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The T 
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 Topic: Zappa advice needed...
Posted: November 06 2006 at 13:18 |
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Hello...I haven't yet discovered much-revered artist Frank Zappa's music, and it's surely a hole in my collection...I've read reviews but if possible, could someone give some light about what would be the first and best album to start with? I bought Hot Rats yesterday (still haven't listened to it) but it's Zappa-solo and mostly instrumental....so any suggestions??/ Also, is (was) Zappa really good? Was he really prog?? Share some lightbulb sun energy, please...
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Abstrakt
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Joined: August 18 2005
Location: Soundgarden
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Posted: November 06 2006 at 13:34 |
Experimental Mothers-Period 66-70:- We're Only In It For The Money
- Uncle Meat
Jazz Rock/Fusion Period 72-76:
- Waka Jawaka
- The Grand Wazoo
- One Size Fits All
Slightly Commercial Period 79-84:
- You Are What You Is
- Joes Garage
- Them Or Us
I'm quite new into Zappa aswell, since i onlt own The Grand Wazoo On CD. But i have many others as .mp3 and slowly replacing them with CD's.
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MikeEnRegalia
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Posted: November 06 2006 at 14:45 |
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My usual recommendation for Zappa newbies: get one of the mid 70s live albums. I usually prefer studio albums, but in this case it's a little bit different:
- Roxy and Elsewhere
- You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore II
- Zappa in New York
I can't think of a better way to get to know Zappa!
BTW: I don't think he's "Prog" in the strict sense of the word (Yes, Genesis, etc). The connection to prog lies in his Jazz-Fusion/Avant-Garde leanings. So if in your book these styles are Prog, then so is Zappa!
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oliverstoned
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Posted: November 06 2006 at 14:47 |
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Burnt weeny sandwich
Waka jawaka
The gran wazoo
Apostrophe
Overnite sensation
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eugene
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Joined: May 30 2005
Location: Ukraine
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Points: 2703
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Posted: November 06 2006 at 15:29 |
5 best IMO are:
Hot Rats
Burnt Weeny Sandwich
Grand Wazoo
Waka/Jawaka
Sleep Dirt
I also like Orchestral Zappa very much.
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carefulwiththataxe
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AngelRat
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Joined: July 14 2004
Location: Netherlands
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Posted: November 06 2006 at 17:48 |
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Just get 'One Size Fits All' next...
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Pnoom!
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Joined: September 02 2006
Location: OH
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Posted: November 06 2006 at 17:54 |
My favorites are:
Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch
The Man From Utopia
Anything with Billy the Mountain
The first two are fairly accessible, and a good starting place, and Billy the Mountain is just... undescribable.
The one thing to avoid is Lather, a horrible mishap.
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micky
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Posted: November 06 2006 at 17:55 |
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for what it's worth.. my first 3 should probably be your first three..
Freak Out (incredible album)
Apostrophe (my favorite of the 3)
Hot Rats (many people's choice as THE album)
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The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip
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mystic fred
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Joined: March 13 2006
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Posted: November 06 2006 at 18:08 |
PLAY IT AND SEE!!! 
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 Prog Archives Tour Van 
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The Wizard
Prog Reviewer
Joined: July 18 2005
Location: United States
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Posted: November 06 2006 at 18:10 |
Get Freak Out!, you won't be dissapointed.
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Bj-1
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Posted: November 06 2006 at 18:55 |
The Grand Wazoo
Over-Nite Sensation
One Size Fits All
Joe's Garage
Are perfect starting points for Zappa newbies! After those, try Burnt Weeny Sandwich, Uncle Meat and Weasels Ripped My Flesh if you like avant-prog. And if you liked Joe's Garage, then get Sheik Yerbouti and You Are What You Is.
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RIO/AVANT/ZEUHL - The best thing you can get with yer pants on!
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micky
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Posted: November 06 2006 at 19:00 |
 The Wizard wrote:
Get Freak Out!, you won't be dissapointed. |
excellent 
I think the album is great insight into Zappa the intellectual.
That album was done over 40 years ago.. and still could be current
today. He won't be if he gets it.
oh yeah... love the signature
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The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip
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SolariS
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Joined: October 27 2005
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Posted: November 06 2006 at 19:15 |
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If I were you, I'd go with Overnite Sensation after Hot Rats.
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Bilek
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Posted: November 07 2006 at 08:47 |
micky wrote:
Hot Rats (many people's choice as THE album)
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Indeed... " the" Zappa album 
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Listen to Turkish psych/prog; you won't regret:
Baris Manco,Erkin Koray,Cem Karaca,Mogollar,3 Hürel,Selda,Edip Akbayram,Fikret Kizilok,Ersen (and Dadaslar) (but stick with the '70's, and 'early 80's!)
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darkshade
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Posted: November 07 2006 at 21:25 |
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All those mentioned, plus MAKE A JAZZ NOISE HERE!!
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Arrrghus
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Posted: November 07 2006 at 21:28 |
AngelRat wrote:
Just get 'One Size Fits All' next... |
If you like his jazz side, then YES!!!
If you like his humor, then Overnite Sensation or Apostrophe (or Joe's Garage).
If you like humor and experimentation, any of his Mothers of Invention studio albums.
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Dee Dee Ramone
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Posted: November 11 2006 at 13:54 |
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I recommend "Bongo Fury", as this will also introduce you to the wonderful Captain Beefheart.
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Richardw
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Joined: December 10 2004
Location: England
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Posted: November 11 2006 at 14:14 |
 Sheer Brilliance
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S Lang
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Posted: November 12 2006 at 06:12 |
Hot Rats is a must have!
So is Grand Wazoo, for different reasons.
Roxy and Elsewhere (double Live) is brilliant.
One size fts all/ Bongo Fury please enormously, whilst
Zoot Allures is a classic alongside with Overnite Sensation - albeit totally different line-up.
I could go on with Joe's Garage, Sheik Yerbouti, Burnt Weeny Sandwich, Chungas Revenge, Them or us, Ship arriving too late, Man from Utopia and so on.... Most of his albums are great, if not fantastic!
I am not partucularly fond of his early years with Flo and Eddie, but Fillmore East Live come off really well. Uncle Meat is an acquiried taste and has some neat arrangements whilst 200 Motels is more like a documentary, but has the odd, anthem-like tune.
For my taste, anything that features the Fowler brothers, George, Duke, Chester Thompson ('73-'74) don't ever disappoint... Jazzy as they swing, but not straight jazz at all.
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Rosescar
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Joined: October 07 2005
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Points: 715
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Posted: November 12 2006 at 09:54 |
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You should listen to "Son Of Mr. Green Genes" on Hot Rats. It's easily one of the best songs ever made.
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My music!
"THE AUDIENCE WERE generally drugged. (In Holland, always)." - Robert Fripp
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Zappa advice needed...
