Frank Zappa help needed

stimpsonslostson

I got into Zappa via "Strictly Commercial" and "Strictly Genteel"- both greatest hits albums. One "rock" (or more accurately NOT Classical) and the other "Classical".
I find what I like & then explore the albums from there... It's a bizarre, amazing & sometimes frustrating body of work. 

schrodinger1612

Not to hijack this thread, but what do you guys think is the most challenging zappa album? 

steamabacus

schrodinger1612 said:

Not to hijack this thread, but what do you guys think is the most challenging zappa album? 

Civilization Phaze III is pretty unusual.

fandango

Vol 1 and Vol 2 of the “You Cant Do That On Stage Anymore” series of double live albums is highly recommended.

As is Apostrophe, Zoot Allures, “Philly 76”, and “Live in New York”.

I’ll say this: you won't ever get bored listening to Zappa.

fandango

So many favourite tracks. Cosmic Debris, Black Napkins (esp the 18 minute Philly 76 version), Trouble Every Day, Muffin Man.....

oh forgot to mention the “You Are What You Is” which is another great, great Zappa album.

sweepy

Hot Rats

DrCornelius

Thanks guys , hugely helpful as always 

blobb

steamabacus said:

schrodinger1612 said:

Not to hijack this thread, but what do you guys think is the most challenging zappa album? 

Civilization Phaze III is pretty unusual.

Indeed it is. The absolute pinnacle of what a human can achieve musically, but hard hard work to listen to. You only really listen to it once, just to say you have.

Jazz from hell is also tough. Once the Synclavier arrived on the scene the gloves were off for FZ, no more band members to organise. Although he lures you in with the fabulous 'Night School'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbJ3Lx9TBf4

Philtre

schrodinger1612 said:

Not to hijack this thread, but what do you guys think is the most challenging zappa album? 

None of them and all of them. I listen to Zappa to be challenged.

The only difficulties I have are with some of the re-purposed pieces on ThingFish.

steamabacus

blobb said:

steamabacus said:

schrodinger1612 said:

Not to hijack this thread, but what do you guys think is the most challenging zappa album? 

Civilization Phaze III is pretty unusual.

Indeed it is. The absolute pinnacle of what a human can achieve musically, but hard hard work to listen to. You only really listen to it once, just to say you have.

Dio Fa and Waffenspiel are great though.

It's envisioned as an Opera/Pantomime and I think it would help to have that visual focus to draw you into this.

Funkfingers

blobb said:

The absolute pinnacle of what a human can achieve musically, but hard hard work to listen to. You only really listen to it once, just to say you have. 

I have listened all the way through at least four times. Once was to remind myself why I did not listen through more often. 

CP3 belongs in the same music library section as The Drift by Scott Walker.

Ossyrocks

littlegreenman said:

kennedydream1980 said:

Sheik Yerbouti is classic Zappa.

Yep.

Also, Joe's Garage and Them or Us.

All of the above.

doogz84

Apostrophe is my favourite album, to the point that the reg on my car is N44OOK.

Joe's Garage, Overnite Sensation, Hot Rats, Uncle Meat, Bongo Fury.

If you have Spotify, there's a wealth of live stuff on there. One thing I really liked about Zappa was that he rarely played a song the same twice.

blobb

Have a bun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hK_WpvE8a4

Philly_Q

blobb said:

steamabacus said:

schrodinger1612 said:

Not to hijack this thread, but what do you guys think is the most challenging zappa album? 

Civilization Phaze III is pretty unusual.

Indeed it is. The absolute pinnacle of what a human can achieve musically, but hard hard work to listen to. You only really listen to it once, just to say you have.

Jazz from hell is also tough. Once the Synclavier arrived on the scene the gloves were off for FZ, no more band members to organise.

I must admit there are quite a lot of Zappa albums I've only listened to once.  Especially the later ones.  But it's also partly because there are so bloody many of them.

Philtre

Civilization Phaze III is like pointillism. Listen to "Amnerika", each note accentuated by a different instrument, each a different timbre.

steamabacus

Some of Zappa's synclavier works translate rather well to baroque ensemble ...

Funkfingers

Neckwringer

Try and find the Fire and Swiss cheese bootlegs for a real treat...…...

Kebabkid

Have a listen to this concert and if you find songs that you like, look at what album/era they came from.

It's a good watch and this was a terrific band -