The Song Fight Bulletin Board

So lets a say a guy who likes a wide array of music and respects Zappa greatly, largely via the written word (see my brother's signature line), needs to finally dig in. I have heard a smattering here and there but want to invest in, oh, let's say 3 CDs of Zzappa to get better educated and well versed in his music.

What three CDs should I buy and why?

I thank you in advance.

Like:

Strictly Commercial gives, I feel, a good overview of his career. It is smoothly and beautifully edited together, making for a great listening experience start to finish. It doesn't really reach back into the early days of the Mothers, so:

Absolutely Free is solid. 1967, after the initial "woah, you can't do that" of Freak Out. It's beautiful and hilarious and a bit argumentative. Standouts, for me, include Call Any Vegetable and Brown Shoes Don't Make It.

You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore Volume 2 is my favorite example of the live band. Great lineup, great improv, and face-melting playing by everybody involved. There is such a good vibe and chuckle going on. Some of the YCDTOSA's are a collection of interesting moments throughout the years, but this one is a snapshot of the band in 74.

You really should listen to Joe's Garage at least once, though.

Apostrophe is perhaps the most progressive music. Brilliant. As with all Zappa, you may want to focus on musical and vocal happenings. Don't get caught up in his humor as it's not everyone's cup of tea. The music truly transcends that.

His classical works are amazing too. Civilization Phaze III was performed on the Synclavier, and The Yellow Shark is a live orchestral performance of scores. Both very tremendous.

We're Only In It For The Money and Absolutely Free are closest to my heart. But more experimental and freaky.

Live At The Roxy And Elsewhere is great as well. Super lineup and some great tunes along with audience participation. If you can find a copy of Apostrophe that has Overnight Sensation on the same disc (they are sold separately nowadays) grab it. One Size Fits All has some great stuff too.

I will defer to Glennny on this, but I started with Apostrophe/Overnight Sensation, Sheik Yerbouti, and Hot Rats. I spent many hours in college listening to these records. Good times...

It looks like most of the good stuff was mentioned here. But one that hasn't, which is probably one of my favorite Zappa instrumental albums, "Imaginary Diseases". It really shows Frank's talent as a composer. Jazz/rock with all the brass and fronted with great lead guitar. D.C. boogie is a guitar players dream come true. It's inventiveness makes it feel a bit odd at first, but once you let yourself go from what society has decided we should like, you can really hear the thinking process of these compositions. It's great driving music because it's a bit frantic. Great after a few cups of coffee.

I will also mention the live albums that came out of his 1988 "big band" tour - namely Broadway the Hard Way, Make a Jazz Noise Here and Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life. God, I love those. Jazz Noise has my favorite version of "Black Napkins" by far.

I'm partial to The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life but it's about half and half Zappa compositions and covers. Still, the covers have that Zappa stamp on them, and it's an awesome display of the Zappa band live, with some of his more accessible songs.

Roxy and Elsewhere is indeed, really good, although I'm speaking from experience with the 2-LP set, and if it came out as a single CD, I'm not sure what got cut. But it's all really good.

Charles (KA)

Thanks for the advice.

For starters I found a used copy of Apostrophe/Overnight Sensation on CD at Amazon for about 6 bucks.

Then I'll go from there!

I don't know if I should be ashamed to say this, but my fave Zappa album is Zoot Allures... followed closely by probably Sheik Yerbouti.

I was thinking about this and the one I reach for most is, as some others have mentioned, "Best Band". I love the covers especially.
-bill

"Freak Out" for me. Quite like "Witch arriving ..." as well, musically, but the humour had got a bit crass and bloated by then ...

j$ wrote:Quite like "Witch arriving ..." as well,

"Ship arriving..."?

Ross wrote:Thanks for the advice.

For starters I found a used copy of Apostrophe/Overnight Sensation on CD at Amazon for about 6 bucks.

Then I'll go from there!

I'm trippin out to "Father O'Blivion" wondering if you've received your copy of Apostrophe yet.

roymond wrote:

Ross wrote:Thanks for the advice.

For starters I found a used copy of Apostrophe/Overnight Sensation on CD at Amazon for about 6 bucks.

Then I'll go from there!

I'm trippin out to "Father O'Blivion" wondering if you've received your copy of Apostrophe yet.

Got it yesterday, listened to it on the way to and from work tpday. Got through Apostrophe and about half of Overnight Sensation.

One of my favorite drum beats is at the end of St. Alphonso's Pancake Breakfast. I dunno. Guess you guys made me think of it. Hope you enjoy, Ross.

I'd say Freak Out! and Joe's Garage first, but. Those are the most accessible and good, imo.

Can't believe how far this has gotten without anybody mentioning Hot Rats.

jeff robertson wrote:Can't believe how far this has gotten without anybody mentioning Hot Rats.

I think it's safe to say there are many potential jumping-off points. I have 22 Zappa albums, each one has its merits.

jeff robertson wrote:Can't believe how far this has gotten without anybody mentioning Hot Rats.

see Ken's post above