Frank Zappa

So I've just started getting into his music. I love his fusion rock album Hot Rats, had alot of people suggest that... Now I'm listening to We're only in it for the money. It's gonna take me a while to get into this fucked up sense of humor. Where was your starting point for Zappa, whats your fav?

Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar

"Guitar solos and nothing but. Meticulously culled and assembled by Zappa from live recordings made between 1979 and 1980, this three part set features some of the most dynamic and musical guitar work recorded anywhere by anyone. From the rhythmically dazzling "five-five-FIVE" to the unique lyricism of the three title tracks, Zappa proves beyond doubt that he belongs among the most elite of rock's guitar virtuosos. The remarkable interplay between Zappa and Vinnie Colaiuta--some consider this to be the drummer's best work--provides this album with some of its most memorable moments."

Jazz from Hell

"Having gotten his hands on a Synclavier for the first time, FZ was finally able to compose any damn thing he pleased without having to worry about whether human players would be able to handle it. Along with fiendishly complicated pieces like "While You Were Art II" and the title track, the result was also some fun-and-frantic moments like "Night School" and "G-Spot Tornado." For anti-electronic purists there's also "St. Etienne," a majestic guitar piece recorded live in 1984."

The Yellow Shark

"Released shortly after his death in 1993, The Yellow Shark represents one of the only accurate performances of Frank Zappa's "serious" orchestral music--at least as far as the composer was concerned. Assembled from a series of sold-out performances in Germany by the Ensemble Moderne, the set includes re-workings of old favorites like "The Dog Breath Variations" and "Uncle Meat," live arrangements of some of his hairiest computer music like "The Girl in the Magnesium Dress" and "G-Spot Tornado" and new works by Zappa composed specifically for the event. The performances are astonishing and the music? Pure Zappa."

'Roxy and Elsewhere' - A simply phenomenal band and astounding series of compositions on this one. If I had to give one reason for listening to this album it would be 'The Bebop Tango (Of the Old Jazzmen's Church)'

chunga's revenge

hot rats

uncle meat

we're only in it for the money

burnt weeny sandwich

all of his albums on vinyl

oh and one size fits all fo sho

Burnt weeny sandwhich.

Roxy & Elsewhere and One size fits all. He made a lot of high quality work to be fair though you can't go far wrong with any of his pre 80's work

no love for 'you are what you is'?

for me: apostrophe (or better yet, lather) or hot rats

but this is a good article http://www.surfnetusa.com/3ofus/fzbest.html

The Grand Wazoo.

we're only in it for the money, weasels ripped my flesh, and apostrophe are my favorites.

hot rats

were only in it for the money

uncle meat

in that order

Joe's Garage.

  On 9/27/2009 at 3:27 AM, Caretstik said:

Joe's Garage.

This, and Overnight Sensation.

Try the tracks "Watermelon in Easter Hay", "Packard Goose", "Dirty Love" and "Zomby Woof" - if you're not sold by these then I'm not sure you'd like his mid to late 70s stuff.

Joe's Garage is massive though, you'll be rockin' that one for a good while I think.

Just noticed this thread- A lot of good ones for sure, for me the prime stuff is mostly early to mid-70s era:

Hot Rats

Overnight Sensation

Apostrophe

One Size Fits All

Roxy & Elsewhere

I currently have a hard-on for The Yellow Shark.

I discovered him first through Sheik Yerbouti, Joes Garage and ofcourse Freak Out, so they are good starters imo. My favourites at the moment are Hot Rats, Overnight Sensation, Apostrophe and Roxy & Elsewhere.

another vote for Joe's Garage... First Zappa I ever heard. mmmmmm... Watermelon.......

  On 10/8/2009 at 7:38 AM, MadnessR said:

another vote for Joe's Garage... First Zappa I ever heard. mmmmmm... Watermelon.......

this and this again

I love Frank Zappa threads.

Joe's Garage is probably my favorite. Closely followed by Hot Rats.

By the way, if you haven't heard Hot Rats on vinyl, you haven't listened to Hot Rats. It sounds so much better on vinyl.

Waka/Jawaka is also a great album, lots of jazz fusion.

My Favourites are 'Apostrophe (')' and 'we're only in it for the money' - but there are so many other good ones.

gg

  On 10/8/2009 at 10:44 PM, DNBJerk is for real life said:

By the way, if you haven't heard Hot Rats on vinyl, you haven't listened to Hot Rats. It sounds so much better on vinyl.

Your music taste is obviously an extension of your soul, im surprised you can bear to breath the same air as the rest of us culture pygmies.

Sorry, for the sake of continuity, Joes Garage is album that gets most listens.

word

thing fish if you want to laugh your ass off. ike willis ftw.

but yea, id start with either joe's garage, overnight sensation, apostrophe or sheik yerbouti

just heard my first zappa. it's weirder than i imagined. we're only in it for the money