Zappa recs

Everything that's been suggested so far is great.... but if you really want to experience the full Zappa experience then you need We're Only In It For the Money.  Musical madness at it's absolute best.

Edited by manofmystery - August 05 2009 at 21:39

As one who is always looking out for the best interests of our fellow prog lovers, I'd  best warn OP that once you go down this FZ path...well it's eventually, one way or another, going to be at minimum a 50 CD and/or download equiv commitment  

LiquidEternity wrote: I'll put in another vote for Burnt Weenie Sandwich. It's such an overlooked but absolutely brilliant album. It's the perfect combination of the strict composition and jazz improvisation of The Grand Wazoo, all thrown together with a little bit of fun and one massive, killer epic.

bookended by great doo-wop songs, the last one being a little more sad, a rare emotion found in Zappa's music. great album though, you're right. one of his best ones.

darkshade wrote: the original poster is clearly looking for Läther. it combines the best elements of Zappa in his 70s prime (jazz oriented, tight compositions) and the 60s Mothers (humor, spoken word, wild avant modern classical) with it's own little spin. it's his most epic album, contains some of his most impressive work. a 5 star masterpiece of progressive music and a must-own for any Zappa fan. Only ZNY is worth having from the album's split parts, unless you must have em all! But Lather is definitely the way to go

Negoba wrote: Alright, here's what I'm probably going to get   Grand Wazoo (sounds like the best best for jazz-fusion and complex composition) Over-Nite Sensation (good jazzy album which also is getting play by ZpZ)   Waka Jawaka and Apostrophe seem about equal, the former being more my taste, but the latter getting played by ZpZ quite a bit   Roxy seems to have several tunes ZpZ is playing alot, but I can't find elsewhere.   Does this seem about right?

you really cant go wrong with any album released between 72 and 78, which seems to be the era you like so far. This includes my recommendation for Lather, since it was supposed to be released around 76 or 77 and includes recordings made between 72 and 76.

personally, i would get The Grand Wazoo and/or Roxy & Elsewhere first, if those are the 2 you've got your eye on. at that point you if you're enjoying those albums, you wont be disappointed by any of the other ones.

btw, If you want more of that big band sound ala The Grand Wazoo, you have to get Waka/Ja-waka, Wazoo (2007), Imaginary Diseases (2006), and Lather!!! (The Adventures of Greggary Peccary)

i think once you're more familiar with this era of Zappa, as well as some other albums of his, you'll appreciate the 88 lineup more (Make A Jazz Noise Here, BBYNHIYL)

also, dont forget about the You Cant Do That On Stage Anymore series. Volume 2 is a complete concert from 74 (?)

As many people have said, Waka-Jawaka is a good choice for what you're looking for, it's definitely his best in my opinion.

He wants to be a bit familiar with ZpZ when he sees them on stage during Prog Nation 2009 ..

Albany, NY:

1. Apostrophe
2. My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama
3. Montana
4. Don't You Ever Wash That Thing
5. Pound For A Brown
6. Inca Roads
7. St. Alphonzo's Pancake Breakfast
8. Father O'Blivion
9. The Black Page
10. Village Of The Sun
11. Echidna's Arf (Of You)
12. Don't Eat The Yellow Snow

Wallingford, CT: (This set list looks incomplete)

1. I'm The Slime
2. Montana
3. Village Of The Sun
4. Echidna's Arf (Of You)
5. Magic Fingers
6. Carolina Hard Core Ecstasy
7. My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama
8. Inca Roads
9. Filthy Habits
10. Willie The Pimp

A few more set lists..

Edited by Plankowner - August 06 2009 at 15:55

I don't know about Carolina... but the others don't ever show up not on live versions. But don't worry! The Roxy & Elsewhere, Zappa in New York, and YCDTOSA, V2 versions of those remaining songs are fantastic! Zappa is more or less the only band I really care for live albums from. But trust me, they're great. Perfect sound, pristine performances, and Zappa actually is funny sometimes live.

I guess I have to throw this in here: I love Zappa's music, and he's so goofy and humorous, but he's very rarely actually funny. Hm.

the Black Page part 1 is on Lather, but i believe it's still live. The others are live-only songs as well. most of Roxy & Elsewhere is live-only songs.

looks like ZpZ these days sticks to the era we're all discussing, plus Hot Rats. Dweezil should expand into some of the late 70s stuff, the better 80s material, and the more musical 60s stuff.

**EDIT** nevermind, i saw some earlier 60s stuff, but where's the great Let's Make the Water turn Black medley from MAJNH??? that's something they should be playing


Edited by darkshade - August 07 2009 at 02:28

manofmystery wrote: Everything that's been suggested so far is great.... but if you really want to experience the full Zappa experience then you need We're Only In It For the Money.  Musical madness at it's absolute best.   It certainly isn't an easy album to get into but if you can then the world opens to you my friend.  To love this is to love Frank Zappa.   As I write this I'm wearing a tshirt with the very image above on it.

Or you could listen to Weasels Ripped My Flesh, which has all of the madness and MUCH better music.