The "Where the **** Do I Start?" Thread

[Frownland]

Sometimes we can be late to the game when it comes to an artist and decide to check it out after all the hype. With some artists this can be kind of difficult because they have massive discographies (classical artists and jazz musicians come to mind) and it's difficult to know where to start. So the purpose of this thread is for people to ask for recommendations on where to begin with any artist that they've been ignoring or have been unaware of. It may help to say what type of music gets you off in your post if the artist has a lot of variety in their discography.

[Exo]

Zappa

I'm only familiar with Apostrophe and his Mothers of Invention album Freak Out! Everything else is too daunting to tackle. I'd like five albums besides the two I mentioned please.

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by Exo

Zappa

I'm only familiar with Apostrophe and his Mothers of Invention album Freak Out! Everything else is too daunting to tackle. I'd like five albums besides the two I mentioned please.

I like Shut Up and Play the Guitar personally. I don't like a lot of his vocals but he was a great musician.

[grindy]

Originally Posted by Stephen

I like Shut Up and Play the Guitar personally. I don't like a lot of his vocals but he was a great musician.

Hot Rats is also awesome under those parameters.

[Frownland]

Overnite Sensation
Hot Rats
Absolutely Free
Lather
The Perfect Stranger

Everyone loves Joe's Garage and I don't get the hype, but I guess that's worth checking out too.

[Trollheart]

Drudkh. Been very impressed by them, but should I start at the beginning or which are their best albums/ones to avoid? Also, for the crack, gimme a Zorn album I might actually enjoy, o font of avant-gardeness. I'm serious.

[Ninetales]

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Drudkh. Been very impressed by them, but should I start at the beginning or which are their best albums/ones to avoid?

Which have you heard?

My favorite is Autumn Aurora (obviously) and i think it's also the easiest one to get into as it's fairly "nice" sounding for lack of a better term - ie not too harsh. Blood in our Wells is maybe their most famous or critically acclaimed so also wouldnt be a bad place to start.

Other favorites: Forgotten Legends and Microcosmos

[Trollheart]

Originally Posted by Ninetales

Which have you heard?

My favorite is Autumn Aurora (obviously) and i think it's also the easiest one to get into as it's fairly "nice" sounding for lack of a better term - ie not too harsh. Blood in our Wells is maybe their most famous or critically acclaimed so also wouldnt be a bad place to start.

Other favorites: Forgotten Legends and Microcosmos

I've heard BIOW, and I'll be hearing AA obviously soon, as that's on your list. I've also heard Songs of Grief and Solitude. I'll look into those other two once I get a break from MMIIII. Thanks.

[Machine]

Help me crack into Zorn's discog so far I've only heard the Naked City debut.

[Frownland]

Originally Posted by Trollheart

o font of avant-gardeness.

Could you explain what you mean by this? I'll give you a couple of good starter albums when I understand what you'd like. I only know a little Drudkh, sorry.

I think you would really like his album with Bill Laswell called The Dream Membrane.

Originally Posted by Machine

Help me crack into Zorn's discog so far I've only heard the Naked City debut.

Spy vs. Spy: The Music of Ornette Coleman
Elegy
Masada - Alef
IAO
Moonchild: Songs Without Words
Marc Ribot - Boof of Angels: Asmodeus
On the Torment of Saints, the Casting of Spells and the Evocation of Spirits