I became a fan of Frank Zappa after he helped Dead Kennedys pay for legal expenses when they were taken to court over the copyright of there Frankenchrist album. Total respect and what a fantastic guitarist he was. He wasn't just a artist, he was a composer too. Apparently the Zappa family have so much unreleased material, they could release an album every year for a 100 years! Just goes to show his musical output was astonishing.
Zappa family’s a bit ... I saw Dweezil play his Dad’s songs and the last wife was taking him to court to stop his tribute tours... that’s a despicable thing to do to a son that just wants to play his dad’s music... it was a great show too
My first rock concert was Zappa in Helsinki. I was 13 years old and went with a school mate. After the concert I was totally blown away. I thought the music and the performances were GREAT. Although my English language skills were not quite good enough to get it all. Little did I know that it would remain the best concert of my life, and I have been to quite a few. But nobody can beat Zappa and his band (Napoleon, George Duke and the rest). I remember very strongly the chemistry that Zappa had with Napoleon M. B. The cherry on the cake that one.
@ akahina Frank was amazing live!! I only saw him 2 times, but he was freakin insanely good,and his band was always the very cream of the crop musically. I wanted Frank for President! I miss him every day. It`s great to have Dweezil carrying the legacy on!
I saw his son Dweezil. Of course it’s not the same thing but as far as a tribute band goes it doesn’t get better because Frank taught him. Sadly Zappa’s last wife legally stopped him from playing Zappa’s songs... that doesn’t sound right at all.
Best concert I ever saw was a tribute band fronted by Napoleon Murphy Brock at a tiny venue just a few months ago. Absolutely incredible, and only $20! They somehow managed to fit 14 musicians and all their multiple instruments on the stage.
You took on a daunting task, this was much appreciated. All I can add is that every Zappa album I've listened to has something special on it. I think I have around 76 of his albums in mp3 form (yeah, back in the day I was a person Lars Ulrich would hate, I was a pirate). I can't rank them, but using your list reminds me of many of my favorites.
I mentioned it in another post the other day - back in the mid 70s when girls my age had a David Cassidy poster on their wall I had a guy with a weird mustache sitting on a toilet... 1. Hot Rats (This was even done before Bitches Brew came out, Miles pushed the wall from one side and Zappa drilled it from the other...) 2. Overnite Sensation 3. Apostrophe 4. One Size Fits All 5. We're Only In it for the Money 6. Chunga's Revenge 7. Roxy & Elsewhere 8. Burnt Weenie Sandwich 9. The Grand Wazoo 10. Zappa in New York 11. Uncle Meat 12. Zoot Allures 13.Freak Out 14. Absolutely Free 15. Waka Jawaka 16. Weasels Ripped My Flesh 17. You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore Vol 2 The Helsinki Concert (The reason this is "relatively" low on my list is that it has no new material on it, unlike many of the other live album, but of course a stellar band at its peak) 18. Make a Jazz Noise Here 19. Fillmore East June 1971 20. 200 Motels Add on - Bongo Fury (I made the list prior listening to the video so I did not consider this collaboration) Worth mentioning musicians from his band: some of the first line-up of Little Feat, Jean-Luc Ponty...
I'm from the US but I spent 6 months in Hong Kong in 1972 and attended an international school.One day a school mate from Germany invited me to his house.His older brother had that poster on his bedroom wall.Zappa crappa!!. Frank was truly universal.
The most underrated guitar player ever. In the late '80s my then-girlfriend insisted on seeing FZ when he came to the Tower Theater outside Philly. I went just to make her happy. Yowza! I was blown away. Amazing show and an amazing guitar player. His cover of "Stairway to Heaven" was unbelievable, especially since you'd figure Zappa would make a parody of it. Nope. Straight-up awesome with a horn section to boot. Been a fan ever since. Thanks, Pete.
Ronnie Brown yeah buddy, beer garden, those waitresses were un real how many pitchers they could carry, Armadillo kitchen mmmm good. wasn't that place the shits !!!
Bognar Regis haha! I just commented the same. The YCDTOSA version of Inca Roads is my favorite piece of music. Following it with RDNZL makes that 30 minutes or so the audio version of heaven.
Ok, true story. Early 77, me and two friends of mine, who were also heavily into all kinds of music, wanted to expand our horizon. We had been delving into prog and we'd heard from Zappa, but not listened to him (no air play), that he'd be a proggier version of prog and so on - so we decided to go into a record shop and each buy a Zappa record (decision based on gut instinct), then compare our impressons and lease the records around. Friend #1 bought Over-Nite Sensation (and was in love with it); Friend #2 bought One Size Fits All (and was even more in love with that). I bought Zoot Allures. And now it gets strange. I come home, can't expect to put the record on, do it - what the hell, this sounds easy listening to me ... THAT is supposed to be Zappa? After listening to this a minute I decided, it can't be. and take a good look. The label on the record says, first song, Wind Up Working in a Gas Station 2:29, 4 tracks on side one, 5 on side 2. Record itself, though, shows 3 songs each on both sides (identifiable via the empty grooves in the vinyl). Immediately back to the record shop - wrong label on the record, wrongly packed. So I got me the real Zoot Allures (and was in love with it right away). At the time I didn't even know what the record was that got labeled wrongly as Zappa. I'm pretty sure it was George Benson, either Breezin or In Flight, can't actually remember it ... Anyway - Sleep Sirt ranks higher for me. Much higher. Filthy Habits, the title track, Christ, that is a great record. Roxy WOULD rank high on my list - if the later releases of You Can't do that on Stage Anymore, The Best Band you Never Heard", Does Humor belong in Music and so on hadn't made that album (sorry) somewhat redundant (or maybe it would be correct to say one of so many). At the time, yes, but later and in hindsight? Anyway. Zappa is one of the truly great artists of the 20th century.
I wonder if that mis-labeled record would be worth anything. I have Joe's Garage Parts II & III double LP and the pressing has two side 4s and no side 2 (I think).
@@donbirren9401 I'm not sure. Technically, it's a George Benson record that has been mis-labeled and put in the wrong sleeve. Put it into the right sleeve and it may have some worth. You have a misprint that actually misses one side worth of music. Who'd pay for that? :)
The first I heard of him was the Hot Rats album, and I still feel it's some of his very best music. I think it's his best album due to the strength of the compositions for numerous pieces, while also being the finest examples of his truly distinct sound. Frank was a percussionist first with an unmistakable humorous flair that gave his music a certain levity no matter how intricate the arrangments were. That's Hot Rats for me.
10. Roxy + Elsewhere 9. Freak Out 8. We're Only in it for the Money 7. One Size Fits All 6. Apostrophe 5. Bongo Fury 4. You Are What You Is 3. Hot Rats 2. The Grand Wazoo 1. Joe's Garage
Mark, forgive me. Are you who you are claiming to be or are you a person with a very clever handle? You don't have to answer that. I'm watching you......so to speak.
Joes Garage. The best! Im a little biased though. Bought it in 8th grade (via paper route) in '79 and i went to catholic school so when i heard catholic girls i was hooked. And no she didnt give me vd.
My personal top 10 in random order: -Joe's Garage -You Are What You Is -Freak Out! -Cruising with Ruben & the Jets -Sheik Yerbouti -Over-Nite Sensation -Lumpy Gravy -Hot Rats -Absolutely Free -Zoot Allures
You definitely have credibility in the Zappa/Mother’s department!!! Great choices.. Absolutely Free was my first & favorite Mother’s album, and We’re Only in it for the Money was my second and 2nd favorite.. Saw them several times live, but the best one by far was at Carr’s Beach in Annapolis Maryland on 5/19/73... That was the same day Secretariat won the Preakness at Pimlico in Baltimore, where I was before the concert... One of the best days of my life, and I am 68 years old..
Yeah, Filmore Album is great. A friend gave it to me because I loved Zappa and he didn't really get it. Little House I Used to Live In. Mud Shark. But Frank made so much incredible music there'll never be a definitive album list that doesn't omit something priceless.
My dorm roommate played "Over-Nite Sensation" at least once a day every day. When I'm drooling in the old folks home, I'll still be able to remember the lyrics.
@@TonySpruillSax _Apostrophé_ and _Sensation_ aren't among my favorites because of their relatively high exposure, to the point of bordering on commercial success. That's a phrase I have trouble reconciling with Frank. (See Frank's book "No Commercial Potential" for further insight.) Somehow I just never want Zappa music to get overly "familiar."
@@Panglos Don`t do that to yourself man. Frank never did anything that he did not want to. Apostrophe and Overnight are killer albums, and could never get radio play because the lyrical content is so awesomely raunchy. Listen to the musicianship on the albums......fucking insane!!! Zoot Allures is probably my fav. Frank album. I like the stripped down band he played with on the album, Terry Bozio and co. Hot Rats is another great one for me.
Pete is a musical carnivore when it comes to rock, astonishing width and breadth, although I'm still hoping he develops a love for more folk orientated music, I won't hold my breath though. My top albums by Frank: 1. Uncle Meat. 2. Rubin and the Jets. 3. We're only in it for the money. 4. Freak out. 5. Weazles ripped my flesh.
I think I'd have to put Uncle Meat at my number one also. If for no other reason, the side 4 suite of King Kong versions. Aside from the obvious deep fusion aspects, the way he seamed that together in the studio was nothing short of a brilliant feat.
I agree with Cruising With Ruben and the Jets. An excellent collection of crazy do-wop beat with a touch of Frankie Valli, Beach Boys, and other similar sounds giving it a funky nostalgic flavor of the late bopping fifties to early sixties. SNAT!
Please forgive the really long comment, seriously, but I feel like when someone does something with great effort and passion, they should know how valuable it is in a world of mediocrity and immediacy. This channel is amazing! I have been writting down names of bands and albums that I've never heard of, and without fail, I have encountered great music. Very nice recommendations! Particularly, I admire that you took the Zappa catalog head-on and categorized it according to your taste, of course, a much difficult task, only for dedicated, active listeners. Furthermore, your video on Zappa's Top 10 songs was a great discussion on the whole catalog as well, so thank you so much for providing the Internet with such nice discussions. Much refreshing! I believe Frank Zappa's music speaks to the most curious part of our brains. It tickles non-stop, and its exploration has no limits (heck, they're still releasing stuff unheard of!). For me, it was not enough to listen to the music over and over, and I could only find a feeling of peace once I started playing it myself! And man, what a challenge it is! I would like to share some of it with you and this great community of people with a passion for life-changing music: ua-cam.com/video/fvwSxWyIa_o/v-deo.html That said, my top 10 would be somewhat like this (and sometimes these change places... Is just so hard to choose): 1. Waka/Jawaka - for emotional reasons. This was the album that awakened an infinite curiosity for the composer and his aesthetic. Sneaky Pete Kleinow's solo in "It might just be a one-shot deal" is one good reason to keep going on with life! 2. One Size fits All - "Inca Roads" takes me to my happy place, every damn time! The guitar solo is one of Zappa's best, and his band is on FIRE! Zappa + Lydian = BLISS. Everything from this band (Road Tapes, The Helsinki Concert, etc.) is mind-blowing. 3. Burnt Weeny Sandwich - More evident percussion ala Varèse, Stravinsky's direct influence, and "Holiday in Berlin." Stuff that Giovanni Trovesi explored further on in his own style. A great album with much variety. Can't listen to individual songs, the whole album is one great composition. 4. Sheik Yerbouti - I mean... WTF is all this?! Great humor, accurate stylizations of the rising Disco and Punk lifestyles and soundscapes, the momentum of that band, amazing vocals, and of course, in the middle of "Wild Love", Zappa's own classical music at its best (electro-funkified!). Very ecclectic, but balanced somehow. Genius at work in the studio. 5. Make a Jazz Noise Here - I am too young to have been able to see Zappa live, but along with The Best Band you Never Heard in Your Life, and Broadway the Hard Way, I can get a pretty good glimpse on how a live concert went on during the end of the 80s decade. It just makes me feel I'm there. The 1988 band is just out of this world. Athletic, muscular, PERFECT, and as always, incredibly artistic! Everything was spot-on. They never repeated themselved. Also, taking the Synclavier on-stage was NUTS, and I love it! 6. Them or Us - Gimme some Return to Forever, some Allan Holdsworth, but gimme FZ's sweet, sweet guitar tone in this record, along with Steve Vai's. I mean, DAMN! A great example on how to Jazz Fusion, baby. "Ya Hozna" might as well be a tribute to both Stockhausen and Schönberg at the same time. How the hell does someone come up with such a thing?! 7. Lumpy Gravy, We're Only in It for the Money & Civilization Phaze III - The best from Zappa's incredible editing/producing skills, poly-stylistic orchestral arrangements, and hollistic, hyper-textual narrative. In his hands, even the dada and the surreal have continuity and shape. The last of the albums being his consecration as a composer of PURE music. Excellent synclavier work that defies the realm of what's possible to do with sound. I believe these three works must be listened all the way through, top to bottom, otherwise, listening to the songs individually does not make much sense. From the Flower Power parodies, to the spicy comments of 80s US society and the rising mediocrity in the music industry, these three albums outline Zappa's aesthetic and artistic vision in a very complete way. Every other album he made, in my opinion, complemented what he did in these three. They rank at #7 because they are very inaccessible for someone that has not listened to classical music of the second part of the XX Century. They could be the worse recommendations for someone that wants to start exploring Frank Zappa's output. Be careful with these three. Treat them with respect. 8. Cruising with Ruben & The Jets - Because I share his love for Doo-Wop. A very serious album, and a great tribute to the vocal music of black people during the 50s. Always making it his own. Never understood why many fans attacked this album, or did not take it seriously. Zappa was a great musicologist, a very studious one, indeed. 9. Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of Prevention - There is so much going on here. After getting informed on the whole PMRC circus, I really enjoy what goes on in this album. "What's new in Baltimore" is one of my favorite compositions of his. Johnny Guitar Watson had a great time in these sessions, you can tell. Very diverse album. A great listening experience. 10. Zappa in New York - Last but not least. Now, some days these albums rank at the bottom, then I listen again and they become my favorites, so numbers don't mean a thing in this list. This band is jammin'! Having the Brecker Brothers really pumps up the shredding on this one. "Purple Lagoon" is just a bad motherfucker!!! Mallet work and guitar solos in this one are remarkable. Oh, can I have an AMEN for Ray White?! Great, great performances and arrangements. 11. Every single album dedicated to guitar solos - Self-explanatory, the man was a master of electric guitar expression. Mr. Sea of Tranquility, may this project of yours keep inspiring people to manifest their love for music, and may your life be filled with more vitalizing sounds and more great companies to listen with. Thanks once more for dedicating your Internet connection to the diffusion of sounds that feed the human soul. Greetings from ColOmbia!
It occurs to me that one of the great things about FZ is not even anything he created, and that's the community of fans, those that Love music that breaks the mould, so thanks for posting this Mr Tranquility. Although it puts me in the position of the non committed or perhaps soft core Zappa fan, Apostrophe was the first album of his that I got to know, so, naturally, I suppose, it will always be my favourite.
Frank was definitely an artist in every sense of the word. Let us not forget how he stood up for us in the fight against censorship. We need more like him.
Thanks for the effort! You’re mostly on in my mind, and One Size is often my first recommendation to would be converts. To me what’s missing is Ship Arriving too Late, which you mention, but the title side of the album is as potent (especially the arrangement and guitar work) as anything. Finally, Freak Out and We’re Only in It for the Money need to be in there for several significant reasons, given the context of publications!
Here's a personal Top Ten in no order: - Freak Out - We're Only in it For the Money - Apostrophe - Zoot Allures - Live at the Filmore East - Hot Rats - One Size Fits All - Sheik Yerbouti - Bongo Fury - Absolutely Free
Good selection. I first heard of Zappa and the Mothers when I saw the ad for _We're Only In It_ in the back pages of comic books, next to the ads for x-ray specs. (I had seen the "bicycle playing" with Steve Allen, but didn't make the connection.) It took the lyrics to that album-and friends who fit its sarcasm to a T-and the music of _Hot Rats_ and _Weasels_ to make me fully realize how much a genius we were dealing with. Without a doubt Frank was the best composer of the 20th century, with nobody remotely near his class thus far in the 21st. The live albums from the Roxy and NYC probably deserve special mention as well. I've seen Zappa concerts (including on Mother's Day) where strange and wonderful things went on, and I'd have felt privileged to have been at those.
Wonderful to hear you talk about Frank’s music. I’m 65 years old and I’m very fortunate to have watched him live 7 times in my lifetime He was truly amazing. To quote him he said you have a piece of time and you get to decorate it
Been waiting for this one too!! Too hard to ranks them all but these are all mine 17. Cruising With Ruben And The Jets 16. Lather 15. 200 Hotels 14. One Size Fits All 13. Over Nite Sensation 12. Apostrophe 11. Roxy And Elsewhere 10. Waka/Jawaka 9. The Grand Wazoo 8. Weasels Ripped My Flesh 7. Burnt Weeny Sandwich 6. Hot Rats 5. Freak Out! 4. Uncle Meat 3. Absolutely Free 2. Lumpy Gravy 1. We’re Only In It For The Money
Well done Pete. So glad you did a Frank Zappa album ranking and that you love his music. You had some great choices in your top 20 but I was a little surprised Freak Out didn't make the list. Freak Out would probably be my second favorite very close to Hot Rats which has been number 1 for me for a long time. But yeah Mr. Zappa put out many masterpieces such as Shake Yer Bouti, Sleep Dirt, Orchestral Favorites, Apostrophe and Wakka/Jawakka. I'm proud to be a subscriber of yours and looking forward to seeing more of your rock band shirts. Like you I have a huge collection of rock band shirts and wear a rock band shirt everyday. Unfortunately I don't have nor have I ever owned or even wore a Frank Zappa shirt but I think it's time for me to rectify that problem.
I listened to "Freak Out" in college dorm as my very first Zappa introduction. I was given the LP because nobody else wanted it and it is now framed on my wall.
Cheers Pete! Very very close to yours Pete! 20-Freak Out, 19-We're Only In It For The Money, 18-Studio Tan, 17-Sleep Dirt, 16-Bongo Fury, 15-Weasels Ripped My Flesh, 14-Burnt Weeny Sandwich, 13-Make a Jazz Noise Here, 12-Zoot Allures, 11-Uncle Meat, 10-Sheik Yerbouti, 9-Joe's Garage, 8-Waka/Jawaka, 7-You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore-Volume 2, 6-Roxy & Elsewhere, 5-Overnite Sensation, 4-Apostrophe, 3-Hot Rats, 2-One Size Fits All, 1-The Grand Wazoo
I don't know how any listing or ranking of Zappa's work can be complete without We're Only In It For The Money. It's one of those albums that changes you once you've listened all the way through.
You have a great list there, Pete. But for me these three deserve a mention too.... You Are What You Is......with Teen-age Wind, Dumb All Over, Heavenly Bank Account, Suicide Chump and the title track. Tinseltown Rebellion........with Fine Girl, Easy Meat, Pick Me, I'm Clean, the famous Panty Rap (they made a quilt....no, really...), The Blue Light, and the title track. The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life........ A reggae Ring Of Fire even though Johnny Cash couldn't come to sing it, Purple Haze, Sunshine Of Your Love, More Trouble Every Day, and a reggae version of Stairway To Heaven before the band Dread Zeppelin was created. (Dread Zeppelin was a reggae band doing the music of Led Zeppelin.... with the Las Vegas era Elvis as the singer. Thank you very much.)
Yes, all essential Frank albums that would make my top twenty. Best Band You Never Heard...would rank very highly for me. It's very hard to rank Zappa's stuff; once you get into his music there's not much to choose between them.
Honorable mention: Jean LucPonty Plays The Music of King Kong, Composed and arranged by Frank Zappa. Great list of my favorite 20th century composer ! Thanks
"Lumpy Gravy" remains my favorite Zappa album. IMO, it is the definitive Zappa album philosophically and also musically, as he continued make stuff with the variation of ideas along the same line and got back to it in Civilization Phase III.
My first concert ever was Zappa and the Mothers, at the Forum, in Los Angeles, 12-31-1975! There is no way I can pick pick an ordered list for his stuff, but here is today's grouping: 20. Burnt Weeny Sandwich 19. Weasels Ripped My Flesh 18. Studio Tan 17. Chunga's Revenge 16. Waka/Jawaka 15. Guitar 14. You Are What You Is 13. We're Only in it For the Money 12. Joe's Garage 11. Hot Rats 10. Sheik Yerbouti 09. Fillmore East 08. Live in New York 07. Just Another Band From L.A. 06. Bongo Fury 05. Freak Out 04. Apostrophe 03. One Size Fits All 02. Overnite Sensation 01. Roxy and Elsewhere
Brave- taling on such an immense, diverse catalogue. Faves are: Only in it for the Money, Live @the Filmore 1971, Broadway the hard way, Grand Wazoo plus about 25 more
No easy task so I'm doing a top 10. 1. Over Nite Sensation 2. One Size Fits All 3. Roxy 4. Live in Philly 1976 (Bootleg) it's great funky stuff. Almost like the band Mother's Finest at moments. Funny I should say that, or maybe not. 5. Apostrophe 6. Zoot Allures 7. Joe Garage (Saw him in concert on this one) 8. Sheik Yerbouti 9. Shut Up and Play 10. Hot Rats Definitely one of a kind and I miss him.
Pete, I'm loving your "favourite albums of the year" series. Together with your "ranking the albums" series you're opening my ears to many bands! My main two bands are Deep Purple and anything by Miles. Any chance of more Miles e.g. ranking his 1970s electric stuff? As for Zappa, I like his music, but I'm not a big fan of his singing.....so I need to check out the Guitar album....any more?
Hi Pete, just subscribed to your channel. I have been watching for several months but hadn't joined until...well we have more free time these days! My husband is a huge Zappa fan and your top two albums are also his! I am your age, really diggin' the nostalgia, even when you talk about hanging out with your friends back in the day...it's all so familiar..and we are native New Yorker's as well. Lovin' this channel.
Discovered zappa senior year in HS and changed my life forever. 4 years down the zappa rabbit hole nowhere near done but i'd have to say favorite album is "We're Only in it for the Money"
"Just Another Band from L.A." may be my favorite for "Billy the Mountain" alone. Love the title track of "Sleep Dirt," too. I once asked a lady who used to work at a hotel in Salt Lake City where all the "stars" stayed if there was anyone who came off as genuinely nicer than the others. She replied "Frank Zappa" without hesitation. "He was such a gentleman during his entire stay." The worst? Olivia Newton-John, who apparently was never mellow HER entire stay. Go figure.
I'm 3 seconds in, and let me just say, good on ya for even attempting this. Frank is absolutely my favorite musician, and I couldn't even contemplate this.
YCDTOSA Vol.2 is probably my favorite Zappa album. It was actually the first album I ever picked up from Zappa, a long with Them or Us some 20 years ago, and became an enormous fan and collector since then. That album, to me, represents the "progiest" era of Zappa and features just my favorite lineup of musicians. Great job on the video! It would rack my brain trying to narrow down his body of work into 20 albums, But I find your choices to be pretty cool and well thought out.
I absolutely love Frank Zappa!! I been listening to Zappa since 1973 when I first heard "Billy the Mountain". I was 16 years old. Today I have 38 Zappa albums on CD, 14 on vinyl, and 10 Zappa DVDs. And I have a couple of Zappa posters and t-shirts.
Pete I concurr completely on the top two and you are right there is something so lush and warm yet harmonically and rhythmically challenging about the music of this era.
It's hard to separate studio from live with FZ. Some favourites: One Size Fits All The Grand Wazoo Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar Roxy & Elsewhere Läther Over-nite Sensation Hot Rats Sleep Dirt Zappa In New York Uncle Meat Sheik Yerbouti Studio Tan Joe's Garage Act I Apostrophe We're Only In It For The Money Waka/Jawaka You Are What You Is Burnt Weeny Sandwich Make A Jazz Noise Here Jazz From Hell Zoot Allures The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life Bongo Fury The Yellow Shark Civilisation Phaze III
The guitar work in Zoot Allures amazes me everytime I listen to it. Black Napkins the solo in Zoot Allures is totally mind blowing. I remember asking my guitar teacher if he could show me how it is played and he looked at me smirking and said never, I have no idea what he's doing.
Yep, completely agree with the Black Napkins on ZootA. There is another version on YT which is even one level up. Perhaps you've come across it in the meantime. Most likely I've downloaded it somewhere 😃
Not having watched this yet, my picks for Top Tier Zappa records: S-Tier: - Freak Out! - We're Only in it for the Money - Hot Rats - Roxy & Elsewhere - One Size Fits All - Zoot Allures - Läther - You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, vol. 2: The Helsinki Concert A-Tier: - Uncle Meat - Weasels Ripped My Flesh - Waka/Jawaka - The Grand Wazoo - Over-Nite Sensation - Apostrophe(') - The Yellow Shark B-Tier: - Absolutely Free - Burnt Weeny Sandwich - Shut Up n' Play Yer Guitar Trilogy - Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch - Jazz from Hell - Guitar
Very good Pete love your shows, Zappa was a genius , 1 One size fits all, 2, Over night sensation 3, Roxy and Elsewhere 4, Were only in it for the money, 5, Apostrophe 6, Broadway the hard way, 7, The grand wazoo, 8, Joe s Garage. 9, Waka / Jawaka, 10, Ycdtosa vol 2, which was one of six double live cds released,
I saw Frank Zappa 13 times. from @74 til the last tour. He loved the audiences in Philadelphia and would play there twice a year. He played the Palace Theater in Hollywood for 5 straight nights in the '80's and didn't play the same song twice! I saw the first and last of that run. All the guys from his past bands where in LA to jam on the Zappa songs they played on!! Got half way through your list and thought that you already picked the good ones. The rest of the video I was like.... oh yea, that one is great! Good job,man!
Zappa was also one of the most quotable musicians of the rock era. My favorite: "Hippies, as a general rule, don't have very much on the ball. That's why they're hippies."
Been waiting for this... Genius. Amazingly talented band line ups he put together. Hot rats, apostrophe, overnight sensation my top 3.... Roxy and elsewhere, live in New York... favorite live albums
I didn't discover Zappa until I was almost out of high school. All thanks to a neighbor who had Joe's Garage. First the subject matter and lyrics hooked me. Then I started to realize how great the music was. Then I started tracking down more of his material. I owe it all to that neighbor that used to let me come over and drink and have a few hits off his bong.
My favorite are three of his live albums The Mothers - Live at the Fillmore East Zappa - Imaginary Diseases Zappa In New York w/ Terry Bozzio on drums taking a jab at Punky Meadows for the pootched out succulence of his insolent pouting rictus.
Yep thats one i'd put up the top. Mostly recorded during the sound check! Listen to the end of "I'm so cute" you can hear Terry Bozzio say to Frank "did you just record that?"
Was lucky enough to see him in concert in 1982. Most of the set was from You Are What You Is. Brilliant !!! Favourite albums: 1) Roxy and Elsewhere. 2) Sheikh Yerbouti. 3) Hot Rats. 4) Joe's Garage. 5) You Are What You Is.
I agree, my favourite Zappa album. I keep coming back to it. "the most derisive raspberry ever flung at the rock scene by an actual participant therein" - Rolling Stone.
Great choice... My main go-to Zappa albums are: A token of his extreme (cd and dvd) 200 motels (dito) The lost episodes One size fits all Zoot alures Apostrophe
Got to see him live, can't remember the year but it was during the Flo & Eddie era, sat front row right in front of him and just watched him play. He was just incredible, absolutely tore that SG up, so effortlessly playing and never once looked at the neck of his guitar, he knew where all the notes were. Truly an amazing night !
Exceptional Show!!! Pleasantly surprised to see my Top 2 are identical to yours!! "Inca Roads" is my fav Zappa song (over all). Although I love them, if I had to limit my list to only 20, 'Bongo' and 'New York' would not have been up there. All in all, a terrific show and an awesome Top 20. So glad to see you included 'Sleep Dirt' as well. Don't forget to warn your audience about the 'Sleep Dirt' reissue with vocals. For me, anyway, that ruined it. I had waited for Sleep Dirt to appear on CD for so long and, when it finally came out, and I rushed to and out of the store, then jumped in my car only to hear some singing "Time Is Money", I almost took it back. Thank God they ultimately released the original, instrumental version on CD. By the way, I love the story about you and your wife discussing Frank. Back circa 1982, I was apparently driving my wife nuts, talking about Frank all the time. One day we were leaving my folks house in NE Florida, heading to our apartment in Gainesville; about 80 minutes away. She asked me, "Tony, I don't understand. Why do you like Frank Zappa so much?!!" As we pulled into our apartment complex in Gainesville, I was still talking. I haven't seen her since.
Bear in mind I'm much older than you so the early stuff with the Mothers of Invention are my favourites. My top 5 are; 1. Hot Rats 2. Freak Out 3. We're only in it for the money 4. Absolutely Free 5. Weasels ripped my flesh
Thank you very much Pete, for your half-hour countdown to Frank Zappa's catalogue; and, agree with your top choice, "One Size Fits All". I am amongst the many life-long fans he still has. Perhaps, always will be. Have an in-depth collection of his music; considering I still have 56 of his albums, and approximately a dozen CD's.
For me, Roxy & Elsewhere IS one of the greatest albums of all time.
The Blu-ray release is even better it's a lot longer to plus you can see the group playing.
So good. For me it's a toss up between waka/jawaka and hot rats
You know what else is great? Hot dogs. I ate one recently. It tasted real good
I totally agree.First Zappa album I bought
orchestral favorites.
Thanks for the Frank. He's so impossible to put in a box. Such an uncontained talent. A comet of a man. One could pick any 20 albums and it'd be cool.
I became a fan of Frank Zappa after he helped Dead Kennedys pay for legal expenses when they were taken to court over the copyright of there Frankenchrist album. Total respect and what a fantastic guitarist he was. He wasn't just a artist, he was a composer too. Apparently the Zappa family have so much unreleased material, they could release an album every year for a 100 years! Just goes to show his musical output was astonishing.
I am a FZ and DK fan!
You do know he recorded literally everything he ever played.... it could go on until were dead probably lol
@@mikehydropneumatic2583 We do exist.
Zappa family’s a bit ... I saw Dweezil play his Dad’s songs and the last wife was taking him to court to stop his tribute tours... that’s a despicable thing to do to a son that just wants to play his dad’s music... it was a great show too
Joe Travers is still cranking 'em out, one or two per year. Gotta catch 'em all.
Zappa... Every time he came through the area I saw him. The best concerts I ever saw were Frank Zappa. I probably saw him 10 times. I miss Frank. 😥
My first rock concert was Zappa in Helsinki. I was 13 years old and went with a school mate. After the concert I was totally blown away. I thought the music and the performances were GREAT. Although my English language skills were not quite good enough to get it all. Little did I know that it would remain the best concert of my life, and I have been to quite a few. But nobody can beat Zappa and his band (Napoleon, George Duke and the rest). I remember very strongly the chemistry that Zappa had with Napoleon M. B. The cherry on the cake that one.
@ akahina Frank was amazing live!! I only saw him 2 times, but he was freakin insanely good,and his band was always the very cream of the crop musically. I wanted Frank for President! I miss him every day. It`s great to have Dweezil carrying the legacy on!
Im in the Dallas Tx area . Saw him 5 times.
I saw his son Dweezil. Of course it’s not the same thing but as far as a tribute band goes it doesn’t get better because Frank taught him. Sadly Zappa’s last wife legally stopped him from playing Zappa’s songs... that doesn’t sound right at all.
Best concert I ever saw was a tribute band fronted by Napoleon Murphy Brock at a tiny venue just a few months ago. Absolutely incredible, and only $20! They somehow managed to fit 14 musicians and all their multiple instruments on the stage.
You took on a daunting task, this was much appreciated. All I can add is that every Zappa album I've listened to has something special on it. I think I have around 76 of his albums in mp3 form (yeah, back in the day I was a person Lars Ulrich would hate, I was a pirate). I can't rank them, but using your list reminds me of many of my favorites.
I mentioned it in another post the other day - back in the mid 70s when girls my age had a David Cassidy poster on their wall I had a guy with a weird mustache sitting on a toilet...
1. Hot Rats (This was even done before Bitches Brew came out, Miles pushed the wall from one side and Zappa drilled it from the other...)
2. Overnite Sensation
3. Apostrophe
4. One Size Fits All
5. We're Only In it for the Money
6. Chunga's Revenge
7. Roxy & Elsewhere
8. Burnt Weenie Sandwich
9. The Grand Wazoo
10. Zappa in New York
11. Uncle Meat
12. Zoot Allures
13.Freak Out
14. Absolutely Free
15. Waka Jawaka
16. Weasels Ripped My Flesh
17. You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore Vol 2 The Helsinki Concert (The reason this is "relatively" low on my list is that it has no new material on it, unlike many of the other live album, but of course a stellar band at its peak)
18. Make a Jazz Noise Here
19. Fillmore East June 1971
20. 200 Motels
Add on - Bongo Fury (I made the list prior listening to the video so I did not consider this collaboration)
Worth mentioning musicians from his band: some of the first line-up of Little Feat, Jean-Luc Ponty...
So, in short, you're wifey material.
Roxanne Walsh Phi Zappa Crappa
I like your list better, closer to my own. Only missing The Best Band You Never Heard
I'm from the US but I spent 6 months in Hong Kong in 1972 and attended an international school.One day a school mate from Germany invited me to his house.His older brother had that poster on his bedroom wall.Zappa crappa!!. Frank was truly universal.
Is there an album called Big Swifty? Did you mean The Grand Wazoo? Love it
I have to agree, "One size fits all" is my favorite as well.
Absolutely, and Waka Jawaka
One Size Fits All was a milestone, Frank's studio mastery reached a new level, for me this was epic.
Yep
@Timothy McCaskey my eyeballs fill with tears during that solo everytime
One Size definitely hovering at the top for me and even as a desert island disk.
The most underrated guitar player ever. In the late '80s my then-girlfriend insisted on seeing FZ when he came to the Tower Theater outside Philly. I went just to make her happy. Yowza! I was blown away. Amazing show and an amazing guitar player. His cover of "Stairway to Heaven" was unbelievable, especially since you'd figure Zappa would make a parody of it. Nope. Straight-up awesome with a horn section to boot. Been a fan ever since. Thanks, Pete.
ua-cam.com/video/zvcAkPZ-DTs/v-deo.html I believe that’s the show you’re talking about.
@@Marx-Lennon Boom! Outstanding! Thank you, sir.
Dweezil is the most underrated guitar player of the past 12 years
Cool girlfriend!
I've never known Zappa to be an underrated guitarist! Well, let's start rating him!
I was at the bongo fury concert in the Armadillo , freaking unreal, Captain Beefheart and Frank were awesome.!!!
I wish I had a pair of bongos.
ah.....the armadillo world headquarters....i remember it well...saw frankie there in 1980
Ronnie Brown yeah buddy, beer garden, those waitresses were un real how many pitchers they could carry, Armadillo kitchen mmmm good. wasn't that place the shits !!!
I am so jealous mate
poster rolls with matching tacks
I would add CHUNGA´S REVENGE to your excellent list.
Andres Cohen, Transylvania Boogie.
Big Chungus Revenge
Andres Cohen echo 😎🎶🎶🎶
Andres Cohen Yeah..great album..
Andres Cohen, Chunga’s Revenge was Franks Great Rock Record. Leech and Eddie on vocals, simply amazing record. Tell Me You Love Me.....unreal....
The Inca Roads guitar solo on OSFA is lifted from the Helsinki concert.
Bognar Regis haha! I just commented the same. The YCDTOSA version of Inca Roads is my favorite piece of music. Following it with RDNZL makes that 30 minutes or so the audio version of heaven.
Great job Pete!
1. Roxy
2. Apostrophe
3. Over Nite
4. One Size
5. Joes Garage
You get the "ridiculously ambitious award" for doing this video on such a prolific and diverse artist.
He could have done the full discography, but he'd wind up with a video the length of a feature film!
Seriously I love u did this
You couldn't said it better
And for doing it on a ridiculously ambitious artist, no less!
Ok, true story. Early 77, me and two friends of mine, who were also heavily into all kinds of music, wanted to expand our horizon. We had been delving into prog and we'd heard from Zappa, but not listened to him (no air play), that he'd be a proggier version of prog and so on - so we decided to go into a record shop and each buy a Zappa record (decision based on gut instinct), then compare our impressons and lease the records around. Friend #1 bought Over-Nite Sensation (and was in love with it); Friend #2 bought One Size Fits All (and was even more in love with that). I bought Zoot Allures. And now it gets strange. I come home, can't expect to put the record on, do it - what the hell, this sounds easy listening to me ... THAT is supposed to be Zappa? After listening to this a minute I decided, it can't be. and take a good look. The label on the record says, first song, Wind Up Working in a Gas Station 2:29, 4 tracks on side one, 5 on side 2. Record itself, though, shows 3 songs each on both sides (identifiable via the empty grooves in the vinyl).
Immediately back to the record shop - wrong label on the record, wrongly packed. So I got me the real Zoot Allures (and was in love with it right away).
At the time I didn't even know what the record was that got labeled wrongly as Zappa. I'm pretty sure it was George Benson, either Breezin or In Flight, can't actually remember it ...
Anyway - Sleep Sirt ranks higher for me. Much higher. Filthy Habits, the title track, Christ, that is a great record. Roxy WOULD rank high on my list - if the later releases of You Can't do that on Stage Anymore, The Best Band you Never Heard", Does Humor belong in Music and so on hadn't made that album (sorry) somewhat redundant (or maybe it would be correct to say one of so many). At the time, yes, but later and in hindsight?
Anyway. Zappa is one of the truly great artists of the 20th century.
...And composer of all things musical arrangements. The Black Page, I mean come on. Musical Genius!
I wonder if that mis-labeled record would be worth anything. I have Joe's Garage Parts II & III double LP and the pressing has two side 4s and no side 2 (I think).
@@donbirren9401 I'm not sure. Technically, it's a George Benson record that has been mis-labeled and put in the wrong sleeve. Put it into the right sleeve and it may have some worth. You have a misprint that actually misses one side worth of music. Who'd pay for that? :)
The first I heard of him was the Hot Rats album, and I still feel it's some of his very best music. I think it's his best album due to the strength of the compositions for numerous pieces, while also being the finest examples of his truly distinct sound. Frank was a percussionist first with an unmistakable humorous flair that gave his music a certain levity no matter how intricate the arrangments were. That's Hot Rats for me.
I’ve been a Zappa fan forever and I’ve got to hand it to you this is almost an impossible task. Well done for even attempting to do a favorites list.
Muffin man still in my top 10 all time HARD rockin' songs!
10. Roxy + Elsewhere
9. Freak Out
8. We're Only in it for the Money
7. One Size Fits All
6. Apostrophe
5. Bongo Fury
4. You Are What You Is
3. Hot Rats
2. The Grand Wazoo
1. Joe's Garage
Mark, forgive me. Are you who you are claiming to be or are you a person with a very clever handle?
You don't have to answer that.
I'm watching you......so to speak.
I have them all except " apostrophe "
@@kevinmizell2076 it’s worth the money
Joes Garage. The best! Im a little biased though. Bought it in 8th grade (via paper route) in '79 and i went to catholic school so when i heard catholic girls i was hooked. And no she didnt give me vd.
My personal top 10 in random order:
-Joe's Garage
-You Are What You Is
-Freak Out!
-Cruising with Ruben & the Jets
-Sheik Yerbouti
-Over-Nite Sensation
-Lumpy Gravy
-Hot Rats
-Absolutely Free
-Zoot Allures
Lumpy Gravy is my favorite zappa album
I don't like Freak Out! that much actually...
You are what you is man, good stuff
You definitely have credibility in the Zappa/Mother’s department!!! Great choices.. Absolutely Free was my first & favorite Mother’s album, and We’re Only in it for the Money was my second and 2nd favorite.. Saw them several times live, but the best one by far was at Carr’s Beach in Annapolis Maryland on 5/19/73... That was the same day Secretariat won the Preakness at Pimlico in Baltimore, where I was before the concert... One of the best days of my life, and I am 68 years old..
Flo & Eddie years is where I jumped in. Live at the Fillmore East and Chunga's Revenge have to be right up there.
Yeah, Filmore Album is great. A friend gave it to me because I loved Zappa and he didn't really get it. Little House I Used to Live In. Mud Shark. But Frank made so much incredible music there'll never be a definitive album list that doesn't omit something priceless.
16 years old in 1976, I discovered Zoot Allures. Enough said.
One of his most underrated albums.
I was 13. Discovered zoos Allures and Apostrophe. Was never the same after that.
@@davidaustin4910 It's one if his most popular albums tho.
My dorm roommate played "Over-Nite Sensation" at least once a day every day. When I'm drooling in the old folks home, I'll still be able to remember the lyrics.
Lee Dean That’s actually my all-time favorite Zappa album, followed by Joe’s Garage, then Apostrophe and all the rest...
@@TonySpruillSax _Apostrophé_ and _Sensation_ aren't among my favorites because of their relatively high exposure, to the point of bordering on commercial success. That's a phrase I have trouble reconciling with Frank. (See Frank's book "No Commercial Potential" for further insight.) Somehow I just never want Zappa music to get overly "familiar."
@@Panglos Don`t do that to yourself man. Frank never did anything that he did not want to. Apostrophe and Overnight are killer albums, and could never get radio play because the lyrical content is so awesomely raunchy. Listen to the musicianship on the albums......fucking insane!!! Zoot Allures is probably my fav. Frank album. I like the stripped down band he played with on the album, Terry Bozio and co. Hot Rats is another great one for me.
Pete is a musical carnivore when it comes to rock, astonishing width and breadth, although I'm still hoping he develops a love for more folk orientated music, I won't hold my breath though.
My top albums by Frank: 1. Uncle Meat. 2. Rubin and the Jets. 3. We're only in it for the money. 4. Freak out. 5. Weazles ripped my flesh.
I think I'd have to put Uncle Meat at my number one also. If for no other reason, the side 4 suite of King Kong versions. Aside from the obvious deep fusion aspects, the way he seamed that together in the studio was nothing short of a brilliant feat.
I agree with Cruising With Ruben and the Jets. An excellent collection of crazy do-wop beat with a touch of Frankie Valli, Beach Boys, and other similar sounds giving it a funky nostalgic flavor of the late bopping fifties to early sixties. SNAT!
“Oh no” off weasels ripped my flesh is my top 3 favorite songs from zappa of all time. Inca road being #1 😉
"Anything" from Rubin And The Jets made my girlfriend cry.
It is such a beautiful track.
Totally agree with your selection. FZ was a class act.
Please forgive the really long comment, seriously, but I feel like when someone does something with great effort and passion, they should know how valuable it is in a world of mediocrity and immediacy. This channel is amazing! I have been writting down names of bands and albums that I've never heard of, and without fail, I have encountered great music. Very nice recommendations! Particularly, I admire that you took the Zappa catalog head-on and categorized it according to your taste, of course, a much difficult task, only for dedicated, active listeners. Furthermore, your video on Zappa's Top 10 songs was a great discussion on the whole catalog as well, so thank you so much for providing the Internet with such nice discussions. Much refreshing!
I believe Frank Zappa's music speaks to the most curious part of our brains. It tickles non-stop, and its exploration has no limits (heck, they're still releasing stuff unheard of!). For me, it was not enough to listen to the music over and over, and I could only find a feeling of peace once I started playing it myself! And man, what a challenge it is! I would like to share some of it with you and this great community of people with a passion for life-changing music:
ua-cam.com/video/fvwSxWyIa_o/v-deo.html
That said, my top 10 would be somewhat like this (and sometimes these change places... Is just so hard to choose):
1. Waka/Jawaka - for emotional reasons. This was the album that awakened an infinite curiosity for the composer and his aesthetic. Sneaky Pete Kleinow's solo in "It might just be a one-shot deal" is one good reason to keep going on with life!
2. One Size fits All - "Inca Roads" takes me to my happy place, every damn time! The guitar solo is one of Zappa's best, and his band is on FIRE! Zappa + Lydian = BLISS. Everything from this band (Road Tapes, The Helsinki Concert, etc.) is mind-blowing.
3. Burnt Weeny Sandwich - More evident percussion ala Varèse, Stravinsky's direct influence, and "Holiday in Berlin." Stuff that Giovanni Trovesi explored further on in his own style. A great album with much variety. Can't listen to individual songs, the whole album is one great composition.
4. Sheik Yerbouti - I mean... WTF is all this?! Great humor, accurate stylizations of the rising Disco and Punk lifestyles and soundscapes, the momentum of that band, amazing vocals, and of course, in the middle of "Wild Love", Zappa's own classical music at its best (electro-funkified!). Very ecclectic, but balanced somehow. Genius at work in the studio.
5. Make a Jazz Noise Here - I am too young to have been able to see Zappa live, but along with The Best Band you Never Heard in Your Life, and Broadway the Hard Way, I can get a pretty good glimpse on how a live concert went on during the end of the 80s decade. It just makes me feel I'm there. The 1988 band is just out of this world. Athletic, muscular, PERFECT, and as always, incredibly artistic! Everything was spot-on. They never repeated themselved. Also, taking the Synclavier on-stage was NUTS, and I love it!
6. Them or Us - Gimme some Return to Forever, some Allan Holdsworth, but gimme FZ's sweet, sweet guitar tone in this record, along with Steve Vai's. I mean, DAMN! A great example on how to Jazz Fusion, baby. "Ya Hozna" might as well be a tribute to both Stockhausen and Schönberg at the same time. How the hell does someone come up with such a thing?!
7. Lumpy Gravy, We're Only in It for the Money & Civilization Phaze III - The best from Zappa's incredible editing/producing skills, poly-stylistic orchestral arrangements, and hollistic, hyper-textual narrative. In his hands, even the dada and the surreal have continuity and shape. The last of the albums being his consecration as a composer of PURE music. Excellent synclavier work that defies the realm of what's possible to do with sound. I believe these three works must be listened all the way through, top to bottom, otherwise, listening to the songs individually does not make much sense. From the Flower Power parodies, to the spicy comments of 80s US society and the rising mediocrity in the music industry, these three albums outline Zappa's aesthetic and artistic vision in a very complete way. Every other album he made, in my opinion, complemented what he did in these three. They rank at #7 because they are very inaccessible for someone that has not listened to classical music of the second part of the XX Century. They could be the worse recommendations for someone that wants to start exploring Frank Zappa's output. Be careful with these three. Treat them with respect.
8. Cruising with Ruben & The Jets - Because I share his love for Doo-Wop. A very serious album, and a great tribute to the vocal music of black people during the 50s. Always making it his own. Never understood why many fans attacked this album, or did not take it seriously. Zappa was a great musicologist, a very studious one, indeed.
9. Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of Prevention - There is so much going on here. After getting informed on the whole PMRC circus, I really enjoy what goes on in this album. "What's new in Baltimore" is one of my favorite compositions of his. Johnny Guitar Watson had a great time in these sessions, you can tell. Very diverse album. A great listening experience.
10. Zappa in New York - Last but not least. Now, some days these albums rank at the bottom, then I listen again and they become my favorites, so numbers don't mean a thing in this list. This band is jammin'! Having the Brecker Brothers really pumps up the shredding on this one. "Purple Lagoon" is just a bad motherfucker!!! Mallet work and guitar solos in this one are remarkable. Oh, can I have an AMEN for Ray White?! Great, great performances and arrangements.
11. Every single album dedicated to guitar solos - Self-explanatory, the man was a master of electric guitar expression.
Mr. Sea of Tranquility, may this project of yours keep inspiring people to manifest their love for music, and may your life be filled with more vitalizing sounds and more great companies to listen with. Thanks once more for dedicating your Internet connection to the diffusion of sounds that feed the human soul.
Greetings from ColOmbia!
It occurs to me that one of the great things about FZ is not even anything he created, and that's the community of fans, those that Love music that breaks the mould, so thanks for posting this Mr Tranquility.
Although it puts me in the position of the non committed or perhaps soft core Zappa fan, Apostrophe was the first album of his that I got to know, so, naturally, I suppose, it will always be my favourite.
Quiet Knight Agreed!
BTW, what you're doing if one of my everyday highlights of that confinement period! Thanks, man.
Agree...actually have something to look forward to each day.
Both Overnite Sensation and the Grand Wazoo changed my life.
#THIStm Grand Wazoo!
Stinkfoot really is a life changer !
You have good taste. That's because they are his 2 best albums!
Frank was definitely an artist in every sense of the word. Let us not forget how he stood up for us in the fight against censorship. We need more like him.
He and George Carlin would both be appalled at the Ignorant Orange Savage play-acting as "president."
Thanks for the effort! You’re mostly on in my mind, and One Size is often my first recommendation to would be converts. To me what’s missing is Ship Arriving too Late, which you mention, but the title side of the album is as potent (especially the arrangement and guitar work) as anything. Finally, Freak Out and We’re Only in It for the Money need to be in there for several significant reasons, given the context of publications!
Here's a personal Top Ten in no order:
- Freak Out
- We're Only in it For the Money
- Apostrophe
- Zoot Allures
- Live at the Filmore East
- Hot Rats
- One Size Fits All
- Sheik Yerbouti
- Bongo Fury
- Absolutely Free
Good selection.
I first heard of Zappa and the Mothers when I saw the ad for _We're Only In It_ in the back pages of comic books, next to the ads for x-ray specs. (I had seen the "bicycle playing" with Steve Allen, but didn't make the connection.) It took the lyrics to that album-and friends who fit its sarcasm to a T-and the music of _Hot Rats_ and _Weasels_ to make me fully realize how much a genius we were dealing with. Without a doubt Frank was the best composer of the 20th century, with nobody remotely near his class thus far in the 21st.
The live albums from the Roxy and NYC probably deserve special mention as well. I've seen Zappa concerts (including on Mother's Day) where strange and wonderful things went on, and I'd have felt privileged to have been at those.
Joes garage ?
Broadway the hardway ??
200 motels ?
Make a little jazz noise
Tom rafalovitch all ones i havent digested in full yet, but with your suggestion, will start now
Agree FREAK OUT is no 1 ... so way ahead of its time. The sound is fantastic... my no 2 is Hot Rats
Great video. Frank Zappa helps keep me sane. So does Peter Pardo.
"These are the ones that are kinda like, a little the best." That sounds like the way Frank would phrase it!
Wonderful to hear you talk about Frank’s music. I’m 65 years old and I’m very fortunate to have watched him live 7 times in my lifetime He was truly amazing. To quote him he said you have a piece of time and you get to decorate it
Thanks for posting Frank was a genius.Dweezil is following in his footsteps
I agree with you Pete, one size fits all. But FZ's music is so varied and fantastic, it defies ranking and classifying.
An excellent selection of Frank Zappa's repertoire - My list is essentially similar but My favorite album is Broadway the Hard Way
Rhyming man Baritone women classic
That is I think I don't tune in, but it's all wrong. That is I think I disagree.
Have you ever been to the texas motel?
Been waiting for this one too!! Too hard to ranks them all but these are all mine
17. Cruising With Ruben And The Jets
16. Lather
15. 200 Hotels
14. One Size Fits All
13. Over Nite Sensation
12. Apostrophe
11. Roxy And Elsewhere
10. Waka/Jawaka
9. The Grand Wazoo
8. Weasels Ripped My Flesh
7. Burnt Weeny Sandwich
6. Hot Rats
5. Freak Out!
4. Uncle Meat
3. Absolutely Free
2. Lumpy Gravy
1. We’re Only In It For The Money
Well done Pete. So glad you did a Frank Zappa album ranking and that you love his music. You had some great choices in your top 20 but I was a little surprised Freak Out didn't make the list. Freak Out would probably be my second favorite very close to Hot Rats which has been number 1 for me for a long time. But yeah Mr. Zappa put out many masterpieces such as Shake Yer Bouti, Sleep Dirt, Orchestral Favorites, Apostrophe and Wakka/Jawakka. I'm proud to be a subscriber of yours and looking forward to seeing more of your rock band shirts. Like you I have a huge collection of rock band shirts and wear a rock band shirt everyday. Unfortunately I don't have nor have I ever owned or even wore a Frank Zappa shirt but I think it's time for me to rectify that problem.
Wow, I just listened to The Grand Wazoo for the first time yesterday. I’m so excited to hear your take on this discography
No matter how many times you listen to Wazoo, its brilliance never fades.
I listened to "Freak Out" in college dorm as my very first Zappa introduction. I was given the LP because nobody else wanted it and it is now framed on my wall.
captain beefheart and bongo fury yah I had 21 zappa albums loved every one muffin man one of the greatest guitar solos ever
Love all his albums probably Overnight Sensation and Hot Rats are my favorite
Those two are his best two IMHO. Well chosen. Other top five , Bongo Fury, Apostrophe and Live at Roxy.
@@vladdrakul7851 those three are great as well
Yes. Me to, stay cool greetings from Holland
Thanks! Just love you appreciating the Helsinki concert so much. The guitar solo on Pygmee Twylyte can still bring me to tears.
Check out the Eat That Question Zappa documentary, good stuff!
Hard to rank the Zappa catalog, so much quality material.
Cheers Pete! Very very close to yours Pete! 20-Freak Out, 19-We're Only In It For The Money, 18-Studio Tan, 17-Sleep Dirt, 16-Bongo Fury, 15-Weasels Ripped My Flesh, 14-Burnt Weeny Sandwich, 13-Make a Jazz Noise Here, 12-Zoot Allures, 11-Uncle Meat, 10-Sheik Yerbouti, 9-Joe's Garage, 8-Waka/Jawaka, 7-You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore-Volume 2, 6-Roxy & Elsewhere, 5-Overnite Sensation, 4-Apostrophe, 3-Hot Rats, 2-One Size Fits All, 1-The Grand Wazoo
I don't know how any listing or ranking of Zappa's work can be complete without We're Only In It For The Money. It's one of those albums that changes you once you've listened all the way through.
That album is timeless - hard to classify.
Just listened to the grand wazoo, overnight sensations, and zoot allures while blasted 2 days ago and don’t feel the same
The album cover alone is worth the money. The late sixties MOI was the best.
@@michaelward9880 Don’t tell me you’re ‘“only in it for the money”’, and not the music?
@Just Matty You've obviously never listened to a note of it.
You have a great list there, Pete. But for me these three deserve a mention too....
You Are What You Is......with Teen-age Wind, Dumb All Over, Heavenly Bank Account, Suicide Chump and the title track.
Tinseltown Rebellion........with Fine Girl, Easy Meat, Pick Me, I'm Clean, the famous Panty Rap (they made a quilt....no, really...), The Blue Light, and the title track.
The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life........ A reggae Ring Of Fire even though Johnny Cash couldn't come to sing it, Purple Haze, Sunshine Of Your Love, More Trouble Every Day, and a reggae version of Stairway To Heaven before the band Dread Zeppelin was created. (Dread Zeppelin was a reggae band doing the music of Led Zeppelin.... with the Las Vegas era Elvis as the singer. Thank you very much.)
Yes, all essential Frank albums that would make my top twenty. Best Band You Never Heard...would rank very highly for me. It's very hard to rank Zappa's stuff; once you get into his music there's not much to choose between them.
Honorable mention: Jean LucPonty Plays The Music of King Kong, Composed and arranged by Frank Zappa. Great list of my favorite 20th century composer ! Thanks
"Lumpy Gravy" remains my favorite Zappa album. IMO, it is the definitive Zappa album philosophically and also musically, as he continued make stuff with the variation of ideas along the same line and got back to it in Civilization Phase III.
I have that on cassette - hard to find nowadays.
My first concert ever was Zappa and the Mothers, at the Forum, in Los Angeles, 12-31-1975! There is no way I can pick pick an ordered list for his stuff, but here is today's grouping:
20. Burnt Weeny Sandwich
19. Weasels Ripped My Flesh
18. Studio Tan
17. Chunga's Revenge
16. Waka/Jawaka
15. Guitar
14. You Are What You Is
13. We're Only in it For the Money
12. Joe's Garage
11. Hot Rats
10. Sheik Yerbouti
09. Fillmore East
08. Live in New York
07. Just Another Band From L.A.
06. Bongo Fury
05. Freak Out
04. Apostrophe
03. One Size Fits All
02. Overnite Sensation
01. Roxy and Elsewhere
Brave- taling on such an immense, diverse catalogue. Faves are: Only in it for the Money, Live @the Filmore 1971, Broadway the hard way, Grand Wazoo plus about 25 more
No easy task so I'm doing a top 10.
1. Over Nite Sensation
2. One Size Fits All
3. Roxy
4. Live in Philly 1976 (Bootleg) it's great funky stuff. Almost like the band Mother's Finest at moments. Funny I should say that, or maybe not.
5. Apostrophe
6. Zoot Allures
7. Joe Garage (Saw him in concert on this one)
8. Sheik Yerbouti
9. Shut Up and Play
10. Hot Rats
Definitely one of a kind and I miss him.
Great video. Just now getting deeper into Zappa’s catalog. So much to buy!
Pete, I'm loving your "favourite albums of the year" series. Together with your "ranking the albums" series you're opening my ears to many bands! My main two bands are Deep Purple and anything by Miles. Any chance of more Miles e.g. ranking his 1970s electric stuff?
As for Zappa, I like his music, but I'm not a big fan of his singing.....so I need to check out the Guitar album....any more?
PhilJM make a jazz noise here. Or, Best Band You Never Heard
@@mathewunderwood2714 Thanks for the tips, Mathew!
Phil I’d love to know what you think of them.
Hi Pete, just subscribed to your channel. I have been watching for several months but hadn't joined until...well we have more free time these days! My husband is a huge Zappa fan and your top two albums are also his!
I am your age, really diggin' the nostalgia, even when you talk about hanging out with your friends back in the day...it's all so familiar..and we are native New Yorker's as well. Lovin' this channel.
Discovered zappa senior year in HS and changed my life forever. 4 years down the zappa rabbit hole nowhere near done but i'd have to say favorite album is "We're Only in it for the Money"
Amazed it wasn't on the list, my favourite too.
Totally agree. #1 for sure.
One size fits all. Sooooo good.
Great list Pete. When it comes to Zappa there could be a million combinations of best of lists
Pete you are a legend, when do you get the time listen to all this muzuk
Great rundown! Surprised not to see Freak Out, Absolutely Free, or We’re Only in it for the Money in there!
"Just Another Band from L.A." may be my favorite for "Billy the Mountain" alone. Love the title track of "Sleep Dirt," too.
I once asked a lady who used to work at a hotel in Salt Lake City where all the "stars" stayed if there was anyone who came off as genuinely nicer than the others. She replied "Frank Zappa" without hesitation. "He was such a gentleman during his entire stay." The worst? Olivia Newton-John, who apparently was never mellow HER entire stay. Go figure.
Billy the Mountain is truly an underappreciated work of genius. The CSN parody alone is a timeless slice of fantastic weirdness.
I miss Frank
I'm 3 seconds in, and let me just say, good on ya for even attempting this. Frank is absolutely my favorite musician, and I couldn't even contemplate this.
Living in The Zappa Rabbit Hole has made quarantine bearable, kind of.
I saw Dweezil with my son in February. Incredible show with an intense and tight band.
@@Claytone-Records such a good show.
I wonder:What would ZAPPA do?
Clayton Kusaj I’ve seen Dweezil at Beacon Theatre in NYC. It was a treat!
SeaLisa, Right? What an incredible band.
Well done! Zappa is very complex... I appreciate your ranking.... very interesting!
Haven't seen it mentioned here. "You are what you is" would be on my top 30 Zappa albums.
YCDTOSA Vol.2 is probably my favorite Zappa album. It was actually the first album I ever picked up from Zappa, a long with Them or Us some 20 years ago, and became an enormous fan and collector since then. That album, to me, represents the "progiest" era of Zappa and features just my favorite lineup of musicians. Great job on the video! It would rack my brain trying to narrow down his body of work into 20 albums, But I find your choices to be pretty cool and well thought out.
I absolutely love Frank Zappa!! I been listening to Zappa since 1973 when I first heard "Billy the Mountain". I was 16 years old. Today I have 38 Zappa albums on CD, 14 on vinyl, and 10 Zappa DVDs. And I have a couple of Zappa posters and t-shirts.
Pete I concurr completely on the top two and you are right there is something so lush and warm yet harmonically and rhythmically challenging about the music of this era.
Penguin in bondage has one of my favourite of melodic solos on it.
Hi from France by a hardcore Frank's fan !
I saw him 3 times on stage, I'll never forget this !
RIP Frank. We miss you all !
It's hard to separate studio from live with FZ. Some favourites:
One Size Fits All
The Grand Wazoo
Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar
Roxy & Elsewhere
Läther
Over-nite Sensation
Hot Rats
Sleep Dirt
Zappa In New York
Uncle Meat
Sheik Yerbouti
Studio Tan
Joe's Garage Act I
Apostrophe
We're Only In It For The Money
Waka/Jawaka
You Are What You Is
Burnt Weeny Sandwich
Make A Jazz Noise Here
Jazz From Hell
Zoot Allures
The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life
Bongo Fury
The Yellow Shark
Civilisation Phaze III
I heard him in an interview talk about playing solos and the "colors" he imagined as he played. Great autobiography to read.
The guitar work in Zoot Allures amazes me everytime I listen to it. Black Napkins the solo in Zoot Allures is totally mind blowing. I remember asking my guitar teacher if he could show me how it is played and he looked at me smirking and said never, I have no idea what he's doing.
Yep, completely agree with the Black Napkins on ZootA. There is another version on YT which is even one level up. Perhaps you've come across it in the meantime. Most likely I've downloaded it somewhere 😃
Not having watched this yet, my picks for Top Tier Zappa records:
S-Tier:
- Freak Out!
- We're Only in it for the Money
- Hot Rats
- Roxy & Elsewhere
- One Size Fits All
- Zoot Allures
- Läther
- You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, vol. 2: The Helsinki Concert
A-Tier:
- Uncle Meat
- Weasels Ripped My Flesh
- Waka/Jawaka
- The Grand Wazoo
- Over-Nite Sensation
- Apostrophe(')
- The Yellow Shark
B-Tier:
- Absolutely Free
- Burnt Weeny Sandwich
- Shut Up n' Play Yer Guitar Trilogy
- Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch
- Jazz from Hell
- Guitar
Nobody’s mentioned ‘Them or Us’! Love this album. Check out the solo’s from Dweezil and Vai on Stevie’s Spanking 🔥
is that the one with the song about france? that album is great
Very good Pete love your shows, Zappa was a genius , 1 One size fits all,
2, Over night sensation
3, Roxy and Elsewhere
4, Were only in it for the money,
5, Apostrophe
6, Broadway the hard way,
7, The grand wazoo,
8, Joe s Garage.
9, Waka / Jawaka,
10, Ycdtosa vol 2, which was one of six double live cds released,
1. Over Nite Sensation
2. We're Only In It For The Money
3. One Size Fits All
4. Apostrophe
Lumpy Gravy!
That’s a quality list. Your 3 is my 1
@@Marx-Lennon mine too! still listen to it today !
I saw Frank Zappa 13 times. from @74 til the last tour. He loved the audiences in Philadelphia and would play there twice a year. He played the Palace Theater in Hollywood for 5 straight nights in the '80's and didn't play the same song twice! I saw the first and last of that run. All the guys from his past bands where in LA to jam on the Zappa songs they played on!!
Got half way through your list and thought that you already picked the good ones. The rest of the video I was like.... oh yea, that one is great! Good job,man!
Zappa was also one of the most quotable musicians of the rock era. My favorite: "Hippies, as a general rule, don't have very much on the ball. That's why they're hippies."
Been waiting for this...
Genius.
Amazingly talented band line ups he put together. Hot rats, apostrophe, overnight sensation my top 3.... Roxy and elsewhere, live in New York... favorite live albums
What a guitarist man !
I didn't discover Zappa until I was almost out of high school. All thanks to a neighbor who had Joe's Garage.
First the subject matter and lyrics hooked me. Then I started to realize how great the music was. Then I started tracking down more of his material.
I owe it all to that neighbor that used to let me come over and drink and have a few hits off his bong.
My favorite are three of his live albums
The Mothers - Live at the Fillmore East
Zappa - Imaginary Diseases
Zappa In New York w/ Terry Bozzio on drums taking a jab at Punky Meadows for the pootched out succulence of his insolent pouting rictus.
I wish Live at the Fillmore had better production, l think it would rank higher. Do the Mud Shark Baby
You brought good time here ,symphathtic vibes,info and you bringing it to us ...thank you ,THANKS ,love Sylvia...
"Crux of the biscuit" has an outstanding "don't eat the yellow snow" version.
Thanks for your presentation. I couldn't agree more on your favorites.
I don't know where to start .... ok Joe's Garage & Hot Rats.
Nice list! There are gems in most of his albums. All of them are worth hearing once.
Agree with most of them, with the exception that " Sheik Yerbouti" would be in my top 3.
Yep thats one i'd put up the top. Mostly recorded during the sound check! Listen to the end of "I'm so cute" you can hear Terry Bozzio say to Frank "did you just record that?"
Was lucky enough to see him in concert in 1982.
Most of the set was from You Are What You Is. Brilliant !!!
Favourite albums:
1) Roxy and Elsewhere.
2) Sheikh Yerbouti.
3) Hot Rats.
4) Joe's Garage.
5) You Are What You Is.
'We're only in it for the money' tops my chart. It's everything St Pepper wanted to be and tried to be and hoped to be. And wasn't.
I agree, my favourite Zappa album. I keep coming back to it. "the most derisive raspberry ever flung at the rock scene by an actual participant therein" - Rolling Stone.
Great choice...
My main go-to Zappa albums are:
A token of his extreme (cd and dvd)
200 motels (dito)
The lost episodes
One size fits all
Zoot alures
Apostrophe
I was just thinking the other day, you could never tackle Zappa, even for those officially released when he was alive. But there you go..
I do very much agree with your top 2.
Great list. Zappa was one of the greatest. And will remain so.
This is like choosing your favourite child! You knew a guy who first appeared on TV playing a bicycle was going to have an interesting career.
Well then you must have an ass-load of children lol.
The Ocean is the Ultimate Solution - Pete you nailed it buddy around 6:50 FZ goes off for 7 minutes and it's unreal. Great stuff. Cheers!
Got to see him live, can't remember the year but it was during the Flo & Eddie era, sat front row right in front of him and just watched him play. He was just incredible, absolutely tore that SG up, so effortlessly playing and never once looked at the neck of his guitar, he knew where all the notes were. Truly an amazing night !
Exceptional Show!!! Pleasantly surprised to see my Top 2 are identical to yours!! "Inca Roads" is my fav Zappa song (over all). Although I love them, if I had to limit my list to only 20, 'Bongo' and 'New York' would not have been up there. All in all, a terrific show and an awesome Top 20. So glad to see you included 'Sleep Dirt' as well. Don't forget to warn your audience about the 'Sleep Dirt' reissue with vocals. For me, anyway, that ruined it. I had waited for Sleep Dirt to appear on CD for so long and, when it finally came out, and I rushed to and out of the store, then jumped in my car only to hear some singing "Time Is Money", I almost took it back. Thank God they ultimately released the original, instrumental version on CD.
By the way, I love the story about you and your wife discussing Frank. Back circa 1982, I was apparently driving my wife nuts, talking about Frank all the time. One day we were leaving my folks house in NE Florida, heading to our apartment in Gainesville; about 80 minutes away. She asked me, "Tony, I don't understand. Why do you like Frank Zappa so much?!!" As we pulled into our apartment complex in Gainesville, I was still talking.
I haven't seen her since.
Bear in mind I'm much older than you so the early stuff with the Mothers of Invention are my favourites.
My top 5 are;
1. Hot Rats
2. Freak Out
3. We're only in it for the money
4. Absolutely Free
5. Weasels ripped my flesh
Thank you very much Pete, for your half-hour countdown to Frank Zappa's catalogue; and, agree with your top choice, "One Size Fits All". I am amongst the many life-long fans he still has. Perhaps, always will be. Have an in-depth collection of his music; considering I still have 56 of his albums, and approximately a dozen CD's.