Frank, just because...

littlegreenman

dafuzz

Word.

This was the first Frank I ever heard (iirc) - BBC R1 when I was about 12 and I used to listen to the radio on my walkman when falling asleep and the batteries were too low to play tapes. My mind was blown.

Philly_Q

I was expecting Sinatra.

Or maybe Sidebottom.

Hootsmon

that was AMAZIN'

Hootsmon

anyone know what album(s) to gently ease myself into some FZ?

Philly_Q

If you're a rock fan, I think Them Or Us, Over-Nite Sensation and Apostrophe (') are among the most approachable Zappa albums.

Hootsmon

I love rock but I loves jazz just the same

steamabacus

hootsmon said:

anyone know what album(s) to gently ease myself into some FZ?

'One Size Fits All' has (arguably) his best band at their peak and not a weak track on it.

'The Best of Frank Zappa' compilation is not a bad place to start, though......

Hootsmon

thanks team

Paul_C

Tinseltown Rebellion is probably my favourite.

EricTheWeary

dafuzz said:

Word.

This was the first Frank I ever heard (iirc) - BBC R1 when I was about 12 and I used to listen to the radio on my walkman when falling asleep and the batteries were too low to play tapes. My mind was blown.

that album was were I started. Most of my stuff was on cassette,might get that Best Of for old times sake. The Zappa Plays Zappa ( two dvd's?) stuff probably isn't a bad place to start, I suspect it's mostly on YouTube.

Chuffola

Go and see Zappa Plays Zappa - stunningly good and top notch musicianship and as good a sampler of Zappa's catalogue (which is immense) as you could wish for.

Starters I would recommend for a good range of stuff - you're bound to find something you love

We're only in it for the money (60s anti-hippy counterculture classic)

Apostrophe /One Size Fits All / Roxy & Elsewhere (early 70s with George Duke / Ruth Underwood / Napoleon Murphy Brock- funky stuff indeed)

WakaJawaka / Grand Wazoo (Primarily instrumental big band jazz with guitars)

Joes Garage (triple concept album but brilliant and rude)

Sheik Yerbouti (Broken Hearts are for Assholes worth the entrance fee alone)

Tinseltown Rebellion (Live with some good audience participation stuff)

The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life / Make A Jazz Noise Here (live from late 80s and top notch band)

There are plenty of others - around 70 albums in all - some can be very difficult, some just bizarre and some other absolute favourites of mine. The ones above are probably a gentle introduction but are no less fantastic for that. 

dogload

Here's an interesting one from 1963. Frank is, I think being incredibly restrained in the face of stupid, non-comprehending mockery from Steve Allen