The Mallets of Invention

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  • Опубліковано 5 вер 2024
  • Ruth Underwood and Dweezil Zappa talk about Frank's fondness for Mallet Instruments.
    This video is assembled from bits of the Apostrophe/Overnite Sensation DVD. Everybody buy it so I won't feel bad about posting it on youtube!

КОМЕНТАРІ • 182

  • @zwwwz12
    @zwwwz12 14 років тому +53

    The godess of the marimba, RESPECT RUTH!

    • @timsparks2862
      @timsparks2862 Рік тому

      I think I can't make a reply because UA-cam alter my reply but yeah I agree

  • @triptoyourheart
    @triptoyourheart 3 роки тому +23

    Crazy thing about Ruth's playing is that she makes stuff like Rollo sound almost easy to play and completely natural. When obviously it's incredibly difficult stuff.

  • @bikingfencer
    @bikingfencer 12 років тому +23

    "For 14 years we had no contact at all. ... Last June ('93) he called and asked if he could sample some of my stuff. I was shocked because I hadn't touched a pair of mallets since March of '77. I ended up practicing for 14 hours, which was all the time I could get together in the context of my life now. I spent four days at Frank's house sampling. This was really a miracle for me - that I could be reunited with him and still have something to offer."

  • @davids9192
    @davids9192 4 роки тому +7

    What a wonderful and talented lady Ruth is. Was privileged to see her perform with Frank in the 70’s.

    • @peach495
      @peach495 6 місяців тому

      Saw them in '73 and again in 74. Still a favorite concert in my memories.

  • @atomaalatonal
    @atomaalatonal 10 років тому +74

    evrytime i hear ruth underwood playin zappas stuff, it feels like zappa tried to write even more insane stuff to kick her butt...but she just plays it one handed haha.

    • @gervasioraffo8375
      @gervasioraffo8375 6 років тому

      LOL

    • @ramadhandadan7835
      @ramadhandadan7835 3 роки тому

      Oo1ou2iwiw2wwiwiw2222wwwieiiwwiwiwiwww2ieiwww22ee32222i22ww22wwwi2i2o22iieeieeie33332p22323332o2o2o229eeielee828www22283883ew3ee2olaow9w0w2

    • @Astral-Projector2389
      @Astral-Projector2389 4 місяці тому

      @@ramadhandadan7835 exactly

    • @frankcoverjr.-jz3ne
      @frankcoverjr.-jz3ne Місяць тому

      Someone said that Frank was actually intimidated by her playing!

  • @bosprocket
    @bosprocket 12 років тому +27

    in a perfect world there would be a dvd/cd called "RUTH PLAYS ZAPPA"

  • @kewlfonz
    @kewlfonz 11 років тому +9

    Christ, that marimba part is astonishing melodically AND rhythmically... Zappa was truly a genius in the truest sense of the word. He must've really gotten into some heavy duty classical material to even THINK of melodies like this??? WTF???

    • @crescentfreshbret
      @crescentfreshbret 5 років тому +3

      Frank was a huge fan of unorthodox composers like Varese and Stravinsky.

  • @sator365
    @sator365 11 років тому +13

    I think Ruth will be gorgeous forever!!! and I"ll love her forever!!!

  • @chunter5100
    @chunter5100 13 років тому +10

    A true genius musician.....she was...unbelievable....she was so good....

  • @pwkpilot
    @pwkpilot 10 років тому +22

    Ruth is a virtuoso! She could play these incredibly difficult parts blindfolded probably

  • @juli-annb.anderson8816
    @juli-annb.anderson8816 3 роки тому +5

    This is a gem.... always loved, respected and gave great credit to Ruth Underwood... she's a genius!!🍃💕🍃

  • @Fluffyfluffyhead
    @Fluffyfluffyhead 16 років тому +3

    Ruth is the best. I think i love her...

  • @colin6768
    @colin6768 6 років тому +21

    Always was blown away by Ruth Underwood's playing. There's no question about it - Zappa was from a different space time continuum. If you need further proof - here it is.

    • @terrypussypower
      @terrypussypower 5 років тому +1

      colin6768 Nope. Frank was very human! Just a SUPERIOR human, the BEST of humanity.
      Very focussed, and very talented!

    • @brianhammer5107
      @brianhammer5107 4 роки тому +3

      he wasn't the "best of humanity" - LOL!!! - he was just a very good musician - as a human being, he had some pretty disturbing flaws

    • @PunguinYoga
      @PunguinYoga 2 місяці тому

      @@brianhammer5107 He truly did.

  • @GoodCorporateRobot
    @GoodCorporateRobot 4 роки тому +4

    I could listen to her speak for hours! She's fantastic in every way!

  • @WWAWHTR
    @WWAWHTR 5 років тому +7

    She is such a lovely person. Music is the best.

  • @MrUndersolo
    @MrUndersolo 3 роки тому +6

    The only female member of the Mothers, and she always knocked it out of the park.
    Respect!

    • @Jack-vy6uo
      @Jack-vy6uo 9 місяців тому

      Nonsense. There was a female sax player in the76 band

  • @chizmo7
    @chizmo7 15 років тому +6

    I love this video. Phenomenal musician yet humble and so intelligent. I love Ruth Underwood.

  • @latexsolarbeef4990
    @latexsolarbeef4990 Рік тому +2

    ..that fowler band set the bar for all the players that followed...magnificent in every way...

  • @dpoland
    @dpoland 16 років тому +3

    Ruth, I remember when, well... maybe I don't remember, but I love everything about you and your wonderful playing over the years!!! And We sure miss Frank.

  • @shred5
    @shred5 9 років тому +16

    Ruth was great. I think she played on much of Frank's best work and her work on the vibes was a huge asset as well.
    I noticed that Frank would always re-arrange his music depending on what instruments he had in the band, and I always thought he would write parts for his musicians in the band at the time too. Pretty cool.

  • @zappalives
    @zappalives 16 років тому +1

    If there is one thing that exemplifies the wonder of 30 years of technological progress in computers, it has to be the fact that thanks to you tube I can finally get to see things I've been wanting to see for decades, and no TV would have ever shown, such as interviews to FZ and his band members , including beautiful, wonderful and talented Ruth underwood !!! Thank you, YOU TUBE !!!

    • @jazzyben
      @jazzyben 10 місяців тому +1

      You hit the nail right on its head!

  • @tomfile3131
    @tomfile3131 3 роки тому +3

    So intelligent and classy.

  • @TarantuLandoCalcuLingus
    @TarantuLandoCalcuLingus 4 роки тому +5

    franks music is the only music thatll get me to tear up randomly when ive heard the songs thousands of times

  • @jarodcarnarvon123
    @jarodcarnarvon123 2 роки тому +1

    She's so talented and so sweet!

  • @LeePresson
    @LeePresson  6 років тому +41

    I just got a copyright claim on this. I posted it 11 years ago. UA-cam's really on top of things, aren't they?

    • @benfrombelow
      @benfrombelow 5 років тому +4

      Is Ahmet on the warpath?

    • @hafke001
      @hafke001 5 років тому +2

      Don't worry, it's still accesible

    • @flowerpunkchip
      @flowerpunkchip 4 роки тому

      it was a lot worst 12-13 years ago. I got loads of my Zappa videos muted (permanently). UA-cam are truly horrible and things will get worst. Algorythms especially for news and documentaries have been affected badly. Freedom of speech is being slowly eradicated. (apologies for the doom and gloom). Here's Ralph with the sports.....

  • @michaelledford4751
    @michaelledford4751 9 років тому +18

    God what a talent Frank was , I remember Frank saying somewhere where he enjoyed finding extraordinary musicians & write just for them to forever stamp their signature on the piece of music & Ruth's parts did not dissapoint, ever .
    I saw FZ twice with the Mothers then once as Zappa & every time I was just blown away at the orchestration of such complex pieces & the band's just breezed thru them all like nothing , Dweezil is doing a great job keeping the music alive but I can't help but think of Frank composing the Black Page around Terry Bozzios kit at that time & wonder what he'd compose around Terrys monster kit , or his all cymbal kit ?

  • @johnbidochka2795
    @johnbidochka2795 8 років тому +13

    "Rollo" is such a difficult passage, I don't know how anyone does it. I've tried to imagine what Ruth Underwood's initial reaction was like when Frank first presented the lead sheet to her.

    • @6teeth318
      @6teeth318 8 років тому

      +John Bidochka Did i write that? :) Was her thought. It deff was "born" for me, as she explains.'

    • @brianhammer5107
      @brianhammer5107 4 роки тому +3

      well, there are passages in Classical music just as difficult and more-so - but Zappa was a strong composer

  • @ChuckSchickx
    @ChuckSchickx Рік тому +2

    Unreal! Thanks Ruth for all the great music! What a gift you are ❤

  • @tarbogman
    @tarbogman 13 років тому +7

    "it's just difficult as all hell" - couldn't have said it better!

  • @namtil
    @namtil 13 років тому +2

    "Apostrophe" was my introduction to Frank Zappa more than thirty years ago. My friend said: "Check this music out. You'll never forget it!". He was right. Thank you very much for posting this interview; Ruth and Dweezils' comments and stories are priceless. And what musicianship!

  • @Mooseboy08
    @Mooseboy08 9 років тому +8

    Never knew that section of St. Alphonzo had a separate name, but that always been my favorite part of the piece.

  • @tixximmi1
    @tixximmi1 6 років тому +8

    At 2:10 it shows the band I saw in 73. The concert blew me away. And outside of Tom Fowler on bass, Frank was the only other guitar player. Not bad for a $10 ticket.

  • @Tenoken
    @Tenoken 10 років тому +7

    I love Ruth so much!

  • @joefelice5062
    @joefelice5062 10 років тому +21

    On Ruth!

  • @jb8256
    @jb8256 16 років тому +2

    I recently revisited an old crush from the 70's I had on Ruth Underwood. Her sexiness is so much about her musical gift in addition to her physical beauty. She was a huge presence and defining sound in the Mothers. I wanted her!

  • @MRAL1970
    @MRAL1970 5 років тому +3

    what a lovely woman

  • @Gnomaxx
    @Gnomaxx 8 років тому +11

    Luv U Ruth :)

  • @kevinmuller7870
    @kevinmuller7870 8 років тому +2

    on Ruth, on Ruth !!!! She was perfect... and Frank does his Job, to bring 100 percent music. Its so nice after all the years thats live to see that. Thanks .

  • @michaeldickman4522
    @michaeldickman4522 5 років тому +1

    Love you Ruth 🎶❤🎶💕❤🎶🎶

  • @squareeyedgit
    @squareeyedgit 15 років тому +4

    "Ruthie Ruthie, where did you go...?"

  • @Sausahgagutz
    @Sausahgagutz 17 років тому +2

    That just doesn't happen without once-in-a-millennium genius behind it! And it took Ruth to bring it alive!

  • @dylanfan1969
    @dylanfan1969 16 років тому +3

    Dweezil might not be able to be compared to his father but he is one hell of a musician himself. I think the Zappa plays Zappa tour was a great idea.

  • @forenzictoolzpoozle1599
    @forenzictoolzpoozle1599 3 роки тому +1

    FZ sure had some real smart and eloquent women in his family/entourage. this woman , in particular, has the gift of the gab.

  • @TheRealDerfMan
    @TheRealDerfMan 14 років тому +3

    Approximate...!!!!!!!!! Freakin' amazing...!!! Ruth was, and still is amazing, isn't she?? And Napoleon Murphy Brock at the end..... ahhhhhhh!! I've seen him the first time Dweezil came to Montreal, and I'm SO grateful to have had a chance to see him live!! What a wonderful man! Great upload, my friend!!

  • @krang07
    @krang07 15 років тому +8

    omfg! ruth!! where were the three mistakes?!?!?!! i didnt count any!
    im shocked she can still play that
    without a single noticable mistake!
    wonderful, who doesnt love ruth

    • @v1switch
      @v1switch 4 роки тому +4

      Her mistakes weren’t melodic, they were rhythmic and very slight. I only caught two of them.

  • @jimpalmer792
    @jimpalmer792 6 років тому +5

    "This video is assembled from bits of the Apostrophe/Overnite Sensation DVD. Everybody buy it so I won't feel bad about posting it on youtube!"
    Bought DVD years ago; worth every penny.
    But it deserves to be on UA-cam so the whole World can access and enjoy Frank, his music, and his musicians !
    Thanks.

  • @Bigskyabove
    @Bigskyabove 14 років тому +1

    What talented people these musicians are !

  • @Innerfire007
    @Innerfire007 15 років тому +1

    Truly inspiring. It's another testament to how extremely special this man really was. An unbelievably amazing genius, who could write for each talent in a way that uniquely fit their individual ability like a glove. Now THAT'S just beyond the pale!! We may never see his like again. So sad when I think about that. But what an incredible legacy he left us!!

  • @Chromatype
    @Chromatype 14 років тому +14

    There is something about a very intelligent woman with amazing musical ability-- with a great body that ages well...not very common

  • @elbay2
    @elbay2 15 років тому +6

    That about sums it up really. Zappa always considered himself a composer first and a guitar player second.
    I like both sides of FZ. I prefer the composer, but the guitarist has an awesome style and sound!

  • @elranchero
    @elranchero 15 років тому +1

    Always enjoyed Ruth underwood's playing

  • @diddywahdaddy
    @diddywahdaddy 16 років тому +1

    Ithaca, Julliard and studying under Terry Gibbs. Wikipedia her - it's a touching story about her and Frank getting in touch again after he got sick in there.

  • @stanlindert6332
    @stanlindert6332 9 років тому +20

    Dr Frankinzappa.

  • @CribNotes
    @CribNotes 15 років тому +2

    I've got the sheet music of what Ruth and Dweezel were playing somewhere around here. In 1980, I transcribed it from a cassette playing at half-speed because I just HAD to learn that beauty on guitar. Really hard to play. A great exercise. I didn't know that section had a unique name and that it was inserted into St. Alfonso.

  • @XXXCRSPL
    @XXXCRSPL 3 роки тому +1

    Ruth was an incredible musician!!

  • @daylemay9010
    @daylemay9010 12 років тому +5

    OMG... Ruth was and still is a premier percussionist in my book! Always! Frank never hired anyone who could play what he wanted. I Love her incredible talent and who she is as a person. I have never heard anything like her...
    D.L.M.

  • @darrellpetersen133
    @darrellpetersen133 Рік тому +1

    pure talent! Crazy ability!

  • @taftchatham
    @taftchatham 11 років тому +1

    Thank you for uploading this. Frank and Ruth were lucky to have met, and we're lucky they did, too.

  • @pedropinto2688
    @pedropinto2688 Рік тому

    In Portugal we miss you Frank and all the band.

  • @Psycho9263
    @Psycho9263 14 років тому +4

    Before Evelyn Glennie there was Ruth Underwood.

  • @CribNotes
    @CribNotes 15 років тому +1

    Nice!! I could play Saint Alfonso on guitar at Apostrophe tempo after writing it down on music paper listening to it at half-speed....then practicing it for what seemed like forever! I know what you mean. You guys got me all inspired to see if I can still play it so many years later. Great exercise.

  • @inokpati
    @inokpati 17 років тому +1

    ruth here is transcending all rules of playing marimba (i think so!)..i can say she reached the perfection ..

  • @DVincentW
    @DVincentW 16 років тому

    Seeing this ...
    Hearing Dweezil play St Alfozo...
    oh I am friggin breathless to see hear & this .
    Ruth Underwood wow.Thanks fer gnitsop siht!*****

  • @gvbaker55
    @gvbaker55 12 років тому +3

    "On Ruth! On Ruth! (Duh-duh-dah-dunh) That's Ruth!

  • @KendraAndTheLaw
    @KendraAndTheLaw 3 роки тому +1

    Love to her

  • @ozweber1609
    @ozweber1609 Рік тому

    legendary line up

  • @andrewdyke5561
    @andrewdyke5561 4 роки тому

    Ruth is amazing

  • @Zappaspack1022
    @Zappaspack1022 2 роки тому

    I just smiled through this whole video

  • @ct4709
    @ct4709 Місяць тому

    I regret not seeing Zappa does Zappa

  • @bavariansunset
    @bavariansunset 15 років тому +1

    so true ... as WE know 'its's a way of life'!

  • @monoped8437
    @monoped8437 6 років тому +1

    love her work on RDNZL

  • @twinsmm1
    @twinsmm1 13 років тому +11

    if she made 3 mistakes, I didn't hear them!

    • @frankcoverjr.-jz3ne
      @frankcoverjr.-jz3ne Місяць тому

      After listening several times, I heard two for sure. The third one….not so sure.😂😊

  • @johnharvey4496
    @johnharvey4496 6 років тому

    Wonderful to see in this clip Dweezil and the ZPZ lineup with NMB

  • @12Jetdiver55
    @12Jetdiver55 16 років тому +1

    She was outstanding!!! I'd love to have a marimba.
    Was she the woman's voice on the Torture Never Stops from Zoot Allures???? Does anyone know???

  • @biffdorkinton555
    @biffdorkinton555 3 роки тому +1

    I wish every kid could learn from her.

  • @imyourtrash
    @imyourtrash 17 років тому +2

    If anyone DOUBTS Franks genius, please show me ONE musician who can compose anything CLOSE to this!!

    • @gervasioraffo8375
      @gervasioraffo8375 6 років тому

      Maybe if we can find Frank Zappa's doppelganger... LOL

  • @ZOOTSUITBEATNICK1
    @ZOOTSUITBEATNICK1 5 місяців тому

    Amazing person

  • @rudigazortipek2987
    @rudigazortipek2987 2 роки тому +1

    She's fucking glorious!!!

  • @frandsenphilip1
    @frandsenphilip1 9 років тому

    Wow! Ruth explains everything so clearly. I love Dweezil's guitar playing too. I've seen Dweezil in concert, but, alas! Never Frank.

  • @gentillyguy1
    @gentillyguy1 16 років тому +1

    I remeber reading an interview with Frank where he stated that it's actually Gail Zappa and a friend on Torture Never Stops.

    • @barrywooldridge2692
      @barrywooldridge2692 3 роки тому

      I remember reading somewhere that stated it was Dale Bozzio who did the screaming/moaning track...

    • @kipponi
      @kipponi 2 роки тому

      @@barrywooldridge2692 Live he did that. You mean Terry Bozzio?

    • @barrywooldridge2692
      @barrywooldridge2692 2 роки тому

      @@kipponi I'm not sure who filled in the screams/background moans on the live versions, but it was in a Dale Bozzio interview I read where she revealed that she did the screams for the track on the Zoot Allures LP. Can't remember exactly where I read that - her pictorial/interview piece in that '80s issue of Hustler Magazine, mebbe? My memory ain't as sharp as it used to be. I would fathom a guess that it might have been both Dale AND Gail doing those scream tracks - I really don't know - just remember reading that...

    • @kipponi
      @kipponi 2 роки тому

      @@barrywooldridge2692 Okay I am not young either(56)! I saw live version where Terry Bozzio did screaming same time when playing drums. It could be other song too 🤔.
      In the record it could be anyone?
      Memory remains like Metallica's song but some fades out...

  • @26095
    @26095 15 років тому +1

    Please, please, please be sure to see the video of the Mighty Panthers doing G-Spot Tornado!

  • @allenhanford
    @allenhanford Рік тому +1

    I really wish she had made more music. I know she chose her family over career but it was a real shame for the rest of us.

  • @zolarczakl3880
    @zolarczakl3880 5 років тому

    Zappa wrote to the abilities of the players in his band at that time. And then he pushed those players to their limits. He made them play more difficulty than they thought possible. Practice and plenty of road work made those players get it down. Then any new member joining after any given player left was expected to be able to play up to the standards of the previous bands. That is some daunting shit there.
    When Bozzio got invited to audition, he wasn't very familiar with Zappa's music, but picked up Roxy & Elsewhere and probably Apostrophe to get a feel for what the drumming is about in Zappa's music. When he heard Chester and Ralph playing together he thought there was no way he was good enough to match that level of talent. Of course he got the gig and was tasked with learning The Black Page. That was Terry's legendary signature drum piece. Of course, after Bozzio left, every drummer since had to be able to play The Black Page.
    Anyway, Ruth said in an interview that Zappa wrote to her neuroses, or words to that effect. He wrote music to scare the shit out of her, and she always met the task. She was a mother!

  • @ledzzappa
    @ledzzappa 16 років тому +1

    the world seems a bit empty without frank.

  • @auxnoise548
    @auxnoise548 Рік тому

    Ruth wow I didn't know she was so good

  • @ChasBeauregarde
    @ChasBeauregarde 12 років тому +3

    Get on your feet and do the Funky Alphonso!!!

  • @Yarglish
    @Yarglish 14 років тому

    @ledzzappa
    I remember the day he died. i was coming back from work -it has been such an happy day util that moment- i turned the TV on (we had real good rock emission at the time in France), and got struck right in front of the set.
    I stood a long time listening to his musical necrology with that felling of "lost".
    I'm still missing him.

  • @MrGuitarjones
    @MrGuitarjones 12 років тому +1

    Ladies and gentleman, watch Ruth
    All through this video, I have been thinking...
    oooh, what CAN'T she do to amaze everyone ?
    I love you Ruth Underwood!!!

  • @twinsmm1
    @twinsmm1 14 років тому +1

    Wow, great story. Hope Ruth does the right thing with her manuscript when she decides to part with it.

  • @dimi409
    @dimi409 17 років тому +1

    I played St Alpphonzo too on guitar, you can see it on my page. It's not as clean and as fast as Dwezil but it's not so bad (I had to practice it so much!).

  • @benchbeat
    @benchbeat 16 років тому +1

    You know they panned the low register notes (pipes) to the left, and the high register notes to the right - so if Ruth played a long scale it would seem to go all around... anyone know where that video is?

  • @twinsmm1
    @twinsmm1 3 роки тому

    Barcus Berry Electronics (BBE) has been around for a long time.

  • @defaultusername123
    @defaultusername123 Рік тому

    *ON RUTH!*
    *THATS RUTH!*
    🥁

  • @squanto2
    @squanto2 15 років тому +1

    People who don't like Frank Zappa
    crack me up! They are missing out
    on something so BEYOND what they
    are used to.
    Oh Well...more for me!

  • @tuftyaurelius9062
    @tuftyaurelius9062 6 років тому

    Great stuff Ruthie!

  • @TheMastaSelecta
    @TheMastaSelecta 12 років тому

    This is great!

  • @ledzzappa
    @ledzzappa 16 років тому

    thanks bro , and best wishes from england.

  • @keithbarnhart6952
    @keithbarnhart6952 4 роки тому

    Ruth was the "X-factor," that tacitly implied icon of the band and the main contributing factor to Zappa's overall unique "Sound." Yes, I know, this was not by Ruth's design, however her execution was no less remarkable. If you are a REAL musician (be insulted, I don't care) this is the woman you are dying to be inside of. Her sex appeal is off the charts.

  • @PsilocybinNinja
    @PsilocybinNinja 11 років тому

    Loves it!

  • @A-Gut-of-the-Past
    @A-Gut-of-the-Past 15 років тому

    you'll LOVE it...