Your friend's Zappa encounter

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 Saperlipopette! wrote:

Most of my "clueless friends" enjoy 1970's rock and would probably 
respond more positively to the Mothers-era than the 1970's full blown 
experimental fusion days + dirty joke lyrics.

I think it's kind of the opposite. The 60's Mothers era has a lot of weird, annoying stuff, particularly on Uncle Meat and WOIIFTM. Even Hot Rats can go on a bit long at times. But I've played Freak Out! for my friends, at least the first disc, and they thought that was funny. Over-Nite Sensation and some of OSFA worked out as well, as did Joe's Garage. YAWYI is pretty accessible too. But I've also played a lot of Zappa back when I still lived with my parents, and my siblings and my mom really do not like any of it, really. Especially the guitar solos. But my friends took to Dirty Love and Wet T-Shirt Nite pretty easily.

I guess if I had to pick 5 albums I'd spread them out over different facets of Zappa. So,

Freak Out! simply because it's groundbreaking for 1966 and a completely unique album
Orchestral Favorites because it's the best representation of his classical music
One of the Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar albums...whichever I'm in the mood for I guess
Roxy & Elsewhere because it's a good represtation of both his more accessible and fusion focused aspects of this era
You Are What You is because it's a good culmination of his late-70's onwards era and a good proof that he can write more accessible stuff (if you cut out some of the lyrics and the occasional weird touch).

But really, friends of mine become at least acquainted with Zappa sooner or later because he's my favorite artist, and my oldest friends and family will pretty easily pick out a Zappa song if I just play random sh*t.

Edited by Stressed Cheese - September 02 2023 at 15:22