zappa. a genius or just a comedian?

BaldJean wrote: Certif1ed wrote: JrKASperov wrote: BaldJean wrote: JrKASperov wrote: Genius. His band can play stuff hardly any other band can. That tells you something, that requires skill, and love for music, diehard love for music at that. When you put all of Zappa's stuff together, look at what he did, all you can do is be awed. I think he might be the person to have done the most musically of all times. Now that would still be Johann Sebastian Bach.  The BWV (Bach Werke Verzeichnis, "Register of Bach's Works") lists 1126 entries. Yes but was Bach as diverse? I don't think so At the time, yes - Bach was as diverse, if somewhat less satirical But being able to play stuff that few others can is not an indication of anything apart from the ability to write or play complicated music - it doesn't say anything else. Yes, it is a skill, but it is not the be all and end all skill in music-making, it is just one skill. I personally do not find Bach's keyboard music particularly difficult to play - in fact, I tend to find his music very intuitive. Glenn Gould, arguably the most important Bach pianist of the last century, was of a different opinion, and so am I.

But I'm not, so there

He wasn't a comedian, he was a satirist! Learn the difference!!

Oh yeah, and a musical genius too.

No mather if you like him or not one thing i think we can agree on is that he was very original, lest face it there have never been another Zappa and probobly never will be anyone like him ever again... 

And anyone who can put out 50+ albums in a life time and make most of em very good ones, surly have the right too be called genius.  He was a wind of fresh air in the music world thats for sure.

i would say genius; he was one of the most versatile musicians ever!

the only thing i less like regarding Frank is some of his lengthy gross & improvised guitar solos: indeed, he seems to sometimes lack a bit some melody and structure in his solos. black napkins is excellent because he puts so much intensity & passion, packard goose too, but solos like on Marque-Son's Chicken (them or us) are a bit less convincing.

oh, and IMO he has been stupid at least once in his lifetime, as reveals the many lame parts on the weasels ripped my flesh album.

To anyone that thinks Zappa has no musical merit, I would say listen to the vinyl edition of 'Sleep Dirt' and then make up your mind. That album has some of the greatest music you will ever hear. If you don't like him that's your loss. He has made some of the most fantastic music EVER.

Trouserpress wrote: greenback wrote: oh, and IMO he has been stupid at least once in his lifetime, as reveals the many lame parts on the weasels ripped my flesh album. He has been stupid many many times. I can't think of a single album of his that is wall-to-wall genius.

Very funny (or sad, maybe), because I think "Weasels Ripped My Flesh" is one of the albums which display his genius THE BEST. From start to finish, "Weasels" is genius. And, yes, that includes the title track! If you think that the title track was a MISTAKE, or STUPID, then you DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT FRANK ZAPPA WAS TRYING TO ACHIEVE (and he succeeds).

undefinability wrote: Neither, if I had to be honest. His comedic material is more or less a joke.

In that case he's a comedian!

How about Genious comedian musician?

undefinability wrote: Snow Dog wrote: undefinability wrote: Neither, if I had to be honest. His comedic material is more or less a joke. In that case he's a comedian! How about Genious comedian musician? Yeah, I'll agree with that. :)

....Just us two posting on this whole site it seems! Hey someone else have a go!

undefinability wrote: Haha, I know. Now people can see what a real discussion is like, rather than, "If you like Dream Theater, you're gay!"

Well rather than jumping threads lets stay here...I'll start...Dream Theater suck the big one!