Zappa Quest

Agree with you there - they are a good example of 'seemed like fun at the time' but alas in several cases they spoil otherwise great tracks. However, if you're a true Zappa nutter (as I am) you have to accept the 'whole' as it's all part of conceptual continuity and the big picture.

The same goes for many things in Zappa's work: the Chad Wackerman drum sound, Synclavier, sofas, poodles, political references, zircon encrusted tweezers, underpants, etc. etc. - they are part of the greater tapestry and whether or not you like them is moot in the uncompromising eyes of 'no commercial potential'...

John

John,

You're right I guess. Thankfully at the time you were aware that this was a one-off (flawed?) genius.

I wonder whether it's the rose-tinted specs (always wanted a pair of those), but it's really difficult to see a similar character emerging these days. For one we're a very much more conformist society and for another the record companies would probably tell him to continually churn out hit albums rather than whatever took his fancy...

I thought that most of zappas stuff was on his own label, lets be honest after the free 70s most music companies would not have put up with the likes of Joes Garage with some of that content and no 'hit singles' Mind you I lurve this album, and not just for watermelons!

Update on the kitchen, what a bitch! I had to fit coving around the celing, I think I wasted about 5 metres of it, and now we are into the cutting of the solid wood tops, I have trashed no less than five blades, don't let anyone tell you that Ikea is crap, their natural wood tops are rock solid! And at 80 quid for 2.4 metres of it you cannot go wrong. Can't wait to finish and set the system back up though, have the new travis album and the midi stereo we have set up at the moment sounds like its playing in the next room!

Mind you I have OS 10.1 for the mac now so the isub is up and running...

garyi

Zappa had a devil of a time getting record companies to put out what he wanted. Uncle Meat originally came out over here on Transatlantic - a folk label!

As early as the early 1970's he was ranting about being limited by them. There was even talk that he was doing a deal with Readers Digest to issue a 10 album box set that no-one else would touch.

You're a brave man with the kitchen....I'd rather run away and have someone else do it!

I didn't know about the recording company problems, I remember from one of his vidoes certain rouble he encoountered, but lets face it, its not main stream!

We have fitted the kitchen units and doors, it looks fantastic! But buy god I am knackered!

Hi

I like the Flo & Eddie aspect of the Zappa stuff actually

Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan recorded a beautiful album in 1972 called The Phlorescent Leech & Eddie which is well worth checking out if you ever come across a copy. I've had my copy for approx. 20 years and still play it from time to time and it is actually a real mood lifter I find.

Of the Zappa LPs/CDs it is the orchestral and synclavier stuff I like the best. I've noticed The Yellow Shark mentioned and this is a terrific CD. Another very recent one is Civilization Phaze III which is very well worth giving a listen if you should get a chance.

A great tribute band....here

I'm pretty sure I know what the Plastercasters took their casts of.... but I wouldn't discuss it in mixed company nor post it on this forum!

Am I close?