This is why everybody in his band had to read music. It was the quickest way to tell the band members what to play. And this is live ! Ruth Underwood on amplified marimba and percussion played such a big part of the music of that version of his band. He wrote a piece called "Ruth Is Sleeping", because she would learn her parts so quickly, and then could doze off as Frank went over their parts with the other musicians.
This is the album man .. "ROxy and elsewhere" the whole album is perfect ... youve struck gold ...of his entire catalogue .. in my not so humble opinion ..this is the best... ..a nearly perfect performance coupled with a nearly perfect recording ...it is technical .. but not for the sake of being technical ..Its actually well balanced technical...an exercise in the delivery of thematic rock and roll orchestral music .. if you see it that way you begin to understand " whats with all those notes" ?
Great way for me to start my day! I respect your reaction - it's 400 level Zappa so yes it's harder to fall in love with right away. I've found that of Zappa's works, the ones like this one - the "400 level" ones, are the ones I end up liking the most. For the most part if I get it right away, it doesn't hold my attention for very long. Kinda like vanilla ice cream versus pistachio. Thanks for the reaction Tre!
Excellent choice! Frank's been my idol for 35 years. I consider him the zenith of popular music. And this is arguably his finest creation. Which means that it's also arguably the finest piece of music you'll ever play on your channel.
George Duke once said he couldn't understand why Frank would write the most amazing melodies, but always insisted on throwing a wrench in it. That's what makes Frank amazing in my book.
Basic tracks were recorded live at The Roxy in L.A., at 4 shows ovdr 2 consecutive days, carefully edited together to capture the best performance of every second by FZ with added overdubs (most notably the vocals in the intro of Echidna's Arf and guitars, maybe other stuff too). As Zappa line ups go, this might be a fan favorite (or else the slightly smaller version of mid to late '74). Brilliant stuff.
I have the upmost respect for Zappa in all ways but could never truly get into this type of music here. It's almost too much for me. The fusion of all the different instruments and layers. I know many will be disappointed. It's a tough listen at least for my ears. Haha.
Honest reaction, cool - I remember first time listening to this and had almost the same reaction. Definitely needs more listens. And you're right. In many ways Zappa was a musician's musician. (btw, it's two drummers you are hearing, they're taking turns.)
That wasn't my reaction at all. Roxy was the second Zappa album I heard, and when this section came on........I'm still scraping myself off the floor, 35 years later. This isn't simply technical playing to show off. It's complex music, yes, but it's played with tremendous feel and a hell of a lot of humor. It's beautiful, funky, groovy, difficult, easy, silly, serious, irreverent and ridiculous music. It's the first thing I put on when I want to introduce someone to Frank's music. And what usually happens is that they get a headache. And then we listen to something safe, like, Bobby Brown (Goes Down)...
@@SpaceCattttt It was the first album I bought and I didn't know a thing about Zappa, so I had to get used to his musical approach and mannerisms. I was 15 then. Now it's all like a 2nd nature to me.
I've suggested this to you several times because this kind of puts into two songs what Zappa and his band is all about. The level of composition, skill, and execution is off the charts. These two-pieces rock hard start to finish. By the time you're done, you're exhausted, and you're just listening. Just imagine how the musicians feel. Replay value? I can't count the number of times I've listened to these two pieces. Love it.
The thing is, some of Franks compositions are better to watch them perform than it is to listen. Super complicated stuff, to see live is amazing. But, the jazz part is sometime very busy, but, well, boring
My coment to anyone who wants to experiment with Zappa and his enormous catalog is you have to respect his talent yes but hes funny as fvkc . I would have gotten my feet wet with the essentials like, "Jewish princess " or "camarillo Brillo" Of course "Bobby Brown goes down" I mean comon the jazz fusion stuff needs a gradual not a plunge.lol thanks for being bold tho
I thought this one has the part where he says the floor is really slippery in the percussion area. This is one of his tunes that I heard once and I would usually skip it, sure it has a lot of sounds and musicianship but I'm rarely in the mood for this kind of stuff. If this comes on I usually start listening to King Crimson instead.
As you'd expect, Zappa only hired the best musicians, and they had to read. If you can believe it, Zappa wrote out all his music. This is Olympic level playing here. No posers or hosers need apply. Out if all his stuff, this is probably my favorite piece. For me, total replay value. 😂😷😁
I was in a band years ago that played "Echidna's". It's odd time, Tre! FZ was into Eastern European and Indian classical music. A bar of 21 beats is quite normal to them. Try counting the section that starts at :40 seconds. 3+3+2+3 four times. It's 11/8, then the guitar solo is in 4/4. It's a different kind of groove!
Have you ever done a reaction to The Vanilla Fudge? Let me get you started with this link of them covering The Supremes mega-hit "You Keep Me Hanging On" The Vanilla Fudge released their version in 1967. Not that long after the original Motown release. Give it a go. If you can like Frank, you'll like these guys. ua-cam.com/video/R3ChToIvLRM/v-deo.html
Hey Tre if you're looking for some Zappa that grooves more check out: Montana, Village of the Sun (Roxy), Uncle Remus, Son of Orange County/More Trouble Everyday (Roxy) and Lucille Has Messed My Mind Up
This is why everybody in his band had to read music. It was the quickest way to tell the band members what to play. And this is live ! Ruth Underwood on amplified marimba and percussion played such a big part of the music of that version of his band. He wrote a piece called "Ruth Is Sleeping", because she would learn her parts so quickly, and then could doze off as Frank went over their parts with the other musicians.
haha nice story, and good tune
This is the album man .. "ROxy and elsewhere" the whole album is perfect ... youve struck gold ...of his entire catalogue .. in my not so humble opinion ..this is the best... ..a nearly perfect performance coupled with a nearly perfect recording ...it is technical .. but not for the sake of being technical ..Its actually well balanced technical...an exercise in the delivery of thematic rock and roll orchestral music .. if you see it that way you begin to understand " whats with all those notes" ?
I have been waiting for this one! The enormous layer cake, topped off by the cherries of George Duke's piano solo and Frank's guitar extravaganza!
and Bruce Fowler's trombone solo
Stef Van Stip Hout And Tom Fowler’s bass and Ruth on her vibraphone during that solo. Oh who am I kidding, everything’s great.
Great way for me to start my day! I respect your reaction - it's 400 level Zappa so yes it's harder to fall in love with right away. I've found that of Zappa's works, the ones like this one - the "400 level" ones, are the ones I end up liking the most. For the most part if I get it right away, it doesn't hold my attention for very long. Kinda like vanilla ice cream versus pistachio. Thanks for the reaction Tre!
Excellent choice! Frank's been my idol for 35 years. I consider him the zenith of popular music. And this is arguably his finest creation.
Which means that it's also arguably the finest piece of music you'll ever play on your channel.
George Duke once said he couldn't understand why Frank would write the most amazing melodies, but always insisted on throwing a wrench in it.
That's what makes Frank amazing in my book.
Basic tracks were recorded live at The Roxy in L.A., at 4 shows ovdr 2 consecutive days, carefully edited together to capture the best performance of every second by FZ with added overdubs (most notably the vocals in the intro of Echidna's Arf and guitars, maybe other stuff too).
As Zappa line ups go, this might be a fan favorite (or else the slightly smaller version of mid to late '74).
Brilliant stuff.
Love it ... great live performance
Happy 4/20 Tre! Hope you and your's are healthy and safe. It's always fun to watch you do a Zappa reaction!
What's so special about the 20th of April?
Grooves as wide as the Highway.
I'd bet the Roxy & Elsewhere tracks that's more your speed is Penguin in Bondage
Too poppy. Expose the bastard to the Bebop Tango!
but, see, you gotta hear it more than once. It's not showing off. The repeated listening is essential
The Helsinki version is the best that I have heard.
Just one word i can say,,,,,,Zappa
Virtuosic but exhausting.
You mean exhilarating.
@@SpaceCattttt to you. And that's cool.
I have the upmost respect for Zappa in all ways but could never truly get into this type of music here. It's almost too much for me.
The fusion of all the different instruments and layers. I know many will be disappointed. It's a tough listen at least for my ears. Haha.
Honest reaction, cool - I remember first time listening to this and had almost the same reaction. Definitely needs more listens. And you're right. In many ways Zappa was a musician's musician. (btw, it's two drummers you are hearing, they're taking turns.)
Which drummers?
@@johncampbell756 Chester Thompson and Ralph Humphrey
That wasn't my reaction at all. Roxy was the second Zappa album I heard, and when this section came on........I'm still scraping myself off the floor, 35 years later.
This isn't simply technical playing to show off. It's complex music, yes, but it's played with tremendous feel and a hell of a lot of humor.
It's beautiful, funky, groovy, difficult, easy, silly, serious, irreverent and ridiculous music.
It's the first thing I put on when I want to introduce someone to Frank's music. And what usually happens is that they get a headache. And then we listen to something safe, like,
Bobby Brown (Goes Down)...
@@SpaceCattttt It was the first album I bought and I didn't know a thing about Zappa, so I had to get used to his musical approach and mannerisms. I was 15 then. Now it's all like a 2nd nature to me.
I've suggested this to you several times because this kind of puts into two songs what Zappa and his band is all about. The level of composition, skill, and execution is off the charts. These two-pieces rock hard start to finish. By the time you're done, you're exhausted, and you're just listening. Just imagine how the musicians feel. Replay value? I can't count the number of times I've listened to these two pieces. Love it.
what a journey!
The thing is, some of Franks compositions are better to watch them perform than it is to listen. Super complicated stuff, to see live is amazing. But, the jazz part is sometime very busy, but, well, boring
My coment to anyone who wants to experiment with Zappa and his enormous catalog is you have to respect his talent yes but hes funny as fvkc .
I would have gotten my feet wet with the essentials like,
"Jewish princess " or "camarillo Brillo"
Of course "Bobby Brown goes down"
I mean comon the jazz fusion stuff needs a gradual not a plunge.lol thanks for being bold tho
I thought this one has the part where he says the floor is really slippery in the percussion area. This is one of his tunes that I heard once and I would usually skip it, sure it has a lot of sounds and musicianship but I'm rarely in the mood for this kind of stuff. If this comes on I usually start listening to King Crimson instead.
Hey Tre, didja get any onya?
As you'd expect, Zappa only hired the best musicians, and they had to read. If you can believe it, Zappa wrote out all his music. This is Olympic level playing here. No posers or hosers need apply. Out if all his stuff, this is probably my favorite piece. For me, total replay value. 😂😷😁
Peaches En Regalia for me!
'Talking about music is like dancing to architecture',,, F.Z.
I was in a band years ago that played "Echidna's". It's odd time, Tre! FZ was into Eastern European and Indian classical music. A bar of 21 beats is quite normal to them. Try counting the section that starts at :40 seconds. 3+3+2+3 four times. It's 11/8, then the guitar solo is in 4/4. It's a different kind of groove!
Have you ever done a reaction to The Vanilla Fudge? Let me get you started with this link of them covering The Supremes mega-hit "You Keep Me Hanging On" The Vanilla Fudge released their version in 1967. Not that long after the original Motown release. Give it a go. If you can like Frank, you'll like these guys. ua-cam.com/video/R3ChToIvLRM/v-deo.html
Hey Tre if you're looking for some Zappa that grooves more check out: Montana, Village of the Sun (Roxy), Uncle Remus, Son of Orange County/More Trouble Everyday (Roxy) and Lucille Has Messed My Mind Up