Who IS Frank Zappa

TODDLER wrote: Well, I find that interesting and must add that I've listened to many '88 shows which kept me on the edge of my seat. I have over years ..crossed paths with a crowd of people who dislike everything released after the "Roxy" period. Taking into account that they are hardcore Mothers fans..I gather their dislike may have more to do with the style/approach and has little to do with the value in the complex composition. I shake my head in disbelief when I think about the arrangements coming across tasteless to Zappa fanatics and I really don't know why..I'm just curious.

I have the 05/01/88 show, which is fantastic. There's something about that lineup. That band is, if anything, something that should be enjoyed if someone dislikes post-75 Zappa.

darkshade wrote: TODDLER wrote: [QUOTE=darkshade]I know I listened to Trance-Fusion once around the time it came out, but I don't remember much as it was 7 years ago. I gotta say, on first listen, I can definitely say it's better than Guitar, and at least as good as Shut Up N Play Yer Guitar. Dweezil rips it, and Frank plays some great solos, especially the '88 Band tracks.   I really enjoy Trance-Fusion! It's such a rarity to cross paths with a human being who is familiar with the recording. Especially in South Jersey where musicians are like oysters on the beach. Where everyone is working for "Honest Jerry", tows the line..and forgets that such recordings exist.

Yea, the 88 band tracks provide the color missing from Guitar, and since it's one disc, it's much more digestible.

Plus, I enjoy the 88 band a lot. It would be cool for the ZFT to put together a new 88 band album, either like they did for Hammmersmith Odeon, or a whole show. There needs to be more official recordings of songs performed in 88 that haven't made it to an album yet.

Also, a guitar-type album from 88 but instead it's horn solos. This could also work from other eras.
[/QUOTEWell, I find that interesting and must add that I've listened to many '88 shows which kept me on the edge of my seat. I have over years ..crossed paths with a crowd of people who dislike everything released after the "Roxy" period. Taking into account that they are hardcore Mothers fans..I gather their dislike may have more to do with the style/approach and has little to do with the value in the complex composition. I shake my head in disbelief when I think about the arrangements coming across tasteless to Zappa fanatics and I really don't know why..I'm just curious. 

TODDLER wrote: darkshade wrote: I know I listened to Trance-Fusion once around the time it came out, but I don't remember much as it was 7 years ago. I gotta say, on first listen, I can definitely say it's better than Guitar, and at least as good as Shut Up N Play Yer Guitar. Dweezil rips it, and Frank plays some great solos, especially the '88 Band tracks.   I really enjoy Trance-Fusion! It's such a rarity to cross paths with a human being who is familiar with the recording. Especially in South Jersey where musicians are like oysters on the beach. Where everyone is working for "Honest Jerry", tows the line..and forgets that such recordings exist.

Yea, the 88 band tracks provide the color missing from Guitar, and since it's one disc, it's much more digestible.

Plus, I enjoy the 88 band a lot. It would be cool for the ZFT to put together a new 88 band album, either like they did for Hammmersmith Odeon, or a whole show. There needs to be more official recordings of songs performed in 88 that haven't made it to an album yet.

Also, a guitar-type album from 88 but instead it's horn solos. This could also work from other eras.

No I missed that thread. As a matter of fact, they're coming to Asbury Park, NJ, which is 25 minutes away from me, on May 10. Unfortunately, I'll probably be working that night...

Damn, Tom Fowler is an old man.

and out jumped the Devil....

I know I listened to Trance-Fusion once around the time it came out, but I don't remember much as it was 7 years ago. I gotta say, on first listen, I can definitely say it's better than Guitar, and at least as good as Shut Up N Play Yer Guitar. Dweezil rips it, and Frank plays some great solos, especially the '88 Band tracks.

darkshade wrote: libertycaps wrote: Not a major Zappa fan. Only own the canon stuff. Thread great read. I guess i should plunk down for Lather/Leather whatever it's called and the Helsinki '74 YCDTOSA vol.2 set. If i had a choice, should i get the new 2CD Lather or the old Ryko 3 CD version? Yes, you need those 2 albums. However, both the Ryko Lather and the new UMe Lather are both 3 CDs. The Ryko one has bonus tracks, and the UMe does not.

HolyMoly wrote: darkshade wrote: HolyMoly wrote: darkshade wrote: So here are the FZ albums I'm still missing. Part of me wants to get CPIII next, but another part of me is saying to get other albums first. What do you think? 56.    Civilization Phaze III 59.    Frank Zappa Plays the Music of Frank Zappa 63.    Everything Is Healing Nicely 64.    FZ:OZ 66.    Joe's XMASage 67.    Joe's Domage 68.    MOFO 74.    Joe's Menage 75.    Philly '76 76.    Lumpy Money 77.    Hammersmith Odeon 78.    Greasy Love Songs 80.    Carnegie Hall My personal recommendation is to get CP III next, no question about it.  Though admittedly I haven't heard about half of those on the list.  But they all offer variations on music you pretty much already know.  CP III is entirely its own beast, and it's one of his best works IMO. I forgot to mention 200 Motels, but I fear the second I order a $40 used copy on Amazon, the ZFT will announce the UMe reissue of it... I was kind of thinking that too as far as CPIII goes. I'm thinking I'll order it with Frank Zappa Plays the Music of Frank Zappa and Everything Is Healing Nicely to save on shipping costs. I know EIHN has new material on it too. Speaking of which, I also just ordered Greggary Peccary & Other Persuasions: Ensemble Modern on Amazon. You may be right there... it seems inevitable that 200 Motels and CPIII will see the light of day again someday, they have to.  I just think CP III is too good to have to wait for. .  I haven't gotten EIHN yet, in fact I often forget it exists.  Maybe I'll grab that one when I place my order for Road Tapes soon. That Ensemble Modern album is really good too, glad you got that one.  The biggest treat is hearing band versions of pieces previously only performed on the Synclavier - I think "Night School" is on there, as well as "Put a Motor in Yourself" (<< love love love that track).

I don't think CPIII is going to be re-released on UMe, as it has always been available through the Zappa.com Barfko Swill store. Gail seriously hinted at a 200 Motels reissue last year though.

However, I just got Trance-Fusion, Joe's Corsage, and Electric Aunt Jemima in the mail, so it looks like another Zappa marathon today.

One I get the Ensemble Modern album, I'll order more Zappa albums.

darkshade wrote: HolyMoly wrote: darkshade wrote: So here are the FZ albums I'm still missing. Part of me wants to get CPIII next, but another part of me is saying to get other albums first. What do you think? 56.    Civilization Phaze III 59.    Frank Zappa Plays the Music of Frank Zappa 63.    Everything Is Healing Nicely 64.    FZ:OZ 66.    Joe's XMASage 67.    Joe's Domage 68.    MOFO 74.    Joe's Menage 75.    Philly '76 76.    Lumpy Money 77.    Hammersmith Odeon 78.    Greasy Love Songs 80.    Carnegie Hall My personal recommendation is to get CP III next, no question about it.  Though admittedly I haven't heard about half of those on the list.  But they all offer variations on music you pretty much already know.  CP III is entirely its own beast, and it's one of his best works IMO. I forgot to mention 200 Motels, but I fear the second I order a $40 used copy on Amazon, the ZFT will announce the UMe reissue of it... I was kind of thinking that too as far as CPIII goes. I'm thinking I'll order it with Frank Zappa Plays the Music of Frank Zappa and Everything Is Healing Nicely to save on shipping costs. I know EIHN has new material on it too. Speaking of which, I also just ordered Greggary Peccary & Other Persuasions: Ensemble Modern on Amazon.

You may be right there... it seems inevitable that 200 Motels and CPIII will see the light of day again someday, they have to.  I just think CP III is too good to have to wait for. .  I haven't gotten EIHN yet, in fact I often forget it exists.  Maybe I'll grab that one when I place my order for Road Tapes soon.

That Ensemble Modern album is really good too, glad you got that one.  The biggest treat is hearing band versions of pieces previously only performed on the Synclavier - I think "Night School" is on there, as well as "Put a Motor in Yourself" (<< love love love that track).

The 25 minute song is not very interesting. For me the problem is that lumpy and we're only it are mixed on the 3 Cds.