Zappa

I've been listening to most of the Classic Prog but havent heard any Zappa yet....... could you recommend something.

PS- Dont recommend more than 2 albums coz that would only confuse me & I dont have enough money to buy 5-6 albums that are direct imports (they are very expensive)

It depends on if you want the proggier stuff or not.  Over-nite sensation is great, but is less prog, while Lather(3 discs) is pure prog.  Hot Rats is his most famous though an probably an excellent place to start.

I always recommend live albums for Zappa newbies, because they offer many different songs from many different Zappa "phases":

• Make a Jazz Noise Here:
  From the 1988 tour, features some stunning virtuosity. Might be too much for you if you're not a musician.
• Roxy & Elsewhere:
  From the early 70's, very tight band in a laid back mood. Features great humor and madcap music.
• Zappa in New York:
  From the late 70's, just before the release of Sheik Yerbouti. This is a very solid summary of his pre-disco/80's sound.

 

Doktor Dyper wrote: I remember seeing Waka Jawaka ( i think dat was d name) in the cd rack, how is dat?

Quite good. But I'd recommend The Grand Wazoo instead. But all his albums from Grand Wazoo to One Size Fits All are good.

My absolute favorite Zappa studio album is Joe's Garage. But it is an aquired taste ...

GoldenSpiral wrote: zappa albums are all very different yet somehow all the same.  it's really impossible to recommend one accurately.  personally, Apostrophe was my intro to the Z man, and I love it still.  it has really well executed music, and a fair dose of humor.  the Nanook cycle is a true classic.

Not to forget Stinkfoot - a classic opening song for Zappa concerts.

The poodle bites ... 

I recommend 'you can't do that on stage VOL I', it covers ALOT of bases in context of time and styles and is very thoughtfully ordered in running sequence. There is the jazz of 'Big Swifty', the insane guitar solo on 'The torture never stops' and the diabolical humor everywhere.

mmm, I'm not that sure about hot rats as a starter or any FZ album in particular, because his work is so diversified that any album can be potentially "deceiving", if taken as a starting point...imagine listening to "The Grand Wazoo" and then to "Absolutely Free"...that can be confusing!!!! Anyway, remaining in FZ's (so-called) "jazz/rock" production, surely Hot Rats as well as The Grand Wazoo and Waka Jawaka are good starters...Hot Rats is probably the most accessible one.

Go with Grand Wazoo and Over-Nite Sensation!

My first Zappa experience was listening to a CD (now out of print) that included  both Apostrophe and Overnite Sensation albums. it totally blew my mind. In fact this is my favourite period (Roxy & Elsewhere and  One size fit all are also from this Zappa/ Mothers phase), and it took me a while to get used to their earlier sound.

Nowadys, I own almost 40 Zappa cd's, so you can imagine that, for me, was worth the try!

 

NetsNJFan wrote: Hot Rats is the only one that I've tried that I like One of his least crappy covers as well

I HATE that cover!!!!! it just makes no sense.....(which is what i'd expect from FZ, anyway )