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 Frank Zappa for a beginner
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whoreatthedoor
> Teenager of the Year <

Spain
2873 Posts

Posted - 07/25/2005 :  07:13:43  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Could someone please help me?

I've never listened to him. What's the best album choice for a beginner?

Thanks.


El amor es la distancia más larga entre un punto y otro

Surfer Rosa
> Teenager of the Year <

4209 Posts

Posted - 07/25/2005 :  07:16:46  Show Profile  Visit Surfer Rosa's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Good question - I have no idea myself but have been wanting to start a "where do I begin with thread" for ages now. Of course now it would be pointless since it would undermine your question. Bugger.

The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it.
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Broken Face
-= Forum Pistolero =-

USA
5155 Posts

Posted - 07/25/2005 :  07:25:09  Show Profile  Visit Broken Face's Homepage  Reply with Quote
i'm a pretty big fan of zappa's late 60s/early 70s stuff, so i'll give my small guide:

if you want a mainly instrumental, jazzy Zappa start, go with HOT RATS
if you want my personal favorite, i'd go with APOSTROPHE - this one has all the classic Zappa elements: great, intricate instrumentation, goofy, bizarre lyrics, and some just great songs
however, the one that most people regard as the best (w/ APOSTROPHE a close second) is OVERNITE SENSATION

if you have the scratch for three, i'd go with those three, if not, i'd start with APOSTROPHE

-Brian

If you move I shoots!

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kathryn
~ Selkie Bride ~

Belgium
15320 Posts

Posted - 07/25/2005 :  07:27:12  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Come sit by me and I'll tell you about the other Frank.

This gives a good idea:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_zappa

As does this:

http://www.science.uva.nl/~robbert/zappa/quote


Some good albums to start off with include: Freak Out, Hot Rats, Weasels Ripped My Flesh and Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar.

The song Joe's Garage is a good first song if you've never heard him.

I hope this helps.

Oh, jeez, how could I forget Apostrophe? Thanks, Brian.


Sometimes, no matter how shitty things get, you have to just do a little dance. - Frank

Edited by - kathryn on 07/25/2005 07:41:35
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whoreatthedoor
> Teenager of the Year <

Spain
2873 Posts

Posted - 07/25/2005 :  09:10:40  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
How can I find something you don't know?

Thank you, my little secret sources. I'll start with Apostrophe & Overnite Sensation.


El amor es la distancia más larga entre un punto y otro
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darwin
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<

USA
5454 Posts

Posted - 07/25/2005 :  16:46:56  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by kathryn
The song Joe's Garage is a good first song if you've never heard him.



The ultimate stoner album!
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kathryn
~ Selkie Bride ~

Belgium
15320 Posts

Posted - 07/25/2005 :  18:41:36  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by darwin

quote:
Originally posted by kathryn
The song Joe's Garage is a good first song if you've never heard him.



The ultimate stoner album!



We didn't have no dope or LSD!


[edit] must add that one of my favorite 10-second musical segments is after the line
"it was a Stratocaster with a whammy bar".


Sometimes, no matter how shitty things get, you have to just do a little dance. - Frank

Edited by - kathryn on 07/25/2005 19:10:02
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danjersey
> Teenager of the Year <

USA
2792 Posts

Posted - 07/25/2005 :  19:46:13  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
i had the same question pop into my head a few days back, my new work location has a nice record shop down the street and a while back at another one the guy working had a live show on the TV from 1973 (my birth year) and it sounded and looked pretty wild. thank you whore for bringing this up and thanks to all who are in the know.





"You're constantly in a state of becoming"
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paintmeister
= Cult of Ray =

USA
347 Posts

Posted - 07/25/2005 :  20:45:31  Show Profile  Reply with Quote


We didn't have no dope or LSD!

Just a couple a quarts of beer.


[edit] must add that one of my favorite 10-second musical segments is after the line
"it was a Stratocaster with a whammy bar".

My favorite guitar riff is in "Yellow Snow" right after he says "hit him on the nose, hit him on the fins"




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sharkey
- FB Fan -

United Kingdom
65 Posts

Posted - 07/26/2005 :  05:45:02  Show Profile  Click to see sharkey's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
For a beginner, the easiest albums to go for
1. Stricly Commercial (repackaged as the Best of Zappa)- Good career spanning mix of great songs
2. "Cheap Thrills" and "Son of Cheap Thrills" - 2 inexpensive samplers.
3. Have I Offended Someone? - Collection of the more controversial songs.



What good is mining nose gold, if I can't share it with the townsfolk
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Steak n Sabre
* Dog in the Sand *

Uzbekistan
1013 Posts

Posted - 07/26/2005 :  09:51:06  Show Profile  Visit Steak n Sabre's Homepage  Reply with Quote
If you're looking for some more 'rock' type tracks, try 'Zoot Allures'
I'm also fond of 'Tinseltown Rebellion' and 'Roxy & Elsewhere'
To me however, 'We're Only In It For The Money' is top of the list...


The Cult of Frank : It's Easy, You'll Love It..
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speedy_m
= Frankofile =

Canada
3581 Posts

Posted - 07/26/2005 :  10:20:27  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Thanks guys! I think we should a series of "where do I start" threads. And ideas for another one?

How about Brian Eno?


there is nothing worse than/an undetermined person
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darwin
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<

USA
5454 Posts

Posted - 07/26/2005 :  13:31:50  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
There's also "Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch", which has the radio-hit "Valley Girl" and many other good songs.

"Stringbeans to Utah"
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Newo
~ Abstract Brain ~

Spain
2674 Posts

Posted - 07/27/2005 :  03:28:18  Show Profile  Click to see Newo's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
He started out producing doowop records and if the vocal-harmony thing is what you´re into, Freak Out is great. Live at the Fillmore I love too but it is rather short.

--

Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a man to corner the fish market and marvel at the small acts of philanthropy he commits while depriving most of the world of fish.
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kathryn
~ Selkie Bride ~

Belgium
15320 Posts

Posted - 07/27/2005 :  07:42:07  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by speedy_m

Thanks guys! I think we should a series of "where do I start" threads. And ideas for another one?

How about Brian Eno?


there is nothing worse than/an undetermined person



If you're serious, I can start such a thread. I heart Eno/Fripp.


Sometimes, no matter how shitty things get, you have to just do a little dance. - Frank
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cassandra is
> Teenager of the Year <

France
4233 Posts

Posted - 07/28/2005 :  06:17:40  Show Profile  Visit cassandra is's Homepage  Reply with Quote
freak out! and we're only in it for the money MUST be added!


pas de bras pas de chocolat
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TarTar
* Dog in the Sand *

1965 Posts

Posted - 07/28/2005 :  14:33:51  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Over-nite Sensation should be added to this list. Camarillo Brillo is one of my favorite Zappa songs.

I really think that Joe's Garage is a good starting point, too. It was one of the first one's I got. It's so far out there yet there's so many good songs. Some people hate it. I think it's fantastic.

Let 'em riot. We're Sonic-fuckin'-Death Monkey.
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