Zappa VS Hendrix - Progressive Rock Music Forum

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Barbu

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Posted: December 27 2013 at 20:20

Just a sec...I'm using the chicken to measure it.

Adams Bolero View Drop Down

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Posted: December 27 2013 at 21:19

Dellinger wrote:

Adams Bolero wrote:

Dellinger wrote:

Sagichim wrote:

HolyMoly wrote:

Zappa for me. He's an all time favorite forme, even though I listen to him only occasionally nowadays. Hendrix had a fair number of pure magical moments (the Are You Experienced album, about half of Electric Ladyland, and a few other tracks here and there), but lots of songs that do nothing for me. Great guitarist, not so great songsmith. Whereas Zappa could always hold my attention with his guitar or his writing.

I think those magical moments you refered to on these albums shows a
very censored Hendrix, it only exposed his songwriting and not what he
could achieved with the guitar. I mean getting to know his songs is
great but if someone wants to hear how he plays must listen to live
albums, it's an entirely different Hendrix and has nothing to do with
how he plays on the studio albums. Here's a 3 minute song interpreted live...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFBubfUUuio

and then getting a greatest hits album... it had some fine songs, but not much more.

<span style="line-height: 1.2;">I hope you eventually got to listen to Jimi's original studio albums rather than just a greatest hits. Axis Bold As Love & Electric Ladyland are Jimi's definitive statements in the studio in my opinion though the unfinished First Rays Of The New Rising Sun has some jewels in it not to mention the astonishing debut that is Are You Experienced. Jimi live and in the studio are indeed two very different beasts but I take them as two different but equally beautiful sides.</span>

No, not really. However, after listening to both studio and live versions of his songs, I would rather spend some money in one or two more live albums than in the studio ones. His live songs are so much better.

I don't mean to press the issue but there are many great Hendrix songs that were never performed live so you are missing out on a lot of great songs such as 1983 (A Merman I Shall Turn to Be), Angel, Bold As Love & Third Stone From The Sun to name but a few. Hopefully somewhere down the line you might give his studio work a chance. You can't really know if his live songs are better if you haven't given a listen to his studio albums. Greatest hits are not a good way to judge an artists work especially for someone like Jimi whose albums are carefully crafted and put together to be listened to as a whole.

''Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal.''

- Albert Camus

Rockinrobin View Drop Down

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Posted: December 28 2013 at 05:21

Would have to be Zappa

While Hendrix was ground breaking in his use of feedback and lots of cool blues licks, Frank was a true composer and had a unique style, just listen to Trance Fusion released in 2005 and you will see for yourself.

If you want to get laid, go to college. If you want an education, go to the library.
Frank Zappa

hellogoodbye View Drop Down

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Posted: December 28 2013 at 05:28

Composer : Zappa. Guitarist : Hendrix.

dr wu23

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Posted: December 28 2013 at 12:27

I voted Zappa.....mostly because there's more to listen to and Hot Rats is one of my favorite lp's of all time ....but all the Hendrix albums are a must own imho.

One does nothing yet nothing is left undone.
Haquin

Dellinger

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Posted: December 28 2013 at 23:08

Adams Bolero wrote:

Dellinger wrote:

Adams Bolero wrote:

Dellinger wrote:

Sagichim wrote:

and then getting a greatest hits album... it had some fine songs, but not much more.

Yeah, I know. I usually like getting the studio albums instead of hits collections, because most of the times some great songs are left out of the collection albums. However, I can't gett all the studio albums from every artist I get some interest in, so I have gotten the discographies of the artists I have found more interesting at a certain time (or at least the most important albums from them), but from some others I have to go with greatest hits and live albums. On this point, I usually prefer to get live albums to begin knowing an artist, because those are some kind of greatest hits that might help me know where to start with an artist, and I won't feel like I'm buying the exact same songs later on when I get the studio albums that interested me the most later on. Plus, it's not unusual that I end up liking live versions of songs better than the studio ones, mainly because the sound usually seems more authentic and energetic, and often they have extended instrumental sections (but Hendrix took this to another level with his songs).

HackettFan View Drop Down

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Posted: December 29 2013 at 12:51

I voted for the guitarist that was the first "Prog" musician, put out the first ever concept album, was insanely rhythmically complicated, helped usher in Jazz-Rock fusion, and was the first to use a wah wah pedal on record. I can't even list all the reasons for Zappa's greatness. With all due respect to Hendrix, who does get a lot of respect from me, this comparison isn't even close.

twosteves

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Posted: December 29 2013 at 14:56

well said HackettFan Clap

Sagichim

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Posted: December 29 2013 at 22:31

I'm actually very surprised from the results, I thought Zappa would take this very easily.
I mean maybe the most progy and appreciated musician around here Vs. a non prog guitarist in a prog site? I'm glad since I love them both deeply.

dr prog

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Posted: December 29 2013 at 22:55

Zappa.

If Hendrix didn't die then he may have won but 3 years of music(alot of it being dated and a bit simplistic eg. Are you experienced album) is not going to match what Zappa produced in the 1972-83 period. So please tell me why this poll is dominated by Zappa. Oh wait this is PA

All I like is prog related bands beginning late 60's/early 70's. Their music from 1968 - 83 has the composition and sound which will never be beaten. Perfect blend of jazz, classical, folk and rock.

jude111

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Posted: December 30 2013 at 17:55

Hercules wrote:

Horizons wrote:

I couldn't get into either of their material, and don't really like either's playing.

Oh my.

I agree with you completely.

Count me in with you guys :-)

Catcher10

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Posted: December 30 2013 at 18:16

There is so much amazingness, goodness, beautyness and brilliance to what Hendrix did and continues to do (thru others).......He will never be forgotten and will stand as a musical genius. When we colonize Mars, his Woodstock rendition of Star Spangled Banner will be played, then Purple Haze.

uduwudu

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Posted: December 31 2013 at 04:59

Adams Bolero wrote:

Man With Hat wrote:

Lol

Zappa

I don't mind you preferring Zappa but does this poll really deserve a lol. Do you dislike Hendrix that much? It's not Justin Bieber vs Zappa. It's two giants of 20th century rock music.

This. Although Bieber is good for trainee music consumers from what little I've observed in our retail shop. Not that the spitting little sh*tehawk deserves his fans.

ANyway FZ had a poster off Jimi in his studio.

The thing about Jimi is his otherwordly imagination into how he composes his comples solos. PLus 3rd Stone From The Sun is such a unique and magnificent piece.

Zappa I tend to regard as he originally intended to be a composer of often extraordinary music. The smut jokes are his irreverence at contemporary society whereas Jimi kind of rose aboove all that.

Having said that he still started work at 9 am on a Monday in August '69 same as many others. Such as his Woodstock audience.

Zappa was a friend of Dylan but still satirized him, Jimi owns Watchtower. What does that mean in the context of all this.... Probably nothing.

Hendrix made rock what it has been over the past near half century - without whom what would have been.

FZ was productive and lived longer but Frank... those cigarettes are not food.

So the ironic twist. Why does it hurt when he pees - written by a guy who died of prostate cancer. That's irony Alanis. And the other choked on his own vomit despite being in medical care.

Played Shut Up and Play vinyl continuously when it emerged. Just played Electric Ladyland - which sounds like it's in surround rather than stereo - fabulous remastering. I don't have surround.

Vote? Nah. Why spoil it. Zappa always said vote but... he can't have meant this...

If you don't like poop jokes go for 69 to 74 era Zappa, Hot Rats to Roxy. With Jimi - his releases while alive and then due diligence should lead you to the quality releases but not that hideous Steve Paul's Scene Club jam.

Rock on...

The Dark Elf View Drop Down

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Posted: December 31 2013 at 12:07

Hendrix without a second thought. Three brilliant studio albums that revolutionized rock guitar. There's a lot of drek one has to wade through to find the good nuggets in Zappa's work.

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MythosDreamLab View Drop Down

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Posted: January 01 2014 at 01:00

ole-the-first wrote:

Zappa.

I have never understood what's so big about Hendrix.

HENDRIX,

I have never understood what's so big about Zappa

Poll Question: ?!?
Poll Choice	Votes	Poll Statistics
Zappa	32	[51.61%]
Hendrix	30	[48.39%]
This topic is closed, no new votes accepted