Zappa's more serious prog/jazz
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Bands, Artists and Genres Appreciation
Forum Description: Discuss specific prog bands and their members or a specific sub-genre
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=82980
Printed Date: December 01 2024 at 22:10
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Zappa's more serious prog/jazz
Posted By: finjuanican
Subject: Zappa's more serious prog/jazz
Date Posted: November 23 2011 at 00:10
|
I've been lately listening to Zappa a lot, mostly hot rats. Because he has made so much and different music, it's hard for me to find the albums to listen to. So, i'm asking you to name he's best (mostly) serious prog/jazz-rock albums, so i can get forward with my listening. Thank you already.
|
Replies:
Posted By: Mushroom Sword
Date Posted: November 23 2011 at 01:15
|
The Grand Wazoo is what you're looking for. Here's a link! edit: Also, Joe's Garage (the full album) is a very very silly rock opera. But it is very good. Easy to listen to, and funny.
------------- 
"I gazed into the eyes of the madman and I saw, and I saw,and I saw myself. |
Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: November 23 2011 at 01:20
|
The Grand Wazoo Waka/Jawaka Roxy & Elsewhere Make A Jazz Noise Here Lather (disc 1) Those are the essentials. Of course, there is more spread out throughout his discography, particularly on Zappa New York, One Size Fits All, and The Best Band You've Never Seen. Some others of interest would be the posthumous albums Imaginary Diseases and Wazoo, these are the live albums of Zappa's "Wazoo" bands, the latter being the full "Grand Wazoo" band, the former being the "Petite Wazoo" band. Can't miss these, as there is more new music and improv. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm 
|
Posted By: elp
Date Posted: November 23 2011 at 05:31
|
The Grand Wazoo is absolutely mindblowing. |
Posted By: AtomicCrimsonRush
Date Posted: November 23 2011 at 06:27
|
Zappa in New York is exceptional. ------------- 
|
Posted By: daslaf
Date Posted: November 23 2011 at 06:32
|
Despite a couple of doo-woop / r&b songs, I think Burnt Weeny Sandwich should be a good addition too ------------- But now my branches suffer And my leaves don't bear the glow They did so long ago |
Posted By: TODDLER
Date Posted: November 23 2011 at 09:07
| "Imaginary Diseases" by Frank Zappa with the great Jim Gordon who was the most "in demand" studio drummer in the 60's and 70's in the entire music industry. I actually never heard him do anything serious with his drum playing until I heard this Zappa title. This is a must if you enjoy his instrumental work. |
Posted By: finjuanican
Date Posted: November 23 2011 at 10:07
| Thank you for your answers! I think i'll now have stuff to listen for at least a week :D. |
Posted By: irrelevant
Date Posted: November 23 2011 at 10:30
|
One Size Fits All is superb. Granted, there is a fair amount of humour in it, but trust me when I say it does not hinder the quality of the album in any way. It makes it even better! Weasels Ripped My Flesh is also another one of my favourites, and I do recommend it. But it's very funny in places, and that's not what you're after, right?  ------------- https://gabebuller.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - New album! http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7385" rel="nofollow - http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7385 |
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: November 23 2011 at 10:37
My newest Zappa is the live Wazoo, which is pretty good. I didn't know Greggery Peccary started out as an instrumental. I don't even have the Grand one yet... ------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
|
Posted By: finjuanican
Date Posted: November 23 2011 at 11:32
| Oh, humour is fine, and probably makes the album just better. I just meant that i don't want it to be all "let me take you the beach"!:D (which is by the way a song I actually like a lot) |
Posted By: irrelevant
Date Posted: November 23 2011 at 11:51
Oh nah, the two albums I suggested are not like that.  ------------- https://gabebuller.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - New album! http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7385" rel="nofollow - http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7385 |
finjuanican wrote:Posted By: dwill123
Date Posted: November 23 2011 at 16:17
In addition to the others mentioned, "Uncle Meat". |
Posted By: zappaholic
Date Posted: November 23 2011 at 19:11
Bits and pieces of it turned up on the bootleg Piquantique (part of the first Beat the Boots!). Recording quality's abysmal tho. ------------- "Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard." -- H.L. Mencken |
Posted By: The Miracle
Date Posted: November 23 2011 at 20:59
This is what I was gonna say... I've been really enjoying that album lately. The doo wop songs are just the intro/outro and they're just short enough to be fun without becoming obnoxious. The rest of the album is top notch avant-fusion Zappa.  ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/ocellatedgod" rel="nofollow - last.fm |
Posted By: Jim Garten
Date Posted: November 24 2011 at 06:10
Indeed it is - I'd also recommend 'Sleep Dirt', if only for 'The Ocean Is The Ultimate Solution' ------------- 
Jon Lord 1941 - 2012 |
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: November 24 2011 at 06:54
Oh we shouldn't forget about this one: ------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...
|
Posted By: daslaf
Date Posted: November 24 2011 at 07:40
Yeah it's a great record... I think it's more chamber oriented than jazz-wise, but you know, drawing a line trying to define some kind of classification on Zappa´s music it's almost impossible, since he goes from one style to another ------------- But now my branches suffer And my leaves don't bear the glow They did so long ago |
Posted By: Mitja
Date Posted: November 24 2011 at 11:44
|
If you ask me Every song from Frank Zappa is awesome ------------- Without Kayaking I'm Like A Plant Without Sun Light -Mitja |
Posted By: Intruder
Date Posted: November 24 2011 at 12:47
|
Check out the Best Band You've Never Heard in Your Life double set. ------------- I like to feel the suspense when you're certain you know I am there..... |
Posted By: Zombywoof
Date Posted: November 25 2011 at 21:40
|
I say go with "Grand Wazoo" and "Waka / Jawaka" first, then move on to "Burnt Weeny Sandwich" and "Uncle Meat". Really all of Zappa"s output from the early years (excluding much of the Flo and Eddie era) is worth your time, but stick with the above titles for your purpose and maybe give "Over-Nite Sensation" a listen, as well as "One Size Fits All". ------------- Continue the prog discussion here: http://zombyprog.proboards.com/index.cgi ... |
Posted By: Canterzeuhl
Date Posted: December 07 2011 at 04:46
|
I suggest 'Jazz From Hell' mainly for 'St. Etienne' but it's a bonus if you adore the sound of the Synclavier because then you'll enjoy the rest of the tracks. Also 'Waka/Jawaka' for the title track and 'Big Swifty'.
|
Posted By: Wheedly-Wee
Date Posted: December 08 2011 at 08:21
| Has no-one mentioned 'Hot Rats'? When I first heard it, I thought it was okay - middling as far as Zappa albums go. However, it really is one of those albums that get bets better and better with every repeated listen! Especially 'Little Umbrellas'. Also, possibly the first Zappa jazz-fusion album (unless you put 'Uncle Meat' in that category, which I don't as the latter is much more diverse than that). |