• From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Topic: Recommend me some Zappa

I hear that Frank Zappa is an amazing guitar player, but when I listen to his music, it's really concepty, and I have a hard time isolating a good guitar sound. I know his stuff is "out there" and that's cool. I'm looking to get into it, just need a little guidance. Let me know what songs or albums I should dive into first!

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  • Kenny
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  • From: Aberdeen, Scotland
  • Registered: 2009-09-04
  • Posts: 3,713

Re: Recommend me some Zappa

I would recommend the Hot Rats album.

  • From: Glasgow, Scotland
  • Registered: 2012-05-31
  • Posts: 170

Re: Recommend me some Zappa

I'd recommend Overnite Sensation if you want an idea of all the things Frank has to offer, at an accessible level.
Also, it's worth mentioning that Frank's guitar playing is more of a supplement or an afterthought regarding what he put into his music, he was more of a composer than a guitarist, although he's still one of the best & most original players I've come across. But yea Overnite Sensation is where I started off, it's got some of his most famous tunes so it's a good place to start.

Enjoy, Frank was a genius

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  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2010-04-15
  • Posts: 1,373

Re: Recommend me some Zappa

It took me a long time to get into Zappa, but now I'm a huge fan.  It really clicked for me after I read a biography of his and I started to get the humor.

Anyways, I'd recommend starting with Apostrophe and Over-Nite Sensation.  You can actually find both of those albums on one CD.  Hot Rats is a good one, too.

You might also want to check out some Zappa Plays Zappa - the DVD from a while back has some really killer solos by Dweezil, and the production and guitar tone is a bit more modern.

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  • From: London, getting hotter \m/
  • Registered: 2009-02-24
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Re: Recommend me some Zappa

Over-Nite Sensation & Hot Rats are highly recommended for sure!
but also a favourite of mine ...
The Mothers  (Live At The Fillmore East, 1971)

Check out the track - Do You Like My New Car?  LMFAO when i first heard it!

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  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2010-04-15
  • Posts: 1,373

Re: Recommend me some Zappa

Cheap Thrills is also fun.

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New prog/rock album "Atlantis" available everywhere, including:
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7 Reply by cathysiler (edited by cathysiler 2012-12-18 20:29:50)

  • From: Deep in the forest
  • Registered: 2007-02-11
  • Posts: 5,296

Re: Recommend me some Zappa

Frank was very prolific. Here's a link to his offical site with all his music.   http://www.zappa.com/fz/discography/index.html

I think "Zappa in New York" is a wonderful place to start. I also think Zappa does Zappa is close to being there. When Dweezil played Frank's guitar while Frank played it on the screen in Baltimore, wow, teary moment. He was a genius composer/arranger and player. Good for you, Doc. Is this part of your continuing education? wink   Cathy


Here's one of my favorites "Sofa"     

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOMFJ1Fosh0

8 Reply by Curby (edited by Curby 2012-12-19 20:37:16)

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Re: Recommend me some Zappa

Apostrophe is his best album.  Some serious guitar playing along with Jean-Luc Ponty, George Duke, Jack Bruce and Ian Underwood.  Lyrics and song titles are classic......"My python boots were too tight.  I couldn't get 'em off last night.  A week went by, and now it's July, I finally got 'em off and my girlfriend cried, You got stink-foot!"

  • Registered: 2006-06-30
  • Posts: 2,835

Re: Recommend me some Zappa

"SHUT UP AND PLAY YOUR GUITAR"......& YOU CAN'T DO THAT ON STAGE ANYMORE"....ALSO THE ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA DVD IS GREAT AS WELL....:)

And so castles made of sand melts into the sea, eventually.........
  • From: Danville, IL
  • Registered: 2012-02-18
  • Posts: 458

Re: Recommend me some Zappa

airportdon wrote:

"SHUT UP AND PLAY YOUR GUITAR"

If you want "just the guitar parts", then I'll echo what airportdon said.

cathysiler wrote:

I think "Zappa in New York" is a wonderful place to start.

To really "get" Zappa in his compositional, sarcastic, humorous entirety, then his live "Zappa in New York" would be my pick.

kestrou

  • From: Ashland, KY
  • Registered: 2012-11-27
  • Posts: 17

Re: Recommend me some Zappa

IMO, Zappa's genius isn't in his guitar work so much as his composition, use of instruments and the collection of talented musicians he always seemed to have around him. 

If you are a newbie to Zappa, I would honestly make my first purchase something like Strictly Commercial.  You won't get all the eclectic Zappa stuff that people tend to fawn over, but you will ease your ear into musical assault that is Frank Zappa.  Once you start to get an ear for some of the tunes, look up those albums and then buy it.  You will find yourself expanding into his immense catalog before you know it. 

Also, keep in mind that music isn't always meant to have serious deep meaning, it should be fun.  And when you are sitting in your office, meeting with a client and all you can hear in your head is "He's So Gay", then you have let Zappa invade your subconscious.

  • From: Waukesha, WI U.S.A.
  • Registered: 2007-09-18
  • Posts: 892

Re: Recommend me some Zappa

For guitar Shut up and Paly Yer Guitar Trilogy ,Us vs Them and Joe's Garage.
For classic Zappa- Apostrophe, Overnite Sensation and Zoot Allures.

When I was a child I spoke as a child, But all I heard was how I should get ahead,
Now growing up it ain't anything but all This indecision with these debts and doubts
And worries hanging over my head. When I was a child I spoke as a child,
I wish I could remember what I said.

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  • From: Netherlands.
  • Registered: 2006-04-27
  • Posts: 2,186

Re: Recommend me some Zappa

Agree Cathy -Live in New York- is a great start. Overnite Sensations, Zoot Allures and Hot Rats all must haves.
Saw frank 8 times live and he truly was a genius on stage too.

  • From: The Gates of Delerium
  • Registered: 2008-05-07
  • Posts: 1,412

Re: Recommend me some Zappa

If you want to go for the maximum perversions via the Mothers of Invention, then check out Live at the Fillmore and Absolutely Free. The Grand Wazoo is good for instrumental jamming.

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  • From: Glasgow, Scotland
  • Registered: 2012-05-31
  • Posts: 170

Re: Recommend me some Zappa

http://www.allmusic.com/artist/frank-za … iscography

This site is usually pretty good with it's reviews

Me playing Joe's actual Ibanez Tubescreamer pedal - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76jk58_vl2s

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  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Recommend me some Zappa

Time for me to get to work! cool thanks all!

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
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17 Reply by KarenNewell (edited by KarenNewell 2012-12-20 19:46:59)

  • Registered: 2011-02-12
  • Posts: 31

Re: Recommend me some Zappa

Impossible to pick one.  FZ's evolution is the journey.  Conceptual Continuity

  • From: Bristol, UK
  • Registered: 2011-10-20
  • Posts: 237

Re: Recommend me some Zappa

I have been a fan of FZ since about 1970 and I believe he has played some of the best, and worst, guitar solos ever recorded. My preferred period is 1968/69 but the the best guitar stuff is only available on the many bootlegs from that time. FZ didn't record a lot of solos for his studio albums from that time but there are couple of classics that really show his melodic approach. I recommend Theme from Burnt Weeny Sandwich and Overture to a Holiday in Berlin Full Blown, both from the Burnt Weeny Sandwich album.

There are some later individual tracks that I would recommend such as Yo Mama (off the Sheik Yerbouti album), Wino's do not March and Systems of Edges (both off the Guitar album) and the live Stevie's Spanking off You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore Vol. 4. This is a live recording from Rome in the early 80's and features Steve Vai and FZ soloing. A classic!