Frank Zappa - Where to start? - Progressive Rock Music Forum

I have been frankly rather intimidated by the sheer size of FZ's back catalogue. I have ordered 'Hot rats' and 'Overnite Sensation', which I am really enjoying. What do people recommend from there??

"I always say that it’s about breaking the rules. But the secret of breaking rules in a way that works is understanding what the rules are in the first place". Rick Wakeman

I would check into Roxy and Elsewhere for a glimpse into one of his most magnificent live performances. Of course you must take into consideration that most of his quote on quote studio releases have about 3 or 4 tracks derived from live performances anyway....however the audience is mixed out. Weasels Ripped My Flesh is astonishing as much as it is just out right strange. Don't buy the 80's material until you sample it. I do love the 80's material but I have mixed feelings about certain tracks and often find myself surfing through the cd's. 200 Motels is unique. Zappa In N.Y., Bongo Fury, One Size Fits All, Grand Wazoo, Apostrophe, and Waka/Jawaka are easily enjoyable. If you check out the titles I've mentioned you can't go wrong.

Ahhhh, thread deja vu. I always recommend The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life. A really good live album with tracks that span most of his career.

I got on the Zappa bandwagon with Bongo Fury, but I would not put it at the top.

By the way, don't be intimidated by the size of the catalog. I'm fairly sure most fans don't have everything. Take it slowly or you may burn yourself out.

Edited by Slartibartfast - March 17 2011 at 11:26

"Freak Out!"

Love it.

"What do you make of it, Spock?"

We're Only In It For the Money is my least favorite Zappa album so far - I'd suggest going with either Roxy & Elsewhere, Grand Wazoo, or Burnt Weeny Sandwich.

Originally posted by Slartibartfast

Ahhhh, thread deja vu. I always recommend The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life. A really good live album with tracks that span most of his career.

I got on the Zappa bandwagon with Bongo Fury, but I would not put it at the top.

By the way, don't be intimidated by the size of the catalog. I'm fairly sure most fans don't have everything. Take it slowly or you may burn yourself out.

Many thanks for the advice!

"I always say that it’s about breaking the rules. But the secret of breaking rules in a way that works is understanding what the rules are in the first place". Rick Wakeman

Hi,

I still think that the early stuff was more dangerous and more effective and much more ... fun to listen to.

I like the later stuff, and just finished hearing the Roxy CD, and I have to tell you that it is great ... but I like the let it all hangout of the early stuff ... and just recently heard a commercial on the Internet (cnn no less) where the vocals were straight out of Frank Zappa in the 60's ... and now it's acceptable ...

The middle period is a bit too guitar oriented for me, albeit, it is rarely used as a guitar would in a rock band or a jazz band, and it tends to spread things out really well, and take a much more classical music overview of the soloing, if one can call it that ... which I don't think it is ... I really think that some of it was kinda predefined slightly, or otherwise the band would not be able to play so tightly and so much.

I have not heard the orchestral stuff as much as I need to so I could make a proper suggestion.

But get your gonads blown out from the start ... get 200 Motels ... and if you can get past that, it doesn't matter which Frank you get, though in this board you're going to find that most people go for the rock and jazz oriented stuff than they do anything else. To me, this is the most important Zappa, because it even SHOWS YOU, what the whole thing was about ... kinda hidden behind all the fun stuff in the movie ... but I think that people here get scared and blown off by the nun outfits!

Edited by moshkito - March 17 2011 at 17:17

Some old holy curmudgeon said from his holy trinity of a chapala ... none of the hits, none of the time ... is always better sex for your and your lover!

www.pedrosena.com

Uncle Meat

I would suggest approaching a couple with caution - Sleep Dirt springs to mind. As does Weasels.

Originally posted by himtroy

Sleep Dirt is amazing if you can actually find the original one without those horrid vocals.

Which means:

1) Buy the LP
2) Get Lather.