I am interested in discovering why so many people think he's a "serious musician." All I've heard is stuff that sounds pretty appealing if you're 12.
What are some good songs that exemplify his genius? Why do you think he's good?
2006-12-07 07:09:31 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music
I just read the "overview" section of Zappa's entry in Wikipedia. LOL! Some of the funniest hyperbole ever! He was simply "the greatest, most prolific, intelligent" in everything! LOL
2006-12-07 07:29:14 · update #1
I Have 39 CDs of Frank Zappa's music. And have been a fan since 1968. I made a compilation CD for my friends who had the same question as yours. I'll list the songs I chose in a few minutes from now.
afo= also found on the album/CD.
(2:17) = minutes long. (1975)= year of release
FRANK ZAPPA APPRECIATION COMPILATION
afo = * also found on other albums where each song appears as a different version
From SON OF CHEEP THRILLS compilation CD (1999)
1.TWENTY SMALL CIGARS (2:17) from CHUNGA’S REVENGE (1990)
2.LOVE OF MY LIFE (2:15) from TINSELTOWN REBELLION (1981)
afo (2:59) RUBEN & THE JETS (1969) *afo (YCDTOSA* VOL.4 (1991)
3.NIGHT SCHOOL (4:47) from JAZZ FROM HELL (1986)
4.SINISTER FOOTWEAR 2ND MVT. (6:26) from MAKE A JAZZ NOISE HERE (1991) afo THEM OR US (1984) afo YOU ARE WHAT YOU IS (19??)
5.WHAT’S NEW IN BALTIMORE? (5:20) from F.Z. MEETS THE MOTHERS OF PREVENTION (1985) afo DOES HUMOR BELONG IN MUSIC? (1986) afo YCDTOSA* VOL.5 (1992)
From HOT RATS (1969)
6.PEACHES EN REGALIA (3:37) afo (3:22) LIVE AT THE FILLMORE EAST 1971 (1971) afo WANNA BUY SOME ACID? (2002)
7.SON OF MR. GREEN GENES (8:58)
8.THE GUMBO VARIATIONS (16:55)
From WEASELS RIPPED MY FLESH (1970)
9.DIRECTLY FROM MY HEART TO YOU (5:16)
10.OH NO (1:45) merges into THE ORANGE COUNTY LUMBER TRUCK (3:21) afo YCDTOSA* VOL.1 (1988) afo MAKE A JAZZ NOISE HERE (1991)
From ONE SIZE FITS ALL (1975)
11.PO-JAMA PEOPLE (7:39)
12.ANDY (6:04) afo THE BEST BAND YOU NEVER HEARD (1991)
* YOU CAN’T DO THAT ON STAGE ANYMORE volumes 1 – 6
2006-12-11 06:53:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Frank Zappa grabbed the coat tails of the hippie generation where/when anything that appeared creative was hailed as genius. The amazing thing is that he was an accomplished and talented artist/musician. Look into his more obscure offerings to really find his genius. Remember, if it was on the radio, it was probably approved by a radio exec who would not release something that did not have "public appeal".
2006-12-07 07:19:01 · answer #2 · answered by 191145ACP 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is an excellent musician. He taught him self to classicaly compose when he was in high school. Unfortunatly he pretty much over plays everything, and has never written a song that was even modestly serious. So unless your just into it, he gets old really fast. A good jam would be Willy the Pimp off of Hot Rats. It's got Captain Beefheart singing, and it's just a good guitar jam.
2006-12-07 07:16:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The thing about Frank Zappa's music is that you have to look past the strangeness of his music and realize the genius behind it. He was an incredible musician. The guy could shred on guitar. He wasn't into playing "normal" music.
2006-12-07 07:14:33 · answer #4 · answered by jare bare 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
try ignoring the lyrics and listen to the music; do you hear how many different instruments are being used?
he did have a certain genius for his genre, but I think it was his persona which made him seem more than he was musically. He was extremely intelligent and cynical in a weird but direct way.
"joe's garage" is a fantastic song that few kids of that generation who were "tuned in and turned on" could ignore or dislike
I don't know, maybe you had to be there. maybe out of context some of that mystique is gone
2006-12-07 07:15:47 · answer #5 · answered by soobee 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Start with Overnight Sensation/Apostrophe. This will provide examples of fantastic song writing and arrangements. Jump to Shut Up and Play Your Guitar. This will show some of his great (albeit kinda avant garde) guitar playing.
You may never get it. I have never really understood the genious of Eric Clapton or Joe Satriani. Remember, it is all a matter of taste.
One other album that I think does a great job of showing off his genius (in a live large band setting) is The Best Band You Never Heard.
Hope this helps.
2006-12-07 07:15:40 · answer #6 · answered by jdier 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Zappa was a genius. Is it possible that the misunderstanding was self directed? His compositions were real with no intent to exploit commercialism. This is just another reason why his devout fans are so committed.
2016-05-23 04:11:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Frank was screwed by a record company and decided to make the best of a raw deal so he started spoofing and that was good enough to satisfy a piss poor contract. The amazing thing is that along the way people figured out that its about his guitar playing not his lyrics. You gotta understand this type spoof was a new thing back then.
2006-12-07 07:14:57 · answer #8 · answered by crawler 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Rebel Chick is right, he was in Monkees Episode, and in their movie, Head. He played with John Lennon and YOko Ono in concert once, it's not good. I have album, Plastic Ono Mothers. Sloopy, and bad.
That being said, he is a phenominal guitar player, his music is very complex, but that doesn't make it good. You can have complex music and it can still be crap.
Once he was on Steve Allen show in early 60s and he played a bicycle as instument, it was fun!
Zappa is not my cup of tea.
2006-12-07 09:46:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Dina Moe Hum
2006-12-07 07:17:10 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋