I don't have ANY Frank Zappa. Should I bother?

Zappa covered practically the whole spectrum of differing musical styles.

To that end there has to be something you like.

My favorites are his more musical stuff and it is essential listening in my opinion.

Waka Jawaka Jazz orintated but not in the normal sense, this whole album has massive driv, the Big Swiftly (track one) should really turn you on to what Zappa does well.
Hot Rats The required listening, a whole album of musical enjoyment.
Grand Wazoo More heavy on the jazz, with 14 main players on the album, but some unbelieveable musical skills here, eat that question and Blessed relief being two fantastics peices of music.
One size fits all a mixed bag here, but you have to buy it for Inka Roads, which also made it as a classical piece as well.
chungas revengeA bit of piss taking of the blues format, but skillfull work none the less.

All these albums have some singing, but little stupidity and I would be dissapointed if people didn't enjoy them.

Ones too avoid: 200 motels, man for utopia, band from LA.

The other nick, the trouble with people asking after Zappa is they never actually purchase any! Get Waka Jawaka this weekend. Its fantastic, loud!

Don't be silly nick.

I had very high regards for his philosophy in life (one of our worlds very few inteligent people), but I never cared for his music.

This, of course, is of no help to Nick, just proves how uninteligent I am!

JohanR

Blimey. Really don't know what to do now!
If I was going to give Zappa a chance and get just one album this weekend which one should it be?

As a fellow Beefheart fan who's always been ambivalent about Zappa, I'd say "Uncle Meat" and "Weasels Ripped My Flesh".

-- Ian

Hot Rats
If only because you can then forgive the occasional lapses (however you define them) on other records. (IMHO obviously)

Simon

Nick

I have also tried a couple of Zappa albums but have found nothing to make me want to try any others.

I like Clear Spot and a couple of other Beefheart, but I think 'Weasels Ripped my flesh' and 'Burnt weany sandwich' are mostly bobbins, so have ventured no further.

greeny, do not even get me started on the fantastic Burnt Weeny.

How can you say little house I use to live in is bobbins, its fantastic.

doh!

If you are going to get one album get Hot Rats, that will ease you in gently.

Although I still stand buy waka jawaka, bearing in mind Nick listens to Porcupine Tree, an attempt at 70s prog rock in the 90s.

I would stand by Gary's recommendations for 70s era Zappa (Waka/Jawaka, Grand Wazoo, One Size..).

Don't share his enthusiasm for Hot Rats though, although undeniably good, not the best.

You could do worse than listen to You Can't Do That on Stage Any More Vol 2, a live recording from 1974. Some silliness, but mostly phenominal music played by phenominal musicians who seem to be having a blast. Nirvana!!

I consider myself a catholic where musical tastes are concerned, but I too have been left stone cold by Uncle Frank.

Friends have played me his stuff with rapture on thier faces, and I look just puzzled, thinking what's all the fuss about ?

Aimless noodling could be a (harsh) description?

Why not try (ahem) 'a sample' mp3 or two to see if you like it before shelling out your hard earned cash? I am not condoning piracy here, but if mainstream shops offered more listening facilities you could try before you buy.

DS

Actually, you could go down a more honest route and sign into www.frankzappa.com.
It has a radio type thing on there which plays constant zappa with info on what music is being played and the album its off.

You will require broadband however.


Its got a very busy forum as well, however even I can only talk about zappa for so long and as far as the forum is concerned he has done no wrong. Which is patently untrue some of zappa is utter tripe.

Not waka jawaka though.

Or Grand Wazoo.

snigger.

Thanks everyone.
I think I'm going to call at 'Borders' on my way home and take a listen to some of the above.

Garyi has it about right.

And add 'Apostrophe', I think it's only a bit silly and 'Yellow Snow' is surely a standard cultural reference?

Other avenues for entry might be 'Does Humor Belong in Music' (if still available, the first CD I ever bought way back when...) or possibly 'The Best Band you Never Heard'.

Paul

Thanks for your advice guys - much appreciated.
I picked up 'Zoot Allures' and Cheap thrills (£4 from music zone!) last night.

Nick

Um, don't judge him to harshly on Zoot Allures. That was one of his 'less good' albums.

I have decided to stick Overnite Sensation in as I picked it up on vinyl this weekend and every tune is short (ish) and each has a ripping guitar solo, more mainstream but a good access route none the less.

The other Nickc

Check out 'One Size fits all' (1975), fantastic guitar solo on 'Inca Roads'. I got hold of a promotional copy from a guy in the music business just after it was released, the recording quality is second to none. I saw Zappa a couple of times in the seventies, interesting to say the least.

Cheers

Blueoyster

Garyi
Must say that on first play last night I was a little underwhelmed by 'Zoot Allures' but I'm gullible enough to buy several albums by an artist like Zappa before I give up completely! Thinking along the lines of Apostrophe or Overnight Sensation next. Then there's Bongo Fury of course...

I would suggest "One Size Fits All" to go with "Apostrophe" and "Overnight Sensation". "Bongo Fury" is a great album and you do get some Beefheart singing,reciting and blowing harp. I'd probably get it after the previously mentioned. You also get some Beefheart on "One Size Fits All". He played all of the harp parts under the pseudonym "Bloodshot Rollin' Red".

I hope that you have not given up on "Zoot Allures". It is a great album. Even if you hate the lyrics,(Many do!) you get lots of great guitar playing including the fabulous " Black Napkins". If you check the notes, you will see that a certain Donnie Vliet plays...you guessed it! Harmonica.("Find Her Finer")

One last point. Zappa's music, for the most part, benefits from being played really f*#$ing LOUD!

Oh Yeah, get "Hot Rats" too. Huge, ripping diddies, one with, well,... Captian Beefheart!

Good luck!

DCT