Hey Ace! Almost everything you hear, as in every detail of every instrumentalist playing in that band had their individual parts written out by Frank Zappa. He wrote some of the most challenging material ever and hired some of the best instrumentalists he could find to play in his band. Most of his music is either funny, weird, bizarre or whatever but it is all absolutely incredible and he was a very prolific artist. I saw him live around 1981 and to this day have never witnessed a better live band. At times he would get in front and act as a conductor for the band through particularly difficult parts. An absolute musical genius.
Hah! I saw him in October of 1980 in Dallas. I was all of 17. Only heard his music a couple times (radio...which hardly ever played Zappa). I was completely blown away how great the band was. Saw lots of artists....never saw any where a band was so tight. That Vinnie Colaiuta (sp?) was on drums. For the life of me I couldn't figure out how the hell he stayed with that music.
Camarillo Brillo, Dynah Moe Humm, Apostrophe (the whole album), Mud Shark, Cheepnis, Penguin in Bondage--Frank's got a deep and wonderfully weird rabbit hole!
Frank Zappa's first television appearance was on the popular Steve Allen Show (The Tonight Show), performing a piece of musique concrète titled "Music for Bicycle, Pre-Recorded Tape, and Piano." In this performance, Zappa played a bicycle as a musical instrument, accompanied by pre-recorded tape sounds and piano. He's been a genius for a long time. I talked with him in the '80s about "Joe's Garage" and some German lyrics contained therein. Endless are his offerings.
I love what Zappa said to Tipper Gore about this song during those music censorship hearings she was driving. She was claiming music can make children do things (drugs, suicide, etc.). Zappa's response was that he wrote a song about dental floss but he never heard that dental hygiene improved.....lol BTW, Zappa wouldn't call himself a lead singer. I heard him reply when asked if he sang something like "sort of". He's the composer and guy in charge, but beyond that, he delegated the musical tasks to who he felt worked best. I think it was one of his drummers (Vinnie Colaiuta.... great drummer...check him out) said Zappa approach his band like it was a toolbox. He'd obtain certain tools (musicians) he felt best to express the music he wrote at the time, and he'd use them the way he felt best.
Every artist needs a hook and Frank's was being bazaar. He was actually a musical genius. When he was younger he got on the most popular late night television show by playing a bicycle on live TV.
You are at the beginning of a very fun ride. You will love some of his songs, you will hate some of his songs,(or love them a little less) but you will never be bored. Frank was a genius, and he did all he could to share that genius with us. Not everyone appreciates his genius, but few who know anything about music will try to deny it. He had many master musicians cycle through various incarnations of his backing bands, they had to be good to play Frank's music. When you have time, Google George Duke and Chester Thompson, both of whom appear in this video, to get an idea of the quality of the players he surrounded himself with. Have fun!
@IDriveAnAudi I was lucky to see him in Memphis when Apostrophe hit. It was amazing to see the group actually replicate those arrangements and in some cases do them even tighter and better.
The key to understanding the lyrics to this song is the fact that the lyrics are describing the music itself. The horse is the rhythm, the tweezers are a particular sound, and yes, the dental floss is the guitar solo.
Ace, to answer your question: Zappa has 60 Published Albums. He plays all types of music, and maybe even invented a couple of categories along the way. While his Lyrics are often lacking a serious story, the Music is always 100% perfection and Frank never plays the same guitar solo the same way twice. Try "I am the Slime", and try "Zombie Woof" if you want to try something else that is Fun and blow your doors off at the same time...!
Humor belongs in music, so laugh all you want;) And welcome to the rabbithole Frank Zappa! There is so much more to laugh, listen in awe and be surprised by his musianship, and creativity. And offcourse the groups of wunderfull musicians he surrounded himself with.
Try The "Yellow Snow" suite. It's the First four tracks from Apostrophe ('), "Don't Eat The Yellow Snow", "Nanook Rubs It", "St. Alfonzo's Pancake Breakfast" and "Father O'Blivion".
Frank Zappa deserves admission to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a great guitarist, songwriter, creator of concept albums, comedian, talent scout, doo wop expert, social critic and avid misanthrope. He was one of those rare forces whose genius extended far beyond his main medium-composing music (Zappa released 62 albums in his lifetime, a prolific feat rivaled by few others)- into politics, philosophy, and advocacy.
This album was recorded in Ike Turner's studio. For an extra 25 bucks, Ike threw in Tina Turner and the Ikettes for backup vocals. You can really hear her on "Dirty Love".
Frank and The Mothers had such a huge breadth and depth of creativity that they can't be pigeon-holed. You really should listen to the albums, _Zoot Allures, Sheik Yerbooty, Joe's Garage,_ to get a good picture of them.
And by the way he writes modern 20th and 21 Century Classical music 🎵🎵 while traveling,at his Hollywood hills home, since he was a teenager chamber music piano pieces,voice you name it, back in the day of records, cassette and VHS tapes his stuff was the only material that had classical music in the rook section of a record store with no rock band rhythm section,Londion Symphony Orchestra/Zappa/ Kent Nagano Conductor/ Chad Wackermen featured on orchestra drumset.
Zappa was not trying to be funny , he was just tired of the normal , boring stuff everybody hears all the time . Zappa would write everything out , note for note , then hand to his band and say play it . Yes , he was a musical genius ! He is in my top 5 of guitar gods , which he does not get the credit for being a fantastic guitarist . Just wait until you check out Don't Eat The Yellow Snow , The Suite !
@AceTheHeart I noticed ages ago you mentioned house music is one of your favorites, and I need - NEED - for you to give the dubstep group ganja white night a listen!!
Frank Zappa, the lead guitarist/singer, is a genius songwriter and musician with only the best band mates. His lyrics are often strange, sometimes lewd, but the music is first rate, a kind of jazz/rock fusion. This song comes from the early 1970s. Zappa was also politically active. He appeared on many 'serious' political TV shows and debated politicians and other politicos. Frank sadly passed away from prostate cancer several years back.
In the studio version Tina Turner and the Ikettes did the backing vocals. You should check out the Zappa songs Dirty Love, The Slime and Cosmic Debris.
it’s ok / encouraged to laugh - after all, laughter is a fundamental part of the human condition. look - it’s about not taking things so seriously, with Frank. the guy was an absolute GIANT in music - and many people and other bands cannot stand him / his music, you might be surprised at how many / which artists / performer *you* like absolutely *love* Frank’s music. now - the contrast here is… funny / silly lyrics, etc. (say as opposed to it being what… the 1 millionth love song?), take note at the quality playing, by the band, the interesting composition, layered harmonies, Frank’s unique (and cool AF) guitar playing. my point, no… this is not “novelty” / Weird Al”… if you heard the whole concert of that you’d get that it’s deadly serious in terms of rehearsal and readiness for Frank to change dimensions of the tune literally on-command / in real-time… the tempo/time-signature, rhythm, style, etc. his bands were F’ing scary! :-) seanM
They knew what they were doing so well that they could do anything. Yes, it's part parody, but Zappa's tack was anti-commercial and so they did do progressive psychedelic, jazz/ rock/ fusion, to break as many rules as possible yet they music was charted- written out. You'll find some of the same, but less parody with the group, Gentle Giant," which has live videos I encourage you to watch. Theypik up and change, exchange their instrument mid song. Virtuosos, like Zappa's Mothers of Invention.
Listen to " More trouble coming everyday" I feel it wAs the first rap song 1965. Frank was a pioneer in sampling as well. Listen to joes garage acts 1,2,and 3. A tale about Joe,a young man from Canoga falls,wh becomes corrupted and p4everted by music.which is illegal.
More Zappa! You will find very different kind of music and often silly, provocative or non sense lyrics (but I prefer the instrumentals), and all kind of genres - usually mixed. Some may be frustrating, at least initially, but never boring! Zappa started compose at about an age of 12 and continued constantly to his death. Suggestions may be Chunga's revenge or Zomby Woof.
like quite a lot of Zappa, the song segues with no break into something else. Here it's something called Approximate (the verb) where all the rhythm is set but none of the pitches. You could foot stomp your part or whatever.
If you think Montana hade weird lyrics what will you say about The Yellow Snow Suite? What do you think guys. is it to early to listen to the heavy ones for him or shall he do The Yellow Snow Suite now? ua-cam.com/video/mpNn1nht0_8/v-deo.html
Dude there was nothing made-up its all writen down by Frank Zappa on paper,they had to sight read all his music 🎵 until it became second nature in live performances the rehearsals were challenging but fun for 3 months before you go out on the road tours Frank had the band members on salery from rehearsal to the end of the monthly tour, good incentive to concentrate on nothing but his music 🎵🎶 like being in the Marines, nothing but the best!
I LOVE seeing reactors having their first Zappa experience.....🤣🤣🤣
Especially when they appreciate it!
Hey Ace! Almost everything you hear, as in every detail of every instrumentalist playing in that band had their individual parts written out by Frank Zappa. He wrote some of the most challenging material ever and hired some of the best instrumentalists he could find to play in his band. Most of his music is either funny, weird, bizarre or whatever but it is all absolutely incredible and he was a very prolific artist. I saw him live around 1981 and to this day have never witnessed a better live band. At times he would get in front and act as a conductor for the band through particularly difficult parts. An absolute musical genius.
Hes composed a piece of music that was so full of notes and notations that the musicians referred to it as "the Black Page"
Hah! I saw him in October of 1980 in Dallas. I was all of 17. Only heard his music a couple times (radio...which hardly ever played Zappa). I was completely blown away how great the band was. Saw lots of artists....never saw any where a band was so tight. That Vinnie Colaiuta (sp?) was on drums. For the life of me I couldn't figure out how the hell he stayed with that music.
Zappa is a planet on its own. He composed orchestra music, big band jazz, doo-wop, rock, funk, R&B, avant-garde and mixed it all into "Zappa music"
ZAPPA is a GREAT GREAT GUITARIST!! 🐐🎸🔥
I used to get off playing Frank Zappa to first time listeners back when it was first out. it still get's great reactions.
In Europe, Zappa is regarded as one of the Most Influential American Composers (seriously!)
In the USA as well.
He was objectively one of the most skilled and creative composers of his era.
Camarillo Brillo, Dynah Moe Humm, Apostrophe (the whole album), Mud Shark, Cheepnis, Penguin in Bondage--Frank's got a deep and wonderfully weird rabbit hole!
Packard Goose
Frank's rabbit hole is so big you can listen to his stuff for a month straight without stopping and still not hear all of it lol.
Frank is a musician's musician.
The lyrics are humorous, witty, and sometimes insignificant but the music is always pure genius.
"Dirty Love" is another great one. So is Stink foot and Yellow Snow
On this video - INCA ROADS!!!
Frank Zappa music is like a movie for your ears.
"Titties and Beer" is a "titular example" of Zappa.
Dr. Demento used to play it regularly on his show, but then they started making him censor it...
Inca Roads from this concert is epic!
Definitely see this one…Inca Road Live from this concert! Amazing! And George Duke and Ruth Underwood!
Frank Zappa's first television appearance was on the popular Steve Allen Show (The Tonight Show), performing a piece of musique concrète titled "Music for Bicycle, Pre-Recorded Tape, and Piano." In this performance, Zappa played a bicycle as a musical instrument, accompanied by pre-recorded tape sounds and piano. He's been a genius for a long time. I talked with him in the '80s about "Joe's Garage" and some German lyrics contained therein. Endless are his offerings.
I love what Zappa said to Tipper Gore about this song during those music censorship hearings she was driving. She was claiming music can make children do things (drugs, suicide, etc.). Zappa's response was that he wrote a song about dental floss but he never heard that dental hygiene improved.....lol
BTW, Zappa wouldn't call himself a lead singer. I heard him reply when asked if he sang something like "sort of". He's the composer and guy in charge, but beyond that, he delegated the musical tasks to who he felt worked best. I think it was one of his drummers (Vinnie Colaiuta.... great drummer...check him out) said Zappa approach his band like it was a toolbox. He'd obtain certain tools (musicians) he felt best to express the music he wrote at the time, and he'd use them the way he felt best.
His son, Dweezil, tours playing his father's music. It's called Zappa plays Zappa
And he and his band is really really good at it.
"Central Scrutinizer/Joe's Garage" is great stuff from Zappa.
lol. The moment your brain broke was priceless! 😉
hahahaha gotta love Frank Zappa!!
The studio version of this song has Tina Turner and the Ikettes singing backup.
Every artist needs a hook and Frank's was being bazaar. He was actually a musical genius. When he was younger he got on the most popular late night television show by playing a bicycle on live TV.
You are at the beginning of a very fun ride. You will love some of his songs, you will hate some of his songs,(or love them a little less) but you will never be bored. Frank was a genius, and he did all he could to share that genius with us. Not everyone appreciates his genius, but few who know anything about music will try to deny it. He had many master musicians cycle through various incarnations of his backing bands, they had to be good to play Frank's music. When you have time, Google George Duke and Chester Thompson, both of whom appear in this video, to get an idea of the quality of the players he surrounded himself with. Have fun!
We need a reaction to Zappa’s Bobby Brown Goes Down
Zappa was pure sound. That mofo could play that fret board🤘❤️ rock/jazz fusion was born
Apostrophe is Frank at his best. The entire album. Don't Eat the Yellow Snow Suite is a musical masterpiece. Try it.
Yes it is!!! Saint Alphonso's Pancake Breakfast is mind blowing.
They are so light and fluffy white will make a fortune by tonight. They're so light and fluffy brown they are the finest in the town
@IDriveAnAudi I was lucky to see him in Memphis when Apostrophe hit. It was amazing to see the group actually replicate those arrangements and in some cases do them even tighter and better.
The key to understanding the lyrics to this song is the fact that the lyrics are describing the music itself. The horse is the rhythm, the tweezers are a particular sound, and yes, the dental floss is the guitar solo.
Dynah Moe Humm! 🤘😎
Ace, to answer your question: Zappa has 60 Published Albums. He plays all types of music, and maybe even invented a couple of categories along the way.
While his Lyrics are often lacking a serious story, the Music is always 100% perfection and Frank never plays the same guitar solo the same way twice.
Try "I am the Slime", and try "Zombie Woof" if you want to try something else that is Fun and blow your doors off at the same time...!
Humor belongs in music, so laugh all you want;)
And welcome to the rabbithole Frank Zappa! There is so much more to laugh, listen in awe and be surprised by his musianship, and creativity. And offcourse the groups of wunderfull musicians he surrounded himself with.
Try The "Yellow Snow" suite. It's the First four tracks from Apostrophe ('), "Don't Eat The Yellow Snow", "Nanook Rubs It", "St. Alfonzo's Pancake Breakfast" and "Father O'Blivion".
Frank Zappa deserves admission to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a great guitarist, songwriter, creator of concept albums, comedian, talent scout, doo wop expert, social critic and avid misanthrope. He was one of those rare forces whose genius extended far beyond his main medium-composing music (Zappa released 62 albums in his lifetime, a prolific feat rivaled by few others)- into politics, philosophy, and advocacy.
He is in the rock & roll HOF , his daughter, Moon, accepted in 1994 after his death.
You will love, “Don’t eat the yellow snow suite” from the album Apostrophe.
This album was recorded in Ike Turner's studio. For an extra 25 bucks, Ike threw in Tina Turner and the Ikettes for backup vocals. You can really hear her on "Dirty Love".
Frank and The Mothers had such a huge breadth and depth of creativity that they can't be pigeon-holed. You really should listen to the albums, _Zoot Allures, Sheik Yerbooty, Joe's Garage,_ to get a good picture of them.
Dude. You nailed his attitude. He didn't GAF. Be prepared to be surprised by everything you listen to from this man.
And by the way he writes modern 20th and 21 Century Classical music 🎵🎵 while traveling,at his Hollywood hills home, since he was a teenager chamber music piano pieces,voice you name it, back in the day of records, cassette and VHS tapes his stuff was the only material that had classical music in the rook section of a record store with no rock band rhythm section,Londion Symphony Orchestra/Zappa/ Kent Nagano Conductor/ Chad Wackermen featured on orchestra drumset.
Zappa was not trying to be funny , he was just tired of the normal , boring stuff everybody hears all the time . Zappa would write everything out , note for note , then hand to his band and say play it . Yes , he was a musical genius ! He is in my top 5 of guitar gods , which he does not get the credit for being a fantastic guitarist . Just wait until you check out Don't Eat The Yellow Snow , The Suite !
Check out Frank's Inca Roads. Great reaction.
Zappa was a genius....crazy lyrics and epic instrumentations! Another great song of his is "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow" LOL!!!
@AceTheHeart I noticed ages ago you mentioned house music is one of your favorites, and I need - NEED - for you to give the dubstep group ganja white night a listen!!
Zappa is genius. He will challenge you and piss you off while at the same time amaze you. Good luck if you can handle it
Frank Zappa, the lead guitarist/singer, is a genius songwriter and musician with only the best band mates. His lyrics are often strange, sometimes lewd, but the music is first rate, a kind of jazz/rock fusion. This song comes from the early 1970s. Zappa was also politically active. He appeared on many 'serious' political TV shows and debated politicians and other politicos. Frank sadly passed away from prostate cancer several years back.
Never heard of him before in my life but if you like that kind of stuff you would like Ray Stevens The streak😂😂😂😂😂😂
In the studio version Tina Turner and the Ikettes did the backing vocals. You should check out the Zappa songs Dirty Love, The Slime and Cosmic Debris.
I consider Frank's "More Trouble Everyday" as very early rap.
You have discovered one of the deepest rabbit holes ever! Zappa is a genius!
Note: "Movin' to Montana" is Hollywoodese for retirement.
it’s ok / encouraged to laugh - after all, laughter is a fundamental part of the human condition.
look - it’s about not taking things so seriously, with Frank. the guy was an absolute GIANT in music - and many people and other bands cannot stand him / his music, you might be surprised at how many / which artists / performer *you* like absolutely *love* Frank’s music.
now - the contrast here is… funny / silly lyrics, etc. (say as opposed to it being what… the 1 millionth love song?), take note at the quality playing, by the band, the interesting composition, layered harmonies, Frank’s unique (and cool AF) guitar playing. my point, no… this is not “novelty” / Weird Al”… if you heard the whole concert of that you’d get that it’s deadly serious in terms of rehearsal and readiness for Frank to change dimensions of the tune literally on-command / in real-time… the tempo/time-signature, rhythm, style, etc. his bands were F’ing scary! :-)
seanM
Zappa wanted to make GREAT MUSIC, and he wanted it to be FUN. He absolutely succeeded in both regards.
They knew what they were doing so well that they could do anything. Yes, it's part parody, but Zappa's tack was anti-commercial and so they did do progressive psychedelic, jazz/ rock/ fusion, to break as many rules as possible yet they music was charted- written out. You'll find some of the same, but less parody with the group, Gentle Giant," which has live videos I encourage you to watch. Theypik up and change, exchange their instrument mid song. Virtuosos, like Zappa's Mothers of Invention.
That is the correct reaction to this .... thing.
coincidentally the BBC classical radio station has an orchestral piece by Zappa. Oh yeah.
Deze man gaat nog heel veel genieten van Zappa.
Ik heb genoten van zijn enthousiasme.
Check out the studio version.
It's much tighter and easier to pick out the humorous lyrics.
Why didn’t I sharpen that thing? 😅
Listen to " More trouble coming everyday" I feel it wAs the first rap song
1965. Frank was a pioneer in sampling
as well. Listen to joes garage acts 1,2,and 3. A tale about Joe,a young man from Canoga falls,wh becomes corrupted and p4everted by music.which is illegal.
More Zappa! You will find very different kind of music and often silly, provocative or non sense lyrics (but I prefer the instrumentals), and all kind of genres - usually mixed. Some may be frustrating, at least initially, but never boring! Zappa started compose at about an age of 12 and continued constantly to his death. Suggestions may be Chunga's revenge or Zomby Woof.
Not even Frank Zappa's music is like Zappa's music, just sit back and take it in, for the masterpieces they are.
Inca Roads from this concert is the song that got me in to him check it out
you need to do Dynamo Hum or The Slim.
Try Dyna Mo Humm, or Zombie Woof - all strange but funky
This should be interesting! 🤣😆🤣
It gets a whole lot more "out there." This is actually pretty tame by Zappa standards.
MORE ZAPPA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the only Rapp i ever liked - its on Freak Out album (his first)
LOL, whoda thunk.
like quite a lot of Zappa, the song segues with no break into something else. Here it's something called Approximate (the verb) where all the rhythm is set but none of the pitches. You could foot stomp your part or whatever.
He's got other great songs, dirty love, willie the pimp, muffin man, and black napkins.
Love your reactions. This isn't improv. ALL of this except Frank's solos is 100% written down. Enjoy more.
If you think Montana hade weird lyrics what will you say about The Yellow Snow Suite?
What do you think guys. is it to early to listen to the heavy ones for him or shall he do The Yellow Snow Suite now?
ua-cam.com/video/mpNn1nht0_8/v-deo.html
You are right. He cares much more about the music than the lyrics. Frank was a free speech fanatic. Not all of his songs were for airplay.
This is off the Overnite Sensations Album, not for the young crowd
Dental floss?! It has to come from somewhere...
Dental floss Bushes !!! C´mon its howlariouse,
or Tittys and Beer live
Promise, it gets weirder...
Dude there was nothing made-up its all writen down by Frank Zappa on paper,they had to sight read all his music 🎵 until it became second nature in live performances the rehearsals were challenging but fun for 3 months before you go out on the road tours Frank had the band members on salery from rehearsal to the end of the monthly tour, good incentive to concentrate on nothing but his music 🎵🎶 like being in the Marines, nothing but the best!
Dina-mo-hummmmm
I'm sorry that you couldn't spot FZ
Mud shh shh shhhaark
The fast syllable singing parts are NOT! like rapp, they are actually song, in other words definite 🎵 noted pitches where rapp is not, NO AUTO TUNE.
This is not a good introduction to FZ. Something like Inca Roads from the studio would be something better.
Frank is a very fashionable guitar strangler and believed humor does belong in music...
You can't make Frank's stuff up.
It gets a whole lot more "out there." This is actually pretty tame by Zappa standards.