FRANK ZAPPA

RIO/Avant-Prog • United States


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Frank Zappa biography
Frank Vincent ZAPPA was born in Baltimore on December 12, 1940. When he was 10 years old, he moved to California with his parents. The first instrument he played was the drums. At that time, Frank ZAPPA really liked rhythm and blues music. But in 1954, ZAPPA found a copy of "The Complete Works Of Edgar Varèse, Vol. One". He was fascinated by the 'weird' avant-garde pieces and it was probably also ZAPPA's first encounter with atonal compositions, something that would later reappear in his own music. During high school, he played in several garage bands, but he didn't write rock and roll music himself until his early twenties. He began writing classical music at 18. Some of his early compositions he wrote for the B-films "The World's Greatest Sinner" and "Run Home Slow" (written by his high school English teacher). You can find the theme from "Run Home Slow" on the "The Lost Episodes" and "The Mystery Disc". From 1962 'til 1964, ZAPPA wrote several songs for different bands (You can find those songs on "Cucamonga" and "For Collectors Only"). In 1964 ZAPPA entered THE SOUL GIANTS. He renamed the band THE MOTHERS (which was a subtle abbreviation of 'motherfuckers') and soon after the band caught the attention of producer Tom Wilson. THE MOTHERS were contracted by the Verve-division of MGM and after they had changed their name into THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION (to satisfy some MGM Records executives, who thought the other name was too provocative), they released 'Freak Out!', the second double-album ever (after Bob DYLAN's "Blonde On Blonde") and also what is said to be the first concept album ever. This milestone contained a strange mix of rhythm and blues, satyrical lyrics and avant-garde dissonance. With this first edition of THE MOTHERS, Frank ZAPPA recorded a number of progressive rock masterpieces. All of his records from the sixties are fantastic, except for "Cruising With Ruben & The Jets", which is a satiric tribute to doo-wop music. Worth mentioning is the fabulous "We're Only In It For The Money", on which ZAPPA ridicules the hippie-culture in general, and "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" from THE BEATLES in particular. The entire sleeve of "We're Only In It For The Money" is a parody on that record. On August 20, 1969, ZAPPA disbanded THE MOTHERS. The most important members of the early MOTHERS OF INVENTION had been Frank ZAPPA (guitar, vocals, much more) Ray COLLINS (vocals), Jimmy Carl BLACK (the indian of the group, drums and percussion), Roy ...read more

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Apostrophe (')Apostrophe (') Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
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Hot RatsHot Rats Original recording remastered
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Roxy & ElsewhereRoxy & Elsewhere Live, Original recording remastered
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Over-Nite SensationOver-Nite Sensation Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
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The Grand WazooThe Grand Wazoo Original recording remastered
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Just Another Band from L.A.Just Another Band from L.A. Live, Original recording remastered
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One Size Fits AllOne Size Fits All Original recording remastered
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Sheik YerboutiSheik Yerbouti Original recording remastered
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Joe's Garage: Acts I, II & IIIJoe's Garage: Acts I, II & III Original recording remastered
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Freak Out!Freak Out! Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
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FRANK ZAPPA discography of albums and videos


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FRANK ZAPPA Albums (CD, Vinyl/LP, Cassette)


3.93 | 87 ratings
Freak Out!
1966

4.31 | 59 ratings
Absolutely Free
1967

3.35 | 47 ratings
Lumpy Gravy
1968

4.24 | 87 ratings
We're Only In It For The Money
1968

2.84 | 30 ratings
Cruising With Ruben & The Jets
1968

4.29 | 56 ratings
Uncle Meat
1969

4.33 | 231 ratings
Hot Rats
1969

3.74 | 38 ratings
Burnt Weeny Sandwich
1970

3.87 | 52 ratings
Weasels Ripped My Flesh
1970

3.18 | 36 ratings
Chunga's Revenge
1970

3.43 | 20 ratings
200 Motels
1971

3.69 | 60 ratings
Waka / Jawaka
1972

4.25 | 82 ratings
The Grand Wazoo
1972

3.95 | 69 ratings
Over-Nite Sensation
1973

3.76 | 76 ratings
Apostrophe (')
1974

4.15 | 76 ratings
One Size Fits All
1975

3.76 | 41 ratings
Zoot Allures
1976

3.97 | 28 ratings
Studio Tan
1978

3.70 | 27 ratings
Sleep Dirt
1979

3.80 | 55 ratings
Sheik Yerbouti
1979

3.82 | 11 ratings
Orchestral Favorites
1979

4.06 | 32 ratings
Joe's Garage, Act I
1979

3.89 | 21 ratings
Joe's Garage, Acts II & III
1979

3.38 | 25 ratings
You Are What You Is
1981

3.78 | 22 ratings
Ship Arriving Too Late To Save A Drowning Witch
1982

4.40 | 5 ratings
London Symphony Orchestra Vol. I
1983

2.94 | 20 ratings
The Man From Utopia
1983

3.21 | 19 ratings
Them Or Us
1984

2.58 | 17 ratings
Thing-Fish
1984

2.57 | 18 ratings
Francesco Zappa
1984

3.91 | 12 ratings
The Perfect Stranger
1984

3.16 | 14 ratings
Meets The Mothers Of Prevention
1985

3.47 | 31 ratings
Jazz From Hell
1986

3.00 | 2 ratings
London Symphony Orchestra Vol. II
1987

3.75 | 18 ratings
Civilization Phaze III
1994

4.20 | 6 ratings
Frank Zappa Plays The Music Of Frank Zappa: A Memorial Tribute
1996

3.17 | 6 ratings
The Lost Episodes
1996

3.70 | 23 ratings
Läther
1996

1.35 | 7 ratings
The Mystery Disc
1998

2.89 | 5 ratings
Everything Is Healing Nicely (EIHN)
1999

2.00 | 5 ratings
Joe's Domage
2004

4.10 | 6 ratings
QuAUDIOPHILIAc (DVD-Audio)
2004

3.50 | 4 ratings
Joe's Corsage
2004

2.00 | 2 ratings
Joe's XMASage
2005

2.80 | 3 ratings
The Making Of Freak Out! Project/Object
2006

4.00 | 1 ratings
The Dub Room Special!
2007

FRANK ZAPPA Live Albums (CD, Vinyl/LP, Cassette)


3.28 | 21 ratings
Fillmore East, June 1971
1971

3.51 | 18 ratings
Just Another Band From L.A.
1972

4.37 | 40 ratings
Roxy & Elsewhere
1974

3.32 | 27 ratings
Bongo Fury
1975

4.61 | 27 ratings
Zappa In New York
1978

3.22 | 21 ratings
Tinsel Town Rebellion
1981

2.76 | 7 ratings
Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar
1981

3.72 | 5 ratings
Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar Some More
1981

3.57 | 5 ratings
Return Of The Son Of Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar
1981

3.22 | 11 ratings
Baby Snakes
1983

3.52 | 7 ratings
Does Humor Belong In Music?
1986

3.62 | 14 ratings
Broadway The Hard Way
1988

3.48 | 15 ratings
Guitar
1988

3.74 | 14 ratings
You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 1
1988

4.56 | 37 ratings
You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 2
1988

3.12 | 11 ratings
You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 3
1989

3.00 | 7 ratings
You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 4
1991

4.48 | 18 ratings
Make A Jazz Noise Here
1991

3.93 | 6 ratings
Piquantique - Stockholm 1973
1991

4.42 | 23 ratings
The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life
1991

2.00 | 2 ratings
As An Am
1991

3.92 | 3 ratings
The Ark
1991

2.50 | 2 ratings
Freaks & Motherfu*#@%!
1991

2.88 | 4 ratings
Unmitigated Audacity
1991

3.00 | 2 ratings
Anyway The Wind Blows
1991

2.85 | 4 ratings
'Tis The Season To Be Jelly
1991

3.00 | 2 ratings
Saarbrucken 1978
1991

2.40 | 6 ratings
Playground Psychotics
1992

3.65 | 11 ratings
You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 5
1992

4.08 | 8 ratings
You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 6
1992

3.24 | 13 ratings
Ahead Of Their Time
1993

4.10 | 14 ratings
The Yellow Shark
1993

4.00 | 8 ratings
FZ:OZ
2002

3.88 | 4 ratings
Halloween (DVD-Audio)
2003

3.73 | 11 ratings
Imaginary Diseases
2006

3.66 | 8 ratings
Trance-Fusion
2006

3.86 | 3 ratings
Buffalo
2007

4.29 | 3 ratings
Zappa Wazoo
2007

3.55 | 3 ratings
One Shot Deal
2008

3.00 | 3 ratings
Joe's Menage
2008

FRANK ZAPPA Videos (DVD, Blu-ray and VHS)


3.11 | 5 ratings
200 Motels (The Movie)
1971

5.00 | 1 ratings
Uncle Meat (Video)
1988

2.31 | 11 ratings
Does Humor Belong In Music?
2003

4.17 | 14 ratings
Baby Snakes
2003

3.85 | 9 ratings
The Dub Room Special!
2005

4.00 | 1 ratings
Apostrophe (') Over-Nite Sensation
2007

5.00 | 2 ratings
Zappa In Barcelona
2007
not rated
Tratto dal filmato 'A Token Of His Extreme'
2007

3.00 | 1 ratings
Frank Zappa And The Mothers Of Invention: In the 1960's
2009

FRANK ZAPPA Boxset & Compilations (CD, Vinyl/LP, Cassette)


3.60 | 11 ratings
Mothermania: The Best Of The Mothers
1969

3.70 | 19 ratings
Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar (The Box Set)
1982

4.00 | 2 ratings
The Old Masters, Box One
1985

4.00 | 1 ratings
The Old Masters, Box Two
1986

4.00 | 1 ratings
The Old Masters, Box Three
1987

3.76 | 22 ratings
Joe's Garage, Acts I, II & III
1987

4.00 | 2 ratings
You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore Sampler
1988

3.00 | 1 ratings
Beat The Boots 1
1991

3.00 | 1 ratings
Beat The Boots 2
1992

4.67 | 6 ratings
London Symphony Orchestra Vol. I & II
1995

3.34 | 15 ratings
Strictly Commercial
1995

4.30 | 6 ratings
Strictly Genteel
1997

3.20 | 6 ratings
Have I Offended Someone?
1997

2.79 | 18 ratings
Cheap Thrills
1998

2.00 | 4 ratings
Cucamonga (1962 - 1964)
1998

2.90 | 7 ratings
Son Of Cheep Thrills
1999

4.61 | 5 ratings
Zappa Picks - By Larry LaLonde Of Primus
2002

4.38 | 4 ratings
Zappa Picks - By Jonathan Fishman Of Phish
2002

4.75 | 7 ratings
Threesome No. 1
2002

4.43 | 7 ratings
Threesome No. 2
2002

2.00 | 2 ratings
For Collectors Only
2003

2.52 | 5 ratings
The Best of Frank Zappa
2004

3.00 | 1 ratings
The Lumpy Money Project/Object
2009

FRANK ZAPPA Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, Vinyl/LP, Cassette, MP3, Digital Media Download)

not rated
How Could I Be Such a Fool?
1966
not rated
Trouble Comin' Every Day
1966
not rated
It Can't Happen Here
1966

3.00 | 1 ratings
Big Leg Emma
1967
not rated
My Guitar
1969

3.00 | 1 ratings
Peaches en Regalia
1970
not rated
Tell Me You Love Me
1970
not rated
WPLJ
1970
not rated
Cletus Awreetus - Awrightus
1972

3.00 | 1 ratings
Montana
1973

3.00 | 1 ratings
Don't Eat The Yellow Snow
1974
not rated
Find Her Finer
1976
not rated
Bobby Brown
1979
not rated
Joe's Garage
1979

3.00 | 1 ratings
Dancin Fool
1979
not rated
I Don't Wanna Get Drafted 12''
1980
not rated
Stick It Out
1980
not rated
Goblin Girl (picture)
1981

3.00 | 1 ratings
Valley Girl
1981
not rated
Rare Meat - Early Productions Of Frank Zappa 12''
1983
not rated
Baby Take Your Teeth Out
1984
not rated
Peaches In Regalia (longpack)
1987
not rated
Montana (Whipping Floss)
1988
not rated
Zomby Woof
1988

3.00 | 1 ratings
Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
1988

3.00 | 1 ratings
Stairway To Heaven 12''
1991
not rated
Zomby Woof (longpack)
1998

FRANK ZAPPA Music Reviews


Showing last 10
 One Size Fits All  by ZAPPA, FRANK album cover Studio Album, 1975
4.15 | 76 ratings

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One Size Fits All
Frank Zappa RIO/Avant-Prog

Review by Prog Leviathan
Prog Reviewer

3 stars For me, Zappa's blend of rock, blues, jazz, and zaniness on "One Size Fits All" comes up short, but is still a worthy listen.

The mixture of genuine complexity and musical genius is prevalent throughout this album from the get go, with "Inca Roads" standing as the clear winning track. It features some tremendous guitar, keyboard, vocal gymnastics, and class which makes it a rightfully deserved classic. Zappa's and the group's creativity shines with energetic playing and songwriting. The mix of singers is also a nice addition.

Then, it's all pretty much downhill. Successive songs sound very much like Zappa is simply trying very hard to be the genuis everyone expects him to be. Songs are crammed with weird complexity, hard-blues outbursts, and directionless humor. Of course things are punctuated now and then with moments which catch one's attention and remind the listener that his reputation is desereved, but few songs on "One Size Fits All" are actual successes in their entirety. Songs like "Evelyn the Modified Dog" and "Po-jama People" sound very contrived, but well doubtless please casual prog-listeners.

Overall, not my favorite Zappa album, compared to say "Apostrophe" which has as much complexity and is gratifying throughout.

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 Hot Rats by ZAPPA, FRANK album cover Studio Album, 1969
4.33 | 231 ratings

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Hot Rats
Frank Zappa RIO/Avant-Prog

Review by Ivan_Melgar_M
Special Collaborator Symphonic Prog Specialist

2 stars There's a question that has been torturing me for decades. What do the people see in FRANK ZAPPA'S music and why in God's name I'm unable to discover it?

In 1974 and after a friend bothered me for weeks, I bought "Hot Rats" expecting to find magical music, but to be honest, found nice music with little interest for me, I thought it may e the album so got "We're only in it for the Money", and my impression didn't changed at all, so after listening a couple more albums, decided to place my ZAPPA albums in a box and let them gather dirt for decades.

A few months ago I had to move, so while checking my old record boxes, decided to give "Hot Rats" a new chance, and even when I found the music easier to listen, my impression didn't changed very much.

The album starts with "Peaches in Regalia", a nice instrumental with some lush keyboards by Ian Underwood, but not much ore, still can't find feet or head in the music, seems like the guy went for some blend of early Symphonic and fun, but failed somewhere in the road, making a hybrid without head or feet.

"Willy the Pimp" starts with an interesting Ponty violin section, but it's only a promise, the guys start to jam as if they were in 1967 on an acid trip, Captain Beefheart's voice doesn't help too much and even Jean Luc Ponty falls in the game and goes nowhere. The guitar? Yes, Zappa is good but nothing special compared with the hundreds of great guitarists in the 60's.

After a couple minutes, the guitar jamming by ZAPPA turns boring and absolutely predictable, just distorted sounds with nothing more than most Acid Psyche bands of the era...Maybe a couple years too late.

"Son of Mr Green Genes" is an improvement, the initial melody is somehow catchy, but still I don't believe it's defined as Prog, Rock or Funk, but still very pleasant to listen, the problem is when the jamming starts, I honestly don't know what he pretends, there were thousands doing this on those years, and some with much more interesting results.

The winds are a good addition, but again ZAPPA'S guitar leads nowhere, just jamming with no structure or purpose, maybe the contrapuntal duel between ZAPPA and Underwood is interesting to prove skills, but musically leads nowhere in my opinion. The jazzy "Little Umbrellas" opens side two, again pleasant but nothing really special to consider this a masterpiece, too light to be considered innovative, the song flows gently with no surprises or really interesting moments.

The incredibly long "The Gumbo Variations" should be called "The Gumbo improvisations", because again lacks of structure, it's true that Ponty, Zappa and Underwood have the chance to prove heir skills, but never sound coherent or structured, after a couple of minutes starts to bore, but when the drum solo starts, it's time to press the skip button before the cacophonic ending. Some people should know that sometimes less is more.

Well, I had to wait 42 minutes until "It must be a Camel", the only really good track, melodic interesting and well structured, even the solos are coherent with the atmosphere, this track saves the album from a lower rating, mainly for the delightful piano.

Before I rate "Hot Rats", must say that it's not a bad album, the musicians are talented, but the music is anodyne and lacks of interest (At least for me), I fail to see the greatness people see, but maybe it's my problem.

To rate it I use my own scale, I gave 3 stars to ELP's debut, and I believe "Hot Rats" is not remotely in the level, so I would go with 2.5, being that this is impossible in our system, will go with 2 stars.

Only for FRANK ZAPPA fans and classic Rock collectors.

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 Apostrophe (') by ZAPPA, FRANK album cover Studio Album, 1974
3.76 | 76 ratings

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Apostrophe (')
Frank Zappa RIO/Avant-Prog

Review by The Quiet One
Prog Reviewer

4 stars ''The crux of the biscuit is the Apostrophe''

Apostrophe (') while a Zappa solo album, it's technically, looking at the line-up involved in, pretty much the same Mothers of Invention which played on Over-Nite Sensation. However this is not played in the same style and way of composition as it's previous:

In style Apostrophe presents even more profound humor than that presented in Over-Nite Sensation, believe it or not fellas! Every song(with the exception of Uncle Remus) have long odd story-lines in which are familiar to that from Zomby Woof or Montana and the like, all pretty weird yet some laughs might jump out of your mouth even if they were unintentional.

In composition Apostrophe mainly seems way more Blues/Rock rooted than it's previous (Over-Nite), with Don't Eat the Yellow Snow, Nanook Rubs It, Cosmik Debris, Apostrophe and Stink Foot all with obvious blues rock characteristics, taking more than half of the album's length which is not much(30 minutes!), however Zappa takes the blues roots and twists them as he pleases, all of them having Zappa's signature guitar rocking out splendidly, plus some very well done twists and turns in the composition itself.

Then there are the more complex or at least non-blues based tunes which are the ones left. The first one being St. Alfonzo's Pancake Breakfast which easily flows with Father O'Blivion, while both very short in length, like Zappa has already proved before, he is able of making complex and 'one-of-a-kind' tunes in less than 2 minutes, so do expect having really complex and fast passages very ala Zappa, even some of the ideas presented in these songs, mainly Ruth's vibes, would later be kind-of emulated on future live opus, Zappa in New York. Excentrifugal Forz on the other hand reminds me of the monotonous Dinah-Moe Humm, though this time it only lasts 1 minute and a half, so that's kind of an improvement. Lastly there's the gentle piano-led Uncle Remus, while pretty simple in structure, it's well worth listening to Zappa in a kind-of sincere up-lifting mood.

Apostrophe while not being Frank's highest level of uniqueness, this still makes up a very pleasant record, with some highlights here and there for the dedicated Zappa fan. But I really recommend this, firstly, for those who want to get into Zappa's less complex material yet with solid compositions and flawless musicianship. 3.5 stars rounded up because in future releases Zappa would still want to write accessible music, but none really done with such precision and originality like this one.

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 Sheik Yerbouti by ZAPPA, FRANK album cover Studio Album, 1979
3.80 | 55 ratings

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Sheik Yerbouti
Frank Zappa RIO/Avant-Prog

Review by The Quiet One
Prog Reviewer

2 stars Strictly Commercial

Sheik Yerbouti is an album which I really don't get how it ended up having a rating of '3.80', but what can I do about it? Write a review explaining why I don't think it deserves that high rating, of course:

This album features the classic 80s Zappa line-up or at least the same objective that line- up aimed at: this is focusing in only one thing and that is 'humor' and nothing else.

There's barely a track on here, judging by it's composition and musicianship, which can easily be distinguished as a Frank Zappa composition. Everything(almost) on here are just short, childish and clichéd tunes in which the lyrics are the only thing that standout, but not really as a good thing. While I don't mind Zappa making some mainstream or commercial tunes and much less writing humorous lyrics, because he has pulled-off some really good ones before, but what I do mind is that the commercial tunes in here don't feature any Zappa-trademark. Notable exceptions would be the classic City of Tiny Lites which actually rocks, then the absurd, though well-done catchy, Dancin' Fool, full of humorous backing vocalists is another classic commercial Zappa song.

As real standouts you really only got Yo' Mama, which presents a 8 minute out-of-this-world guitar solo to chill to; it's energetic, tranquil, powerful but mainly emotional and that's the fruit of it all, what really makes a guitar solo a good one, in my humble opinion. This is what Frank should have made for this album all-through, and what boggles me is that he really was capable of doing it but decided to create a 'just for fun for the musicians' record, and that's what this album really is, you can definitely hear all the musicians on board having a lot of fun making silly jokes, playing simple rock-esque stuff, and so on, but the overall result is annoying, repetitive, non-creative and way below Zappa's standards.

1.5 stars rounded up because of the excellent Yo' Mama

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 The Grand Wazoo by ZAPPA, FRANK album cover Studio Album, 1972
4.25 | 82 ratings

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The Grand Wazoo
Frank Zappa RIO/Avant-Prog

Review by Sinusoid

3 stars I'm going to travel against the tide here. I found this very similar in style to HOT RATS, yet more disappointing in its execution. Like HOT RATS, THE GRAND WAZOO focuses more on lengthy, jazzy instrumental passages as opposed to lyrical humour. Much of the album attempts to be serious in its delivery, but it falls flat on some occasions.

Without a doubt, the focus is on the 13+ minute title track; it doesn't take long before the brass section really hits you in the face, undoubtedly the most noticeable part of the track. The brass simply bellows, flourishes and squibbles all under a pumping rhythm. My only beef is that the track goes on a bit too long for my sake; there seems to be a dead spot in the middle.

When the songs have energy, they're fantastic. ''Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus'' is a zany, cartoony thing with rather silly vocal passages that are simply delightful. And to follow that up, the almost rocking ''Eat That Question'' contains excellent electric piano and guitar solos.

The downside is that there are two lazy numbers that I simply cannot listen to without dozing off, ''For Calvin'' and ''Blessed Relief''. Both are terribly lazy in instrumentation and just don't do anything at all (at least for me).

Why I don't have patience with some of the album is beyond me. There are more brilliant moments on THE GRAND WAZOO than terrible ones, but it has too many dead spots for me to recommend this.

Last words: Questions don't taste good.

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 Make A Jazz Noise Here by ZAPPA, FRANK album cover Live, 1991
4.48 | 18 ratings

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Make A Jazz Noise Here
Frank Zappa RIO/Avant-Prog

Review by snobb

5 stars Don't be affraid - it's not only jazz there! One of the best ever Zappa's live album presents perfect mix of everything Zappa played in late eighties, and in the best form.Whenever there are big team of musicians ( incl. brass section) participated in concert, album's sound is often very rich and heavy orchestrated.

Even the main musical base is jazz-rock ( but again, in very different forms: from classic fusion a-la "Hot Rats", to free form long avant-jazz improves), there are plenty of other elements, filling all that musical space. Every different piece has it's own sound, from retro songs, sounding as classic movie sountrack, to heavy metal pieces ( with electric guitar solos), from brass- orchestrated almost pop-melodies to near modern classical music.

And what is very important - all this different music is connected very organically into one bright, interesting and never boring long show! Every listener will find some perfect moments for himself. But if you like later Zappa albums, jazz-fusion and avantgarde music, all the album is a gem!

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 Hot Rats by ZAPPA, FRANK album cover Studio Album, 1969
4.33 | 231 ratings

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Hot Rats
Frank Zappa RIO/Avant-Prog

Review by snobb

4 stars First of all, this is Frank Zappa's SOLO album, not Mothers of Invention's. Another thing - if many Zappa's works are absolutely RIO/avantgarde, this one is more usual misx of fusion and bluesy rock.

Main music is produced by Zappa's guitar and Ian Underwood keyboards. Music is quite structured and fully orchestrated, Sugar Cane Harris and Jean Luc Ponty add their violins."The Gumbo Variations" are perfect jazz-rock with exploding Underwood sax solos.And for sure,Cpt.Beefheart singing on "Willie The Pimp" gives his exclusive atmosphere.

Please note, that that album is dated as 1969 (!),few years before of real fusion explosion all around the world. So, in fact, there are roots of modern jazz-rock and fusion! All music is full of Zappa's guitar solos, but is unusualy structured at the same time.

And however Zappa has plenty of strong albums in different styles, this one is one of best structurised and organised, strongly orchestrated and great "usual" music album!

And if Zappa,by himself or with band, often demonstrates more experiments and avantgarde ideas, than concentrates on music, this one is different. Very recommended for jazz-rock or fusion lovers as acceptable entrance to Zappa's world.

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 Chunga's Revenge by ZAPPA, FRANK album cover Studio Album, 1970
3.18 | 36 ratings

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Chunga's Revenge
Frank Zappa RIO/Avant-Prog

Review by Neu!mann
Prog Reviewer

3 stars Frank Zappa's 1970 album sounds at first like a mish-mash of outtakes from various unrelated sessions. But closer attention reveals at least some thematic unity, dealing more or less with the trials and tribulations of a working rock musician on the road. Included are some typically tongue-in-cheek songs about groupies, union representatives, venereal disease (a short instrumental called simply 'The Clap', but coming from Frank Zappa the title could hardly refer to anything else), and a few sample concert performances, notably the classic Zappa guitar thrash of 'Transylvania Boogie', one of his strongest album openers ever.

The title track is another highlight, presenting a loud instrumental jam led by Ian Underwood's wah-wah pedal sax solo, distorted enough to be mistaken for Zappa's electric guitar. Like much of the album it was presumably a genuine live recording, perhaps augmented with overdubs in the studio afterward (a peculiar Zappa habit). The CD notes are reticent on this point. If not actually live, the tapes were at least given a very convincing stage ambience: stadium reverb, occasional feedback, audience noise and so forth.

In keeping with Zappa's philosophy of 'conceptual continuity' the album holds some relation to his '200 Motels' film and soundtrack, possibly intended as a prelude to that notorious project, released the following year. If true, don't let it scare you off: 'Chunga's Revenge' might be less focused than other Frank Zappa concept albums, but it covers a lot of contradicting stylistic territory in its all-too brief forty minutes, and thus can serve as a primer of sorts to Uncle Frank's musical career in the early 1970s.

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 Cruising With Ruben & The Jets by ZAPPA, FRANK album cover Studio Album, 1968
2.84 | 30 ratings

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Cruising With Ruben & The Jets
Frank Zappa RIO/Avant-Prog

Review by Megaphone of Destiny

2 stars This is Frank's homage to the doo-wop groups he so much loved in the 50's and listen to with his friend Captain Beefheart. He wanted to make a record like Stravinsky did with his new classic compositons. The similar arrangment, thea same feeling, but weird chord progressions. It is not a joke, it is FZ experimenting with different kinds of material. This album was recorded in 1968 in a period of frenetic activity, The brilliant composer was also declare that there is now distinction between high art and low art. The Mothers were only trying to show that they can do whatever music it pleased them. And with great gusto. However, this tentative of trying to get their music on the radio, as they affirm in the cover, falls short in terms of artistic goals. I think if this album was imagined 10 years later FZ with mixed it with music of different kinds like he did with the "Lather" project that upsetted so much WB. There's some great singing by Ray Collins, beautiful melodies, nice arrangements, but it is not an excelent record. 2,5 stars.

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 Zoot Allures by ZAPPA, FRANK album cover Studio Album, 1976
3.76 | 41 ratings

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Zoot Allures
Frank Zappa RIO/Avant-Prog

Review by Bonnek
Prog Reviewer

4 stars Many have tried, even my beloved other half, but so far, nobody has succeeded in convincing me of Zappa's genius. Of course he's a great guitar performer, an entertainer even, a playful lyricist and maybe even a great composer but it all very much passes me by untouched, just like most jazz-rock does.

So, hardly a surprise that I can stomach this album best of all. As everybody has pointed out already it's Zappa in a stripped down rock mood, with easy digestible songs and even some catchy riffs that you can hum along with. It's probably not his best album but it's the best introduction that you can have, especially if you're looking from a prog-rock side.

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