Zappa Recommendations

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   On the whole, I like him, but his stuff can be either hit or miss. Which albums do you guys recommend I go for next? Here's a list of what I already have and my opinion of it.

Hot Rats -*****
The Grand Wazoo-*****
Roxy and Elsewhere-****1/2
One Size Fits All-****
Bongo Fury-****
Orchestral Favorites-****
Studio Tan-****
Waka/Jawaka-***1/2
SUAPYG(1-3)-***1/2
Zoot Allures-***
Apostrophe-**1/2
Overnite Sensation-**1/2
Weasels Ripped My Flesh-*1/2

To be honest I've only listened to sporadic tracks on the last 3 because they were kinda boring IMO. Apostrophe and Overnite just seemed like normal 70s rock with randomness added to it and Weasels seemed like a failed attempt at copying Beefheart's style. Zoot Allures had some of the same problems as Apostrophe and Overnite, but it wasn't quite as bad. So what do you think I should get next? Or am I done exploring the world of Zappa?

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
Failcore Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: October 27 2006 Status: Offline Points: 4625	Topic: Zappa Recommendations Posted: April 25 2009 at 06:54
	On the whole, I like him, but his stuff can be either hit or miss. Which albums do you guys recommend I go for next? Here's a list of what I already have and my opinion of it. Hot Rats -*** The Grand Wazoo-* Roxy and Elsewhere-1/2 One Size Fits All- Bongo Fury- Orchestral Favorites- Studio Tan- Waka/Jawaka-1/2 SUAPYG(1-3)-1/2 Zoot Allures-* Apostrophe-1/2 Overnite Sensation-1/2 Weasels Ripped My Flesh-*1/2 To be honest I've only listened to sporadic tracks on the last 3 because they were kinda boring IMO. Apostrophe and Overnite just seemed like normal 70s rock with randomness added to it and Weasels seemed like a failed attempt at copying Beefheart's style. Zoot Allures had some of the same problems as Apostrophe and Overnite, but it wasn't quite as bad. So what do you think I should get next? Or am I done exploring the world of Zappa?

zappaholic Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: March 24 2006 Location: flyover country Status: Offline Points: 2822	Posted: April 25 2009 at 07:19
	Try some of the live doubles. The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life, Make a Jazz Noise Here, and You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 2 (The Helsinki Concert) are all good ones.
	"Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard." -- H.L. Mencken

lucas Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: February 06 2004 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 8138	Posted: April 25 2009 at 07:36
	I would recommend the 2-disc live album "Zappa in New York", which is the apex of the "Bozzio" era. But there is also plenty of craziness in "absolutely free" of his earlier days, one of his best records ever.
	"Magma was the very first gothic rock band" (Didier Lockwood)

Speesh Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: December 21 2006 Location: NJ / VT Status: Offline Points: 435	Posted: April 25 2009 at 10:44
	Definitely get You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 2, my favorite live release from my favorite Zappa lineup. Pretty amazing stuff. Also I really like Burnt Weeny Sandwich a lot. It was released from the same period as Weasels but replaces the avant-craziness of that album with more sophisticated classical influenced music. If you like that then Uncle Meat may be up your alley as well. Also be sure to check out Sleep Dirt, a logical continuation from the Hot Rats/Grand Wazoo side of things. Although I should say I don't like it nearly as much as those, its still a solid release. Also don't give up on Apostrophe and Overnite just yet. I felt the same as you at first, liked his more serious side and couldn't be bothered with the more conventional approach. But there's a distinctive charm that really grows on you. Give em another try in a few months or so.

MFP Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: March 31 2009 Status: Offline Points: 9444	Posted: April 25 2009 at 12:19
	Zappa in NY

The Quiet One Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: January 16 2008 Location: Argentina Status: Offline Points: 15745	Posted: April 25 2009 at 12:28
	You seem to have pretty much all the essential, with the exception of Zappa in NY and Make a Jazz Noise Here, 2 stunning live albums. You should also check out Jazz from Hell and Joe's Garage.

dwill123 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: December 19 2006 Status: Offline Points: 4460	Posted: April 25 2009 at 16:54


jammun Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: July 14 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3449	Posted: April 25 2009 at 20:51
	Don't see Sheik Yerbouti in the list. It's full of classic FZ songs, somewhat in the vein of Zappa in New York.
	Can you tell me where we're headin'? Lincoln County Road or Armageddon.

npjnpj Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: December 05 2007 Location: Germany Status: Offline Points: 2720	Posted: April 27 2009 at 07:56
	I'd go for Läther. It has the best of practically everything.