RE: Frank Zappa

Collarspace Discussion Forums

Home Login Search

RE: Frank Zappa

View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest

All Forums >> [Casual Banter] >> Off the Grid >> RE: Frank Zappa

Page: << < prev 1 [2]

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

RE: Frank Zappa - 9/13/2008 4:36:46 PM

ThatDaveGuy69

Posts: 978
Joined: 6/22/2007
Status: offline

For the life of me I just can't understand the "genius" of Frank Zappa.
I've tried - I've really tried - but I just don't get it. He made a few "novelty" records and a whole lotta really strange noise. But I just don't understand. "Valley Girl" was a great slam at a shallow lifestyle and "Joe's Garage" was a fine example of how to get screwed by a record label. But all that "avant-garde" stuff? I'll take a polished acid-jazz combo over that any day.

To his credit, he stood up to Tipper Gore and her music censorship crusade when the vast majority of recording artisits barely even shrugged their shoulders.

I don't mean to denigrate him, I just don't understand his work.

~Dave

(in reply to sophia37)

Profile

Post #: 21

RE: Frank Zappa - 9/13/2008 6:02:44 PM

LookieNoNookie

Posts: 12216
Joined: 8/9/2008
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: ThatDaveGuy69

For the life of me I just can't understand the "genius" of Frank Zappa.
I've tried - I've really tried - but I just don't get it. He made a few "novelty" records and a whole lotta really strange noise. But I just don't understand. "Valley Girl" was a great slam at a shallow lifestyle and "Joe's Garage" was a fine example of how to get screwed by a record label. But all that "avant-garde" stuff? I'll take a polished acid-jazz combo over that any day.

To his credit, he stood up to Tipper Gore and her music censorship crusade when the vast majority of recording artisits barely even shrugged their shoulders.

I don't mean to denigrate him, I just don't understand his work.

~Dave

I dated a girl for a while, not a whole lot younger than me, with musical tastes vastly younger, turned me on to (current) stuff that initially was just beyond me. Later I came to recognize that these bands, current ones, had not only exceptional talent, but talent equal to the Beatles as to originality, creativity, etc.

As to Zappa, I have to agree...his original stuff (Uma Guma or something similar) was just noise...how he ever got a recording contract is beyond me.

(I'm just thankful he did :) )

(in reply to ThatDaveGuy69)

Profile

Post #: 22

RE: Frank Zappa - 9/13/2008 8:09:15 PM

farglebargle

Posts: 10715
Joined: 6/15/2005
From: Albany, NY
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: sophia37

Here in NY Ive noticed his son plays his music on circuit now. Its called Zappa plays Zappa. Maybe check that out when he comes to your area.

It's something called 'the Zappa Family Trust' and it's wonderful. Not quite the Dark Star Orchestra's fetishizing of a particular Grateful Dead show ( I meant that in a good way ) -- but something to go see... I notice a lot of sold/out dates on the tour already...

http://www.zappaplayszappa.com/tourdates.html

_____________________________

It's not every generation that gets to watch a civilization fall. Looks like we're in for a hell of a show.

ברוך אתה, אדוני אלוקינו, ריבון העולמים, מי יוצר צמחים ריחניים

(in reply to sophia37)

Profile

Post #: 23

RE: Frank Zappa - 9/13/2008 11:53:14 PM

Jniu4

Posts: 3
Joined: 3/8/2008
From: Midcoast ME & Buzios, RJ, BR
Status: offline

Saw a few of his Halloween shows when I was a pup but never cared for their sound - too much discord for me. He was ugly looking too - the whole band was.

(in reply to farglebargle)

Profile

Post #: 24

RE: Frank Zappa - 9/14/2008 12:00:55 AM

Brain

Posts: 3792
Joined: 2/14/2007
Status: offline

YouTube - Frank Zappa on Crossfire -=(1986)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HljzEXJvj8

(in reply to Jniu4)

Profile

Post #: 25

RE: Frank Zappa - 9/14/2008 1:11:00 AM

MatureDSinNY

Posts: 11
Joined: 8/27/2007
Status: offline

Quick question for you Zappa fans. I saw a show in the late 80's at a university in upstate NY. And this thread reminded me of it. It was the last time I saw him live. And for the life of me I keep thinking it was called "The Bra and Panty Tour"... Am I crazy? I recall the stage strung with clothesline and apparantly the bras and panties of women who had tossed them on stage at previous shows... By the way it was a great show! And some women added to the collection on stage that night... LOL

(in reply to Brain)

Profile

Post #: 26

RE: Frank Zappa - 9/14/2008 6:47:37 AM

LookieNoNookie

Posts: 12216
Joined: 8/9/2008
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: MatureDSinNY

Quick question for you Zappa fans. I saw a show in the late 80's at a university in upstate NY. And this thread reminded me of it. It was the last time I saw him live. And for the life of me I keep thinking it was called "The Bra and Panty Tour"... Am I crazy? I recall the stage strung with clothesline and apparantly the bras and panties of women who had tossed them on stage at previous shows... By the way it was a great show! And some women added to the collection on stage that night... LOL

A lot of people are confused by that memory...that was just a weekend party at my place about 20 years ago.

(in reply to MatureDSinNY)

Profile

Post #: 27

RE: Frank Zappa - 9/14/2008 6:48:03 AM

farglebargle

Posts: 10715
Joined: 6/15/2005
From: Albany, NY
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: MatureDSinNY

Quick question for you Zappa fans. I saw a show in the late 80's at a university in upstate NY. And this thread reminded me of it. It was the last time I saw him live. And for the life of me I keep thinking it was called "The Bra and Panty Tour"... Am I crazy? I recall the stage strung with clothesline and apparantly the bras and panties of women who had tossed them on stage at previous shows... By the way it was a great show! And some women added to the collection on stage that night... LOL

Fall 1980 Tour.

A surviving example would be the recently available 60 minute Soundboard Master from the Terrace Ballroom in Salt Lake City, UT from December 3rd 1980

Line Up:
FZ, Ike Willis, Steve Vai, Ray White, Arthur Barrow, Vinnie Colaiuta, Tommy Mars, Bob Harris #2.

Early Show Set list:
01 tuning 1:07
02 Chunga's Revenge 6:03

03 Panty Rap 3:03

04 Tell Me You Love Me 2:12
05 Cosmik Debris 3:51
06 Keep It Greasey 3:00
07 The Blue Light 5:39
08 Goblin Girl 4:05
09 Pick Me I'm Clean 6:59 °°° tf/cut at 0:06 °°° sonic flaws around tf
10 Dead Girls Of London 2:55
11 Shall We Take Ourselves Seriously? 1:38
12 City Of Tiny Lights 11:31 °°° (Holy Shit!!)
13 Mudd Club 2:43
14 The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing 3:15
15 Suicide Chump 1:18 °°° (cut-bummer!)

Total time 59.26 min

_____________________________

It's not every generation that gets to watch a civilization fall. Looks like we're in for a hell of a show.

ברוך אתה, אדוני אלוקינו, ריבון העולמים, מי יוצר צמחים ריחניים

(in reply to MatureDSinNY)

Profile

Post #: 28

RE: Frank Zappa - 9/14/2008 6:50:03 AM

lusciouslips19

Posts: 9792
Joined: 9/8/2007
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jniu4

Saw a few of his Halloween shows when I was a pup but never cared for their sound - too much discord for me. He was ugly looking too - the whole band was.

Whether you liked him or not is your perogative. However there is no denying Frank Zappa was a genius and a genius jazz composer too.

_____________________________

Original Pimpette,
Keeper of Original Home Flag and Fire of Mr. Lance Hughes
Charter member of Lance's Fag Hags,
Member of the Subbie Mafia
Princess of typos and it's my prerogative

(in reply to Jniu4)

Profile

Post #: 29

RE: Frank Zappa - 9/14/2008 9:57:14 AM

Owner59

Posts: 17033
Joined: 3/14/2006
From: Dirty Jersey
Status: offline

An acquired taste,for sure.And not for everyone.

But that`s why there`s chocolate and vanilla(and all the other flavors).

He was a musician`s musician.Not a good thing if you want popular fame.

Look at John Hiatt,another musician`s musician.

A genius in his own right and a phenomenal song writer.

But how many people know who he is,compared to those who know his songs.

I liked Frank as a man.The whole package.

His politics,his humor and skewed POV,his work ethic and professionalism,the killer guitar shredding along with a phat-assed horn section always got me going.He was about as non-fake as they come.

One of my favorite John Hiatt tunes,Little Head.The title song to a great album,the song is about how a guy`s "little head",does the thinking and makes all the decisions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vQB90iblug

Turn it up loud....

< Message edited by Owner59 -- 9/14/2008 10:03:38 AM >

_____________________________

"As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals"

President Obama

(in reply to lusciouslips19)

Profile

Post #: 30

RE: Frank Zappa - 9/15/2008 4:43:58 AM

Aynne88

Posts: 3873
Joined: 8/29/2008
Status: offline

I saw Hiatt perform two years ago here in town at the Strom Auditorium, a really small venue and it was fantastic. I love John Hiatt, that song slow turning is one of my favorites. He is definitely a man of vast talent. Like Zappa, not for everyone.

_____________________________

As long as people will shed the blood of innocent creatures there can be no peace, no liberty, no harmony between people. Slaughter and justice cannot dwell together.
—Isaac Bashevis Singer, writer and Nobel laureate (1902–1991)

(in reply to Owner59)

Profile

Post #: 31

RE: Frank Zappa - 9/15/2008 6:59:42 AM

samboct

Posts: 1817
Joined: 1/17/2007
Status: offline

What? Nobody mentioned the "Illinois Enema Bandit"?

(in reply to Aynne88)

Profile

Post #: 32