Word: zappa
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1970-1979
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
With everyone finally in tune. Zappa opened the set by harranguing the audience with such statements as, "Some people say we're perverted, and they're right. And just to show you how perverted we really are, even though you're rude and obnoxious, we still love you!" The audience howled for more. But it wasn't more of Zappa the pervert they got, it was Zappa the musical genius...
There I was, exhausted in my seat, having just finished jumping and rocking to the beat of Chuck Berry. Suddenly, in the wings Mr. Bizarre Rock himself, Frank Zappa. In a flash everything was charged with a spectacular power and a bustle of activity. The Mothers were on stage, Taking cognizance of the audience only by saying. "Will you children please be quiet so we can tune up," a full quarter of an hour passed while the Mothers prepared, in Zappa's words, "their elaborate electronic paraphernalia...
...understand Zappa's genius, one must first realize the framework in which Zappa creates his music. He does not play with the Mothers, but he plays on them. They are his instruments, extensions of his musical ideas. On stage Zappa conducts the band as though they were an orchestra. The group faces Zappa, and he waves his fist, middle finger extended, giving them cues, changes in rhythm, and musical direction. Zappa becomes master of the musicians' movements. He molds them into one with himself. With this ability to control every note, Zappa is free to improvise, to expand musical boundaries...
...matter of Zappa getting famous, then giving his buddy a lift. Their first albums came out simuhaneously in late '66. If the Mothers became popular and Beefheart didn't it wasn't because Freak Out! is better music. Those who've listened to Safe As Milk know that Captain Beefheart has the best, most ignored record ever made (maybe). Alex St. Claire's guitar on his first two albums is superlative, as is Captain Beefheart's amazing voice and harp. The bumper sticker that comes with Safe As Milk is alone worth the price of that album...
...cuts and it brought the audience to its feet. From the 2nd album, Strictly Personal, they played "Gimme dat Harp Boy." similar to but better than Spoonful and with Beefheart's excellent blues harp. From the third album, Trout Mask Replica (with a catfish on the cover), produced by Zappa (after Bob Krasnow and Blue Thumb records overproduced and cheated Beefheart) famous for Doug Moon's delta blues pickin' and Beefheart's singin' on "China Pig," they played "Big Joan Sets Up," a new version, "My Human Get's Me Blues" ("I saw you baby dancing...