Frank Zappa help needed

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DrCorneliusDrCornelius Frets: 7069
 I've listened to the odd track and kind of liked it and even bought an album once (Guitar) but I never really 'got' Mr Zappa until recently.

 I've now got Apostrophe, Chungas Revenge, Hot Rats and Overnight sensation on vinyl and am hungry for more.  Problem is that he has made soooo many records and has had various different phases that I don't know what to get next.

Any recommendations from the more knowledgeable out there ?  I'm not looking for the early stuff or the later classical stuff - I guess Hot Rats is my favourite, I enjoy the Jazz Rock fusion vibe of it.

Thanks
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Comments

  • PhiltrePhiltre Frets: 4164
    edited April 2019
    "Roxy and Elsewhere" is a must. The best of his music.
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  • DrCorneliusDrCornelius Frets: 7069
    Fantastic - thanks Phil
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  • PhiltrePhiltre Frets: 4164
    Jazz/Rock - "Waka/Jawaka" and "The Grand Wazoo"

    "One Size Fits All" is a classic too.

    Listen to everything from 1973 - 78 then branch out
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  • Sheik Yerbouti is classic Zappa.
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  • PhiltrePhiltre Frets: 4164
    And don't forget "Studio Tan" and "Sleep Dirt"

    Fuck it, listen to it all and then decide. ;-)
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  • DrCorneliusDrCornelius Frets: 7069
    Philtre said:
    And don't forget "Studio Tan" and "Sleep Dirt"

    Fuck it, listen to it all and then decide. ;-)

    Funny enough I was thinking of putting together a huge Spotify playlist but there literally is just too much music. I like your suggestion of '73-78.  @kennedydream1980 , Sheik Yerbouti is on my list purely because of the funny title and album cover :-)


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  • Philly_QPhilly_Q Frets: 22516
    Philtre said:
    Listen to everything from 1973 - 78 then branch out
    Agreed, I think that's the most accessible period.
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  • Sheik Yerbouti is classic Zappa.
    Yep.

    Also, Joe's Garage and Them or Us.
    littlegreenman < My tunes here...
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  • JezWyndJezWynd Frets: 6021
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  • PhiltrePhiltre Frets: 4164
    The Turtles period can be an acquired taste (I like them)
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  • welshboyowelshboyo Frets: 1808
    I love the "Best Band you never heard in your Life" double live album - some great stuff on there.

    Also, Tinseltown Rebellion is very good.

    Overnite, One Size Fits All and Apostrophe though are probably the peak of the Zappa studio output IMO
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  • FunkfingersFunkfingers Frets: 14324
    edited April 2019
    Philtre said:
    listen to it all and then decide. ;-)
    What he said.

    Maybe, purchase "The Real Frank Zappa Book" by FZ with Peter Occhiogrosso and "Frank Zappa: The Negative Dialectics Of Poodle Play" by Ben Watson.

    Philtre said:
    The Turtles period can be an acquired taste
    Philtre, are you kidding?


    I like the live stuff on the YCDTOSA series when FZ throws in ad libs and Ike Willis and/or Ray White crack up laughing. 


    Also, of possible interest, Drum Channel DVD Collection: Vol. One - The Drummers Of Frank Zappa. DV10005801-H01
    Be seeing you.
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  • EricTheWearyEricTheWeary Frets: 16255
    My Zappa period was the 80s/ Scott Thunes period which takes you from Man From Utopia up to Ship Arriving Too Late. Probably more of the silly tunes and pop oriented than the 'serious' Zappa but it could still annoy anyone who got in the car with me. 
    I only really consume him in recent times via Zappa Plays Zappa ( or whatever it's called now) videos on YouTube which is pretty much a Best Of without the jarring visuals of Frank's own films. 
    Tipton is a small fishing village in the borough of Sandwell. 
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  • PLAY WHIPPING POST
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  • blobbblobb Frets: 2914
    Waka / Jawaka is Hot Rats 2.

    Tinseltown Rebellion is always a good album to put on.

    Broadway the hard way

    ... all of the Mothers stuff

    Roxy

    It's a journey, you will eventually find your 'era'.
    Feelin' Reelin' & Squeelin'
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  • DrCorneliusDrCornelius Frets: 7069
    Thanks again guys , just spotifiied Sheik Yabouti at the gym and it’s fantastic, right up my street.
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  • steamabacussteamabacus Frets: 1258
    I'll echo what many have said above, from Hot Rats start at Waka/Jawaka and Grand Wazoo.

    I'd also recommend the Roxie The Movie live DVD - a wonderful record of possibly Zappa's 'best' band (Ruth Underwood, Ralph Humphrey, George Duke, Tom Fowler, Bruce Fowler, Chester Thompson, Napoleon Murphy-Brock) from Dec 1973.
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  • SRichSRich Frets: 762
    edited April 2019
    I also bought the 'Shut Up and Play Your Guitar' double CD set (which I think 'Guitar' was taken from) some years ago....and which proved to be heavy listening as it was guitar breaks taken from live recordings and not the full songs.........Hot Rats was my first and I think his most accessible. 'Weasel's Ripped my Flesh' I am also partial to..and the sleeve art of course.

    He's a great loss to the guitar world.

    "There's things I want, there's things I think I want 
    There's things I've had, there's things I wanna have" 
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  • FunkfingersFunkfingers Frets: 14324
    Guitar and SU'NPYG are two separate titles, containing (mostly) different compositions and from different touring band line-up eras.
    Be seeing you.
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  • MickeyjiMickeyji Frets: 108
    Roxy & Elsewhere and One Size Fits All are my personal faves, but there's so many great FZ recordings you'll probably wind up with almost all of them! Joe's Garage, Sheik Yerbouti and You Are What You Is are easily digestible for those who don't care much about Frank's avant-garde sensibilities.
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