OMG, where to start with Zappa? Dynamo Hum, Montana, The Torture Never Stops, The Illinois Enema Bandit, Nanook Rubs It (Don't Eat The Yellow Snow), Bobby Brown Goes Down, Joe's Garage, Broken Hearts Are For Assholes, Carolina Hardcore Ecstasy, The Closer You Are, In France, Sharleena, Baby Take Your Teeth Out, Honey Don't You Want A Man Like Me, Cosmic Debris, My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama, I'm The Slime, Tell Me You Love Me, Valley Girl, Be In My Video. . . I could go on forever.
Fantastic band! Ruth Underwood on percussion, George Duke on keys, Napoleon Murphy Brock on flute and vocals, Tom Fowler on bass and Chester Thompson on drums. Absolutely fabulous!
Ruth Underwood, the vibes & marimba player, was also a big Steely Dan fan, so much so that Zappa commented '"They’re one of my favorite groups,” said Frank Zappa in Miami, briefly speaking in a serious vein. “I like their modality, their melodicism. Their lyrics aren’t bad in that vein they’re working, that downer surrealism. “As relaxing listening music, I’d give it a 98. One person in our band, Ruth Underwood, would give them about a 120. She really fetishes ’em. She’s usually got their cassette reamed into her ear”."
I have been waiting for this one! Ruth Underwood is phenomenal on this... George Duke on keys and vocals.... Just the best! So much fun and incredibly complex at the same time.... and of course Frank wailing away.... Good silliness with the claymation too.
Not being tied down by Corporate Radio and shite record deals, etc. allowed F.Z. complete artistic freedom and free-flowing, prolific creativity. I wouldn’t say Frank ‘Francisco’ Zappa was ‘underrated’ by anyone whose opinion matters, however.
I had the great privilege of meeting Ruth Underwood a few years back. Not only is she an absolute virtuoso but the nicest person you could ever hope to meet.
If you saw the Alice Winters Zappa documentary than you may remember Ruth Underwood telling the story of bringing a letter to Frank's house a short time before he passed away and it's a very emotional story!! I also love her story on how she began to play with Frank and the mothers!!
Another level to the rabbit hole is Zappa plays Zappa, Dweezil does a fantastic job. He even adds to the music, does his own improv. Dweezil's solo on Inca Roads is well worth the time.
Zappa's influence reached far and wide in the musical landscape. All of this was recorded live, with no studio trickery. The craziest bit about him is that he WASN'T into drugs. Most of his craziest ideas were the product of a boundless sense of musical exploration and sleep deprivation due to being on the road all the time.
FZ constantly changed the lineup of his musicians (album-to-album, tour-to-tour) for a variety of reasons but brought back Ruth over and over again because of her immeasurable musical talents. She can't be appreciated enough!
Ian Underwood & Zappa "Pieces En Regalia" is a great instrumental piece (no pun intended). Unfortunately but that how the life goes sometimes, Ruth Underwood quit the band to save her marriage with Ian and did not play for decades. But sadly it did not save the marriage.
@Zolar Czakl Oh so I remembered it wrong, and you spelled pieces wrong. There is a documentary where Ruth herself states having not touched the mallet for two decades. He did play with Zappa on a project short time before Zappa's passing, describing how she had to rehearse like mad.
Jamel, congratulations on your introduction to REAL Zappa. It ain’t all just funny songs about poop and boogers. It’s a blend if avant-garde classical, prog rock, jazz fusion, and STELLAR guitar solos, played by some of the greatest musician in the industry at the top of their game.
Ruth Underwood on marimba, and percussion. George Duke on synthesizer and lead vocal. Tip of the iceberg. There is so much talent on that stage. Thanks for this reaction!
This track comes from the album "One Size Fits All" and the features: Frank Zappa: Guitar and Vocals George Duke: Keyboards and Vocals Napoleon Murphy Brock: Flute, Saxophone and Vocals Ruth Underwood: Marimba, Vibraphone and percussion Chester Thompson: Drums, sound effects and voices Tom Fowler: Bass Guitar Zappa was both an incredibly gifted composer and a stern task master. The material sounds as good as it does because it's extremely rehearsed. Frank was a guy who would do anything for his friends but he had a perfectionists temper and only the best musicians were good enough for the various groups he formed and played with.
When you see Frank using all those hand gestures that's him conducting the rest of the band. This is probably the best group of musicians he ever assembled.
That’s the immortal George Duke on keyboards and vocals. Zappa is def an acquired taste. I love some of his music and there’s other stuff where I think he’s just trying to show everyone how smart he is. Inca Roads is a great one though. 🔥
Immortal George Duke, immortal Chester Thompson, immortal Ruth Underwood, immortal Napoleon Murphy Brock, immortal Tom Fowler and, of course, immortal Frank Zappa. They're ALL immortal!!! A truly special band that was! This was my favourite period of Zappa's career: Over-Nite Sensation, Apostrophe ('), Roxy & Elsewhere, One Size Fits All (my personal favourite), Bongo Fury (with Beefheart) and Zoot Allures. Some personnel changes along the way, but still sensational!
@@muzikmind77 Duke has some amazing albums. I hope he checks out something from "Master of the Game", that album is legendary! Shiela E even on that junk!
@Zolar Czakl I don't really disagree with you. I see Zoot Allures as a bit of a transitional album, with one foot in the past and one in the future. But I included it because it was the first studio album released after Bongo Fury, but mostly for Black Napkins, which is one of my favourite Zappa tunes. Over-Nite Sensation also had a somewhat different lineup, though stylistically was more in line with Apostrophe and One Size Fits All than Zoot Allures. But I just love Black Napkins, Wind Up Workin' In a Gas Station and The Torture Never Stops, so I just couldn't leave it off my list. Cheers!
The Beatles got me into music. Then Zappa got me INTO music. What's so impressive about Zappa's choice of musicians is that they had to be that good just to get in the door.
I always love watching Ruth Underwood navigate through incredibly difficult parts with ease. RIP Frank. Also RIP George Duke (keys) who made so much incredible music in his lifetime.
Yeah totally, what I got from that song was Frank solemnly looking back on his life and finally accepting his death which was soon. "He knows the end is near... his last imaginary guitar solo" very beautiful
I have been listening to music all of my life, and I swear to you, this is one of the most incredible musical compositions/performances I have ever heard, and it's all because of the unbelievably creative genius of the mind of Frank Zappa. ..... May he rest in peace ...
@@theodoreritola9758 No it wasn't. We had record unemployment, double digit inflation and bombings of Federal Buildings along with rioting in the streets. The only good thing was the music.
@@theodoreritola9758 I was listening to this when it came out in 1975 ... 15 years old, with my friends in the basement gathered around the bong .... it was amazing then - still great ... loved all of zappa's stuff ... I might be movin' to montana soon ...
Thanks for more Zappa! A master musician. So much great material. A creative giant. Unreal guitar playing and more and more of a complex composer evolving into a real maestro. So glad I saw him a few times.
Frank Zappa was certainly a 'fusionist.' You can tell this, by how various music styles as well as instruments, get jammed together in a song. There's 'fusion jazz.' Zappa just didn't stick to the jazz genre. He could go all over the map. But that's what made Zappa unique. As for the video... Good clean acid will give you a great ride!
James - Zappa was directly anti-drugs. He threw more than 1 fine musician out of the Mothers for drug abuse. Bottom line Frank Zappa didn’t need any drugs for his mind to wander into all sorts of weird places.
this was the RIGHT version to pick!! George Duke -keys and weirdness; ruthe underwood - xylophone; chester thompson on drumd11; napoleon MURPHY BROCK ON SAX, FLUTE CLARINET and VOCALS... dream band from around the roxy and elsewhere tapings.. also that is SNL's old studio!
"That woman" is Ruth Underwood who was studying at Juilliard when she began to play with Frank's band The Mothers of Invention back in the mid-60s!! She is nothing short of amazing!!
I literally grew up listening to Zappa , my older brothers got me into one size fits all and overnight sensation when I was like 6 or 7 years old. Watching you love this stuff is like old friends meeting new ones and hitting it off . Awesome! Frank Zappa is famously quoted as saying " A mind is like a parachute if it's not open it doesn't work " keep up the magic Jamal
Montana off the same album mixes silly lyrics with Tina Turner and the Ikettes singing plus Zappa tearing into one of my all time favorite rock guitar solos.
Jamal, when you read other artists liner notes you will often see the bands references to others for their inspiration. The more of these you read the more often you'll see inspiration from Frank Zappa......a true American musical genius!
Hey Jamal! I'm really glad you finally got round to reviewing my favourite piece of music ever, and I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Another 3000 listens and you'll be next to me! This was the best band Zappa ever had in my opinion, but it also happens to be my favourite era - prog and fusion. I love it so much.
George Duke - keyboards/synth - you'll love his solo work. He was always very appreciative of what his work with Frank provided. George Duke was a music master. Saw this band in this period. 3 hours of amazing.
You can’t go through your entire life without hearing, at least, one or two Frank Zappa songs. It’s an experience. The talent of every band member is insane. Zappa employed only the best.
This is the shizzle. And you know how great George Duke is to rally an extremely rare Zappa smile (9:20) - that s#!t on the keys is hotttt, and Frank is knowing it! Also big shout out to Ruth Underwood on vibes who cooked it every gig.
Yeah, incredible. A song from outer space. This track seems to be from the Helsinki concert on "You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore Vol. 2" in original version. The song "Inca Roads" is also on the album "One Size Fits All". There the guitar solo has been over dubbed.
Such a great choice Jamel. There is a lot in this whole genre. You could venture into Weather Report, late 70s Herbie Hancock and the HeadHunters, And other “jazz-fusion” groups. Keep going bro.
So glad you got to this, and the live version too! Found out about Zappa a year ago and this is one of my favorites. 'Stink foot' is another fun song from the same live performance (A Token of His Extreme).
I saw Zappa for the first time on 4/8/1973 in Tucson. That show included one of the first performances of "Stinkfoot", although Frank introduced it as "Imaginary Diseases".
"WAS THAT SPED UP?!?" @9:58 Haha....No, it wasn't sped up. That was just Ruth Underwood on the xylophone playing an amazing "cadenza" perfectly in sync with drummer Chester Thompson. And every single note of it was written for them on paper by Frank Zappa.
“Some of you might have read a book called ‘Chariots of the Gods’ by Erich von Daniken.” - Frank Zappa during his introduction to Inca Roads in Roxy the Movie.
Frank was a symphonic composer at heart, and he demanded a level of precision and virtuosity from his musicians equal to any orchestra. This is my favorite Zappa band!
Thx for keeping Frank Zappa's Music Alive! He's definitely...for the open minded! He's an intellectual genius! If you/anyone has time to read his books or see him in interviews, he's, oh, something else!:) I was blessed, was turned on to him in my teens, he kept me Sane! 🗺️☮️💓&🍫 fr. Hershey PA:)
As good as the studio version of this is, this live performance blows it away and really shows the command Frank had over what had to have been the best incarnation of his group ever. So very tight!
Thanks for sharing. I think my music teacher/mentor, who's also a musical collaborator, shared part of that video with me. This is maybe the first chance I've had to watch all of it. Yes, some phenomenal playing, smooth shifts in tempo and an adept blending of musical genres. Shawn R., Mo-Mutt Music/Sacred & Secular
George Duke on keyboards - we lost him not too long ago, but everything he ever did is absolutely terrific. He somehow managed to merge real experimental improvisation with the soothing sounds of the Black church, and do it without sounding artificial. Amazing.
... almost 50 years old and still as fresh and innovative as the day it was made. I was extremely lucky to be introduced to Frank Zappa music by a friend of mine in high school in the late 70s.
Side note: this generation of Frank's band was incredibly funky. Chester Thompson is one of my all time favorite drummers because he brought that stank!
This song is on one of my top ten albums of all time. My sons, now in their mid 30s grew to love it too. Thanks so much for keeping this amazingly rich music alive.
The consistent fact is that if you were in Zappa's band, you were a virtuoso. You had to be. The music was so incredibly detailed and complicated. He was doing things nobody could have imagined in ways nobody could comprehend. If you weren't one of the best of the best, you didn't stick around too long.
Mine as well. I was a junior in high school when Burnt Weeny Sandwich was released, and I can truthfully say that it, and especially Little House, changed my life.
One of mine too, and no-one has done a reaction to it as yet. I would like to see a reaction from Jamal and from a classical musician / composer to LHIUTLI
Never a huge Zappa fan myself, and never heard this before now. Well worth it. Incredible level of talent in the band, and the clay animation, or whatever was something. Can't help but be impressed by the time and effort it must have took.
It's no wonder that Zappa and the Mother's didn't fit into the rock and radio scene. They weren't meant to fit. They were their own thing, for sure. Amazing musicians.
I loved Frank way back when, all my friends thought I was nuts when I'd listen to the album "Burnt Wienie Sandwich" over and over again. I'd like to see your reaction to "Holiday in Berlin-Full Blown" from that album.
baby snakes is such a great movie/video, still have it on VHS Zappa always had top notch musicians playing along side of him my favorite zappa instrumental would easily be "peaches en regalia"
Love the shirt brother. Going to get one soon. A perfect message and way to live by, especially right now. As far as Mr. Zappa goes, I saw this lineup a few times (yes I'm old) and they always blew me away and ALWAYS made me laugh while listening to genius.
I've listened to this so many times, from about the time that the album came out...I'm still knocked out every time I hear or see a vid of the performance. Everyone playing is amazing, but George Duke on the keyboards and vocals is a standout, along with Ruth Underwood, everyone's crush, crushing it on the vibes and percussion. I read in the comments here that Ruth was a huge fan of Steely Dan, amplifying my admiration for her! Drummer, bass, flute and sax, all incredibly gifted musicians. And then there's Frank...!!!
OK, three things: First, Frank was a goddamn genius and I literally miss him every day. Second, George Duke said that when he joined the band he didn't sing or play the synthesizer, but Frank basically tricked and browbeat him into doing both. Third, speaking of Primus, they are on tour again and are playing the entirety of Rush's "A Farewell to Kings" album every night.
Ruth!!!!!!! Amazing George Duke did not sing before this nor did he play synthesizers pretty amazing with musicians are capable of. No digital BS no click track hard-working musicians all brilliant in their own way a wonderful little piece of genius from our Frank enjoyed watching your befuddled amused and amazed expressions on this one Jamel! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thanks for dropping the J word Jamal and recognizing the JAZZ and soul elements in Zappa’s music. PhD Daily Doug Helvering with his perfect pitch and all his classical training doesn’t know what he’s even feeling when he does reactions. You do, Jamal.
Every time I see a reaction to Zappa's pieces, it bring tears in my eyes. It's always amazing. :) BTW, Ruth Underwood came from orchestra background, shes'a an incredible performer.
I love Polo Reacts!! You are helping raise awareness of probably the best songwriter, composer and guitarist who will EVER live. I hope you keep it up. I have been a diehard fan for 50 years! I was scoffed at by my friends for my love of Zappa, but they just did not understand satire nor the complexity of his music. There are many songs of FZ’s that I would love to hear your reaction to. One song is on Live in NY CD and is called The Illinois Enema Bandit. The next is off the Zoot Allures album and is The Torture Never Stops,and is a commentary on the history of torture chambers since time immemorial. It’s a profound work- one that gives cold chills from start to finish. I think if you could find an historian with a working knowledge of these hideous “dungeons of despair” who could possibly provide some social commentary on torture over the centuries and how it still goes on today. Thank you again for your amazing showcasing of Zappa, the man, the musician, the genius! You should also react to all of the CD One Size Fits All as well as all of Sheik Yerbouti-both masterpieces-and my personal favorite, the live album Zappa, Beefheart and the Mothers, Bongo Fury. Thank you again!Peace!
Hey Jamel! Thanks for coloring outside the lines this morning! It's so refreshing hearing something a little bit different and so creative. Certainly not everyone's taste, but it's nice to check out something a little bit different from the musical buffet table every once in a while! RIP Frank Zappa and bless your open-mindedness, Jamel!
Yes!!! That's the point of Prog Rock, not to sound repetitive or typical, there's a little bit of everything in Zappa's music that's the magic of it, there's a little bit of Jazz, Funk, Pop, Blues, Scat, Rap, Punk, Metal, Classical, Folk, everything, it's insane and it's great and amazing!!!!
George Duke was probably FZ's best keyboardist ever, and managed to maintain his own style - funky "hard bop" jazz - within Frank's band. Which very few were able to. Frank also got George singing, which he'd never done before, got him into synth and other electronic keyboards, and jump-started his subsequent funk and fusion career.
So this is a style called "Fusion". Sometimes "Jazz Fusion" or "Jazz Rock Fusion". If you want to go deeper into fusion, check out bands Weather Report or Return to Forever.
Of all the highly talented yet terribly underrated people that played with Frank through the years Ruth Underwood (marimba, vibraphone) has to be the most underrated of all. She could handle her complex parts in those songs as well as Frank could handle his guitar. She could play whatever he threw at her, Thanks Jamal!
Everybody’s on the top of their game here. Zappa is a genius. George D is the bomb! Love what you do. Congrats on your success. Look forward to more vids
Yes I started listening to Frank Zappa in about 1969 before I graduated high school and if you start listening to stuff you’ll realize he’s more diverse than probably the Beatles
‘JUST BE A GOOD HUMAN’ Shirts and More, Enter Promo Code ‘Jamel’ jamel-aka-jamal-youtube-store.creator-spring.com
PRIMUS HaHa Les Claypool was 5th grader 11yrs old !!!! ZAPPA is pure genuis
OMG, where to start with Zappa? Dynamo Hum, Montana, The Torture Never Stops, The Illinois Enema Bandit, Nanook Rubs It (Don't Eat The Yellow Snow), Bobby Brown Goes Down, Joe's Garage, Broken Hearts Are For Assholes, Carolina Hardcore Ecstasy, The Closer You Are, In France, Sharleena, Baby Take Your Teeth Out, Honey Don't You Want A Man Like Me, Cosmic Debris, My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama, I'm The Slime, Tell Me You Love Me, Valley Girl, Be In My Video. . . I could go on forever.
Excellent review . You totally dig it . Have you tried black napkins live amazing it’s long tho ua-cam.com/video/hfMtYvFRBbc/v-deo.html
Ruth Underwood on vibes & George Duke on keys & vocals shine on this.
You're right👍👍 extremely talented!
"That woman" is Ruth Underwood. And yes, she's incredible.
"That's Ruth!"
@@nathanweiss5174 On Ruth!
The Underwoods can't be forgotten! Check out the live version of Fifty-Fifty from Sydney, Australia if you can, it's sick!
"Ladies and Gentleman... watch Ruth!"
Fantastic band! Ruth Underwood on percussion, George Duke on keys, Napoleon Murphy Brock on flute and vocals, Tom Fowler on bass and Chester Thompson on drums. Absolutely fabulous!
Everyone in that band was so immensely talented it can never be understated. Just phenomenal musicians.
True for all of the lineups he put together; he wouldn't put up with anything less.
George Duke RIP, Brother. What a talent! 👍
Frank was a perfectionist.
yep too much talent in one place..
His best band ever
I love seeing people start their fall down the Zappa rabbit hole. This lineup was my favorite. The album “Roxy & Elsewhere” is so tasty.
Agree...this band around 1974 was special.
I hope he goes deep on Zappa!
@@rickn.6034 Agreed. And George Duke, possibly with Billy Cobham: ua-cam.com/video/nrJ_OIlcKe8/v-deo.html
@@rickn.6034 You could do an entire Channel on Zappa... :-)
Maybe his best band, which is saying a lot.
Ruth Underwood, the vibes & marimba player, was also a big Steely Dan fan, so much so that Zappa commented '"They’re one of my favorite groups,” said Frank Zappa in Miami, briefly speaking in a serious vein. “I like their modality, their melodicism. Their lyrics aren’t bad in that vein they’re working, that downer surrealism.
“As relaxing listening music, I’d give it a 98. One person in our band, Ruth Underwood, would give them about a 120. She really fetishes ’em. She’s usually got their cassette reamed into her ear”."
Even when he's just saying a few lines to someone, he's unique and colorful.
im kinda surprised
Loved this bit of information about Ruth! that is so cool the Dan certainly had some great Vibe and marimba work But what’s not to love!
Wow. Thanks for posting that story. Very cool. I wish we still had Frank Zappa in our messed up world.
Thanks for this tidbit of info. I’m a huge Steely Dan fan. I only knew he’d described them as “downer surrealism” haha
I have been waiting for this one!
Ruth Underwood is phenomenal on this... George Duke on keys and vocals.... Just the best! So much fun and incredibly complex at the same time.... and of course Frank wailing away.... Good silliness with the claymation too.
And such a tight, well rehearsed band. You know they're tight when two drummers almost sounds like one.
@@chrisogburn8240 Which is why I love Genesis and respect King Crimson so much. (Chester played with Phil for decades)
Zappa was an ugly boring clown and his music too
Zappa was garbage
George Duke is & was the best! Do you know the story behind how Zappa found him?
Frank zappa was one of the most talented underrated artists of all time
I would add (misunderstood musician).
Agreed 100%
@@thepragmatic6383 misunderstood yes. Under rated? Nah
Not being tied down by Corporate Radio and shite record deals, etc. allowed F.Z. complete artistic freedom and free-flowing, prolific creativity. I wouldn’t say Frank ‘Francisco’ Zappa was ‘underrated’ by anyone whose opinion matters, however.
Not underrated at all, just not to everyone's taste...
I had the great privilege of meeting Ruth Underwood a few years back. Not only is she an absolute virtuoso but the nicest person you could ever hope to meet.
If you saw the Alice Winters Zappa documentary than you may remember Ruth Underwood telling the story of bringing a letter to Frank's house a short time before he passed away and it's a very emotional story!! I also love her story on how she began to play with Frank and the mothers!!
Shit ugly zappa looked like a bum at the end 🤣 🤣
Arguably Zappa's best band. They could play just about anything.
Frank Zappa was one of the best guitarrist
truth!
Another level to the rabbit hole is Zappa plays Zappa, Dweezil does a fantastic job. He even adds to the music, does his own improv. Dweezil's solo on Inca Roads is well worth the time.
He's up to playing his dads stuff for sure. Extremely talented guitarist.
Zappa, one of the most important composers of the 20th century.
hell yeah brother
Zappa's influence reached far and wide in the musical landscape. All of this was recorded live, with no studio trickery. The craziest bit about him is that he WASN'T into drugs. Most of his craziest ideas were the product of a boundless sense of musical exploration and sleep deprivation due to being on the road all the time.
The woman is Ruth Underwood. Her husband Ian played with Zappa as well
According to Zappa...the best musicians he ever played with. And his bands were stocked with monster players.
FZ constantly changed the lineup of his musicians (album-to-album, tour-to-tour) for a variety of reasons but brought back Ruth over and over again because of her immeasurable musical talents. She can't be appreciated enough!
Ian Underwood & Zappa "Pieces En Regalia" is a great instrumental piece (no pun intended). Unfortunately but that how the life goes sometimes, Ruth Underwood quit the band to save her marriage with Ian and did not play for decades. But sadly it did not save the marriage.
@Zolar Czakl Oh so I remembered it wrong, and you spelled pieces wrong. There is a documentary where Ruth herself states having not touched the mallet for two decades. He did play with Zappa on a project short time before Zappa's passing, describing how she had to rehearse like mad.
@Zolar Czakl I believe that video is available on tube, "Mallet Of Invention".
"Peaches en regalia" by Zappa! Best regards from Serbia to my man Jamal!!!
"Peaches en Regalia" was my introduction to Zappa's music & the whole of the "Hot Rats" album.
If I have a favorite song, it's Peaches en Regalia.
Tako je brajko!😄
Zappa will live forever. thanks for keeping his music alive for more people to discover him through these videos
Jamel, congratulations on your introduction to REAL Zappa. It ain’t all just funny songs about poop and boogers. It’s a blend if avant-garde classical, prog rock, jazz fusion, and STELLAR guitar solos, played by some of the greatest musician in the industry at the top of their game.
Well said..
Ruth Underwood on marimba, and percussion. George Duke on synthesizer and lead vocal. Tip of the iceberg. There is so much talent on that stage. Thanks for this reaction!
This track comes from the album "One Size Fits All" and the features:
Frank Zappa: Guitar and Vocals
George Duke: Keyboards and Vocals
Napoleon Murphy Brock: Flute, Saxophone and Vocals
Ruth Underwood: Marimba, Vibraphone and percussion
Chester Thompson: Drums, sound effects and voices
Tom Fowler: Bass Guitar
Zappa was both an incredibly gifted composer and a stern task master. The material sounds as good as it does because it's extremely rehearsed. Frank was a guy who would do anything for his friends but he had a perfectionists temper and only the best musicians were good enough for the various groups he formed and played with.
When you see Frank using all those hand gestures that's him conducting the rest of the band. This is probably the best group of musicians he ever assembled.
That’s the immortal George Duke on keyboards and vocals. Zappa is def an acquired taste. I love some of his music and there’s other stuff where I think he’s just trying to show everyone how smart he is. Inca Roads is a great one though. 🔥
He's just being creative.
I've been digging George dukes music lately folks don't know geniuses when they see them I guess
Immortal George Duke, immortal Chester Thompson, immortal Ruth Underwood, immortal Napoleon Murphy Brock, immortal Tom Fowler and, of course, immortal Frank Zappa. They're ALL immortal!!! A truly special band that was! This was my favourite period of Zappa's career: Over-Nite Sensation, Apostrophe ('), Roxy & Elsewhere, One Size Fits All (my personal favourite), Bongo Fury (with Beefheart) and Zoot Allures. Some personnel changes along the way, but still sensational!
@@muzikmind77 Duke has some amazing albums. I hope he checks out something from "Master of the Game", that album is legendary! Shiela E even on that junk!
@Zolar Czakl I don't really disagree with you. I see Zoot Allures as a bit of a transitional album, with one foot in the past and one in the future. But I included it because it was the first studio album released after Bongo Fury, but mostly for Black Napkins, which is one of my favourite Zappa tunes. Over-Nite Sensation also had a somewhat different lineup, though stylistically was more in line with Apostrophe and One Size Fits All than Zoot Allures. But I just love Black Napkins, Wind Up Workin' In a Gas Station and The Torture Never Stops, so I just couldn't leave it off my list. Cheers!
The Beatles got me into music. Then Zappa got me INTO music. What's so impressive about Zappa's choice of musicians is that they had to be that good just to get in the door.
I always love watching Ruth Underwood navigate through incredibly difficult parts with ease. RIP Frank. Also RIP George Duke (keys) who made so much incredible music in his lifetime.
Love! Thanks for acknowledging the greatness of Zappa
There's a piece called Watermelon in Easter Hay that is one of his more "calm" pieces that few recommend but is a virtuoso guitar work.
that is one of the best jams on Joe's Garage...hands down
Great song. Also- I Have Been In You- is a beauty.
I just came here to recommend Watermelon in Easter Hay.
Yeah totally, what I got from that song was Frank solemnly looking back on his life and finally accepting his death which was soon. "He knows the end is near... his last imaginary guitar solo" very beautiful
Or sleep dirt
I have been listening to music all of my life, and I swear to you, this is one of the most incredible musical compositions/performances I have ever heard, and it's all because of the unbelievably creative genius of the mind of Frank Zappa. ..... May he rest in peace ...
"Primus prepared me for this, they suck by the way" literally lol'd for a moment. 🤣
Same LOL
He's beginning to believe... 😁
Frank Zappa made me like jazz. He was such a good musician and composer.
1975 what a better world
@@theodoreritola9758 No it wasn't. We had record unemployment, double digit inflation and bombings of Federal Buildings along with rioting in the streets. The only good thing was the music.
"Jazz is not dead. It only smells funny." - Frank Zappa 1973
@@theodoreritola9758 I was listening to this when it came out in 1975 ... 15 years old, with my friends in the basement gathered around the bong .... it was amazing then - still great ... loved all of zappa's stuff ... I might be movin' to montana soon ...
Thanks for more Zappa! A master musician. So much great material. A creative giant. Unreal guitar playing and more and more of a complex composer evolving into a real maestro. So glad I saw him a few times.
And to think Zappa wrote every note for every instrument on this song.
Everything but the guitar solo, and possibly George Duke's solo near the end?
But did he write every drum hit for the kti? Because it sounds a little different in different versions.
Frank Zappa was certainly a 'fusionist.' You can tell this, by how various music styles as well as instruments, get jammed together in a song.
There's 'fusion jazz.' Zappa just didn't stick to the jazz genre. He could go all over the map. But that's what made Zappa unique.
As for the video... Good clean acid will give you a great ride!
Don't know 'bout that...but, yeah! :-)
he seems to be influenced by 60s television music, like the rocky and bullwinkle song, and similar compositions
James - Zappa was directly anti-drugs. He threw more than 1 fine musician out of the Mothers for drug abuse. Bottom line Frank Zappa didn’t need any drugs for his mind to wander into all sorts of weird places.
@@chipsterb4946 yes he didnt like drugs, said they were just an excuse to behave badly
@@chipsterb4946 yeah, and also, you can't play shit like this if you're strung out all the time.
this was the RIGHT version to pick!! George Duke -keys and weirdness; ruthe underwood - xylophone; chester thompson on drumd11; napoleon MURPHY BROCK ON SAX, FLUTE CLARINET and VOCALS... dream band from around the roxy and elsewhere tapings.. also that is SNL's old studio!
"That woman" is Ruth Underwood who was studying at Juilliard when she began to play with Frank's band The Mothers of Invention back in the mid-60s!! She is nothing short of amazing!!
I literally grew up listening to Zappa , my older brothers got me into one size fits all and overnight sensation when I was like 6 or 7 years old. Watching you love this stuff is like old friends meeting new ones and hitting it off . Awesome!
Frank Zappa is famously quoted as saying " A mind is like a parachute if it's not open it doesn't work " keep up the magic Jamal
Frank Zappa at the easy listening end might include ''Fifty Fifty'' off Overnight Sensation........thing flies along like a groove train.
Montana off the same album mixes silly lyrics with Tina Turner and the Ikettes singing plus Zappa tearing into one of my all time favorite rock guitar solos.
This is easily my favorite version of Zappa’s band.
This band really does deserve it’s own category- what a great request and reaction! 😊
Jamal, when you read other artists liner notes you will often see the bands references to others for their inspiration. The more of these you read the more often you'll see inspiration from Frank Zappa......a true American musical genius!
Hey Jamal! I'm really glad you finally got round to reviewing my favourite piece of music ever, and I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Another 3000 listens and you'll be next to me! This was the best band Zappa ever had in my opinion, but it also happens to be my favourite era - prog and fusion. I love it so much.
George Duke - keyboards/synth - you'll love his solo work. He was always very appreciative of what his work with Frank provided. George Duke was a music master. Saw this band in this period. 3 hours of amazing.
You can’t go through your entire life without hearing, at least, one or two Frank Zappa songs. It’s an experience. The talent of every band member is insane. Zappa employed only the best.
A true original artist. Love Frank. RIP and God bless him.
اللهم صلي على محمد
حرام هل تعبد انسان ؟؟
He was an atheist who vehemently opposed all religion/superstition. Just saying...
This is the shizzle. And you know how great George Duke is to rally an extremely rare Zappa smile (9:20) - that s#!t on the keys is hotttt, and Frank is knowing it! Also big shout out to Ruth Underwood on vibes who cooked it every gig.
I had the same reaction. Frank could barely contain himself here, which is rare. He's thinking "yup, these people can play my music.!"
Zappa was an ugly boring clown and his music too
This was a treat. Thanks, Jamal. 🙏
Jamal- listen to the bass and the drumming on this- just fantastic!
Yeah, incredible. A song from outer space. This track seems to be from the Helsinki concert on "You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore Vol. 2" in original version. The song "Inca Roads" is also on the album "One Size Fits All". There the guitar solo has been over dubbed.
Everytime i watch this, i got goosebumps. Zappa - the greatest composer of the last century. Thanks for doing this, Jamal
Bruh, u and me listening to this song , first time ever.This guy and rush the only seamless transitions I’ve ever heard.😎
check out Roxie the movie
Such a great choice Jamel. There is a lot in this whole genre. You could venture into Weather Report, late 70s Herbie Hancock and the HeadHunters, And other “jazz-fusion” groups. Keep going bro.
don't forget Sun Ra
@@joehynes5452 God knows we all need it
Spock's Beard and anything Neal touches.
Aww man. Weather Report or even some Jaco Would be great.
Zappa was garbage
So glad you got to this, and the live version too! Found out about Zappa a year ago and this is one of my favorites. 'Stink foot' is another fun song from the same live performance (A Token of His Extreme).
I saw Zappa for the first time on 4/8/1973 in Tucson. That show included one of the first performances of "Stinkfoot", although Frank introduced it as "Imaginary Diseases".
Remember that that videos way before CGI it's from the 70s. So all that claymation was one stop action throughout the whole Loop
FZ was a proper composer, and his musicians had to be proper musicians.
Indeed. No fucking around after gigs, etc. Real Professionals.
Frank was not only a superlative musician and composer he was a first rate comedian and ironicist. One of the funniest guys in the world.
"WAS THAT SPED UP?!?" @9:58 Haha....No, it wasn't sped up. That was just Ruth Underwood on the xylophone playing an amazing "cadenza" perfectly in sync with drummer Chester Thompson. And every single note of it was written for them on paper by Frank Zappa.
“Some of you might have read a book called ‘Chariots of the Gods’ by Erich von Daniken.” - Frank Zappa during his introduction to Inca Roads in Roxy the Movie.
Frank was a symphonic composer at heart, and he demanded a level of precision and virtuosity from his musicians equal to any orchestra. This is my favorite Zappa band!
Thx for keeping Frank Zappa's Music Alive! He's definitely...for the open minded! He's an intellectual genius! If you/anyone has time to read his books or see him in interviews, he's, oh, something else!:) I was blessed, was turned on to him in my teens, he kept me Sane! 🗺️☮️💓&🍫
fr. Hershey PA:)
Probably my favorite Zappa song, the musicianship on this track is off the charts!!
As good as the studio version of this is, this live performance blows it away and really shows the command Frank had over what had to have been the best incarnation of his group ever. So very tight!
Thanks for sharing. I think my music teacher/mentor, who's also a musical collaborator, shared part of that video with me. This is maybe the first chance I've had to watch all of it. Yes, some phenomenal playing, smooth shifts in tempo and an adept blending of musical genres. Shawn R., Mo-Mutt Music/Sacred & Secular
Such a cool dude man...Love Zappa's bands and your reactions to this are fabulous Sir...
George Duke on keyboards - we lost him not too long ago, but everything he ever did is absolutely terrific. He somehow managed to merge real experimental improvisation with the soothing sounds of the Black church, and do it without sounding artificial. Amazing.
... almost 50 years old and still as fresh and innovative as the day it was made.
I was extremely lucky to be introduced to Frank Zappa music by a friend of mine in high school in the late 70s.
Side note: this generation of Frank's band was incredibly funky. Chester Thompson is one of my all time favorite drummers because he brought that stank!
Great review you have to love Ruth , Hell they are All Great musos RIP Frank.
You really should BUY and WATCH the DVD of the entire concert. It's awesome!
This song is on one of my top ten albums of all time. My sons, now in their mid 30s grew to love it too. Thanks so much for keeping this amazingly rich music alive.
The consistent fact is that if you were in Zappa's band, you were a virtuoso. You had to be. The music was so incredibly detailed and complicated. He was doing things nobody could have imagined in ways nobody could comprehend. If you weren't one of the best of the best, you didn't stick around too long.
Long live frank! So glad you got to that jam! Keep up the love! Peace from new mexico
His best line up and that's saying something.
One of my favorite of Frank's tunes. Good balance of song, guitar solo, and amazing composition (the stuff that Ruth plays was all written out.)
The Little House I Used to Live In is my favorite Zappa masterpiece.
Mine as well. I was a junior in high school when Burnt Weeny Sandwich was released, and I can truthfully say that it, and especially Little House, changed my life.
One of mine too, and no-one has done a reaction to it as yet. I would like to see a reaction from Jamal and from a classical musician / composer to LHIUTLI
Never a huge Zappa fan myself, and never heard this before now. Well worth it. Incredible level of talent in the band, and the clay animation, or whatever was something. Can't help but be impressed by the time and effort it must have took.
It's no wonder that Zappa and the Mother's didn't fit into the rock and radio scene. They weren't meant to fit. They were their own thing, for sure. Amazing musicians.
I loved Frank way back when, all my friends thought I was nuts when I'd listen to the album "Burnt Wienie Sandwich" over and over again. I'd like to see your reaction to "Holiday in Berlin-Full Blown" from that album.
My favourite Zappa song.
baby snakes is such a great movie/video, still have it on VHS
Zappa always had top notch musicians playing along side of him
my favorite zappa instrumental would easily be "peaches en regalia"
Love the shirt brother. Going to get one soon. A perfect message and way to live by, especially right now.
As far as Mr. Zappa goes, I saw this lineup a few times (yes I'm old) and they always blew me away and ALWAYS made me laugh while listening to genius.
Yes! Pretty much my favorite song of all time! 😀
!That’s Ruth! So glad you got to my favorite FZ song and enjoyed it so much.
I've listened to this so many times, from about the time that the album came out...I'm still knocked out every time I hear or see a vid of the performance. Everyone playing is amazing, but George Duke on the keyboards and vocals is a standout, along with Ruth Underwood, everyone's crush, crushing it on the vibes and percussion. I read in the comments here that Ruth was a huge fan of Steely Dan, amplifying my admiration for her! Drummer, bass, flute and sax, all incredibly gifted musicians. And then there's Frank...!!!
Zappa and Miles Davis were two of the biggest influences in the creating the genre of fusion.
OK, three things: First, Frank was a goddamn genius and I literally miss him every day.
Second, George Duke said that when he joined the band he didn't sing or play the synthesizer, but Frank basically tricked and browbeat him into doing both.
Third, speaking of Primus, they are on tour again and are playing the entirety of Rush's "A Farewell to Kings" album every night.
Ruth!!!!!!! Amazing George Duke did not sing before this nor did he play synthesizers pretty amazing with musicians are capable of. No digital BS no click track hard-working musicians all brilliant in their own way a wonderful little piece of genius from our Frank enjoyed watching your befuddled amused and amazed expressions on this one Jamel! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I saw them live in 1980...I'm still stunned ♫ #RIPfz
The late, great George Duke on keys...what an amazing band! Also, Ruth Underwood is an absolute wizard on the marimba.
Thanks for dropping the J word Jamal and recognizing the JAZZ and soul elements in Zappa’s music. PhD Daily Doug Helvering with his perfect pitch and all his classical training doesn’t know what he’s even feeling when he does reactions. You do, Jamal.
To play this live... this good, its like the olympics of music.
Every time I see a reaction to Zappa's pieces, it bring tears in my eyes. It's always amazing. :) BTW, Ruth Underwood came from orchestra background, shes'a an incredible performer.
I love Polo Reacts!! You are helping raise awareness of probably the best songwriter, composer and guitarist who will EVER live. I hope you keep it up. I have been a diehard fan for 50 years! I was scoffed at by my friends for my love of Zappa, but they just did not understand satire nor the complexity of his music. There are many songs of FZ’s that I would love to hear your reaction to. One song is on Live in NY CD and is called The Illinois Enema Bandit. The next is off the Zoot Allures album and is The Torture Never Stops,and is a commentary on the history of torture chambers since time immemorial. It’s a profound work- one that gives cold chills from start to finish. I think if you could find an historian with a working knowledge of these hideous “dungeons of despair” who could possibly provide some social commentary on torture over the centuries and how it still goes on today. Thank you again for your amazing showcasing of Zappa, the man, the musician, the genius! You should also react to all of the CD One Size Fits All as well as all of Sheik Yerbouti-both masterpieces-and my personal favorite, the live album Zappa, Beefheart and the Mothers, Bongo Fury. Thank you again!Peace!
Hey Jamel! Thanks for coloring outside the lines this morning! It's so refreshing hearing something a little bit different and so creative. Certainly not everyone's taste, but it's nice to check out something a little bit different from the musical buffet table every once in a while! RIP Frank Zappa and bless your open-mindedness, Jamel!
Yes!!! That's the point of Prog Rock, not to sound repetitive or typical, there's a little bit of everything in Zappa's music that's the magic of it, there's a little bit of Jazz, Funk, Pop, Blues, Scat, Rap, Punk, Metal, Classical, Folk, everything, it's insane and it's great and amazing!!!!
George Duke was probably FZ's best keyboardist ever, and managed to maintain his own style - funky "hard bop" jazz - within Frank's band. Which very few were able to. Frank also got George singing, which he'd never done before, got him into synth and other electronic keyboards, and jump-started his subsequent funk and fusion career.
Jamel INCA ROADS came out to the world in 1975 ,, Keep them 70s coming ,, Thank you Jamel
So this is a style called "Fusion". Sometimes "Jazz Fusion" or "Jazz Rock Fusion". If you want to go deeper into fusion, check out bands Weather Report or Return to Forever.
Err...umm, it's a genre called Zappa. Accept no substitutes.
Yes!! Weather Report!!
The Legend that is Frank Zappa 🎸🎸🎸
Of all the highly talented yet terribly underrated people that played with Frank through the years Ruth Underwood (marimba, vibraphone) has to be the most underrated of all. She could handle her complex parts in those songs as well as Frank could handle his guitar. She could play whatever he threw at her, Thanks Jamal!
Everybody’s on the top of their game here. Zappa is a genius. George D is the bomb! Love what you do. Congrats on your success. Look forward to more vids
*F I N A L L Y*
*That band SPECIFICALLY was probably one of the most talented band ever, change my mind*
Ruth Underwood on vibes, Chester Thompson on drums, George Duke on keyboards and high vocals. Frank on guitar and Napoleon Murphy Brock on sax.
Yes I started listening to Frank Zappa in about 1969 before I graduated high school and if you start listening to stuff you’ll realize he’s more diverse than probably the Beatles