Loved your reaction video. Tina Turner did background vocals anonymously. I'm a Zappa nut for 44 years so far and Uncle Remus is a top 10 song. You nailed it up and down!!!!!
Oh BOY! I can’t get enough of this song! I have twin boys and when they were little we used to drive around singing this song at the top of our lungs! “Have you seen us? Mommy Remus!” Good times. 💕 Thanks Justin!
So George Duke is a young musician playing for Zappa. He brings Zappa some music he wrote and asks him to take a look at it. A day or two later Zappa brings it back to him, says it’s really good, I wrote some lyrics for it and we’ll put it on the next album. George asks what he called it. Zappa replies “ Uncle Remus”. One of the few songs where Zappa partnered. Looking at the lyrics, it seems a quentisential coming of age song for a black kid in the70s. Uncle Remus acts as the ghost of all the protesters who have come before and in that light they, the kids are judged if they measure up, a lot of pressure, but at the same time it’s a new world, and they are kids doing kid things. It so captures what many of thes kids must have gone through with parents, teachers and the their own friends figuring out who they were. Sorry it’s long but I really love that song. George Duke also does an awesome live version .
I'm going to see King Crimson at the Greek Theater on Friday. As a bonus, The Zappa Band is opening for them with a bunch of Zappa alumni. Going to be a freaking great night!
Yo Jim! Do me a favor, drop a review here after you see the show! They are swinging near me in September and want to know what people think of both bands before I commit.
I am friends with one of the drummers of Crimson... if you go to the stage exit after the show... get out there as soon as the show ends... you will find Pat Mastelotto coming out to meet fans... but you must be patient. It might be an hour, but maybe not. And this isn't 100 % for sure.... but he does it many times. And almost for sure, if you are at the stage exit after the show... you will see Zappa's band hanging out. But, unfortunately, they might be at the exit around midway of the concert to avoid everybody leaving at the same time...not too sure about that.
Enjoyed very much listening to your excellent reaction/ discussion. Can see Justin you're starting to 'get' FZ. One of a kind social, political, and musical. He remains dear to my heart, and we're all better off for his having been here.
We have one of the most multi-cultural countries in the world. We HAVE to let these waves subside in order to survive. Our country is unraveling right before our very eyes. There will always be evil, hatred, poverty, and strife. Let's all do what Ben Wallace's mother told him to do cited during his HOF speech, "Stand tall. Stick your chest out. Hold your head up. Now, do it again". Life buffets us about. It always has and always will. Mother Nature is relentless. We must bend and not break if we are to survive.
Hello JustJP. I really liked your analysis of this song and of Frank Zappa. I think you really nailed a lot of elements, and you did a great interpretation of the vocal's meaning; there is a lot of seriousness behind the humorous vocals. I liked your interpretation of "Can't wait till my fro is full grown". Been listening to this for decades and hadn't considered this before. You nailed it when you stated that this is 3 dense minutes containing many of Frank's best elements in one song! I think this may be my choice for best introduction to Zappa song. Consider: - The drumming - Frank always had the best drummers. On almost any Frank Zappa song you will hear incredible drumming. Ansley Dunbar is no exception. - Frank's guitar playing - Frank literally has one of the best guitar tones ever; this is seldom mentioned. Its range is incredible. - George Duke on keyboard! - Wow! Maybe one of the most beautiful keyboard intros ever. May I suggest: 1) "You are what you is" album Society Pages to Conehead songs listened in one continuous blotch (6 short songs that segue together). 2) "Dumb All Over" from the same album, has really prescient lyrics about religion. 3) "Son of Orange County + More Trouble Every Day" from the Token of his Extreme DVD, check out the Chester Thompson drum fills at at 4'3" and 4'23". Also has Ruth Underwood on percussion, maybe the best at mallet tuned percussion (Marimba, Vibes, listen to Inca Roads to hear Ruth do her stuff) . 4) "Oh No" and "The Orange County Lumber Truck" from the Weasels Ripped my Flesh" album (Roy Estrada on vocals followed by a different version of Orange County with Frank on a Wha-Wha pedal guitar solo. 5) Berklee School of Music Frank Zappa Medley on UA-cam! (You got to check this out, no one has done a reaction video on this yet, I think you would do a very credible job) 6) "Fifty Fifty"from Overnite Sensation album (George Duke organ solo, Jean Luc Ponty Electric Violin solo, killer drumming by Ralph Humphrey, difficult to listen to and dissonant vocals, over the top guitar solo; entire album is killer BTW and other songs are more harmonious.) I think you did a really good job on the analysis and that you got it! Thank you! More please!
One of my heroes, mr. Duke. @Justin, you should do George Duke's song Love from his brilliant jazz-fusion solo album Feel. It has Zappa on guitar and Leon "Ndugu" Chancler on drums. The album is for me what GG's Octopus is in prog.
The one Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention song I would love to get a reaction on is Billy the Mountain. It is a long song but the music and instrumentation is why Zappa is so great. Yes he did go a bit bizarre with his lyrics but he did have a hatred toward the media and music industry. This is why you never heard his songs on the radio even though they gave such good advice like watch out where them huskies go and don’t you eat no yellow snow.
Zappa actually did get a lot of airplay on FM rock stations in the 70's: that's where i discovered him, at the time when he was getting gold records! A compilation, "Strictly Commercial", features the songs that got a lot of radio airplay. Overnite Sensation was his first US gold record, Apostrophe made it to the Top 10 and was played on radio all the time. Dancin' Fool and Valley Girl were big hits in 1979 and 82. For a 14 years old French speaking kid, trying to make out the meaning of Dinah-Moe Humm was ... interesting.
"...a regular picturesque postcard-y mountain..." Billy the Mountain was my education about what to expect when I finally moved to and lived in Los Angeles! Yes, I shopped at the Rock-n-Roll Ralphs on Sunset...and at the top of The Grapevine, you'll find Gorman and if you look really hard, you can see the mountain Cal Schenkel used as his inspiration for Billy. Thanks, Frank. And thanks, too, to Mark and Howard. Such a great iteration of The Mothers!
Great analysis and metaphors to describe this awesome song! It's also my favorite off Apostrophe. Not too many jockeys on lawns any longer, but that was a popular lawn decor at the time.
An oddity among tracks on a Zappa album. Music by the late great George Duke for a demo he was preparing. Frank liked it so much told George he wanted to put it on his album with lyrics he'd provide. George said, go for it.
Here's the deal on this tune. As great of a composer as Frank was, all of the music here was written by Geroge Duke while he was still in Frank's band. This was a demo that Duke had recorded, along with Frank and the Mothers playing on the track. George was supposed to release this (along with other tracks) on a German label, but the deal fell through. Duke had this wonderful piece of music and nowhere to use it. Frank asked George if he wouldn't mind letting him write lyrics for it. He agreed and the song became a Zappa/Duke collaboration. That beautiful "Sunday go to meeting" church feel is all George. R.I.P. to the great George Duke and Frank Zappa.
A great song. It was actually written by George Duke, Frank's keyboard player, with lyrics written by Frank. A great combination of talents. You should react to Bolero by Maurice Ravel. :)
I think the story is that George Duke wrote the music and Frank wrote the lyrics that turned it into a Civil Rights song. That's Tina Turner and the Ikettes singing background.
"...and before they get up, I'll be gone..." Ah, my junior year of college. Listening to Frank taught me so much about what to expect about living there when I finally moved to L.A. Thanks, Frank!
George Duke is one of my favorite keyboardists. He was also very generous to his fans. George did his own version of this song on his album, "The Aura Will Prevail". Check out that album and his others on MPS Records. After moving to Epic the albums became much more funk oriented. The MPS records have more jazz fusion elements.
Always was on my list of top Zappa songs for exactly the reasons you mentioned... musically excellent, wry lyrics making a strong point - Zappa in a nutshell!
Wow I watch a lot of reaction videos, I've seen Zappa about four times back in the late seventies. He's amazing, but your the first person to mention the legendary George duke ,amazing jazz fusion keyboardist. When Zappa had George there music was superior,Great music.
I bought this album on vinyl when it came out in '74. Your recent reactions had me find it, pull it out, and dust the cobwebs off my old Techniques turntable this weekend. This reaction in particular is making want to experiment with some Zappa-esc things on my Strat.
Great thoughtful, incisive reaction, JP! Just subscribed, can't recall what the first one I saw you do was, but this the second I've seen. Cheers, all the best, bro. ✌😘🎶🎸💞
The composition and execution are superb, but what stands out to me is that Zappa unapologetically takes on the question of racial identity and the stereotype-pressure it places on black people to abide by the stereotype. In this tune, Zappa addresses the bizarre flip of cultural appropriation that general society put on minorities to act like minorities. I wonder what SJWs think about cultural appropriation in light of a figure like Uncle Remus.
Justin, now its time for you to look at your first Zappa reaction. And think of us who thought then, in despair, how long will it take before this Justin, who otherwise has a taste for good music, understands how to listen to Zappa. We never gave up, you never gave up 🙂 Edit: "Trouble every day"from his first album. A rap song 50 years to early.
A great song. Appreciated your reaction. I listened to the Album straight through after you started reviewing songs, but I didn't really LISTEN. The empathy and passion in this song is tremendous. Thanks for broadening my horizons.
You mentioned some of the other musicians on the song BUT did you notice who the backup singers were? Just a lady by the name of Tina Turner and the other ladies from Ike and Tina's band. This was like 1973, way before Tina broke from Ike and went on to bigger things as a solo artist.
Frank asked George Duke if they should do this song. He was sensitive about seeming prejudiced. Little known fact: Tina Turner and the Ikettes sang backing vocals on this album and the previous album.
Yeah I would love to know what to eat to this one it really touches you you know which is kind of unique I mean every once in awhile that happens with Zappa at work he could hit an emotional chord every now and again just like watermelon in Easter hay all right Justin glad you like that one
Such a beautiful George Duke/Zappa collaboration. Frank could've easily pursued this style of music as a full-time career.....if he wasn't already busy with 100 others! 😁
I’m not familiar with Apostrophe, so it’s new for me… mostly. I often hear my Zappa choices and when the mix is over Spotify will usually throw Uncle Remus on first. It made me cringe a bit not knowing how it might be taken by people of color, I being one I was still evaluating this song. Glad to have other opinions to hear. Love George’s piano, Ansley’s drumming, background singing was sweet heaven and Frank was iconic as usush. This why I come here, to get the help I need, ahem, to hear other people’s opinions. Now I won’t have to cringe anymore. Anything from Sleep Dirt or Studio Tan would be great. Peace and Dr. Z Music
I saw Frank’s bicentennial concert at Long Beach Arena, Ca. with Dr. John (Todd Rundgren was to be there but was sick) and Captain Beefheart. So Frank had the L.A. Knockers (imagine) feed a baby bottle to America with a banner 200 years old and still too mean to grow lips. Never forget that. Ha!
Yes, Song of The South. The movie that Disney successfully buried. I saw it in the theater as a child, along with Bambi on a double bill. My first movie ever.... 🚬😎
@Will Music Lover - Uncle Remus is a character in a book from 1881 and eventually was used as a character in the Disney movie in 1946. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncle_Remus
To get a bigger picture of Zappa, check out some of his orchestral compositions such as "The Perfect Stranger", or something from the live The Yellow Shark album from 1993. He also has a 2 volume series with the London Symphony Orchestra, which he wasn't that satisfied with. It cost a fortune to transcribe all of the music for the musicians, and to have them rehearse it, and a lack of rehearsal time led to mistakes, so I prefer "The Perfect Stranger" from the 1984 album Boulez Conducts Zappa.
This is Zappa taking George Duke’s melody and adding lyrics that, perhaps rather presumably, are commentary in the first person, about the African American experience. But he did get George Duke’s blessing.
The Guitar sounds like this because it's going through a PIGNOSE amplifier... you should go look at one... the size of it will definitely surprise you.
@Mr. Gone's House - I just checked and there are 2 known performances of Uncle Remus when George was in the band and Frank sang the song. www.donlope.net/fz/songs/Uncle_Remus.html
@@Frunobulax74 I think I might have wrote my comment un clear...most of the time Frank sang.....But I saw him when George sang it....whether there's a record of it or not....He played in NY about a Gazzion times....I've seen him from Napolean Brock and Chester Thompson to Adrian Belew and Bozzio....memories get fuzzy thru the years...but George and Ray White have sang this song Live
In case you didn't know, the backup singers are Tina Turner and the Ikettes. They did multiple songs, as noted here: ua-cam.com/video/CIW2KzxUusI/v-deo.html
So often it's said that Zappa's lyrics were just thrown in to make the record company happy. This song and so many others show that that is just not the case. Even his more nonsensical lyrics are integral to the songs. Perhaps the freedom of writing anything he wanted for lyrics and not trying to be commercial was part of what developed his voice. His lyrics are clearly as brilliant as any other part of his composition.
@@HakanTunaMuzik Frank's first record label was Bizarre along with the companion Straight label en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bizarre_Records from 1969 - 1972 distributed through Warner Brothers. He then had DiscReet Records from 1973 - 1979 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DiscReet_Records distributed through Warner Brothers before forming Zappa Records.
I dunno. A lot of people always point to 'Apostrophe' to get into Zappa. It never clicked with me. But I think he has done way more entertaining albums to start with (without having to go full on into his weird avant garde stuff).
Mary, from the bus: "Well, information is not knowledge Knowledge is not wisdom Wisdom is not truth Truth is not beauty Beauty is not love Love is not music Music is the best..."
My city neighborhood had those old cast iron horse hitches, shaped like black jockeys in checkered shirts Thankfully, those are gone now. Speaking of racial stereotypes, I always found it odd that Disney banned their film Song of the South. I don't recall Uncle Remus portrayed in any racial stereotypes nearly as bad as those black crows in the movie Dumbo, which didn't get banned.
Song of the South was subject to widespread protests the last time they released it in North American theatres, in the early 80s. The protests were over the portrayal of the "happy slave" trope, as well as the blatantly racist "tar baby" sequence.
You can't ignore those backing vocals. My God they're magnificent.
Of course they are, it's Zappa!
One of the backing voice is literally Tina Turner!
Loved your reaction video. Tina Turner did background vocals anonymously. I'm a Zappa nut for 44 years so far and Uncle Remus is a top 10 song. You nailed it up and down!!!!!
Ty Frank! :D
Again, the Ikettes on backing vocals.
Oh BOY! I can’t get enough of this song! I have twin boys and when they were little we used to drive around singing this song at the top of our lungs! “Have you seen us? Mommy Remus!” Good times. 💕 Thanks Justin!
So George Duke is a young musician playing for Zappa. He brings Zappa some music he wrote and asks him to take a look at it. A day or two later Zappa brings it back to him, says it’s really good, I wrote some lyrics for it and we’ll put it on the next album. George asks what he called it. Zappa replies “ Uncle Remus”. One of the few songs where Zappa partnered.
Looking at the lyrics, it seems a quentisential coming of age song for a black kid in the70s. Uncle Remus acts as the ghost of all the protesters who have come before and in that light they, the kids are judged if they measure up, a lot of pressure, but at the same time it’s a new world, and they are kids doing kid things. It so captures what many of thes kids must have gone through with parents, teachers and the their own friends figuring out who they were.
Sorry it’s long but I really love that song. George Duke also does an awesome live version .
Zappa was a musical genius.
One of the few songs that Zappa ever co-wrote, in this case with the genius of George Duke... All Zappa lyrics but most of the music was Duke...
I'm going to see King Crimson at the Greek Theater on Friday. As a bonus, The Zappa Band is opening for them with a bunch of Zappa alumni. Going to be a freaking great night!
Yo Jim! Do me a favor, drop a review here after you see the show! They are swinging near me in September and want to know what people think of both bands before I commit.
@@Peter-K The KC ensemble is basically what you see here: King Crimson - Indiscipline - Live in Mexico City
ua-cam.com/video/IpZxwe4SXY8/v-deo.html
Have a great time!
I am friends with one of the drummers of Crimson... if you go to the stage exit after the show... get out there as soon as the show ends... you will find Pat Mastelotto coming out to meet fans... but you must be patient. It might be an hour, but maybe not. And this isn't 100 % for sure.... but he does it many times. And almost for sure, if you are at the stage exit after the show... you will see Zappa's band hanging out. But, unfortunately, they might be at the exit around midway of the concert to avoid everybody leaving at the same time...not too sure about that.
Also seeing them with Ray White in Sept at PNC Arts Ctr with King Crimson.
Enjoyed very much listening to your excellent reaction/ discussion. Can see Justin you're starting to 'get' FZ. One of a kind social, political, and musical. He remains dear to my heart, and we're all better off for his having been here.
Sad that 50 years later,these lyrics are still relevant! Apostrophe- A prophet see? Peace & progess please people.
We have one of the most multi-cultural countries in the world. We HAVE to let these waves subside in order to survive. Our country is unraveling right before our very eyes. There will always be evil, hatred, poverty, and strife. Let's all do what Ben Wallace's mother told him to do cited during his HOF speech, "Stand tall. Stick your chest out. Hold your head up. Now, do it again".
Life buffets us about. It always has and always will. Mother Nature is relentless. We must bend and not break if we are to survive.
Hello JustJP. I really liked your analysis of this song and of Frank Zappa. I think you really nailed a lot of elements, and you did a great interpretation of the vocal's meaning; there is a lot of seriousness behind the humorous vocals. I liked your interpretation of "Can't wait till my fro is full grown". Been listening to this for decades and hadn't considered this before. You nailed it when you stated that this is 3 dense minutes containing many of Frank's best elements in one song! I think this may be my choice for best introduction to Zappa song.
Consider:
- The drumming - Frank always had the best drummers. On almost any Frank Zappa song you will hear incredible drumming. Ansley Dunbar is no exception.
- Frank's guitar playing - Frank literally has one of the best guitar tones ever; this is seldom mentioned. Its range is incredible.
- George Duke on keyboard! - Wow! Maybe one of the most beautiful keyboard intros ever.
May I suggest:
1) "You are what you is" album Society Pages to Conehead songs listened in one continuous blotch (6 short songs that segue together).
2) "Dumb All Over" from the same album, has really prescient lyrics about religion.
3) "Son of Orange County + More Trouble Every Day" from the Token of his Extreme DVD, check out the Chester Thompson drum fills at at 4'3" and 4'23".
Also has Ruth Underwood on percussion, maybe the best at mallet tuned percussion (Marimba, Vibes, listen to Inca Roads to hear Ruth do her stuff) .
4) "Oh No" and "The Orange County Lumber Truck" from the Weasels Ripped my Flesh" album (Roy Estrada on vocals followed by a different version of Orange County with Frank on a Wha-Wha pedal guitar solo.
5) Berklee School of Music Frank Zappa Medley on UA-cam! (You got to check this out, no one has done a reaction video on this yet, I think you would do a very credible job)
6) "Fifty Fifty"from Overnite Sensation album (George Duke organ solo, Jean Luc Ponty Electric Violin solo, killer drumming by Ralph Humphrey, difficult to listen to and dissonant vocals, over the top guitar solo; entire album is killer BTW and other songs are more harmonious.)
I think you did a really good job on the analysis and that you got it! Thank you! More please!
At the time growing out your Afro was a Pride/social/political statement. Frank was never afraid to drop the mike.
Carry On!!
Such a multi dimensional song. A fave.
Nother great reaction/breakdown.
This one is super personal for me.i love it 😏 rest in peace George dukes
One of my heroes, mr. Duke. @Justin, you should do George Duke's song Love from his brilliant jazz-fusion solo album Feel. It has Zappa on guitar and Leon "Ndugu" Chancler on drums. The album is for me what GG's Octopus is in prog.
Love your PFP, one of the best albums of the decade!
The one Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention song I would love to get a reaction on is Billy the Mountain. It is a long song but the music and instrumentation is why Zappa is so great. Yes he did go a bit bizarre with his lyrics but he did have a hatred toward the media and music industry. This is why you never heard his songs on the radio even though they gave such good advice like watch out where them huskies go and don’t you eat no yellow snow.
Billy the Mountain is my favorite FZ song. Genius.
Zappa actually did get a lot of airplay on FM rock stations in the 70's: that's where i discovered him, at the time when he was getting gold records! A compilation, "Strictly Commercial", features the songs that got a lot of radio airplay. Overnite Sensation was his first US gold record, Apostrophe made it to the Top 10 and was played on radio all the time. Dancin' Fool and Valley Girl were big hits in 1979 and 82. For a 14 years old French speaking kid, trying to make out the meaning of Dinah-Moe Humm was ... interesting.
A big Yes to Billy the Mountain.
"...a regular picturesque postcard-y mountain..." Billy the Mountain was my education about what to expect when I finally moved to and lived in Los Angeles! Yes, I shopped at the Rock-n-Roll Ralphs on Sunset...and at the top of The Grapevine, you'll find Gorman and if you look really hard, you can see the mountain Cal Schenkel used as his inspiration for Billy. Thanks, Frank. And thanks, too, to Mark and Howard. Such a great iteration of The Mothers!
Great analysis and metaphors to describe this awesome song! It's also my favorite off Apostrophe. Not too many jockeys on lawns any longer, but that was a popular lawn decor at the time.
I love this song, such a hidden gem. Thanks for the reaction as always Justin.
An oddity among tracks on a Zappa album. Music by the late great George Duke for a demo he was preparing. Frank liked it so much told George he wanted to put it on his album with lyrics he'd provide. George said, go for it.
i will listen to every Zappa song you react to...nuff said :)
A damn good, deep song. And some of my favorite guitar work by Frank.
Here's the deal on this tune. As great of a composer as Frank was, all of the music here was written by Geroge Duke while he was still in Frank's band. This was a demo that Duke had recorded, along with Frank and the Mothers playing on the track. George was supposed to release this (along with other tracks) on a German label, but the deal fell through.
Duke had this wonderful piece of music and nowhere to use it. Frank asked George if he wouldn't mind letting him write lyrics for it. He agreed and the song became a Zappa/Duke collaboration. That beautiful "Sunday go to meeting" church feel is all George.
R.I.P. to the great George Duke and Frank Zappa.
A great song. It was actually written by George Duke, Frank's keyboard player, with lyrics written by Frank. A great combination of talents. You should react to Bolero by Maurice Ravel. :)
Followed by Beck's Bolero?
And Zappa's Bolero
@@donaldb1 Yes. From 1988. Majestic.
The legend George Duke that is
@@stretchgilbert Absolutely.
Great analysis, that's why I've been watching you for a couple of years!
Thank you Bryan :)
Zappa was the ultimate master of composition, no matter what genre he worked in... it was genius unfiltered.
Great job and interpretation. Dude, you are like impossible not to like, I wish I had that, lol. Nice!
Great song. Love it! Also, nice breakdown of the lyrics, JP.
Great job, great album.
I think the story is that George Duke wrote the music and Frank wrote the lyrics that turned it into a Civil Rights song. That's Tina Turner and the Ikettes singing background.
"...and before they get up, I'll be gone..." Ah, my junior year of college. Listening to Frank taught me so much about what to expect about living there when I finally moved to L.A. Thanks, Frank!
George Duke is one of my favorite keyboardists. He was also very generous to his fans.
George did his own version of this song on his album, "The Aura Will Prevail". Check out that album and his others on MPS Records. After moving to Epic the albums became much more funk oriented. The MPS records have more jazz fusion elements.
I had this album on 8-track cassette and this was always my very favorite song on it.
Great song, it is like so much Zappa condensed down
Uncle Remus narrates African American folk Tales -
Always was on my list of top Zappa songs for exactly the reasons you mentioned... musically excellent, wry lyrics making a strong point - Zappa in a nutshell!
Wow I watch a lot of reaction videos, I've seen Zappa about four times back in the late seventies. He's amazing, but your the first person to mention the legendary George duke ,amazing jazz fusion keyboardist. When Zappa had George there music was superior,Great music.
Ty Frank🙃
I bought this album on vinyl when it came out in '74. Your recent reactions had me find it, pull it out, and dust the cobwebs off my old Techniques turntable this weekend. This reaction in particular is making want to experiment with some Zappa-esc things on my Strat.
Great thoughtful, incisive reaction, JP! Just subscribed, can't recall what the first one I saw you do was, but this the second I've seen. Cheers, all the best, bro. ✌😘🎶🎸💞
Thanks Damon!!
The composition and execution are superb, but what stands out to me is that Zappa unapologetically takes on the question of racial identity and the stereotype-pressure it places on black people to abide by the stereotype. In this tune, Zappa addresses the bizarre flip of cultural appropriation that general society put on minorities to act like minorities. I wonder what SJWs think about cultural appropriation in light of a figure like Uncle Remus.
The weather looks like fall in stead of summer
Please be the first b to react to anything off of the cruising with Ruben and the jets album, I think you may be very pleasantly surprised !!!
Oh hey look my favorite Zappa song.
Justin, now its time for you to look at your first Zappa reaction. And think of us who thought then, in despair, how long will it take before this Justin, who otherwise has a taste for good music, understands how to listen to Zappa. We never gave up, you never gave up 🙂
Edit: "Trouble every day"from his first album. A rap song 50 years to early.
Haha, very true :D
He still doesn't like Inca Roads, though. Frankly, I can't understand that.
My opinion is that it's great!
Another genius
great song. Thank you.
Knockin' the jockeys from the rich people's lawns
A great song. Appreciated your reaction. I listened to the Album straight through after you started reviewing songs, but I didn't really LISTEN. The empathy and passion in this song is tremendous. Thanks for broadening my horizons.
You mentioned some of the other musicians on the song BUT did you notice who the backup singers were? Just a lady by the name of Tina Turner and the other ladies from Ike and Tina's band. This was like 1973, way before Tina broke from Ike and went on to bigger things as a solo artist.
Frank asked George Duke if they should do this song. He was sensitive about seeming prejudiced. Little known fact: Tina Turner and the Ikettes sang backing vocals on this album and the previous album.
Aynsley Dunbar is my personal hero on the instrument and Frank's most recorded drummer. Thx.
Yeah I would love to know what to eat to this one it really touches you you know which is kind of unique I mean every once in awhile that happens with Zappa at work he could hit an emotional chord every now and again just like watermelon in Easter hay all right Justin glad you like that one
Beautiful !! 🙂
Such a beautiful George Duke/Zappa collaboration. Frank could've easily pursued this style of music as a full-time career.....if he wasn't already busy with 100 others! 😁
Joel Chandler Harris wrote the Remus tales, taken from the African-American oral tradition of southern slaves.
I’m not familiar with Apostrophe, so it’s new for me… mostly. I often hear my Zappa choices and when the mix is over Spotify will usually throw Uncle Remus on first. It made me cringe a bit not knowing how it might be taken by people of color, I being one I was still evaluating this song. Glad to have other opinions to hear. Love George’s piano, Ansley’s drumming, background singing was sweet heaven and Frank was iconic as usush. This why I come here, to get the help I need, ahem, to hear other people’s opinions. Now I won’t have to cringe anymore.
Anything from Sleep Dirt or Studio Tan would be great.
Peace and Dr. Z Music
The melody resembles 'Goodbye Pork Pie Hat' by Charles Mingus.
Brilliance!
Short and sweet. Good tune, if a little staid, for Frank. Nice guitar.
The music was written by George Duke, not Frank. Frank just added the lyrics.
Ahhh, that explains it.
I prefer the longer "mix outtake" version, this original version on Apostrophe(') omits the keyboard solo and another chorus!
Tina and the Ikette’s on background vocals
This is the ring tone on my phone ☺️
I saw Frank’s bicentennial concert at Long Beach Arena, Ca. with Dr. John (Todd Rundgren was to be there but was sick) and Captain Beefheart. So Frank had the L.A. Knockers (imagine) feed a baby bottle to America with a banner 200 years old and still too mean to grow lips. Never forget that. Ha!
@Scot Stevens - Boy, she'd be in trouble if she tried to grow a mustache
@Rondo Hatton
Funny seeing you here.
Great doubleheader for a Sunday JP. Stranglers and Zappa on the same day.
Is it Summer Breeze by Seals and Croft.
Add the Isley Brothers cover to contrast.
Uncle Remus is an anti racism piece. Brilliant!
I believe Uncle Remus was from the Disney movies from the past. Definitely making a statement here.
could've
Yes, Song of The South. The movie that Disney successfully buried. I saw it in the theater as a child, along with Bambi on a double bill. My first movie ever....
🚬😎
@Will Music Lover - Uncle Remus is a character in a book from 1881 and eventually was used as a character in the Disney movie in 1946. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncle_Remus
From the Sheik Yerbouti album from '79, more mainstream. please do Flakes.
To get a bigger picture of Zappa, check out some of his orchestral compositions such as "The Perfect Stranger", or something from the live The Yellow Shark album from 1993. He also has a 2 volume series with the London Symphony Orchestra, which he wasn't that satisfied with. It cost a fortune to transcribe all of the music for the musicians, and to have them rehearse it, and a lack of rehearsal time led to mistakes, so I prefer "The Perfect Stranger" from the 1984 album Boulez Conducts Zappa.
This is Zappa taking George Duke’s melody and adding lyrics that, perhaps rather presumably, are commentary in the first person, about the African American experience. But he did get George Duke’s blessing.
HEY JP you get it.......You got to play "Watermellon in Easter Hay" Franks last solo....Would I steer you wrong...........Keep it greasy JP
Please listen to the studio version for full effect. The live versions pale in comparison.
Blessed Relief next
The Guitar sounds like this because it's going through a PIGNOSE amplifier... you should go look at one... the size of it will definitely surprise you.
Big shout out to those civil rights marches ✌️
I saw Zappa about 10 times.....George Duke sang this live when He was in the band.....
@Mr. Gone's House - I just checked and there are 2 known performances of Uncle Remus when George was in the band and Frank sang the song. www.donlope.net/fz/songs/Uncle_Remus.html
@@Frunobulax74 I think I might have wrote my comment un clear...most of the time Frank sang.....But I saw him when George sang it....whether there's a record of it or not....He played in NY about a Gazzion times....I've seen him from Napolean Brock and Chester Thompson to Adrian Belew and Bozzio....memories get fuzzy thru the years...but George and Ray White have sang this song Live
@@mrgoneshouse3663 - Nice. I saw Frank 9 times in Chicago between 1980 and 1988. It would be nice to hear George sing it in Frank's band.
In case you didn't know, the backup singers are Tina Turner and the Ikettes. They did multiple songs, as noted here:
ua-cam.com/video/CIW2KzxUusI/v-deo.html
So often it's said that Zappa's lyrics were just thrown in to make the record company happy. This song and so many others show that that is just not the case. Even his more nonsensical lyrics are integral to the songs. Perhaps the freedom of writing anything he wanted for lyrics and not trying to be commercial was part of what developed his voice. His lyrics are clearly as brilliant as any other part of his composition.
@@HakanTunaMuzik Frank's first record label was Bizarre along with the companion Straight label en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bizarre_Records from 1969 - 1972 distributed through Warner Brothers. He then had DiscReet Records from 1973 - 1979 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DiscReet_Records distributed through Warner Brothers before forming Zappa Records.
I dunno. A lot of people always point to 'Apostrophe' to get into Zappa. It never clicked with me. But I think he has done way more entertaining albums to start with (without having to go full on into his weird avant garde stuff).
"Sheik Yerbouti" and "You are what you is" for example
@@Alix777. now we're talking. Especially the latter one. But of course tastes differ and that's fine.
Hey, how about Joe's Garage album
and Watermelon in Easter Hay?
Mary, from the bus:
"Well, information is not knowledge
Knowledge is not wisdom
Wisdom is not truth
Truth is not beauty
Beauty is not love
Love is not music
Music is the best..."
Was it Stevie Wonder you were thinking of?
you'd better call tyrone :-)
Zappa's racial commentary? Try " Trouble coming everyday" and "You Are What You Is" , can't fault " in your face" observational truth from Frank.
My city neighborhood had those old cast iron horse hitches, shaped like black jockeys in checkered shirts Thankfully, those are gone now. Speaking of racial stereotypes, I always found it odd that Disney banned their film Song of the South. I don't recall Uncle Remus portrayed in any racial stereotypes nearly as bad as those black crows in the movie Dumbo, which didn't get banned.
Song of the South was subject to widespread protests the last time they released it in North American theatres, in the early 80s. The protests were over the portrayal of the "happy slave" trope, as well as the blatantly racist "tar baby" sequence.
Were he not dead of cancer, and were he inclined, would Frank Zappa not have been a great President?
Try Billy The Mountain.
Kind of a blues piece.
What about the late great George Duke? C'mon man.