Zappa???

I have always enjoyed Zappa in New York. It features the great Terry Bozzio on drums.

john

'Hot Rats' is the most mainstream rock outing and is most people's point of entry. Then try 'Grand Wazoo, Weasels Ripped My Flesh, Burnt Weeny Sandwich, Waka Jawaka and Chunga's Revenge.
If you enjoy these then you can safely begin to explore his huge back catalougue. I found perseverance paid off handsomely, a fascinating and , at times, exasperating character.
'Sleep Dirt' is a nice, straight ahead instrumental collection. You can pretty much identify four main styles, straight guitar hero, tits and wet t-shirt stuff, jazz and avant-garde .

Regarding sleep dirt. The record version is all instrument, the CD version has opera on most of it which could make it quite difficult as a starting point.

I would get Apostrophe or Overnite sensation as some of zappas immediately accessible stuff.

For instrumental look towards Burnt Weeny Sandwich, Hot Rats or Waka Jawaka.

One thing is for certain if you enjoy the music he has around 108 releases which should keep you busy lol.

Well raise my rent! I hadn't noticed this about the CD reissue of 'Sleep Dirt'. Apparently the music is available without the vocals on the 'Lather' CD box set, or on an old vinyl version if you can find one.

Apart from the fantastic 'Ocean is the ultimate solution' I never liked sleep dirt.

That is until I bought the vinyl (for the sake of completeness) then I totally loved it. The CD version was just a little to weird!

I agree with you garyi re: vinyl v. cd versions of Sleep Dirt. I had the lp for years and loved it. The first time that I heard the cd I freaked! I think that the lyrics are down right creepy. With out the vocals, it is a really cool, mesmerizing instermintal album. An excellent example of lyrics fucking up a great album.

I would also recomend Zoot Allures. You will find the marvelous "Black Napkins" and The "Tourture Never Stops" among others. Play it as loud as possable!

Also check out Civalization Phaze III. Along with lots of really odd spoken word you will find some really cool Synclavier compositions like "Amnerika" and "N-Lite". If you like that you can look into Lumpy Gravy which Phaze III is a continuation of.

DCT

Two beginner recommendations from a completist (or thereabouts):

One Size Fits All
Apostrophe/Overnight Sensation

Always been two of my favourites. Actually, three, as the second is actually two albums but can be had on one cd. Recent releases split the two up, but the combined cd is easy to find.

After that, you can try your hands on:

We're only in it for the money
Sheik Yerbouti
Broadway the Hard Way
Live in New York

etc.

John

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[QUOTE]Originally posted by David Tribe:
If you like that you can look into Lumpy Gravy
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Lumpy Gravy is definitely not an accessible work. Its one of his more experimental and challenging outings. It bears the same relation to mainstream rock as Capt. Beefheart's 'Trout Mask Replica'.
I appreciate Lumpy Gravy rather than like it. Maybe not the best introduction to Zappa.

You can start with http://www.zappa.com

Thanks for all the suggestions, ill have a dig around at the weekend and see what turns up!
I think ill start with one or all of either Apostrophe, Overnight Senataions and Hot rats

Cheers

hawk

one size fits all gooood

Joes' Garage...

Steve that is a bit challenging for someone that has not heard zappa, references to screwing a robot to death and catholic girls might offend lol.

I managed to pick up The Grand Wazoo and Hot Rats, both on CD and so far i like what i hear!
I havent had time to give them a serious listen yet, but ill keep you posted when i do..

Cheers

Hawk

The grand wazoo is a great album and my favorite track has to be 'eat that question.'

It was used by Fila Brazillia on one of their tracks as well, getting towards the end of that track takes your breath away!

If you like this side of Zappa you next purchase should be Waka Jawaka, possibly the pinnicle of Zappas Jazz efforts.

There is also Burnt Weeny, which is a bit darker but well worth a bit of listening, especially track six (Full Blown) and little house, fantastic stuff.

I feel a zappa sesh coming on right now!

Don't forget 'Chungas Revenge' and 'Weasels Ripped My Flesh'. Weasels, admittedly, is pretty far out in places but both albums are classic Zappa.
Incidentally, Charles Shaar-Murray presented a four part Zappa series on Radio 3's 'Jazz File' last year and is well worth trying to find a recording.

Good old BBC, thanks for the heads up Malky

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/jazzfile/pip/1ny7e/

quote:

Originally posted by garyi:
The grand wazoo is a great album and my favorite track has to be 'eat that question.'

It was used by Fila Brazillia on one of their tracks as well, getting towards the end of that track takes your breath away!

If you like this side of Zappa you next purchase should be Waka Jawaka, possibly the pinnicle of Zappas Jazz efforts.

There is also Burnt Weeny, which is a bit darker but well worth a bit of listening, especially track six (Full Blown) and little house, fantastic stuff.

I feel a zappa sesh coming on right now!

Im definitely up for some more, Ive spent this evening listening properly and i see what you mean about 'eat that question' Its a cracking track!

Im listening to 'Willie the pimp' on hot rats at the moment and can feel a late night coming on!!

cheers

Hawk

Weasels isn't a Zappa album actually...Its a Mothers Of Invention album... And yes there is a difference..

LOL err yes you might be right about Joe's Garage.. but then again i just l managed to d/l a really good mp3 of ...I want my baby back... so tatse isnt my major forte LOL

Ive just picked up a best of Zappa CD, im playing it now for the first time and im laughing out loud at 'dont eat yellow snow'

Be careful Hawk, once your in your in

Try Tinsel Town Rebellion,

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[QUOTE]Originally posted by garyi:
Be careful Hawk, once your in your in
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And you've a sixty-odd album back catalogue to work through plus tons of (as yet) unreleased material.
I see Ahmet and Dweezil are touring later this year, performing Frank's music.

Yea not to sure about that myself.

looks like im in