It is absurdist parody, it was written at a time when people were getting into the back to nature movement. But the lyrics are secondary to the music, which is far more complex than your usual popular 3 chord songs.
@@AceofBadeReacts scripted chaos, rehearsed incessantly, just so it seems chaotic, when it was actually fully orchestrated. There was also improv, but that was reserved for his guitar solos, which he called air sculptures. There are several 'versions' of this song out there, and the main difference is always the solo, since he made it up as he played. I can send you a link from an interview where he explains how he does it.
@@AceofBadeReacts It's just that half of the live version is stop motion clay animation, which really is a distraction. For a live version, I rather like to see the musicians playing. But that's just me.
From this same performance - this was made for TV and filmed live in KCET-TV studio in LA but it never aired in the US, sadly - there's a song called Florentine Pogen, which features Ruth on percussion, banging away at all the various instruments in her rig as well as a ripping guitar solo by Frank.
It cut off "randomly" because it immediately segued into the next song. There were rarely any pauses between songs at Frank's concerts, and often not even on his albums. He just felt it was a waste of time. (I don't know what you're into generally, I just found this channel, but maybe I'd suggest "Inca Roads" or "Cheepnis" as a next step. The person below suggesting Weasels Ripped My Flesh is ... trying to scare you off. Personally, I love it, but it's kinda postgraduate level.)
oh cool. I did not want to miss anything and was afraid I picked the wrong video. I will add these to the list. I grew up on rock from the 60s to the 90s so there's a pretty wide spectrum. I also listen to groups from the 2000s and some from the 2010s. Also welcome to the channel. I just started up this channel recently after being part of another one
The concept behind the editing quickly flashing back and forth is that the viewer is able to take in two images/stories at once. Frank Zappa was also a filmmaker and did pretty much all of the editing for the concert footage. Zappa being a filmmaker also got him briefly imprisoned early in his career and a lot of his early music recordings seized or destroyed. He ran a small studio and would make and edit movies for people for extra money. The cops basically tried to entrap him for making an 'adult' film.
@@AceofBadeReacts Yes, he a couple movies namely 200 Motels and Uncle Meat. Uncle Meat was more of a homemade movie while 200 Motels was a theatrical release with several notable cameos including Ringo Starr and Keith Moon. Neither movie is that good though. He also had a few other concert videos which he edited/directed himself.
Background vocals on the original version were provided by Linda Sims Debbie Wilson and Tina Turner the Ikettes, it was recorded at Ike Turner's Bolic Sound.
Zappa has written/composed music that covers so many genres and there are still official LPs being released with unheard stuff from his Vault. He recorded and kept tapes of almost everything he did in the studio and when possible on tour. Check his Live version of "Inca Roads", his studio version of "Watermelon In Easter Hay" and "Willie The Pimp" (with Captain Beefheart). A few of his LPs are better listened to as complete pieces but it's worth spending the time. His LP "Apostrophe(')" has the "Yellow Snow" suite which covers the first four tracks on side One of the LP. That's also a great place to start before getting too deep.
That sounds really interesting. The way the names are written reminds me of how Primus does song names. Is there any significance to the names? Also yes I will add these to the list
@@AceofBadeReacts If Zappa blew his nose and handed someone the tissue, there would be pages written about it, discussing the possible meanings behind the patterns formed by the snot.
It sounds like a comedy show sort of on purpose. When Frank started making records, he was a classical composer trying to make it in the world of popular but not necessarily orthodox music. He rarely included lyrics with his compositions, but the record companies told him if he wanted them to sell his music, he had to write lyrics. Well Frank being Frank wrote a lot of what you just heard. He basically wrote about whatever the hell he wanted. It didn't take long for him to ditch the record companies and start his own. He was self-made and self-taught, a true one-of-a-kind genius. His library is bigger than anyone else I know (120+ full length releases - ~60 before he died, and about as many posthumously). Try the Yellow Snow Suite next! Montana and that one are excellent Zappa 101.
You're pronouncing it correctly. Went to his concerts in the 1980s. Genius musician. This is one of my favorites. Also, check out Weasels Ripped My Flesh.
Keep in mind that Frank has an LP titled "Does Humor Belong In Music?". His best guitar solo, IMHO, is Watermelon In Easter Hay. Other suggestions? Whew.... Peaches En Regalia, Joe's Garage, Trouble Every Day, SOFA #1 and #2, Inca Roads, Heavy Duty Judy - the list is quite endless.
I'm a first time viewer of your first-time Zappa experience. Starting with a live version upped the ante, since it diverts from the original composition a bit. Try the tasty instrumental "Peaches En Regalia" from the album Hot Rats (most of the parts were played by FZ) Or the studio version of "Inca Roads" (about UFO landing strips in South America), weird but still accessible. A great LIVE track in a mellower, jazzier vein is "Zoot Allures" from the Does Humor Belong In Music? dvd. Or there's about 5 0r 6 dozen albums he produced before his untimely death at age 53 ~~~
The album "Overnight Sensations" is a pretty good place to start. He had a lot of albums. The best place to start though if you really want to get into it, is the first Mothers album, Freak Out.
I am a fan and my fafourite song is : MONTANA but "black napkins" .... and so many ... its like scotch whisky , you got to know them all . Every piece is beautiful , every piece is for its own .
Hello from France ! ( sorry for my bad englando) Favorite song : impossible there're so much songs I love for different reasons Favorite solo : the solo from the song Drowning Witch. Absolutely crazy playing and sound... Nice review/opinion. Zappa is an acquired taste for sure. At first I didnt like his music. At that time I was more into classic prog rock, and I used to think his music was too quirky, sometimes didnt make sense to me, and not "serious" enough. But now I don't listen to those prog rock bands anymore but still listening to Frank, for many years now 😊 Unfortunately 80's Zappa is overlooked but its my favorite era. On the other hand 70's Zappa is a bit overrated. Not many video of live performances exist. But there are many many great albums. Im not really into his jazz fusion phase (1969-1972) otherwise I like mostly everything he ever done musically and artistically ! I recommend the album "We're only in it for the money" (1968) It's a ferocious satire against the Hippie movement, but also America's conservatism in the 60's, with many shorts and hilarious songs ! a bit experimental but not too much, and the music is nice too 😊
First, a comment re: the percussion section. The three band line-ups prior to this one had two kit drummers plus that famous percussionist (well, she was there most of that time). Wiki describes Frank's music in this way - rock / progressive rock/ jazz / jazz-fusion / experimental / classical / rock-and roll / doo-wop / blues / comedy / avant-garde - but the problem is, whatever genre he's focussing on at any one moment, it's refracted through his peculiar musical language, one which sounds "unrelentingly sarcastic" and "grotesque" to those who don't quite get it. Unlike some people on this page I feel the need to recommend something a bit more "art" as your next step into Zappa world - because I'm a great believer in not doing these things the easy way. So, from a famous televised concert which I'm especially fond of, why not try the long instrumental medley that starts at the point where I've "t"d it - ua-cam.com/video/BynKe8BjIxk/v-deo.htmlfeature=shared&t=3182
Well that is one way to describe someone. It makes sense though from what I have seen in the comments so far. I'll be sure to save that link in a notepad for later
Look up his kids, Amit, Moon Unit and Dweezle. They had a TV comedy show in the 90s but it was scripted. Before reality TV. They would have been perfect for reality TV, they're genuinely funny.
Yes it might be difficult to approach. If you really need videos high quality, there are not to many. It was difficult and expensive to make. Better to look at those covers his son Dweezil made (Zappa plays Zappa; check: "Zomby Woof"). Otherwise keep to the audios!! He composed constantly from his teens to shortly before his death; 60+ albums produced during his lifetime, and much more than 1/year since! (He taped everything). His guitar solos are always different - improvised! The band got information on which songs to play during a concert minutes before. He added and changed during the concerts. That's why they all check him constantly for signs. No bad songs, only different levels of complexity. Lyrics can be on anything but usually silly. I prefer instrumentals. Very beautiful is "What's new in Baltimore?" Weird: "Yellow snow suite" (all 4 songs!). Heavy cover: "Whipping post". Experimental: "RDNZL" (many versions). A few more: Sinister footwear, Blessed relief, Melons in easter hay...
I don't think quality matters too much, but a visual of some sort I feel definitely helps. Do those audios they have been releasing have some sort of a visual? It sounds like he was someone who was very creative and expressive when it came to music. Also is there a way to pronounce RDNZL?
@@AceofBadeReacts I think "Redunsel" will do. He made a full movie in about 1970: "200 Motels". The "overture" song in the end is called "Strictly Genteel". There is a UA-cam video with the suffix "all versions". Frank Zappa is played by Ringo Starr (!). Franks band was named "Mothers of invention". It was actually a number of consecutive bands, all of them with the very best musicians available. The video you just has seen was (about) Mothers III: Ruth Underwood on percussion, George Duke on keyboards, Napoleon Murphy Brock flute, sax, song etc., Chester Thompson drums, Jean Luc Ponty violin (not this time) etc. active about 1973-1976. Many excellent songs from this period. From the late 70s and on there are much more videos available. But the first album (double!): "Freak out!" dates back to 1966!
San Berdino is pretty cool. The song by Frank Zappa of course. San Berdino itself, not so much...I mean come on, They got some dark green air and you can choke all day
@AceofBadeReacts Well I'm a keyboardist who went through all of those years from the beginning in the mid 60s until the present and what I've learned in to go down those rabbit holes and to reimerge with a new understanding! Frank Zappa is a never ending trip into New lands! I hope you enjoy all of the nuances that he has to offer! I enjoyed your video and subscribed. Thanks
@@ge0rgeharris218 I definitely did enjoy them. I think one of the next reactions I record will be a Frank Zappa one for later this month. I still have about 12 more reactions to edit, but after I'm done I'll make sure that one is at the top of the list
This was my first time listening to Frank Zappa. I had no clue what to expect. To me it was chaotic, but not bad by any means. I have checked out a couple since. You can check out the playlist
Yea, tere are a couple Zappa film footage that flashes back and fourth, or the claymation. It's annoying as hell. I would rather just watch him and the band play. They are such impressive musicians.
@@AceofBadeReacts I agree, I respect the claymation, especially for the time period that it was created. It's just my preference to watch musicians perform live. I like watching studio work too, like the Snarky Puppy, or Cory Wong studio performances.
![THIS SHOULDNT EXIST! | FIRST TIME HEARING Black Sabbath "Into The Void" [REACTION]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/RMUZg5nmC1k/mqdefault.jpg)
I definitely wasn't expecting what this song was about going into this
It is absurdist parody, it was written at a time when people were getting into the back to nature movement. But the lyrics are secondary to the music, which is far more complex than your usual popular 3 chord songs.
@@Peter-K there's definitely some chaotic moments there
@@AceofBadeReacts scripted chaos, rehearsed incessantly, just so it seems chaotic, when it was actually fully orchestrated. There was also improv, but that was reserved for his guitar solos, which he called air sculptures. There are several 'versions' of this song out there, and the main difference is always the solo, since he made it up as he played. I can send you a link from an interview where he explains how he does it.
I didn’t hear any chaos.
@@randydoak6638 the music somewhere in the middle of the song was a little chaotic
You are about to enter a very deep rabbit hole!
.....and you´ll love it!
Zappa Lives
I'm looking forward to it
More like a Long Deep Goldmine.
Frank was a complete genius he was a composer above all. He once said that his music was a movie for your ears.
This definitely told a story, just with some chaos thrown in somewhere in the middle
"Inca Roads", preferably the studio version (not to get distracted by the claymation)
Interesting. So now there's requests for both live and music video
@@AceofBadeReacts It's just that half of the live version is stop motion clay animation, which really is a distraction. For a live version, I rather like to see the musicians playing. But that's just me.
From this same performance - this was made for TV and filmed live in KCET-TV studio in LA but it never aired in the US, sadly - there's a song called Florentine Pogen, which features Ruth on percussion, banging away at all the various instruments in her rig as well as a ripping guitar solo by Frank.
That sounds awesome. I'll add it to the list
One of my favorite Zappa songs is Zomby Woof. Or San Berdino.
I do have those on the list
It cut off "randomly" because it immediately segued into the next song. There were rarely any pauses between songs at Frank's concerts, and often not even on his albums. He just felt it was a waste of time. (I don't know what you're into generally, I just found this channel, but maybe I'd suggest "Inca Roads" or "Cheepnis" as a next step. The person below suggesting Weasels Ripped My Flesh is ... trying to scare you off. Personally, I love it, but it's kinda postgraduate level.)
oh cool. I did not want to miss anything and was afraid I picked the wrong video. I will add these to the list. I grew up on rock from the 60s to the 90s so there's a pretty wide spectrum. I also listen to groups from the 2000s and some from the 2010s. Also welcome to the channel. I just started up this channel recently after being part of another one
The concept behind the editing quickly flashing back and forth is that the viewer is able to take in two images/stories at once. Frank Zappa was also a filmmaker and did pretty much all of the editing for the concert footage. Zappa being a filmmaker also got him briefly imprisoned early in his career and a lot of his early music recordings seized or destroyed. He ran a small studio and would make and edit movies for people for extra money. The cops basically tried to entrap him for making an 'adult' film.
Oh wow. Did he continue to make movies after?
@@AceofBadeReacts Yes, he a couple movies namely 200 Motels and Uncle Meat. Uncle Meat was more of a homemade movie while 200 Motels was a theatrical release with several notable cameos including Ringo Starr and Keith Moon. Neither movie is that good though. He also had a few other concert videos which he edited/directed himself.
@@donkarnage6032 good or not, that's still pretty cool
Background vocals on the original version were provided by Linda Sims Debbie Wilson and Tina Turner the Ikettes, it was recorded at Ike Turner's Bolic Sound.
Oh that's pretty cool
Dweezle is a really great musician too.
"there's a lot to unpack here" don't understate it, now
Fair enough. I would need 3 videos to talk about what I saw
@@AceofBadeReacts i know 😁
"I need to listen to more" You're in luck, my friend. Zappa has 62 albums under his belt, so there's a hell of a lot 'more' to experience!
That's a lot of albums
Zappa has written/composed music that covers so many genres and there are still official LPs being released with unheard stuff from his Vault. He recorded and kept tapes of almost everything he did in the studio and when possible on tour.
Check his Live version of "Inca Roads", his studio version of "Watermelon In Easter Hay" and "Willie The Pimp" (with Captain Beefheart).
A few of his LPs are better listened to as complete pieces but it's worth spending the time.
His LP "Apostrophe(')" has the "Yellow Snow" suite which covers the first four tracks on side One of the LP. That's also a great place to start before getting too deep.
That sounds really interesting. The way the names are written reminds me of how Primus does song names. Is there any significance to the names? Also yes I will add these to the list
@@AceofBadeReacts If Zappa blew his nose and handed someone the tissue, there would be pages written about it, discussing the possible meanings behind the patterns formed by the snot.
@@SPKdesign1 So kind of like Randy Newman, singing about what he sees (from a Family Guy episode)
It sounds like a comedy show sort of on purpose. When Frank started making records, he was a classical composer trying to make it in the world of popular but not necessarily orthodox music. He rarely included lyrics with his compositions, but the record companies told him if he wanted them to sell his music, he had to write lyrics. Well Frank being Frank wrote a lot of what you just heard. He basically wrote about whatever the hell he wanted. It didn't take long for him to ditch the record companies and start his own. He was self-made and self-taught, a true one-of-a-kind genius. His library is bigger than anyone else I know (120+ full length releases - ~60 before he died, and about as many posthumously). Try the Yellow Snow Suite next! Montana and that one are excellent Zappa 101.
Thank you for the information. Record companies are stuck in the past with their mindset
You're pronouncing it correctly. Went to his concerts in the 1980s. Genius musician. This is one of my favorites. Also, check out Weasels Ripped My Flesh.
I will add it to the list
The album "Weasels Ripped my Flesh" not the track which is a couple of minutes of random feedback.
@@stevebinning977 interesting. So no 3 minute feedback track. Got it
Keep in mind that Frank has an LP titled "Does Humor Belong In Music?". His best guitar solo, IMHO, is Watermelon In Easter Hay. Other suggestions? Whew.... Peaches En Regalia, Joe's Garage, Trouble Every Day, SOFA #1 and #2, Inca Roads, Heavy Duty Judy - the list is quite endless.
Was there humor on that LP? Thank you for the suggestions. I'll add them to the list
I'm a first time viewer of your first-time Zappa experience. Starting with a live version upped the ante, since it diverts from the original composition a bit.
Try the tasty instrumental "Peaches En Regalia" from the album Hot Rats (most of the parts were played by FZ)
Or the studio version of "Inca Roads" (about UFO landing strips in South America), weird but still accessible.
A great LIVE track in a mellower, jazzier vein is "Zoot Allures" from the Does Humor Belong In Music? dvd.
Or there's about 5 0r 6 dozen albums he produced before his untimely death at age 53 ~~~
Yeah I should have started with a music video or something, but no turning back now. I'll add these to the list
The album "Overnight Sensations" is a pretty good place to start.
He had a lot of albums.
The best place to start though if you really want to get into it, is the first Mothers album, Freak Out.
Thank you for the place to start
My 10 cents: the live version of Muffin Man... I hope you will be convinced 🙂
I'll add it to the list
I am a fan and my fafourite song is : MONTANA but "black napkins" .... and so many ... its like scotch whisky , you got to know them all . Every piece is beautiful , every piece is for its own .
I'll add it to the list
Well that was.... something
Frank Zappa is pretty unconventional. If you check out the comments below, you'll learn quite a bit
Hello from France ! ( sorry for my bad englando)
Favorite song : impossible there're so much songs I love for different reasons
Favorite solo : the solo from the song Drowning Witch. Absolutely crazy playing and sound...
Nice review/opinion. Zappa is an acquired taste for sure.
At first I didnt like his music. At that time I was more into classic prog rock, and I used to think his music was too quirky, sometimes didnt make sense to me, and not "serious" enough. But now I don't listen to those prog rock bands anymore but still listening to Frank, for many years now 😊
Unfortunately 80's Zappa is overlooked but its my favorite era. On the other hand 70's Zappa is a bit overrated.
Not many video of live performances exist. But there are many many great albums. Im not really into his jazz fusion phase (1969-1972) otherwise I like mostly everything he ever done musically and artistically !
I recommend the album "We're only in it for the money" (1968) It's a ferocious satire against the Hippie movement, but also America's conservatism in the 60's, with many shorts and hilarious songs ! a bit experimental but not too much, and the music is nice too 😊
You need to hear the original studio version from "Overnight Sensation" . Thats more right between your eyes .
That one is on the list
First, a comment re: the percussion section. The three band line-ups prior to this one had two kit drummers plus that famous percussionist (well, she was there most of that time).
Wiki describes Frank's music in this way -
rock / progressive rock/ jazz / jazz-fusion / experimental / classical / rock-and roll / doo-wop / blues / comedy / avant-garde -
but the problem is, whatever genre he's focussing on at any one moment, it's refracted through his peculiar musical language, one which sounds "unrelentingly sarcastic" and "grotesque" to those who don't quite get it.
Unlike some people on this page I feel the need to recommend something a bit more "art" as your next step into Zappa world - because I'm a great believer in not doing these things the easy way. So, from a famous televised concert which I'm especially fond of, why not try the long instrumental medley that starts at the point where I've "t"d it - ua-cam.com/video/BynKe8BjIxk/v-deo.htmlfeature=shared&t=3182
Well that is one way to describe someone. It makes sense though from what I have seen in the comments so far. I'll be sure to save that link in a notepad for later
I saw the band in 1973 and it was one drummer, Ralph Humphrey and Ruth Underwood on percussion.
Look up his kids, Amit, Moon Unit and Dweezle. They had a TV comedy show in the 90s but it was scripted. Before reality TV. They would have been perfect for reality TV, they're genuinely funny.
That sounds interesting. I bet it would be better than reality TV
One drummer Chester Thompson and Ruth Underwood on percussions
Ah I see now. I have been learning about percussion in a couple other videos and I'm seeing the difference
Yes it might be difficult to approach. If you really need videos high quality, there are not to many. It was difficult and expensive to make. Better to look at those covers his son Dweezil made (Zappa plays Zappa; check: "Zomby Woof"). Otherwise keep to the audios!! He composed constantly from his teens to shortly before his death; 60+ albums produced during his lifetime, and much more than 1/year since! (He taped everything). His guitar solos are always different - improvised! The band got information on which songs to play during a concert minutes before. He added and changed during the concerts. That's why they all check him constantly for signs. No bad songs, only different levels of complexity. Lyrics can be on anything but usually silly. I prefer instrumentals. Very beautiful is "What's new in Baltimore?" Weird: "Yellow snow suite" (all 4 songs!). Heavy cover: "Whipping post". Experimental: "RDNZL" (many versions). A few more: Sinister footwear, Blessed relief, Melons in easter hay...
I don't think quality matters too much, but a visual of some sort I feel definitely helps. Do those audios they have been releasing have some sort of a visual? It sounds like he was someone who was very creative and expressive when it came to music. Also is there a way to pronounce RDNZL?
@@AceofBadeReacts I think "Redunsel" will do. He made a full movie in about 1970: "200 Motels". The "overture" song in the end is called "Strictly Genteel". There is a UA-cam video with the suffix "all versions". Frank Zappa is played by Ringo Starr (!).
Franks band was named "Mothers of invention". It was actually a number of consecutive bands, all of them with the very best musicians available. The video you just has seen was (about) Mothers III: Ruth Underwood on percussion, George Duke on keyboards, Napoleon Murphy Brock flute, sax, song etc., Chester Thompson drums, Jean Luc Ponty violin (not this time) etc. active about 1973-1976. Many excellent songs from this period. From the late 70s and on there are much more videos available. But the first album (double!): "Freak out!" dates back to 1966!
@@AceofBadeReacts Music videos per se appeared from the early 80s. All older videos are occasional TV-program etc. OR reconstructed later.
San Berdino is pretty cool. The song by Frank Zappa of course. San Berdino itself, not so much...I mean come on, They got some dark green air and you can choke all day
haha I've never been, but I'll take your word for it. And I'll add it to the list
Dental floss is a serious thing .
I use Dental Floss every day
Your going to have to go alot deeper to understand Frank! There's alot of history with Zappa that goes with the general history of that time period!
Understandable. There's quite a few rabbit holes on this channel, so what's one more
@AceofBadeReacts Well I'm a keyboardist who went through all of those years from the beginning in the mid 60s until the present and what I've learned in to go down those rabbit holes and to reimerge with a new understanding! Frank Zappa is a never ending trip into New lands! I hope you enjoy all of the nuances that he has to offer! I enjoyed your video and subscribed. Thanks
@@ge0rgeharris218 I definitely did enjoy them. I think one of the next reactions I record will be a Frank Zappa one for later this month. I still have about 12 more reactions to edit, but after I'm done I'll make sure that one is at the top of the list
Ok. I got one million Zappa songs whitch one do You want ?
So far I have quite a few songs written down on the list
Hey Captain obvious Frank was a genius the end and of course this was humor. I don’t think you get him keep listening.
This was my first time listening to Frank Zappa. I had no clue what to expect. To me it was chaotic, but not bad by any means. I have checked out a couple since. You can check out the playlist
Yea, tere are a couple Zappa film footage that flashes back and fourth, or the claymation. It's annoying as hell. I would rather just watch him and the band play. They are such impressive musicians.
Yeah I mean it's a stylistic choice. And it's awesome when a band is creative. The claymation in Inca Roads was all over the place with the story
@@AceofBadeReacts I agree, I respect the claymation, especially for the time period that it was created. It's just my preference to watch musicians perform live. I like watching studio work too, like the Snarky Puppy, or Cory Wong studio performances.
Not at all eccentric.... just another guy 😊
"We all go a little eccentric sometimes" - Norman Bates, or something, I don't know
Genio assoluto