Recommend me some Zappa

[Guest Vitamin X]

Everyone has been trying to get me to listen to Zappa, saying how he'd instantly be my favorite artist if I just checked out his stuff. Unfortunately, there's so much material I don't know where to start.

 

I know there's been a big Zappa revival on this board lately, so help me out here guys. Where do I go?

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

Oh christ, another one.

 

Get Freak Out, Hot Rats, or Overnite Sensation. You're bound to like at least something on all three of those albums, unless you're retarded.

[Slayer]

It's very hard to pinpoint a couple of CDs IMO because Zappa

 

1. Has a huge discography, and

 

2. Experimented with innumerable musical styles

 

My personal recommendation would be to start where I did, with the You Can't Do That on Stage series, most notably numbers 1 and 4. They cover a broad range of both time and style and should give you an idea of which Zappa era to look into further

[Guest Vitamin X]

That's exactly the problem I'm facing with Zappa right now. He's made so much over so long that I don't know where to start.

[Slayer]

I found this good simple guide while searching around

 

If you like the genre, then check out the following CDs

 

Rock

Sheik Yerbouti

Joe's Garage

 

Jazz

Hot Rats

Make a Jazz Noise Here

 

Pop

Broadway the Hardway

You Are What You Is

 

Modern classical

London Symphony Orchestra

The Yellow Shark

 

If you think you don't like Zappa

You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore series

Them or Us

 

If you don't like Zappa, try again with

Läther

One size fits all

[Guest The Decadent Slacker]

I got started with "Have I Offended Someone?" which is more or less a comp of stuff, which is mostly all politically incorrect but explores other genres of his stuff. But Slayer is right on with that list; i'd only add in Joe's Garage for personal reasons.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

Slayer's totally ignoring the incredibly great late 60's stuff.

 

Freak Out, Absolutely Free, We're Only in it for the Money, and Lumpy Gravy are all damn good.

 

Basically, just buy an album. Chances are you'll like something on it.

[Slayer]

Truth be told, it wasn't my guide, I just found it while searching around and ran with it because I have most of those and thought it was a good list

 

Although my own personal bias does play a part because I'm not as big a fan of the MOI years as I am of the late 70's/early 80's material, because of 1) the better production, 2) the amazing vocals of Ike Willis and Ray White and 3) I get the yuppie/MTV satire better the hippie satire since I was actually alive in the 80's to experience it.

 

But like I said, the YCDTOSA series covers everything from MOI to the final '88 tour, so I think that's the best sampler to start with

[The Czech Republic]

Zappa is scheduled to overtake the entire metal genre in the music folder by Columbus Day.

[The Czech Republic]

Oh by the way, Overnite Sensation, Hot Rats, Sheik Yerbouti, and Weasels Ripped My Flesh should have something for you.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

Zappa is scheduled to overtake the entire metal genre in the music folder by Columbus Day.

It's making the rounds, indeed.

 

One shouldn't be surprised though. Zappa's well know for flagrantly incredible guitar solos, interesting rhythmic work, vulgar lyrics... spite towards the media, censorship, organized religion, government...

 

Zappa was a metalhead before there were metalheads.

[Slayer]

I'd rather have Zappa as the godfather of metal than Mr. "Sharon... Sharon... I just shit myself.... Sharon..."

 

And for the record, I know he wasn't always like that, but I've made it clear in the past that I can count on one hand the number of solo songs of his I like, and still have enough room to count the number of his Black Sabbath songs I like.

[Red Hot Thumbtack In The Eye]

I've still never heard a Zappa song. And if I have, I wouldn't have been able to identify it anyway. I suppose this makes me the last hold out?

[Slayer]

For the hardcore Zappa-ites of the board, Zappa's official vendor has "Old Masters Box Set 3" up for sale, which is Zappa's mid 80's vinyl remasters of:

 

Waka/Jawaka

The Grand Wazoo

Over-Nite Sensation

Apostrophe

Roxy & Elsewhere (2LP)

One Size Fits All

Bongo Fury

Zoot Allures

 

All for the low low price of $225

[AndrewTS]

"Strictly Commercial" is sort of a greatest hits collection. Maybe start with that one?

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

Whadda you mean you don't like Black Sabbath?

[Slayer]

We've had this discussion before

 

Ozzy's voice annoys me. A lot.

 

Also, I can't get over his current image as the crazy old man on MTV who thrust his ugly untalented drugged-up kids upon the public

 

I love Dio-era Sabbath though

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

Frank Zappa never really did anything with metal music. He played with Steve Vai, and had people doing blast beats in 60's rock, that's about it.

[Slayer]

I know, but your post from earlier was a good argument for why he could be a godfather of metal in spirit

 

And speaking of Steve Vai, on YCDTOSA 4 Vai and Zappa have a pretty f'king sweet solo-off contest that goes on for about ten minutes ("Stevie's Spanking")

 

I've also seen a video of Vai having a solo-off with Dweezil sometime in the mid-80's too (in the middle of "Dirty Love")

 

What are your thoughts on Dweezil's music, anyway?

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

Don't have any. I've barely moved past 1980, and I'm more interested in Beefheart, as far as Zappa-related other musicians go.

 

I'm of the school of thought that glossier, clearer production doesn't equate better production. There are so many things layered together on We're Only In It For The Money..Same with all of side B of Freak Out.