This is taken from a website called Moo World Order www.mooworldorder.com I'd like it to be my own work, but frankly I don't have the patience. Enjoy🙂
The Plan:
* Obtain a number of albums from Category One. Listen slowly, carefully, repeatedly. Find your feet. Build your vocabulary of Zappology. This is Phaze I: finding a base of operations in this new world.
* Using that knowledge you have gained about the Zappa oeuvre--and your place in it--you can forage from the next level of FZ. These are more difficult works, so it may be prudent to start with a style that you have come to enjoy, whether that be jazz, rock, orchestral, humour, or other mode. Persevere. Find a song or two within an album that you can tie yourself off to safely and work out from these safety points. This is Phaze II.
* Phaze III is the most difficult and, as such, the most rewarding part of your journey. You alone will know when you are ready to tackle these albums. DON'T RUSH! A wrong step could set you back, or even permanently put the kibosh on your quest. To use a metaphor: consider Phazes I & II to be akin to the application of sunscreen and this last Phaze the act of basking in the sun itself. It IS the goal and the reason for the whole expedition, but to attempt it directly could result in your getting burned! DO YOU WANT THAT?!
The Categories:
1. 'Easy' Listening (With Careful Observation Paid To The Use Of Inverted Commas)
* Apostrophe('😉
o Comedy, pop, rock, CC
* Broadway The Hard Way
o Big band showtunes, comedy, satire
* Fillmore East, June 1971
o Live, comedy, rock, CC
* Freak Out!
o Pop, 60s, weird, freaks, CC
* Hot Rats
o Instrumentals, orchestrated, jammin', CC
* Joe's Garage (Acts I, II & III)
o Stories, comedy, rock, jammin', weird, CC
* Just Another Band From LA
o Live, stories, comedy, CC
* One Size Fits All
o Complex arrangements, instrumentals, rock, weird
* Over-nite Sensation
o Pop, rock, comedy, tunes, pygmy ponies, CC
* Roxy & Elsewhere
o Live, jammin', stories
* Sheik Yerbouti
o Comedy, rock, crude, gays, jews, disco
* The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life
o Live, big band, cover versions, fun, horns
* We're Only In It For The Money
o 60s, freaks, hippie-bashin', comedy, satire, pop, CC
* Zoot Allures
o Rock, intrumentals, comedy, torture
2. Putting The Eyebrows On It
* Absolutely Free
o 60s, satire, weird, dada, CC
* Bongo Fury
o Live, Beefheart, stories, poems, weird, satire
* Burnt Weeny Sandwich
o Doo-wop, instrumentals, jammin'
* Chunga's Revenge
o Rockin', guitars, instrumentals, comedy, CC
* Cruising With Ruben & The Jets
o Doo-wop
* Frank Zappa Meets The Mothers Of Prevention
o Synths, rock, instrumentals, montages, satire
* Guitar
o Guitar, live, instrumental
* Läther
o Big, stories, instrumentals, rock, comedy, CC
* Lumpy Gravy
o Weird, instrumental, CC
* Orchestral Favorites
o Orchestral
* Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar
o Guitar, live, instrumental
* Sleep Dirt
o Space opera, orchestrated
* Ship Arriving Too Late To Save A Drowning Witch
o Comedy, pop, rock, instrumentals
* Strictly Genteel
o Orchestral
* The Lost Episodes
o Stories, instrumentals, CC
* Them Or Us
o Rock, pop
* Tinsel Town Rebellion
o Rock, pop, live, comedy
* Uncle Meat
o 60s, weird, instrumentals, CC
* Weasels Ripped My Flesh
o Instrumentals, jammin', rock, noise
* You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 1
o Live (mixed)
* You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 2
o Live (1974)
* You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 4
o Live (80s, mixed)
* You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 6
o Live (mixed), lewd, instrumentals
3. The Black Page
* Civilization Phaze III
o Synths, satire, instrumentals
* London Symphony Orchestra
o Orchestral
* Make A Jazz Noise Here
o Synths, instrumentals
* The Grand Wazoo
o Jazz, funk, instrumental, jammin'
* The Yellow Shark
o Orchestral
* Thing Fish
o Stories, weird, rock, lewd, weird, CC
* Waka/Jawaka
o Jazz, instrumentals, big band
'CC' denotes this album contains a concentration of Conceptual Continuity material: the building blocks of Zappa language and mythology. Good luck!
Also, something I would add is if you have achieved stage 3, stage 4 would be to listen to Jazz from Hell, which he seems to have omitted.
Originally posted by StarrmanSheik yer Bouti Tango is probably the funniest album ever made!
This is taken from a website called Moo World Order www.mooworldorder.com I'd like it to be my own work, but [b]frankly I don't have the patience. Enjoy🙂
The Plan:
* Obtain a number of albums from Category One. Listen slowly, carefully, repeatedly. Find your feet. Build your vocabulary of Zappology. This is Phaze I: finding a base of operat ...[text shortened]... achieved stage 3, stage 4 would be to listen to Jazz from Hell, which he seems to have omitted.[/b]
Yay!
I have about 20 Zappa albums plus a few copies from the library in my student days.
Covers all categories too.
I don't see how Bongo Fury is II, though - it's pretty easy listening to my ears (by Zappa standards).
EDIT: Ditto Chunga's Revenge.
Also, if you like Zappa, try some Beefheart. Trout Mask Replica has got to be level IV 🙂
Originally posted by VargNay sir, and shame on you! Beefheart is the snotty nosed kid who followed the genius around hoping to pick up his cast offs! Beefheart is mindless and directionless. FZ is focussed and with an accuracy the likers of Beefheart will never understand. Begone! And darken not my doorway again ye purveyor of b-sides and secret devalued american dollar purchase incentive tracks!
Yay!
I have about 20 Zappa albums plus a few copies from the library in my student days.
Covers all categories too.
I don't see how Bongo Fury is II, though - it's pretty easy listening to my ears (by Zappa standards).
Also, if you like Zappa, try some Beefheart. Trout Mask Replica has got to be level IV 🙂
Originally posted by StarrmanSo you reject Hot Rats and Bongo Fury then?
Nay sir, and shame on you! Beefheart is the snotty nosed kid who followed the genius around hoping to pick up his cast offs! Beefheart is mindless and directionless. FZ is focussed and with an accuracy the likers of Beefheart will never understand. Begone! And darken not my doorway again ye purveyor of b-sides and secret devalued american dollar purchase incentive tracks!
Originally posted by VargNot at all, while Beefheart played with Zappa he flourished under his tutiledge, Zappa knew his abilities and allowed him to feed them. Unfortunately for Don VV as I like to call him, he thought he was better than Zappa and demanded more and more until it became evident he was not up to the task. Whilst touring, circa hot rats, Zappa had to send him away because he was losing it on stage mid-performance. DVV spent years thereafter slagging off Zappa saying that he was the real genius, but it was evident that when he came crawling back after a failing solo career and Zappa gave him another chance out of friendship, he was really just a bit cr@p 😛
So you reject Hot Rats and Bongo Fury then?
Originally posted by StarrmanWell, on the basis of sounds alone, I think, nay I know (😉) that many Zappa fans find the Don great.
Not at all, while Beefheart played with Zappa he flourished under his tutiledge, Zappa knew his abilities and allowed him to feed them. Unfortunately for Don VV as I like to call him, he thought he was better than Zappa and demanded more and more until it became evident he was not up to the task. Whilst touring, circa hot rats, Zappa had to send him away ...[text shortened]... olo career and Zappa gave him another chance out of friendship, he was really just a bit cr@p 😛
Don't get me wrong, I'm a Zappa fan first and foremost, by the way.
Originally posted by VargI liked electricity, that was about it.
Well, on the basis of sounds alone, I think, nay I know (😉) that many Zappa fans find the Don great.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a Zappa fan first and foremost, by the way.
Anyway, stop Beefhearting my thread you vermicious knid! So, who out there in the barren world of Zappaless discombobulation would care to undertake the challenge? Come, be part of the project/object and feel whole once more 🙂
I am also a massive Zappa fan. I own about 8 or 9 of his records that I love so much I fondle them every night before bedtime.
If there are any Zappa virgins looking to have their cherry popped, there was a recent best of compilation that was released that is a great mix of all kinds of Zappa. Pick what you like and go from there. You will not be dissappointed.
Originally posted by StarrmanHeresy! Beefheart is spectacular!!!
Nay sir, and shame on you! Beefheart is the snotty nosed kid who followed the genius around hoping to pick up his cast offs! Beefheart is mindless and directionless. FZ is focussed and with an accuracy the likers of Beefheart will never understand. Begone! And darken not my doorway again ye purveyor of b-sides and secret devalued american dollar purchase incentive tracks!
Grrrrrrr... 😠
Originally posted by StarrmanOkay, back to Zappa 😉
I liked electricity, that was about it.
Anyway, stop Beefhearting my thread you vermicious knid! So, who out there in the barren world of Zappaless discombobulation would care to undertake the challenge? Come, be part of the project/object and feel whole once more 🙂
If which one album would you recommend to someone thinking of getting into Zappa.
Not necessarily the one you think is best, but maybe the one which is most representative (if that's possible), or most accessible.
Personally I would narrow it down to Hot Rats, Chunga's Revenge, Apostrophe/Overnite Sensation, Weasels Ripped My Flesh.
I'd probably plump for Chunga's Revenge, though.
Originally posted by VargApostrophe!
Okay, back to Zappa 😉
If which [b]one album would you recommend to someone thinking of getting into Zappa.
Not necessarily the one you think is best, but maybe the one which is most representative (if that's possible), or most accessible.
Personally I would narrow it down to Hot Rats, Chunga's Revenge, Apostrophe/Overnite Sensation, Weasels Ripped My Flesh.
I'd probably plump for Chunga's Revenge, though.[/b]
Originally posted by VargCheap thrills. A best of...
Okay, back to Zappa 😉
If which [b]one album would you recommend to someone thinking of getting into Zappa.
Not necessarily the one you think is best, but maybe the one which is most representative (if that's possible), or most accessible.
Personally I would narrow it down to Hot Rats, Chunga's Revenge, Apostrophe/Overnite Sensation, Weasels Ripped My Flesh.
I'd probably plump for Chunga's Revenge, though.[/b]
It's got all the "hits" like Valley girl, Montana and Joe's Garage on it.
Very funny, easy to listen to and it's a great starter for anyone!