard great things about it and will have to check it out.

  • @guybarouk8875
    @guybarouk8875 Рік тому

    You should not forget "Zappa in NYK"