Frank Zappa, opinions?

i think some people dont realize is that Zappa's humor and political views is all part of the package. Some albums have more than others. I think this is why some people have a hard time with his music. 

Aw c'mon, his lyrics are as good as any in rock.  They did generally degenerate as the decades progressed, but at his best there are no better.

Frank was a great person, major influence to the way I live and the way I think. Sure, some could peg his later stuff as sleazy, but the major difference is that he had a brain, and a damn good one at that.

As far as the musical side of things goes, I like his stuff with The Mothers of Invention and four of his jazz albums (Hot Rats, Waka/Jawaka, The Grand Wazoo, and Sleep Dirt). Can't really get into the other stuff.

I've always wanted to know more about Zappa and what made him tick. I got introduced to him early on with Lumpy Gravy, and to a 13 yo kid into music, it was the ultimate combination of zanyness and seriousness. I loved it and practically have it commited to memory today.

Anyway, but for a peak into the "real" Zappa, I found a video on Youtube where he appears at a VERY tender age (with no facial hair and very well dressed) on the Steve Allen show. I don't remember the year (around 1960?), but he might have been all of about 20 yo.   But what interested me was that he seemed so totally unlike the person we all got to know later on. He came across as kind of shy, but a little cocky underneath. Interacting with Steve, who would have been a really big deal to a 20 yo, it was like he was trying to be polite and deferential, but didn't quite know how. You sensed a precocious, but socially awkward kid.  But thats pretty much it. No hint of the later, "morally degenerate" Zappa.

Which begged a question as to whether Frank had ever entertained the notion of being a serious classical musician. I think he did in his teens. If so, perhaps he was snubbed or scorned somewhere along the way (being of Lebanese ancestry and growing up in Lancaster, Ca would have made that likely). And that in turn may have put him on the course that he took.

DavinS06

UMUR wrote: SgtPepper67 wrote: I still can't get into Zappa. I downloaded four of his albums: We're only in it for the money, Hot rats, The grand wazoo and Apostrophe. Hot rats it's ok, but it doesn't really move me. I kinda like some stuff on We're only in it for the money because of the 60's sound, but the way he sings and the lyrics, are they supposed to be funny or what? It seems so but I don't get it. Plus I can't stand all those awfull wierd non sense noises between each song. I didn't pay too much attention to the other two albums and I think I've only heard them once, or maybe I couldn't even finished the first listen.   Well I´m not sure Zappa´s music is meant to move you ( at least if you mean in the way Genesis or any other emotional music is meant to move you). It´s meant to make you think.

I guess you're right that his music it's not supposed to move you, but I usually prefer that kind of music, like Genesis or Pink Floyd.

cacho wrote: SgtPepper67 wrote: I still can't get into Zappa. I downloaded four of his albums: We're only in it for the money, Hot rats, The grand wazoo and Apostrophe. Hot rats it's ok, but it doesn't really move me. I kinda like some stuff on We're only in it for the money because of the 60's sound, but the way he sings and the lyrics, are they supposed to be funny or what? It seems so but I don't get it. Plus I can't stand all those awfull wierd non sense noises between each song. I didn't pay too much attention to the other two albums and I think I've only heard them once, or maybe I couldn't even finished the first listen. If you enjoy Jazz Rock, you should definitely pay more attention to Hot Rats and The Grand Wazoo. If you don't, get Over-Nite Sensation and('or' in your case) One Size Fits All, they're in Musimundo for 33$(pesos). They're awesome, they won't click you at first, well, not to everyone, but if you start getting into any of those, then you'll love it all.

I got One Size Fits All and I liked it. I've been listening to The grand wazoo and it's pretty good, but I have to be in the right mood to listen to those albums.