Frank Zappa Appreciation Thread

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra · 11-03-2011, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by almauro

I picked up "Lather" the other day, and what a pleasure it is. It was supposed to be a 3 record set after Zoot Allures that Warner Brothers refused to release and split up the contents over his next four albums, Zappa In New York, Studio Tan, Sleep Dirt, Sheik Yerbouti, and Orchestral Favorites. The material is a diverse as Zappa gets, ranging from the obnoxiously funny "Punkys Whip" and "Titties and Beers" to the musically brilliant "Revised Music for Guitar and Low-Budget Orchestra" to his yuppie satirical master-stroke "The Adventures of Greggery Peccary", which is simultaneously hilarious and stupendous.

Greggory Peckary is awesome, but the rest of the album is crap. However, Sleep Dirt is a very underrated Zappa album.

Chives · 11-03-2011, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra

Greggory Peckary is awesome, but the rest of the album is crap.

Regardless, I feel obligated to listen to Lather at least once. Even if I regret it.

almauro · 11-04-2011, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chives

Regardless, I feel obligated to listen to Lather at least once. Even if I regret it.

It's a sprawling record, but you won't regret it. It's a nice mix of his serious (RDNZL) and funny stuff (Broken Hearts Are For *******s).

Chives · 11-04-2011, 06:04 PM

I remember reading in a book about how when Frank Zappa turned in all four albums after taking apart Lather that it changed the way record deals are done. Mainly, in the way that an contracted artist who is required to turn in a minimum number of albums before getting out of his/her contract can no longer just turn in a ton of albums at the same time the way Zappa did with Warner Bros to quickly get out of said contract. Zappa was a ballsy guy.

Also, what do people think of Thing-Fish? I saw it at a record store the other day but I've never heard much about it. I'm understanding that it's a triple album and a concept album, an apparently it's not his best work or anything, but is it worth it if you're a fan? I might be able to get it 60% off during a sale this Sunday.

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra · 11-04-2011, 06:15 PM

Apparently Joe's Garage had a stage show:

No idea what to think of it. Suppose I'd have to see the pieces of the end result to judge. Awesome concept though, knowing the story.

Howard the Duck · 11-06-2011, 04:01 AM

got Sheik Yerbouti recently and will be spinning it soon

Chives · 11-10-2011, 11:33 PM

My only problem with Sheik Yerbouti is that I usually get through three sides of vinyl then stop. That's more of a problem with me then the album itself, obviously, but despite it being good it's hard to push myself the last 20 minutes or whatever.

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra · 11-11-2011, 01:16 AM

I honestly think Sheik Yerbouti is one of his worst albums by lightyears. Basically just slapped together anything that he wrote with controversial lyrics.

Albeit, the Bob Dylan impersonation on 'Flakes' is priceless.

Chives · 11-11-2011, 01:26 AM

I agree about that Dylan impersonation on Flakes.

I might go listen to that right now.

It's very obvious that Sheik Yerbouti is a very commercially-minded album. It's what the people wanted, judging by the sales figures of the album. It's a shame it's not a masterpiece or anything but since I've had my good share of chuckles over the songs I can't dislike it too much.

Max Branning · 09-08-2012, 09:34 AM

Has anyone bought any of the reissues? It's about time Frank Zappa cd's were available for decent prices.

11-10-2011, 11:33 PM	#267 (permalink)
Chives Music Addict Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 299	My only problem with Sheik Yerbouti is that I usually get through three sides of vinyl then stop. That's more of a problem with me then the album itself, obviously, but despite it being good it's hard to push myself the last 20 minutes or whatever. __________________ [My last.fm] [My Tumblr]

11-11-2011, 01:26 AM	#269 (permalink)
Chives Music Addict Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 299	I agree about that Dylan impersonation on Flakes. I might go listen to that right now. It's very obvious that Sheik Yerbouti is a very commercially-minded album. It's what the people wanted, judging by the sales figures of the album. It's a shame it's not a masterpiece or anything but since I've had my good share of chuckles over the songs I can't dislike it too much. __________________ [My last.fm] [My Tumblr]

11-04-2011, 06:04 PM	#264 (permalink)
Chives Music Addict Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 299	I remember reading in a book about how when Frank Zappa turned in all four albums after taking apart Lather that it changed the way record deals are done. Mainly, in the way that an contracted artist who is required to turn in a minimum number of albums before getting out of his/her contract can no longer just turn in a ton of albums at the same time the way Zappa did with Warner Bros to quickly get out of said contract. Zappa was a ballsy guy. Also, what do people think of Thing-Fish? I saw it at a record store the other day but I've never heard much about it. I'm understanding that it's a triple album and a concept album, an apparently it's not his best work or anything, but is it worth it if you're a fan? I might be able to get it 60% off during a sale this Sunday.

09-08-2012, 09:34 AM	#270 (permalink)
Max Branning Groupie Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 22	Has anyone bought any of the reissues? It's about time Frank Zappa cd's were available for decent prices.