My friends and I were at the Halloween shows in NYC as well, and remember L. Shankar coming out in the chicken, or bird outfit. We were blown away by his tremendous playing. He destroyed the hair on the violin bow within minutes and continued playing with the wooden part of the bow. There was nothing better than Franks Halloween shows.
Here’s the genius of Zappa. Being a composer of original sophisticated music and making a living at it. He sounded like no one else and continuously expanded his palette.
I only own two Zappa albums, “Overnight Sensation” and “Sheik Yerbouti”. Thanks to episodes like this I am now exploring more Zappa and discovering great new music! Thanks!
Thank you for this. I just love everything Zappa. First got into Zappa about 81 I was 12. As I got older I really appreciate the musicianship of the band! Love it all
One of my favorites. Zappa is extremely difficult to rank, but The Grand Wazoo is probably my second favorite Zappa album. Like Chuck, I'm a jazz fan (Ornette 👍), and I've always loved "For Calvin." Eric and Chad - an experiment: if you want to assail your ears, put on something like John Coltrane's Ascension (not among my top faves from Trane, but an album I love, anyway.) I'm almost certain the both of you won't want to sit through the whole thing, but for shits and giggles, try it. Do it a few times, even. Afterwards, go back to "For Calvin." You guys might hate my guts for that, but there's method to my madness. Anyway, my earworm from the album is "Blessed Relief" - I've been on record saying this: It's my fav from the disc, and I could happily listen to that one track on repeat for goodness knows how long. It is gorgeous. Funny how many have accused Zappa of lacking melody - that one has always made me laugh. Good on Luis for recognizing the ear-candy factor (and I agree about the lyrics); the dissonances, the vertiginous rhythms...yadda yadda... yeah, true, but Zappa has plenty of melody in his catalogue; the guy loved doo-wop tunes. Great episode!
Quoting from the inner sleeve of Waka/Jawaka - "The Present Day Composer refuses to Die" - Edgard Varése , the same is true for FZ. Need a lifetime to listen to the Genius and another lifetime to understand his music . Fantastic presentation and well done Eric for choosing this album and for the presentation as well. Really like these formats/shows . Well done the entire team.
I am really enjoying this new format. You guys are very good and thorough on discussing an album. Please keep this type of discussion ongoing, it's really interesting and very entertaining. I have been listen to the Waka-Wazoo box a LOT since I got it last month. I've found a renewed appreciation for these 2 albums. Like Ken, I've always slightly preferred Waka-Jawaka.
Favorite Zappa album. Cleetus Awlreetus Awlrightus, Eat That Question. The whole thing. And Franks guitar work on an acoustic with a wa-wa. Stellar. Frank writes almost everything. The solos are improvised and sometimes he will have a few seconds of music where he wants people to do whatever they want. Waka Jawaka--I think Your Mouth is genius. And Waka Jawaka--the solos are awesome and the melody. "And see if he's brought along a leetle bag for you...and".....Then the band comes all in together. There's a lot of good stuff on 200 Motels too. Not everything. But a lot of it. Even Dew On The Knewts we got.
Waka/Jawaka was my 2nd Zappa album after Sheik Yerbouti and "It Just Might Be a One-Shot Deal" absolutely blew me away the first time I heard it! Love it! Yeah, and that transition right into Waka/Jawaka is SO FUN!
First, appreciate the notice of the episode being posted early as it provided time to listen to this album before watching the show. Now going to go back and re-listen to the album with everyone's commentary in mind. Some very interesting points and still developing a listening ear from some of Frank's albums. Outstanding show and a tip of the hat to Eric for his choice and handling the hosting of the episode. Thanks, gents.
Thanks John! Glad you enjoyed it, that’s one of the fun parts of these shows, revisiting an album you may not have played for quite some time. As always, thanks for watching
Thanks, guys. The Grand Wazoo was my reintroduction to Zappa - as a high schooler, I got Freak Out, We're Only In It For The Money and, inexplicably, Lumpy Gravy which scared me off Zappa for a while. Bought The Grand Wazoo next cause of the cover, to be honest, and heard big band Zappa and loved it. I would also put in a good word for the Zappa Wazoo live release of the 20 piece band - pretty great.
Love this choice. It's not rock, it's not jazz, it's zappasonic. Eat My Question is probably my all time fave Zappa track. But Waka Jawaka is probably my fave album. Big Swifty is pretty darned big.
Among my top 5 Zappa. Great show. Just bought the newly remixed 5 cd set. Been a Zappa fan from the beginning . Although the first Zappa album I purchased was 200 motels and it had me scratching my head. Then WNEW fm played pojama people and I was sold and own almost everything by him. Saw him in 1977, 1978' 1979 at the Palladium. And again in 1985 in Dallas Tx when I lived there. For many he is an acquired taste. He is a musical genius who is the only artist who melds jazz, rock, psychedelia, R & B, Classicall, Blues, Hard Rock, humor, satire, and Doo wop successfully during his career. A prolific songwriter and in my opinion on of the greatest guitarists. Grand Wazoo, one size fits all, sheik yerbouti, joes garage, hot rats, sleep dirt, bongo fury,zoot allures , roxy, are among my favorites. Also the slew of posthumous releases buffalo, philly, wazoo, are terrific
At the risk of losing some friends...here we go. I find Frank Zappa clever but tedious. I am very sorry. In 1981 I went to university and I met a guy on my course who said he was a big Frank Zappa fan and I remember saying, “Why?’ A few weeks ago Ken said he did not get “This Heat”. I consider “Fall of Saigon - Peel Session” and “Health and Efficiency” by This Heat two of my desert island discs. Sometimes you absolutely love something and you are confused why nobody else gets it. Having said that, I am a big Captain Beefheart fan and so I bought “Hot Rats” and I still view that as an all time classic. Can I mention a hidden gem? I borrowed “200 Motels” when I was at school and I remember loving the track “Ian Underwood whips it out”. I still love that. A long time ago I heard Andy Partridge, of XTC, say that people accuse him of being too clever. He said that people rarely say that about Mozart. Maybe it is too much head and not enough heart. But Frank Zappa often, not always, leaves me feeling a bit cold. Sorry chaps. Keep up the good work.
The song on We're Only In It For The Money, Mom And Dad, is one of the most powerful, chilling, earth shattering things I've ever heard in music. The lyrics, and the music. It's a micro or nano opera. The music has a strange beauty to it like an Arab guy playing melodies on a clarinet so it keeps you invested in the song. You want to listen to it until the end. It's a short song. It's a statement that's powerful. It's not radio friendly even though it's only 3 minutes and maybe 23 seconds. And it tells the story of someone coming to your house to tell you your sister and a friend were killed by the police in the park just because they looked like hippies. When the song ends you can't help it but take up the fight within yourself, that this type of treatment of other human beings, has to end. And this was before Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's "Ohio". Tin soldiers and Nixion's coming.
great analysis. i'd say even that scratches the surface of what it's about. the throwaway line about parents letting their kids watch em drink felt like an entire discographies worth of thought was put into it..
Mom & Dad is a great example of the difference between Zappa and the hippies. CSNY were reacting to what happened in Kent State with the song "Ohio". Zappa was prophesying the event itself a good 3 years before it happened. Anyone can be a reporter (CSNY). It takes a true genius to be a prophet (FZ).....
I really want to thank In The Prog Seat for this episode. I had never heard this album. Yesterday I listened to it three times. It really does seem like it was made by aliens! Thanks so much for the tip!
I’m surprised that of all these guys close to my age and older that only one of the six who are huge Zappa fans ever got to see Frank live. I’m 55 and have been a big Zappa fan since I was 12 in 1979 when I first heard Sheik Yerbouti…had the pleasure of seeing him for the first time the following year in ‘80 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium which was the first of four times seeing him live, saw him again the following year in ‘81 on the ‘You Are What You Is’ tour again at Santa Monica Civic, then two more times after that in ‘84 at the Hollywood Palace and the Universal Amphitheater
God show gentlemen. Just to add a few points. 1. To Luis - Frank didn't hire Vinnie for Joe's Garage. Bozzio was looking to move on and needed to be replaced. He was growing tired of Frank's toilet humor. Frank knew he was going to lose him when Terry cut off all his hair for the Group 87 gig. Vinnie actually auditioned on Bozzio's kit at Frank's rehearsal studio. It was allegedly Vinnie's first time behind a double bass kit and, of course, he tore it up and got the gig. There are recordings of Bozzio on what became songs on Joe's Garage. 2. Michael Brecker had very few bad things to say about anyone. He was a very kind man. But he did not enjoy working for Frank. He didn't appreciate what he thought was Frank's mean (really cynical) streak. Michael simply didn't care for Frank.
1. The Grand Wazoo (eternally my favorite) it was love at first listen for me/17... first Zappa album One Size Fits All Sleep Dirt Were Only in it for the Money Yellow Shark Overnite Sensation/Apostrophe Lumpy Gravy (Original Version) Ship Arriving Too Late To Save A Drowning Witch Zoot Allures Absolutely Free Zappa in NY London Symphony Orchestra I & II Etc FZ is Avant Garde Rock/Classical to me
• Frank Zappa played on Halloween for twenty years, It became a tradition to have about ten of us would to see Frank at Academy of Music. He played forever no curve few. Frank Zappa made life better.
I saw FZ on the tour for this album in Philadelphia. I was pretty young so I wanted to see more Zappa "weirdness" but the music and performance were wonderful.
Introductory Zappa album. That's a good one. My fav Zappa album is Läther, a massive album with everything Zappa could do at that moment in time, perhaps too much for a first listen though. In that case I'd recommend Sheik Yerbouti, then Sleep Dirt.
Zappatite for deconstruction! Verrrry enjoyable episode dissecting his exquisite abusive ear candy. Is there any other artist with as many layers to peel back as FZ? Thanks guys for the many excellent contributions!
I am convinced that the best players, the ones we admire the most in jazz history are very intuitive and skilled noodlers. All the greats when asked what are you thinking of when you play that way during a solo, they said nothing. Or I'm just in a zone man. Just in a groove. They feel what to play. They've touched the instrument so much, that expressing themselves with it becomes un-laborious. They know what a note on any fret is gonna sound like before they move their hand to it and pick the string. It's intuitive. Left brained is it???? Logic brain doesn't create well. It organizes the scales and modes and chord progressions, but real creativity occurs in the creative side of the brain. Some jazz players have said that there is no such thing as a bad or wrong note. So these great improvisors, who aren't working out their solos ahead of time, they are not thinking of theory, scales, and modes while they are playing. Chords yes. Because that tells you approximately where you have to move your hands to in order to get the notes you know will fit and sound good. But none of the greats are thinking their way through solos. Unfortunately that's how many music colleges teach their students. They want the kids doing musical math in their brain to ensure they competently play the "right notes" at the "right time". But Carol Kaye, who played jazz guitar her whole life, and bass, and recorded thousands of hits as a studio musician says that memorizing theory is the worst way to do solos. Know the chords, and then you can relax enough to take solos intuitively which create the most beautiful and astounding improvisations.
I liked Eric hosting the show tonight, he has a sort of Dick Cavett way about him. He should wear a 3 piece suit next time to keep things formal. As for the CD it ranks up there with other instrumental jazz fusion albums of the era, though two of the songs have a bit of vocals they kinda sorta don't count. My favorite is You Are What You Is but I'm an 80s weenie so that reaches me in so many ways but over the years I have built up a modest collection; there is just so much Zappa to love.
Seldom do I run into those listing You Are What You Is as tops - it's my favorite, too. Love the eclecticism of the album, and the musicianship is top notch, as to be expected. Gorgeous melodies & harmonies alloyed with Zappa's nastiest social commentary. Blows my mind.
Amazing discussion. Now we have to wait 2 weeks for this panel to assemble again? Really? Can we do anything to make this thing weekly? Donate? Pray? Sacrifice something to the spirits? Anyway... Luis is da man! I like his approach, his style and his flair.
You are much too kind sir. I love being part of this crew sand plan to continue until either the wheels fall off or I say something too terrible, even for UA-cam. Cheers!
Great show and great cast.I have been a musician all my life and play more than one instrument. I listen to prog, fusion, classic heavy metal, hard rock, old disco and funk, Yes, ELP, Oldfield, symphonic rock, Miles, Jethro Tull, and the list goes on. It comes down to the complexity,rhythm and guitar.I've been trying for years to give Zappa a chance and it just doesn't work so far. What's your recommendation, knowing what I mostly listen to which album could be the bridge that I would use to get to Zappa's side for the first time?Thx and respect.
Grand Wazoo might make it into a top 10 list of greatest Zappa albums of the dozens he made. Having said this, this album would've been perfect if it was fully instrumental. The vocal tracks get to annoy me and I tend to skip them all the time, specially Cleetus. Wazoo is one of these albums that are distinctive from the rest of his output. We can tell eras of Zappa with albums he released with certain format and style. Grand Wazoo stands out, just as Overnite Sensation. Overnite is one hell of a bizarre album that puzzles me to this day. The style is so trashy, funky and so kind of 70s Shaft movie, I can see the bottom bell jeans moving, and he never picked that style up ever again. I think you should talk about Overnite one of these days, guys.
I have a very similar backstory with Zappa as Eric. My buddy John kept trying to get me into Zappa, but I just didn't get it. I saw Z (Dweezil and Ahmet's band) in Chicago and gave Frank another shot. Hot Rats was where I started and I just grew an appreciation for his writing and guitar playing. A big big fan now. But, like Eric, I totally get those who don't like his silly lyrics and bizarre songs.
Luis recommends "Imaginary Diseases" as a live album from the Wazoo era, but I think he really means another archival release, "Wazoo". That one has the compositions, including an instrumental "Greggery Peccary", whereas "Imaginary Diseases" is mostly jamming.
@@lahloonatic Oh, Luis, while we're at it... "Boulez" would have a silent "z" were it a verb (but it's not a very common verb), but Pierre's Boulez is NOT pronounced "Boulé". It's "Boulez" with the "z" audible. French phonetics are definitely NOT consistent, sorry.
I prefer Waka/Jawaka. just find the longer tracks more interesting. the version of big swifty on YCDTOSA vol 1 is stunning compared to the studio version. Still great stuff on Wazoo though
I have to disagree with 1 thing. His acoustic guitar solo with a wa-wa is awesome and he starts of the song Grand Wazoo with guitar improvisation. And he has that speed and accuracy that really you need a nice low action electric guitar to play, but he does it on an acoustic, and that's difficult. But it sounded great anyway.
A lot of the music presented on SoT i grew up with and love. I have discovered other bands because of SoT, thank you . But Frank Zappa, I've tried and tried and just don't get it. I feel I must like Frank Zappa. Maybe I need to be directed to one of his accessible albums.
I get it, as I mentioned at the beginning of the episode, I struggled and couldn’t get into his music for years. Seeing Dweezil Zappa live changed everything for me. I get when people say they don’t like his music
Hi Pete, I have an idea for a theme for one of your shows, I hope you like the idea: “Awsome albums, but awfully recorded “., in other words, albums that are gems from a creative standpoint or that where well produced, but that sadly sound bad or where badly recorded. Cheers!!
Frank Zappa and friends wasn’t PROG! He is American which means he is Fusion not Prog. That mean it’s Psych, mixed with classic rock, mixed with novelty music, mixed with Jazz, mixed with non-commercial/ avant-garde mixed with protest-punk music. Prog implies English/European music.
Blessed Relief is absolutely fantastic znd beautifully put together. It is my top FZ track bar none . Cheers , great show .
His prettiest song for sure.
As a huge Zappa fan with hundreds of hours of live tapes this is the kind of shit I love. Great fucking episode.
Thanks Erik!
I love an in depth conversation about one album. Great show!
Thanks Charles, we are really enjoying it too
Love it when Frank shuts up and plays his guitar
I never tire of conversations on Zappa. So many layers, just like his catalog. Great episode from all ✌🐸
Great series. Great to hear Chuck branch out more than usual.
Wait until you see the next two shows… thanks
This album is awesome! There’s a few moments where it even feels like a jazz fusion album
A true genius. That term is thrown out to often but with Frank it applies 100%. Cheers
This album is so perfect that I could never pick the best track. Theyre all equal in quality, creativity, and musicianship. A masterpiece.
My friends and I were at the Halloween shows in NYC as well, and remember L. Shankar coming out in the chicken, or bird outfit. We were blown away by his tremendous playing. He destroyed the hair on the violin bow within minutes and continued playing with the wooden part of the bow.
There was nothing better than Franks Halloween shows.
One of his very best, thank you gentlemen.
I'm really loving this deep-dive format and new series!!
Love the format. The Grand Wazoo is an outstanding album, one of Frank’s best, and benefits from this in-depth discussion.
Thanks Phillip
Thanks for that conversation gentlemen. It was supremely enjoyable.
Frank’s lyrics are awesome. Lots of social commentary that’s still relevant today.
Here’s the genius of Zappa. Being a composer of original sophisticated music and making a living at it. He sounded like no one else and continuously expanded his palette.
I don’t don’tthink so, they sound very dated.
I only own two Zappa albums, “Overnight Sensation” and “Sheik Yerbouti”. Thanks to episodes like this I am now exploring more Zappa and discovering great new music! Thanks!
Out of the 20 or so I have bought, those two were the worst, so you have a lot of great music to discover!
Great video. Learned a lot today . Thanks Eric for the great album choice. Love these new prog episodes
Thank you for this. I just love everything Zappa. First got into Zappa about 81 I was 12. As I got older I really appreciate the musicianship of the band! Love it all
Zappa on Zappa really does a great job on keeping Frank's legacy going
👍
This one's a trip. Favorite Zappa album so far.
Eat That Question grabbed me instantly, the rest takes more time to digest but it grew on me after a few listens.
One of my favorite ZAPPA LPs.
What an intelligent and insightful conversation!
FANTASTIC
Thanks Arnaud
One of my favorites. Zappa is extremely difficult to rank, but The Grand Wazoo is probably my second favorite Zappa album. Like Chuck, I'm a jazz fan (Ornette 👍), and I've always loved "For Calvin." Eric and Chad - an experiment: if you want to assail your ears, put on something like John Coltrane's Ascension (not among my top faves from Trane, but an album I love, anyway.) I'm almost certain the both of you won't want to sit through the whole thing, but for shits and giggles, try it. Do it a few times, even. Afterwards, go back to "For Calvin." You guys might hate my guts for that, but there's method to my madness.
Anyway, my earworm from the album is "Blessed Relief" - I've been on record saying this: It's my fav from the disc, and I could happily listen to that one track on repeat for goodness knows how long. It is gorgeous. Funny how many have accused Zappa of lacking melody - that one has always made me laugh. Good on Luis for recognizing the ear-candy factor (and I agree about the lyrics); the dissonances, the vertiginous rhythms...yadda yadda... yeah, true, but Zappa has plenty of melody in his catalogue; the guy loved doo-wop tunes.
Great episode!
Great job as usual. Entertaining/ informative. Thx gang 👍💯
Thanks Gary
@@ericporter344 / thank you. You did great handling the episode 👍💯
@@garyjoyce2160 thanks Gary!
Quoting from the inner sleeve of Waka/Jawaka - "The Present Day Composer refuses to Die" - Edgard Varése , the same is true for FZ. Need a lifetime to listen to the Genius and another lifetime to understand his music . Fantastic presentation and well done Eric for choosing this album and for the presentation as well. Really like these formats/shows . Well done the entire team.
Thanks Arun
So glad prog seat is tackling Zappa. Luis is spot on. Eric is a great host
👍 Thanks Douglas
I am really enjoying this new format. You guys are very good and thorough on discussing an album. Please keep this type of discussion ongoing, it's really interesting and very entertaining.
I have been listen to the Waka-Wazoo box a LOT since I got it last month. I've found a renewed appreciation for these 2 albums. Like Ken, I've always slightly preferred Waka-Jawaka.
Craig, thanks. I agree that the box is really good and makes going back and listening to these more interesting
Great pick Eric! Grand Wazoo is in my top 10 Zappa albums. Digging the Waka/Wazoo box. This was a fun episode.
Thanks Scott, I’m liking the box set as well. The live disc 4 is excellent
Favorite Zappa album. Cleetus Awlreetus Awlrightus, Eat That Question. The whole thing. And Franks guitar work on an acoustic with a wa-wa. Stellar. Frank writes almost everything. The solos are improvised and sometimes he will have a few seconds of music where he wants people to do whatever they want. Waka Jawaka--I think Your Mouth is genius. And Waka Jawaka--the solos are awesome and the melody. "And see if he's brought along a leetle bag for you...and".....Then the band comes all in together. There's a lot of good stuff on 200 Motels too. Not everything. But a lot of it. Even Dew On The Knewts we got.
Waka/Jawaka was my 2nd Zappa album after Sheik Yerbouti and "It Just Might Be a One-Shot Deal" absolutely blew me away the first time I heard it! Love it! Yeah, and that transition right into Waka/Jawaka is SO FUN!
Saw FZ about 15 times between 78 and the end in 88
Those last shows with the big band were the best
Grand Wazoo is one of Zappa's peaks. Fantastic one.
That's exactly how I feel about this album/era too. 👍🎯
This was fun to watch, and good pick Eric!! 👍
Thanks JT
First, appreciate the notice of the episode being posted early as it provided time to listen to this album before watching the show. Now going to go back and re-listen to the album with everyone's commentary in mind. Some very interesting points and still developing a listening ear from some of Frank's albums. Outstanding show and a tip of the hat to Eric for his choice and handling the hosting of the episode. Thanks, gents.
Thanks John! Glad you enjoyed it, that’s one of the fun parts of these shows, revisiting an album you may not have played for quite some time.
As always, thanks for watching
One of the great Zappa albums .
Great album got the Waka/ Wazoo box set for Christmas. Great choice Eric, and a big thanks to Pete.
Thanks John
Thanks, guys. The Grand Wazoo was my reintroduction to Zappa - as a high schooler, I got Freak Out, We're Only In It For The Money and, inexplicably, Lumpy Gravy which scared me off Zappa for a while. Bought The Grand Wazoo next cause of the cover, to be honest, and heard big band Zappa and loved it. I would also put in a good word for the Zappa Wazoo live release of the 20 piece band - pretty great.
Love this choice. It's not rock, it's not jazz, it's zappasonic. Eat My Question is probably my all time fave Zappa track. But Waka Jawaka is probably my fave album. Big Swifty is pretty darned big.
Among my top 5 Zappa. Great show. Just bought the newly remixed 5 cd set. Been a Zappa fan from the beginning . Although the first Zappa album I purchased was 200 motels and it had me scratching my head. Then WNEW fm played pojama people and I was sold and own almost everything by him. Saw him in 1977, 1978' 1979 at the Palladium. And again in 1985 in Dallas Tx when I lived there. For many he is an acquired taste. He is a musical genius who is the only artist who melds jazz, rock, psychedelia, R & B, Classicall, Blues, Hard Rock, humor, satire, and Doo wop successfully during his career. A prolific songwriter and in my opinion on of the greatest guitarists.
Grand Wazoo, one size fits all, sheik yerbouti, joes garage, hot rats, sleep dirt, bongo fury,zoot allures , roxy, are among my favorites. Also the slew of posthumous releases buffalo, philly, wazoo, are terrific
Killer episode - more Frank would be great!
👍
Like an Aaron Judge homer, Mr. Porter hit it out of the park with this one! I love this one album format for prog seat. Made my day, guys!
Thanks Jeff
Nice chat. Thanks. Love the tension/release composition style, Ornette Coleman, Mingus, King Crimson, Zappa all masters at this type of music.
At the risk of losing some friends...here we go. I find Frank Zappa clever but tedious. I am very sorry. In 1981 I went to university and I met a guy on my course who said he was a big Frank Zappa fan and I remember saying, “Why?’ A few weeks ago Ken said he did not get “This Heat”. I consider “Fall of Saigon - Peel Session” and “Health and Efficiency” by This Heat two of my desert island discs. Sometimes you absolutely love something and you are confused why nobody else gets it.
Having said that, I am a big Captain Beefheart fan and so I bought “Hot Rats” and I still view that as an all time classic. Can I mention a hidden gem? I borrowed “200 Motels” when I was at school and I remember loving the track “Ian Underwood whips it out”. I still love that.
A long time ago I heard Andy Partridge, of XTC, say that people accuse him of being too clever. He said that people rarely say that about Mozart. Maybe it is too much head and not enough heart. But Frank Zappa often, not always, leaves me feeling a bit cold.
Sorry chaps. Keep up the good work.
Cool show. Lovin' this album discussion theme. ITPS just keeps knockin' it out the park... 👍
Thanks Colin
@@ericporter344 Pleasure, Eric. Btw, you did a fine job keepin' those rowdies in order! 😄
@@noohoozfurra I do the best i can, it ain’t easy
@@ericporter344 😂😂😂 Stay strong, bro... #PrayersforEric
The song on We're Only In It For The Money, Mom And Dad, is one of the most powerful, chilling, earth shattering things I've ever heard in music. The lyrics, and the music. It's a micro or nano opera. The music has a strange beauty to it like an Arab guy playing melodies on a clarinet so it keeps you invested in the song. You want to listen to it until the end. It's a short song. It's a statement that's powerful. It's not radio friendly even though it's only 3 minutes and maybe 23 seconds. And it tells the story of someone coming to your house to tell you your sister and a friend were killed by the police in the park just because they looked like hippies. When the song ends you can't help it but take up the fight within yourself, that this type of treatment of other human beings, has to end. And this was before Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's "Ohio". Tin soldiers and Nixion's coming.
great analysis. i'd say even that scratches the surface of what it's about. the throwaway line about parents letting their kids watch em drink felt like an entire discographies worth of thought was put into it..
Mom & Dad is a great example of the difference between Zappa and the hippies. CSNY were reacting to what happened in Kent State with the song "Ohio". Zappa was prophesying the event itself a good 3 years before it happened. Anyone can be a reporter (CSNY). It takes a true genius to be a prophet (FZ).....
I agree@@DoctorInsomnia-qw7us
Hey Chuck, I’ve got the exact same Crimson shirt haha
As much as I love this album I kinda like Waka/Jawaka even more.
🌠Masterpiece Album
I saw frank twice. 1984 nyc Jones Beach and 1988 Philly. Saw ZPZ twice.
I really want to thank In The Prog Seat for this episode. I had never heard this album. Yesterday I listened to it three times. It really does seem like it was made by aliens! Thanks so much for the tip!
The compilation 'Strictly Commercial' would be, for me, the ideal introduction to Frank Zappa, for a newcomer to his music.
I’m surprised that of all these guys close to my age and older that only one of the six who are huge Zappa fans ever got to see Frank live.
I’m 55 and have been a big Zappa fan since I was 12 in 1979 when I first heard Sheik Yerbouti…had the pleasure of seeing him for the first time the following year in ‘80 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium which was the first of four times seeing him
live, saw him again the following year in ‘81 on the ‘You Are What You Is’ tour again at Santa Monica Civic, then two more times after that in ‘84 at the Hollywood Palace and the Universal Amphitheater
Luis said it right. Hate Zappa's 80s tampering with the original albums. Luckily, now it's most of it again available in original versions.
God show gentlemen. Just to add a few points. 1. To Luis - Frank didn't hire Vinnie for Joe's Garage. Bozzio was looking to move on and needed to be replaced. He was growing tired of Frank's toilet humor. Frank knew he was going to lose him when Terry cut off all his hair for the Group 87 gig. Vinnie actually auditioned on Bozzio's kit at Frank's rehearsal studio. It was allegedly Vinnie's first time behind a double bass kit and, of course, he tore it up and got the gig. There are recordings of Bozzio on what became songs on Joe's Garage. 2. Michael Brecker had very few bad things to say about anyone. He was a very kind man. But he did not enjoy working for Frank. He didn't appreciate what he thought was Frank's mean (really cynical) streak. Michael simply didn't care for Frank.
The 5.1 mix in the new Waka/Wazoo boxset is fantastic.
1. The Grand Wazoo (eternally my favorite) it was love at first listen for me/17... first Zappa album
One Size Fits All
Sleep Dirt
Were Only in it for the Money
Yellow Shark
Overnite Sensation/Apostrophe
Lumpy Gravy (Original Version)
Ship Arriving Too Late To Save A Drowning Witch
Zoot Allures
Absolutely Free
Zappa in NY
London Symphony Orchestra I & II
Etc
FZ is Avant Garde Rock/Classical to me
For Calvin is the highlight for me
Because it is more modern classical music mixed with jazz
• Frank Zappa played on Halloween for twenty years, It became a tradition to have about ten of us would to see Frank at Academy of Music. He played forever no curve few. Frank Zappa made life better.
20 years is a bit of a stretch.
I saw FZ on the tour for this album in Philadelphia. I was pretty young so I wanted to see more Zappa "weirdness" but the music and performance were wonderful.
Introductory Zappa album.
That's a good one.
My fav Zappa album is Läther, a massive album with everything Zappa could do at that moment in time, perhaps too much for a first listen though.
In that case I'd recommend Sheik Yerbouti, then Sleep Dirt.
Zappatite for deconstruction! Verrrry enjoyable episode dissecting his exquisite abusive ear candy. Is there any other artist with as many layers to peel back as FZ? Thanks guys for the many excellent contributions!
I am convinced that the best players, the ones we admire the most in jazz history are very intuitive and skilled noodlers. All the greats when asked what are you thinking of when you play that way during a solo, they said nothing. Or I'm just in a zone man. Just in a groove. They feel what to play. They've touched the instrument so much, that expressing themselves with it becomes un-laborious. They know what a note on any fret is gonna sound like before they move their hand to it and pick the string. It's intuitive. Left brained is it???? Logic brain doesn't create well. It organizes the scales and modes and chord progressions, but real creativity occurs in the creative side of the brain. Some jazz players have said that there is no such thing as a bad or wrong note. So these great improvisors, who aren't working out their solos ahead of time, they are not thinking of theory, scales, and modes while they are playing. Chords yes. Because that tells you approximately where you have to move your hands to in order to get the notes you know will fit and sound good. But none of the greats are thinking their way through solos. Unfortunately that's how many music colleges teach their students. They want the kids doing musical math in their brain to ensure they competently play the "right notes" at the "right time". But Carol Kaye, who played jazz guitar her whole life, and bass, and recorded thousands of hits as a studio musician says that memorizing theory is the worst way to do solos. Know the chords, and then you can relax enough to take solos intuitively which create the most beautiful and astounding improvisations.
I liked Eric hosting the show tonight, he has a sort of Dick Cavett way about him. He should wear a 3 piece suit next time to keep things formal. As for the CD it ranks up there with other instrumental jazz fusion albums of the era, though two of the songs have a bit of vocals they kinda sorta don't count.
My favorite is You Are What You Is but I'm an 80s weenie so that reaches me in so many ways but over the years I have built up a modest collection; there is just so much Zappa to love.
Thanks John, I will have to invest in a new wardrobe 😁
Seldom do I run into those listing You Are What You Is as tops - it's my favorite, too. Love the eclecticism of the album, and the musicianship is top notch, as to be expected. Gorgeous melodies & harmonies alloyed with Zappa's nastiest social commentary. Blows my mind.
14:45 Adrian Belew said he couldn't read when he auditioned for Zappa. Cool interview in WTF pod.
Wakka Jawaka is the better album from that early 70’s era, but anything he did in that decade was gold, so basically throw a dart!
Amazing discussion. Now we have to wait 2 weeks for this panel to assemble again? Really? Can we do anything to make this thing weekly? Donate? Pray? Sacrifice something to the spirits? Anyway... Luis is da man! I like his approach, his style and his flair.
You are much too kind sir. I love being part of this crew sand plan to continue until either the wheels fall off or I say something too terrible, even for UA-cam. Cheers!
Great show and great cast.I have been a musician all my life and play more than one instrument.
I listen to prog, fusion, classic heavy metal, hard rock, old disco and funk, Yes, ELP, Oldfield, symphonic rock, Miles, Jethro Tull, and the list goes on. It comes down to the complexity,rhythm and guitar.I've been trying for years to give Zappa a chance and it just doesn't work so far. What's your recommendation, knowing what I mostly listen to which album could be the bridge that I would use to get to Zappa's side for the first time?Thx and respect.
Mine was Hot Rats, but Zappa didn’t click with me until I saw Dweezil live. Maybe like Pete & Ken mentioned, try some of his live releases
Dive head first into Shut Up And Play Yer Guitar.
damn, people must think "For Calvin" is only the vocal part. It's actually the darkest and dreamiest track on here.
Grand Wazoo might make it into a top 10 list of greatest Zappa albums of the dozens he made. Having said this, this album would've been perfect if it was fully instrumental. The vocal tracks get to annoy me and I tend to skip them all the time, specially Cleetus.
Wazoo is one of these albums that are distinctive from the rest of his output. We can tell eras of Zappa with albums he released with certain format and style.
Grand Wazoo stands out, just as Overnite Sensation.
Overnite is one hell of a bizarre album that puzzles me to this day. The style is so trashy, funky and so kind of 70s Shaft movie, I can see the bottom bell jeans moving, and he never picked that style up ever again.
I think you should talk about Overnite one of these days, guys.
I have a very similar backstory with Zappa as Eric. My buddy John kept trying to get me into Zappa, but I just didn't get it. I saw Z (Dweezil and Ahmet's band) in Chicago and gave Frank another shot. Hot Rats was where I started and I just grew an appreciation for his writing and guitar playing. A big big fan now. But, like Eric, I totally get those who don't like his silly lyrics and bizarre songs.
Jim 👍
I don't like most of his "silly" lyrics, but I love his bizarre songs. 🙂
Great video...
There is a great live recording by this band, called Zappa Wazoo
Luis recommends "Imaginary Diseases" as a live album from the Wazoo era, but I think he really means another archival release, "Wazoo". That one has the compositions, including an instrumental "Greggery Peccary", whereas "Imaginary Diseases" is mostly jamming.
You are correct sir. I too have the olds… cheers!
@@lahloonatic Oh, Luis, while we're at it... "Boulez" would have a silent "z" were it a verb (but it's not a very common verb), but Pierre's Boulez is NOT pronounced "Boulé". It's "Boulez" with the "z" audible. French phonetics are definitely NOT consistent, sorry.
@@aymericleroy8500 merci. Mon Francais c’est veaiment Pathetique. It has been a problem playing both in France and Quebec, but I will improve. Cheers!
I prefer Waka/Jawaka.
just find the longer tracks more interesting.
the version of big swifty on YCDTOSA vol 1 is stunning compared to the studio version. Still great stuff on Wazoo though
I have to disagree with 1 thing. His acoustic guitar solo with a wa-wa is awesome and he starts of the song Grand Wazoo with guitar improvisation. And he has that speed and accuracy that really you need a nice low action electric guitar to play, but he does it on an acoustic, and that's difficult. But it sounded great anyway.
Zappa didn't have albums. He recorded one album that was contained on multiple discs..disc's...
But, for me it's "Roxy and elsewhere"
Frank was only 32 years old in 1972. 32, my god
The album title: According to Frank, the guy in one of those hunting lodges who has the biggest, stupidest hat, that's The Grand Wazoo. 🙂
A lot of the music presented on SoT i grew up with and love. I have discovered other bands because of SoT, thank you . But Frank Zappa, I've tried and tried and just don't get it. I feel I must like Frank Zappa. Maybe I need to be directed to one of his accessible albums.
Maybe Sheik Yerbouti...
I get it, as I mentioned at the beginning of the episode, I struggled and couldn’t get into his music for years. Seeing Dweezil Zappa live changed everything for me.
I get when people say they don’t like his music
@@dhfenske thanks Doug, I'll check that out
@@ericporter344 I feel their is something there, but it doesn't quite hit the spot. I will persist and hopefully the penny might drop and I'll get it.
Aynsley Dunbar’s done a shit ton of work beyond his time in Journey
The closest US to Prog is Kansas-Carry On my wayward Son!
Hi Pete, I have an idea for a theme for one of your shows, I hope you like the idea:
“Awsome albums, but awfully recorded “., in other words, albums that are gems from a creative standpoint or that where well produced, but that sadly sound bad or where badly recorded. Cheers!!
Where's George? Missed him on this episode!
I'm out of my depth in the Zappa catalog. Back for the next one!
The album is not proggy , but more an old school jazz sound with rock music moments .
It's art rock
😄👍
if Pete was a mafia boss would he be Don Pardo?
I would!
Frank Zappa and friends wasn’t PROG! He is American which means he is Fusion not Prog. That mean it’s Psych, mixed with classic rock, mixed with novelty music, mixed with Jazz, mixed with non-commercial/ avant-garde mixed with protest-punk music. Prog implies English/European music.