I once saw a documentary on Zappa. In the context of a recording session, one of the (studio) musicians, a cello or viola player was amazed at the proficiency of the score Zappa had written. He asked Frank where he had learned to compose music. Frank's reply was classic..."I went to the library." How could anyone not love this guy?
I’ve loved this song for many years... but two things need to be said ...1) it was cool seeing you twiddle along on the keyboard ... it makes your explanations more understandable for us who have little musical theory......and 2) if you’re going to have a violinist in the band, then Jean-Luc Ponty is a top choice!
The "It'll cure your asthma too" is a reference to the fact that Zappa had very bad asthma as a child growing up in the Baltimore area. He spent most of his time indoors. As a result he became an avid classical music fan. He read everything he could get access to (public and school libraries) regarding classical music composition and theory. He is pretty much self-taught. He moved to California for health reasons in his teen years and his health improved quickly. The rest you know. 😎
Yes, yes, and yes. One of his earlier solo albums is a hidden gem...he covered the whole "King Kong" suite by FZ & The MOI. I mean 'covered' in more of a true sense of the word's origin. IIRC, it came out shortly after Uncle Meat.
For Weird Wednesday consideration: From Zappa's 1973 album "Overnight Sensation" the song "Montana." The lyrics tell the story of a guy whose ambition is to move to Montana to start a Dental Floss ranch, where he will grow dental floss (apparently it grows from a dental floss bush), then pluck it, wax it down, pack it in a little white box and then sell it. Thereby becoming a "Dental Floss Tycoon." Musically outstanding, lyrically bizarre, what more could you ask for a Weird Wednesday?
Don't forget about getting a horse (just about 'this' big) and riding it all along the border line with a pair of heavy duty zircon encrusted tweezers in his hand.
I would love to see "RDNZL" or "Revised Music for Guitar & Low-Budget Orchestra". Something that shows off his composition a bit more. Just sayin'. :) Thanks, Doug!!!!!
Agreed, you could do the "Revised Music for Low-Budget Orchestra" that segues into "RDNL" from the Lather Album. If you like complex rhythms (nested tuples), Check out the Black Page, No 1 from the same album. Very complex, but also beautiful IMHO. Steve Vai has a paper on the Internets on Nested Tuples and how he counts them.
Started listening to Frank when I was 13. First album ( or eight track) was We’re Only In It For The Money. By the time he passed I had 42 of his albums. His musical range gave me a huge appreciation for many types of music. I always believed he was highly underrated as a guitarist and composer. I always believed that he would be recognized long after his death as a truly gifted musician. Did you know that he was awarded an ambassadorship by Czechoslovakia back in the 90’s? Anyway I’m glad you are coming on board.
Although the album version is my go-to suggestion, Doug and FZ fans deserve to hear the FULL Billy The Mountain story. I strongly suggest the version from FZ's 1992 album "Playground Psychotics"--recorded at Fillmore '71 shows.
back in mid seventies early eighties, FZ would always be at or near the top of polls as a guitarist. Steve Vai was part of the Mothers,. he has some interviews talking about those days... awfully good.
Frank's guitar playing peak in my view is probably on the 79 tour. Though on the 82, 74, and 77 tours he also was playing amazingly. Late 70s early 80s is just right for him to get such credit.
FZ is such a weird guitarist. Weird in a good way, mind you. There is no guitarist that play like he did. A whole different universe. I get so inspired by listening to him.
Yeah!! Apostrophe was one of his commercial peaks and it's so good. I really like his '67 to '69 period as he evolved from experimental rock to experimental jazz. The '69 Mothers album Uncle Meat is very adventurous 🎷🎸🎺🥁🎹🥩🔥
I've always thought if Frank having this awesome, all-encompassing R&B coloring book; it's just that he uses every color in the box and colors *WAY* outside the lines.
Great reaction, I happen to listen to it as well as this particular live clip today since it was recorded exactly 50 years ago, August 21st 1973 in Stockholm, Sweden. I have no idea how many times I've listened to it, but it never gets old to me.
This recording is from a Swedish TV and radio programme called Oppoppa in 1973. The song wasn't actually released on an album yet. At the time Swedish only hade public service broadcasting an The Swedish Television Company had an interesting take on popular music. They didn't really understand it, but they broadcasted concerts with major pop and rock acts that came to Sweden anyway. That's why there are concerts by Otis Redding , Zappa and early Patti Smith Group and many others in existence while they weren't given air time in the US. Zappa was in Stockholm in Sweden with The Mothers as early as 67' or 68' and then again in 1970. He liked the Swedish audience because in Sweden he was really treated as an major act which wasn't necessarily the case in the US. He didn't always like the venues, cause it was often ice hockey halls and his fingers got so cold he had a hard time to play the guitar. It's hard to see during Cosmic Debris, but at that concert that was recorded at a very famous Swedish stage called Solliden at an outdoor museum called Skansen, he actually had a audience of 20 000 people. There was a bit of a chaos with the audience, but not while the band played, cause no one wanted to miss a note when a big act for once was in Sweden. This was really a big event in Sweden. At the time we had a lot of progressive bands who got much inspiration from the music of Zappa. In 1973 he had also released Overnite Sensation whose lyrics may have offended parts of the audience in the US and Britain, but in Sweden we didn't understand american good enough to get just how dirty it was (further proof is the later success of "Bobby Brown" in Scandinavia). Zappa and the band actually plays a lot of music that at the time (august 1973) wasn't released on any album, some of it coming during 1974 on the Apostrophe and Roxy albums, but Duprees Paradise wasn't put on an album until the 80's. "Cosmic Debris" is Zappa at his most accessible, bluesy and with sharp lyrics as in "Trouble Every day" but you can still not mistake him for somebody else. It's one of the best pieces if you want to introduce someone to Zappas music, but i think Doug should try The Yellow Shark. Or why not The Perfect Stranger to hear what Pierre Boulez does with the music of Zappa?
Ralph Humphrey is a great drummer. He has played with a lot of peps. From Wayne Shorter and Al Jarreau to Barbra Streisand and Bette Midler. Zappa always work with the best of the best. Every member of his band is such great musician and can play a very broad spectrum of styles.
Doug thank you always for going over Zappa....please please consider watching Strictly Genteel live in New York 1981 it is a very different piece and is more orchestra. I'd love love love to see you react to it. It always features a young Steve Vai Thank you again!
Frank Zappa has had numerous fantastic musicians play in the band over the years. It’s worth your time to research him and his music. I also recommend Zappa Live In New York and Bongo Fury.
You should sign up for his Patreon if you’ve got a little bit of money to spare. Doug deserves to be supported, and I wish I had the means to help the channel out.
I am. So glad that people are still getting into Zappa's music I first got zapped in 1979 and couldn't get enough I'm 58 now and still play all his albums everyday
@@Thinchap my uncle got back stage tickets and got to play a guitar with dweezil. Spent around 45mins asking him things about how his dad played certain scales or riffs etc, and dweezil just went through absorbs with him, never shy'd away, really humble guy
@@dannydirt5D I found the exact same when I met him at a show in Asbury Park NJ. Just the nicest guy to speak to. All the band members for that matter.
Such a treat to hear, and your review of Zappa's musical genius will become even more of a treat, after the second side of this classic album treasure. Thanks!
I got to see George do a show in LA at a now closed place call The Jazz Bakery - I got there early, so me and my girl were seated front row center - met George after the show and got to chat with him - what great guy. I was so sad when he passed only a few years later.
Love to see reactions to Frank Zappa songs his songs are always so intricate but entertaining. His son Dweezil is an amazing guitarist as well and his renditions of his father Frank's work is on full display on his Zappa plays Zappa tour. Someday maybe you can check him out as well.
Doug, sir, you really need to visit some of Frank’s orchestral pieces. Seriously, I love all of Mr Zappas multi faceted musical genius; satirical comedy, guitar virtuoso, improvisational jazz, etc. But as a classical composer yourself I’m really chomping at the bit to get your spin on some of Frank Vincent Zappa’s, in my opinion, most brilliant compositions, his orchestral repertoire.
Zappa Big Band work is also awesome -- The Grand Wazoo has some of his greatest large band jazz scores. (even if Calvin and his Next Two Hitchhikers gets a bit... long.) Love your reactions, Doug.
I am really enjoying your channel, and I am glad that you are enjoying Frank Zappa's music. As musicians we tend to hear the extra-special things that true musicians like to add in. Zappa was a great influence in my musical library...and still is. Thanks!
I always thought of this tune as having a derisory crack at drug dealers, snake oil salesmen, and spiritual pundits etc... The kinds of people who invent the problems we are told we need solutions for. Great that you did more Zappa. Thanks.
Man, Inca Roads, from "One Size Fits All" is amazing. Not sure if you've done that...I looked at all your reactions. But, an interesting arrangement of some of the best musicians at the time.
I used to play this on my low budget ghettoblaster in my low budget room of the Home Dome foyer in Clermont Ferrand. What a flavor of souvenirs here. Thanks Doug
Oh yeah. This is awsome live. I discovered Zappa about the time (I was in high school) that I was firming up my stance on religions of all forms. This tune but a capper on what I had become from reading things like Vonnegut. Not only is Zappa's guitar musical, it's unique. This was my first Zappa album, 1974, or thereabouts.
A fav of mine! And that what you did on the keys after the song finished , Doug. could be a new, creative rendition of this song - an ease teenage version :) Nice! Thank you
Thanks for listening to more Zappa. I remember him playing Cosmik Debris when I saw him in '77 though he no longer had Duke, Fowler or Ponty with him. I will suggest once again, if you're looking for a mind blowing vibraphone solo listen to Gentle Giant - Funny Ways Live. Kerry Minnear is a Master. Also, ANYTHING by Jean Luc-Ponty but the Enigmatic Ocean album and in particular Nostalgic Lady with Alan Holdsworth in particular or his Aurora Album with Patrice Rushin on piano, Renaissance in particular. Thanks again for the entertaining and insightful reactions Doug!
solid blues tune but pretty standard stuff for Frank. I highly recommend the two-fer of "Echidna's Arf" and "Don't You Ever Wash That Thing" from the Roxy & Elsewhere album.
Please stop suggesting simple songs, you are literally asking a sommelier to give you a review of Gallo…..its a waste of Doug’s time and knowledge, instead please suggest the songs that A….don’t have lyrics and B…..feature more than 4 chords….How about the Eric Dolphy Memorial Barbecue, Greggory Peccary, etc,…it would be nice for those of us who have a grasp of theory to get an in depth analysis from a modern composer, hearing it for the first time and seeing the surprise in his face as he tries to unfold what zappa was doing or trying to do with various passages and progressions. You are pushing songs that Frank wrote to sell albums so he could afford to write the music he actually wanted to compose. Because Frank was basically a cottage industry, he understood he had to do A, B & C in order to get the funds so he could do D which is what he actually wanted to do so many of his albums contain filler songs like this that aren’t that interesting but took him no time to compose, record and mix and have a appeal that will satisfy a certain level of his fans especially when performed live
@@shyshift he has so many complex pieces, look at all of Lumpy Gravy, Uncle Meat, 200 motels, the shut up and play yer guitar series, would love to see the look on Doug’s face when he discovers how those three albums were created. Frank’s concepts of time especially his use of tuplets is basically unheard of in most forms of composition and his use of intervalic serial scales take him outside of atonal or 12 step schools of thought
That was a great band. I saw them in Montreal at an outdoor show in '74. It was just crazy amazing and all those players killed it included Zappa on guitar.
I've been loving Doug on Frank lately!👏👏👏👏👏 he brings out the whimsical and makes learning fun and Doug is just great at pulling details from a guy whose processes always felt convoluted and difficult to unravel. Probably more than most but here's Doug simply saying "You can ALL USE THIS! This is Zappa! Be like Zappa!"
Hello there Doug!! I just discovered your channel and have been enjoying your videos. It's been an amazing time, thanks for analyzing and sharing your knowledge with us all! I'll surely recommend a song or two eventually, but first I have to watch more! Hehe Cheers!
Absolutely, and there's so many that it's almost impossible to put together a "perfect" Zappa band. You'd think George Duke would be a certainty for the keyboards, but Bobby Martin contributed so much great work, especially live. How about the drummer? "Well, I love how Chad could effortlessly change tempo and time signature instantly, but Bozzio's personality is irreplaceable."
Doug, you're well on your way to the experience that is ZAPPA. Frank only hired the BEST musicians and demanded perfection. The studio albums are fantastic, but I feel can't compare to Frank and the Band LIVE. Might i suggest the " you Can't Do thAt On Stage Anymore" Series. Live music selected by Frank, as some of his favorites. A Lifetime of music to enjoy.
Doug, I recently discovered your channel and man, I've been devouring its content for several days now. I'm absoltely thrilled by the genuine emotions you put in your reaction and I defenitely love the musical analysis you conduct. For someone trying to learn music, it is amazing to hear your deductions and interpretations in such a unique fashion. And above all that, almost all the bands you have included in the daily Doug are among my personal favorites. One band I'm surprised has not enter your list yet is King Crimson. I'm completely sure you would totally enjoy the song "Satrless" in their live performance (I think it's from a show in Japan, around 2015-2016), an absolute piece of art. I really really hope you consider this song. Thanks for all the wonderfull content!
‘He ain’t buying it! That mystery man can’t pull it over on Frank. Love your forthright critique Doug! Frank was more than an outstanding guitarist. Always. Thanks for giving Zappa some love Sir Doug. Fun indeed!
Frank Zappa, an infinite universe! If genius has no limits, it has them all. Totally crazy lyrics, often tinged with caustic humour, declaimed on boundless, endless musical compositions: art music, blues, jazz, rock, psychedelic rock, progressive rock, hard rock, heavy metal, etc. Thank you, Mr Helvering
Hey Doug. Here is one beautiful Zappa’s piece of art from the album Studio Tan: called “revised music for guitar & low budget orchestra”. Lots of Edgard Varese and Stravinsky influence. Zappa was crazy for both composers and show some of their influence on this music.
Hi Doug! I’ve listened to your reactions about 10 times before I finally just subscribed. What won me over was your reactions to Frank Zappa’s music. You certainly speak his language, that’s for sure. I’m not sure if you’ve ever seen the interview with Steve Vai, who talks about his audition for Frank. Frank certainly put him through the ringer, then said “Well I hear that Linda Ronstadt is looking for a guitarist”…😂
You could spend the rest of your life doing Zappa reactions and still leave work undone. But it is good to hear a pro touching on some of the elements of theory in your talks. Keep talking!!!
Dr. Ruth Underwood was (and is still, I believe) such a wonderful presence. If you get ahold of "You Can't Do That On Stage, Vol. II, The Helsinki Concert" you will get a much better appreciation of Ruth Underwood (a couple excerpts: ruclips.net/video/89LPVXrm_Ic/видео.html and ruclips.net/video/wqp71DOJ3aY/видео.html). Frank (a trained percussionist) wanted to drill holes in the bottom of Ruth's xylophone to use early piezo transducers to amplify the sound; she was understandably concerned. So many wonderful stories! His biography "Frank" is worth every minute to read.
@@mlinderict - See - when Ruth has to improvise, she hurts her lamp. Love these two videos you've linked. Dig her damping of the notes on Inca Roads. I'm a big Ruth fan. This whole concert video is my favourite.
@@dreyescope6926 I had an acquaintance who was a NYC based percussionist; he almost orgasmed when he spoke about Ruth. She embodied professionalism -- as they all did. We must remember: Frank hired, rehearsed, and paid musicians (at least later in life; don't know about here). They appeared to be having fun, but the work to get to a show of this level must have been grueling!
"Watermelon in Easter Hay," Is considered by many, (including his wife and son) to be Frank Zappa's crowning jewel. I know you get a lot of request for music, but please consider listening to this "air sculpture." The version on Joe's Garage Vol. I, II, and III is the ultimate in ear candy. The first time Dweezil played this live, he was on the verge of crying, and so was I. It is the greatest music I have ever heard, and would want it played at my funeral. I feel so very fortunate that I got to see Frank play this live. Please, consider my request. Thank you!
Personally I feel Watermelon in Easter Hay is one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written. Ive never seen Dweezil without a tear in his eye whenever he has played it. Pure beauty - I'd love to hear your take in it sometime please.
Everything about Apostrophe' is amazing. I love seeing your reactions to Zappa. Very much like my own. Spotify slapped me in the face with "Nanook Rubs It" and there was no turning back!!!!
There's a 1988 version of this song (the first version I heard of it, I was late to the Zappa show, missed him on that '88 tour 'because I wasn't into him' then). Zappa had a big band at the time, with 5 head horn section. It's an amazing version, on CD on 'The Best Band You Never Heard in Your Life'.
ICYDK - Ruth was fanously reluctant to improvise - on the few occasions that she soloed, she was either being closely directed by Frank [as in the Wetzikon gig], or trading drum/percussion riffs with Frank and the drummer [as on YCDTOSA vol 2]. The song debuted on the late 1972 tour with a few slightly different lyrics. This Stockholm gig [televised in two instalments] also contains arguably the best-ever performance of the suite Farther, Oblivion [as distinct from Father O'Blivion] which I recommend to you, especially if you're eager to hear Ponty in his most barnburning mode.
That was fun and it’s endearing that you like it and can respectfully deconstruct Zappa’s brilliance. Love this live performance video but it’s missing the awesome Ikettes’ backup vocals that the album cut is blessed with.
As you commented, this is a pretty straightforward tune for a Weird Wednesday. The Mystery Man can also be interpreted as a drug dealer. For a “nominal service charge,” he offers “the oil of Aphrodite,” and “the dust of the Grand Wazoo.” And it puts reaching Nirvana in a different context. 🙂 There is much weirder Zappa than this. I second the call for “Gregory Peccary.”
I always thought the mystery man was supposed to represent religions and their shady leaders/priest/preachers……..”music is the only relegion that delivers the goods” FZ….. PS…... Heck yes to Gregory or any and all of Uncle Meat/Lumoy gravy,/200 Motels/ Weasels ripped my Flesh…..thats some weird stuff that you can use a chicken to measure it
I really love Zappa. Your appreciation is clear by your stink face! Which is awesome.This was a great video to check out. Maybe do a super video and listen to all of Joe's Garage for your next Zappa. Also loved to see you playing along on your keyboard! Thank you.
I like his "weird (Zappa) Wednesdays" because 1) his open mind 2) his honesty in his on-the-spot comments, and 3) his commendable ability to combine the air of a master with the comment zealotry of the convert. Such is the power of FZ.
Doug, I know this is really late to the party, and I'm sure others have brought this to your attention, but regarding your comment about Frank's guitar playing, when someone somewhere said one time that he wasn't really a good guitarist, he put out the albums 'Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar', 'Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar Some More', and 'Return of the Son of Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar', all of which are just Frank layin' it down like only he could, mostly live, and it's mind-warping... As a young budding guitarist I used to go to sleep with one of these playing hoping it would soak into my subconscious..!
I wouldn’t mind if this is called Zappa’s Wednesday, I love the reactions with Frank’s music. However it would be really cool if someday you make a reaction video with The Mars Volta, specifically L’Via L’Viaquez, what they played always reminded me a lot of Zappa’s music (keeping the distance of course). Great content man, keep it up!
There's so many live versions of this song. With various changes in lyrics depending on the night. The one where they reference the lone ranger is hilarious.
I once saw a documentary on Zappa. In the context of a recording session, one of the (studio) musicians, a cello or viola player was amazed at the proficiency of the score Zappa had written. He asked Frank where he had learned to compose music. Frank's reply was classic..."I went to the library."
How could anyone not love this guy?
Another Zappa quote: "...go to the library and educate yourself if you've got any guts"
@@arnowinter462He was right. I learnt more by reading than I did in any school.
I love Zappa's guitar work. Watermelon in Easter Hay off of Joe's Garage is a favorite. Hell Joe's Garage is a favorite!
Dweezils favourite track by his dad
That has to be a full album listen...really
@@piscator57 also my favorite Zappa album. I agree
Same olds
@@andykelly4056 He wept while playing it a few years ago in Asheville.
I’ve loved this song for many years... but two things need to be said ...1) it was cool seeing you twiddle along on the keyboard ... it makes your explanations more understandable for us who have little musical theory......and 2) if you’re going to have a violinist in the band, then Jean-Luc Ponty is a top choice!
Jean-Luc made some incredible albums throughout the 70s, solo and otherwise. Top notch jazz fusion
Indeed
Or Ben Mink
Yes defenetely you should have some Jean luc Ponty on the channel. He has made many amazing albums.
Mr. Z's arrangements & control are akin 2 James Brown's. I'd forgotten about Ponty at hand.
The "It'll cure your asthma too" is a reference to the fact that Zappa had very bad asthma as a child growing up in the Baltimore area.
He spent most of his time indoors. As a result he became an avid classical music fan. He read everything he could get access to (public and school libraries) regarding classical music composition and theory. He is pretty much self-taught. He moved to California for health reasons in his teen years and his health improved quickly. The rest you know. 😎
I always thought it was a dig at the leader of scientology claiming he cured his son's asthma with his "cosmik debris"
Jean Luc Ponty has an awesome solo career too. I recommend you to check the 'Imaginary Voyage' piece. Beautiful music.
His work with Mahavisnu Orchestra and Return to forever is worth mentioning to.
Just listen to Lilas Dance.(Mahavisnu Orchestra)👌
Yes, yes, and yes. One of his earlier solo albums is a hidden gem...he covered the whole "King Kong" suite by FZ & The MOI.
I mean 'covered' in more of a true sense of the word's origin. IIRC, it came out shortly after Uncle Meat.
@@djhrecordhound4391 Yeah, in fact that whole album is devoted to Frank’s music, great stuff.
Enigmatic Ocean, Cosmic Messenger brilliant albums!
Saw him once in 1976 or so with the Heath brothers opening. They blew him off the stage. But Imaginary Voyage was why I was at the concert.
For Weird Wednesday consideration: From Zappa's 1973 album "Overnight Sensation" the song "Montana." The lyrics tell the story of a guy whose ambition is to move to Montana to start a Dental Floss ranch, where he will grow dental floss (apparently it grows from a dental floss bush), then pluck it, wax it down, pack it in a little white box and then sell it. Thereby becoming a "Dental Floss Tycoon." Musically outstanding, lyrically bizarre, what more could you ask for a Weird Wednesday?
Including the Ikettes on vocal!
Yeah please! The 'pluckin' the floss' vocal bit still boggles my mind after all these years...
@@jordipascualguasch "I pluck all day and all night and all afternooooooon!"
Anything off that album.
Don't forget about getting a horse (just about 'this' big) and riding it all along the border line with a pair of heavy duty zircon encrusted tweezers in his hand.
Frank is a legend the music he composed is absolutely brilliant and the band are always top of the line. God bless Mr Zappa
You want weird? Let's queue up "Gregory Peckery"!!!!
I would love to see "RDNZL" or "Revised Music for Guitar & Low-Budget Orchestra". Something that shows off his composition a bit more. Just sayin'. :)
Thanks, Doug!!!!!
Agreed, you could do the "Revised Music for Low-Budget Orchestra" that segues into "RDNL" from the Lather Album. If you like complex rhythms (nested tuples), Check out the Black Page, No 1 from the same album. Very complex, but also beautiful IMHO. Steve Vai has a paper on the Internets on Nested Tuples and how he counts them.
Started listening to Frank when I was 13. First album ( or eight track) was We’re Only In It For The Money.
By the time he passed I had 42 of his albums.
His musical range gave me a huge appreciation for many types of music. I always believed he was highly underrated as a guitarist and composer. I always believed that he would be recognized long after his death as a truly gifted musician.
Did you know that he was awarded an ambassadorship by Czechoslovakia back in the 90’s?
Anyway I’m glad you are coming on board.
Time for Billy the Mountain. Probably Frank's most famous story-song. Featuring Flo and Eddie and the whole gang!
Rich the Ancient Metal Beast
Yep then The Adventures Of Greggary Peccary.
Don't forget Sheik Yerbouti!
Although the album version is my go-to suggestion, Doug and FZ fans deserve to hear the FULL Billy The Mountain story. I strongly suggest the version from FZ's 1992 album "Playground Psychotics"--recorded at Fillmore '71 shows.
@@djhrecordhound4391 yep got that.
@@djhrecordhound4391 Yes ... because a mountain is something that you shouldn't f--- with.
back in mid seventies early eighties, FZ would always be at or near the top of polls as a guitarist. Steve Vai was part of the Mothers,. he has some interviews talking about those days... awfully good.
Steve was not a part of the Mothers. He joined Zappa in 1980. The last Mothers album was Bongo Fury 1975...
Frank's guitar playing peak in my view is probably on the 79 tour. Though on the 82, 74, and 77 tours he also was playing amazingly. Late 70s early 80s is just right for him to get such credit.
Gotta love some Frank!
FZ is such a weird guitarist. Weird in a good way, mind you. There is no guitarist that play like he did. A whole different universe. I get so inspired by listening to him.
Yeah!! Apostrophe was one of his commercial peaks and it's so good. I really like his '67 to '69 period as he evolved from experimental rock to experimental jazz. The '69 Mothers album Uncle Meat is very adventurous 🎷🎸🎺🥁🎹🥩🔥
Have you ever seen the documentary 200 Motels?
I've always thought if Frank having this awesome, all-encompassing R&B coloring book; it's just that he uses every color in the box and colors *WAY* outside the lines.
Great reaction, I happen to listen to it as well as this particular live clip today since it was recorded exactly 50 years ago, August 21st 1973 in Stockholm, Sweden. I have no idea how many times I've listened to it, but it never gets old to me.
This recording is from a Swedish TV and radio programme called Oppoppa in 1973. The song wasn't actually released on an album yet. At the time Swedish only hade public service broadcasting an The Swedish Television Company had an interesting take on popular music. They didn't really understand it, but they broadcasted concerts with major pop and rock acts that came to Sweden anyway. That's why there are concerts by Otis Redding , Zappa and early Patti Smith Group and many others in existence while they weren't given air time in the US.
Zappa was in Stockholm in Sweden with The Mothers as early as 67' or 68' and then again in 1970. He liked the Swedish audience because in Sweden he was really treated as an major act which wasn't necessarily the case in the US. He didn't always like the venues, cause it was often ice hockey halls and his fingers got so cold he had a hard time to play the guitar.
It's hard to see during Cosmic Debris, but at that concert that was recorded at a very famous Swedish stage called Solliden at an outdoor museum called Skansen, he actually had a audience of 20 000 people. There was a bit of a chaos with the audience, but not while the band played, cause no one wanted to miss a note when a big act for once was in Sweden. This was really a big event in Sweden. At the time we had a lot of progressive bands who got much inspiration from the music of Zappa. In 1973 he had also released Overnite Sensation whose lyrics may have offended parts of the audience in the US and Britain, but in Sweden we didn't understand american good enough to get just how dirty it was (further proof is the later success of "Bobby Brown" in Scandinavia).
Zappa and the band actually plays a lot of music that at the time (august 1973) wasn't released on any album, some of it coming during 1974 on the Apostrophe and Roxy albums, but Duprees Paradise wasn't put on an album until the 80's.
"Cosmic Debris" is Zappa at his most accessible, bluesy and with sharp lyrics as in "Trouble Every day" but you can still not mistake him for somebody else. It's one of the best pieces if you want to introduce someone to Zappas music, but i think Doug should try The Yellow Shark. Or why not The Perfect Stranger to hear what Pierre Boulez does with the music of Zappa?
I watched a video of Johnny Winter Live Copenhagen 1970. The audience doesn't seem to know has to how to respond to what is happening on stage.
The studio version is a lot weirder, would have liked to see you listen to that one as well ^^
It is much better in almost every way.
Yes, this is not off of the Apostrophe' album
That version has my favorite line: "Now is that a real poncho or is that a Sears poncho?"
Yeah studio version much tighter
Ralph Humphrey is a great drummer. He has played with a lot of peps. From Wayne Shorter and Al Jarreau to Barbra Streisand and Bette Midler. Zappa always work with the best of the best. Every member of his band is such great musician and can play a very broad spectrum of styles.
Doug thank you always for going over Zappa....please please consider watching Strictly Genteel live in New York 1981 it is a very different piece and is more orchestra. I'd love love love to see you react to it. It always features a young Steve Vai
Thank you again!
That would be awesome! Please 🙏
Please check this out!!! The percussionist is all over the place! An amazing performance all around
Frank Zappa has had numerous fantastic musicians play in the band over the years. It’s worth your time to research him and his music. I also recommend Zappa Live In New York and Bongo Fury.
This should be interesting 🏴❤️🏴
You can do an entire series on Frank and I would pay $2 for every episode. Love Frank, we even named our dog Zappa (our other is Hendrix). :)
You should sign up for his Patreon if you’ve got a little bit of money to spare. Doug deserves to be supported, and I wish I had the means to help the channel out.
I am. So glad that people are still getting into Zappa's music I first got zapped in 1979 and couldn't get enough I'm 58 now and still play all his albums everyday
I would strongly recommend Zappa plays Zappa (it's his son, Dweezil) playing the Black Page parts 1 and 2. it really don't get much better than that!
Thats a double Zap.
Went to see Dweezil playing Zappa plays Zappa when he was over here in the UK, Bridgewater halls in Manchester around 2014
@@dannydirt5D I was offered a ticket but couldn't afford it at the time, very jealous!
@@Thinchap my uncle got back stage tickets and got to play a guitar with dweezil. Spent around 45mins asking him things about how his dad played certain scales or riffs etc, and dweezil just went through absorbs with him, never shy'd away, really humble guy
@@dannydirt5D I found the exact same when I met him at a show in Asbury Park NJ. Just the nicest guy to speak to. All the band members for that matter.
Such a treat to hear, and your review of Zappa's musical genius will become even more of a treat, after the second side of this classic album treasure. Thanks!
I got to see George do a show in LA at a now closed place call The Jazz Bakery - I got there early, so me and my girl were seated front row center - met George after the show and got to chat with him - what great guy. I was so sad when he passed only a few years later.
Glad to see u analyzing this song :) Love this song for a long time already
Thanks for doing Zappa!!!!!!
Frank Zappa: "Music is the Best"
Love to see reactions to Frank Zappa songs his songs are always so intricate but entertaining. His son Dweezil is an amazing guitarist as well and his renditions of his father Frank's work is on full display on his Zappa plays Zappa tour. Someday maybe you can check him out as well.
Him performing Watermelon in Easter hay made me cry more times than what I would like to admit
@@noot_2 It is such a beautiful song and Dweezil gets very emotional playing it.
I'm so happy that you Celebrate Zappa
Doug, sir, you really need to visit some of Frank’s orchestral pieces. Seriously, I love all of Mr Zappas multi faceted musical genius; satirical comedy, guitar virtuoso, improvisational jazz, etc. But as a classical composer yourself I’m really chomping at the bit to get your spin on some of Frank Vincent Zappa’s, in my opinion, most brilliant compositions, his orchestral repertoire.
+1
G Spot Tornado for one amongst many!!
@@AC1131-i8d tornado, not tango
@@Mitch_NZ Duly corrected sir - thank you.
Zappa Big Band work is also awesome -- The Grand Wazoo has some of his greatest large band jazz scores. (even if Calvin and his Next Two Hitchhikers gets a bit... long.) Love your reactions, Doug.
Doug instructed Frank Zappa on how to make a mean pasta fazool.
Keep in mind that Frank was self taught in the guitar, makes what he does even more amazing! the Man IS a genius!
I think it was one album where he did shut up and just play it.
@@stephenmorton8017 Three albums in fact ;-)
@@olavl8827 Frank engenders a strong reaction nobody could doubt he could play the guitar.
I am really enjoying your channel, and I am glad that you are enjoying Frank Zappa's music. As musicians we tend to hear the extra-special things that true musicians like to add in. Zappa was a great influence in my musical library...and still is. Thanks!
You don't see a bass clarinet used much in music like this, that's for sure LOL
well true . but the bass clarinet isnt used much in any rock or pop, and there isnt much "music like this" period.
I played the bass clarinet in grade school band. A very fun instrument.
Eric Dolphy memorial barbacue
Always love the Zappa reactions! Thanks for covering this today, Doug.
Ruth plays marimba, which is a wooden xylophone. That instrument's sound was the first thing that hooked me about Frank's music.
Classic. One of my favorite albums not just of Zappa's work but of albums in general. Flawless. 💪👊
I always thought of this tune as having a derisory crack at drug dealers, snake oil salesmen, and spiritual pundits etc... The kinds of people who invent the problems we are told we need solutions for. Great that you did more Zappa. Thanks.
Man, Inca Roads, from "One Size Fits All" is amazing. Not sure if you've done that...I looked at all your reactions. But, an interesting arrangement of some of the best musicians at the time.
was his first zappa-song...😉
Frank is a phenomenal guitarist
I used to play this on my low budget ghettoblaster in my low budget room of the Home Dome foyer in Clermont Ferrand. What a flavor of souvenirs here. Thanks Doug
This song always puts a smile on my face. The line "the price of meat has just gone up, and your old lady has just gone down" is just FIRE!
One of my favorite zappa albums, how magnificent!
Oh yeah. This is awsome live. I discovered Zappa about the time (I was in high school) that I was firming up my stance on religions of all forms. This tune but a capper on what I had become from reading things like Vonnegut. Not only is Zappa's guitar musical, it's unique. This was my first Zappa album, 1974, or thereabouts.
A fav of mine! And that what you did on the keys after the song finished , Doug. could be a new, creative rendition of this song - an ease teenage version :) Nice! Thank you
Thanks for listening to more Zappa. I remember him playing Cosmik Debris when I saw him in '77 though he no longer had Duke, Fowler or Ponty with him. I will suggest once again, if you're looking for a mind blowing vibraphone solo listen to Gentle Giant - Funny Ways Live. Kerry Minnear is a Master. Also, ANYTHING by Jean Luc-Ponty but the Enigmatic Ocean album and in particular Nostalgic Lady with Alan Holdsworth in particular or his Aurora Album with Patrice Rushin on piano, Renaissance in particular. Thanks again for the entertaining and insightful reactions Doug!
I LOVE Frank Zappa. Cosmik Debris is a master-piece. Thanks, Doug, for the memories.
solid blues tune but pretty standard stuff for Frank. I highly recommend the two-fer of "Echidna's Arf" and "Don't You Ever Wash That Thing" from the Roxy & Elsewhere album.
YES! Roxy and Elsewhere would make a great extended listening session for Doug.
My #1 recommendation for Doug is this exactly, maybe even throw in village of the sun to kick it off
The Torture Never Stops, the performance from Zappa in New York. A Zappa signature song.
If there’s a God please don’t. Simple music again and depressing lyrics that literally make me nauseous.
Please stop suggesting simple songs, you are literally asking a sommelier to give you a review of Gallo…..its a waste of Doug’s time and knowledge, instead please suggest the songs that A….don’t have lyrics and B…..feature more than 4 chords….How about the Eric Dolphy Memorial Barbecue, Greggory Peccary, etc,…it would be nice for those of us who have a grasp of theory to get an in depth analysis from a modern composer, hearing it for the first time and seeing the surprise in his face as he tries to unfold what zappa was doing or trying to do with various passages and progressions. You are pushing songs that Frank wrote to sell albums so he could afford to write the music he actually wanted to compose. Because Frank was basically a cottage industry, he understood he had to do A, B & C in order to get the funds so he could do D which is what he actually wanted to do so many of his albums contain filler songs like this that aren’t that interesting but took him no time to compose, record and mix and have a appeal that will satisfy a certain level of his fans especially when performed live
@@ericclinton7399 thank you. Jazz From Hell?
@@shyshift he has so many complex pieces, look at all of Lumpy Gravy, Uncle Meat, 200 motels, the shut up and play yer guitar series, would love to see the look on Doug’s face when he discovers how those three albums were created. Frank’s concepts of time especially his use of tuplets is basically unheard of in most forms of composition and his use of intervalic serial scales take him outside of atonal or 12 step schools of thought
How about Zoot Allures....? Great content, thanks!
I saw Zappa in New Orleans in 1981. Steve Vai was in the band. The show was unbelievable.
I love Frank Zappa and really love the early The Mothers of Invention stuff.
Great reaction to a particularly excellent version of a another wonderful piece.
I just fell into a frank zappa loop that I can’t escape this video couldn’t have come at a better time
That was a great band. I saw them in Montreal at an outdoor show in '74. It was just crazy amazing and all those players killed it included Zappa on guitar.
Was that at the Expo site? I saw them at the Forum in 72...
@@piscator57 Yes. It's called Place Des Nations. There have been a lot of great shows there.
@@soulhealer20
I went to a couple of 12 hrs Saturday festivals there, it was great....
I've been loving Doug on Frank lately!👏👏👏👏👏 he brings out the whimsical and makes learning fun and Doug is just great at pulling details from a guy whose processes always felt convoluted and difficult to unravel. Probably more than most but here's Doug simply saying "You can ALL USE THIS! This is Zappa! Be like Zappa!"
Hello there Doug!!
I just discovered your channel and have been enjoying your videos. It's been an amazing time, thanks for analyzing and sharing your knowledge with us all!
I'll surely recommend a song or two eventually, but first I have to watch more! Hehe
Cheers!
Frank introduced me to so many talented Artists
Absolutely, and there's so many that it's almost impossible to put together a "perfect" Zappa band.
You'd think George Duke would be a certainty for the keyboards, but Bobby Martin contributed so much great work, especially live.
How about the drummer?
"Well, I love how Chad could effortlessly change tempo and time signature instantly, but Bozzio's personality is irreplaceable."
Doug, you're well on your way to the experience that is ZAPPA. Frank only hired the BEST musicians and demanded perfection. The studio albums are fantastic, but I feel can't compare to Frank and the Band LIVE. Might i suggest the " you Can't Do thAt On Stage Anymore" Series. Live music selected by Frank, as some of his favorites. A Lifetime of music to enjoy.
Another banger Doug. Thank you as always.
Zappa is the absolute best. Love the addition of your keyboards too.
Doug, I recently discovered your channel and man, I've been devouring its content for several days now. I'm absoltely thrilled by the genuine emotions you put in your reaction and I defenitely love the musical analysis you conduct. For someone trying to learn music, it is amazing to hear your deductions and interpretations in such a unique fashion. And above all that, almost all the bands you have included in the daily Doug are among my personal favorites. One band I'm surprised has not enter your list yet is King Crimson. I'm completely sure you would totally enjoy the song "Satrless" in their live performance (I think it's from a show in Japan, around 2015-2016), an absolute piece of art. I really really hope you consider this song. Thanks for all the wonderfull content!
‘He ain’t buying it! That mystery man can’t pull it over on Frank. Love your forthright critique Doug! Frank was more than an outstanding guitarist. Always. Thanks for giving Zappa some love Sir Doug. Fun indeed!
It’s been a while, a long while since I’ve heard this … way back in college, first year away from home. Thanks for your perspective.
I love the direct blunt sarcasm in his lyrics. A great composer!
One of Zappas best line-ups. George Duke, Jean Luc Ponty, Ian and Ruth Underwood among others.
Zappa was so underrated as a guitarist. Wish I'd seen him. Did get to see Dweezil, and, holy crap...he pretty much had his dad's shit down. So good.
Frank Zappa, an infinite universe! If genius has no limits, it has them all. Totally crazy lyrics, often tinged with caustic humour, declaimed on boundless, endless musical compositions: art music, blues, jazz, rock, psychedelic rock, progressive rock, hard rock, heavy metal, etc. Thank you, Mr Helvering
Hey Doug. Here is one beautiful Zappa’s piece of art from the album Studio Tan: called “revised music for guitar & low budget orchestra”. Lots of Edgard Varese and Stravinsky influence. Zappa was crazy for both composers and show some of their influence on this music.
Hi Doug! I’ve listened to your reactions about 10 times before I finally just subscribed. What won me over was your reactions to Frank Zappa’s music. You certainly speak his language, that’s for sure. I’m not sure if you’ve ever seen the interview with Steve Vai, who talks about his audition for Frank. Frank certainly put him through the ringer, then said “Well I hear that Linda Ronstadt is looking for a guitarist”…😂
You could spend the rest of your life doing Zappa reactions and still leave work undone. But it is good to hear a pro touching on some of the elements of theory in your talks. Keep talking!!!
Luv ya Doug. Thanks. You make it fun to learn just as it should be. PEACE!
"Does Ruth get a solo?"
Never. Ruth did not like to improvise, apparently.
which, for me, makes her even more amazing
Dr. Ruth Underwood was (and is still, I believe) such a wonderful presence. If you get ahold of "You Can't Do That On Stage, Vol. II, The Helsinki Concert" you will get a much better appreciation of Ruth Underwood (a couple excerpts: ruclips.net/video/89LPVXrm_Ic/видео.html and ruclips.net/video/wqp71DOJ3aY/видео.html). Frank (a trained percussionist) wanted to drill holes in the bottom of Ruth's xylophone to use early piezo transducers to amplify the sound; she was understandably concerned. So many wonderful stories! His biography "Frank" is worth every minute to read.
@@mlinderict - Yes, Ruth is wonderful. I love to watch her talk about what Frank's music meant to her.
@@mlinderict - See - when Ruth has to improvise, she hurts her lamp.
Love these two videos you've linked. Dig her damping of the notes on Inca Roads. I'm a big Ruth fan. This whole concert video is my favourite.
@@dreyescope6926 I had an acquaintance who was a NYC based percussionist; he almost orgasmed when he spoke about Ruth. She embodied professionalism -- as they all did. We must remember: Frank hired, rehearsed, and paid musicians (at least later in life; don't know about here). They appeared to be having fun, but the work to get to a show of this level must have been grueling!
"Watermelon in Easter Hay," Is considered by many, (including his wife and son) to be Frank Zappa's crowning jewel. I know you get a lot of request for music, but please consider listening to this "air sculpture." The version on Joe's Garage Vol. I, II, and III is the ultimate in ear candy. The first time Dweezil played this live, he was on the verge of crying, and so was I. It is the greatest music I have ever heard, and would want it played at my funeral. I feel so very fortunate that I got to see Frank play this live. Please, consider my request. Thank you!
+1 for that song. Please.
Also, from the Apostrophe record, Uncle Remus (co-written w/ Duke) is a real gem. Funny and poignant.
Frank was (and remains) Brilliant. Thanks for doing this.
Personally I feel Watermelon in Easter Hay is one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written. Ive never seen Dweezil without a tear in his eye whenever he has played it. Pure beauty - I'd love to hear your take in it sometime please.
Everything about Apostrophe' is amazing. I love seeing your reactions to Zappa. Very much like my own. Spotify slapped me in the face with "Nanook Rubs It" and there was no turning back!!!!
"the price of meat has just gone up and your old lady has just gone down" he he...i wish frank was still around
This is from Stockholm Sweden 1973 a place called Skansen, the world's oldest outdoor park, and i was there and it was an amazing concert.
This song is about guru cult leaders like Bagwan Shri Rashneesh, which I don't care if I spelled wrong.
I saw him in 1976 and was surprised at what a great guitar player he was.
There's a 1988 version of this song (the first version I heard of it, I was late to the Zappa show, missed him on that '88 tour 'because I wasn't into him' then). Zappa had a big band at the time, with 5 head horn section. It's an amazing version, on CD on 'The Best Band You Never Heard in Your Life'.
ICYDK - Ruth was fanously reluctant to improvise - on the few occasions that she soloed, she was either being closely directed by Frank [as in the Wetzikon gig], or trading drum/percussion riffs with Frank and the drummer [as on YCDTOSA vol 2].
The song debuted on the late 1972 tour with a few slightly different lyrics.
This Stockholm gig [televised in two instalments] also contains arguably the best-ever performance of the suite Farther, Oblivion [as distinct from Father O'Blivion] which I recommend to you, especially if you're eager to hear Ponty in his most barnburning mode.
That was fun and it’s endearing that you like it and can respectfully deconstruct Zappa’s brilliance. Love this live performance video but it’s missing the awesome Ikettes’ backup vocals that the album cut is blessed with.
I'm so glad I subbed to this channel! These videos always make me happy and the music choices are so good!
As you commented, this is a pretty straightforward tune for a Weird Wednesday. The Mystery Man can also be interpreted as a drug dealer. For a “nominal service charge,” he offers “the oil of Aphrodite,” and “the dust of the Grand Wazoo.” And it puts reaching Nirvana in a different context. 🙂
There is much weirder Zappa than this. I second the call for “Gregory Peccary.”
I always thought the mystery man was supposed to represent religions and their shady leaders/priest/preachers……..”music is the only relegion that delivers the goods” FZ…..
PS…... Heck yes to Gregory or any and all of Uncle Meat/Lumoy gravy,/200 Motels/ Weasels ripped my Flesh…..thats some weird stuff that you can use a chicken to measure it
Love the sound of that SG especially in Zappa's hands
The first time I ever heard this song was on the radio!!! Now THAT is saying something!
I really love Zappa. Your appreciation is clear by your stink face! Which is awesome.This was a great video to check out. Maybe do a super video and listen to all of Joe's Garage for your next Zappa. Also loved to see you playing along on your keyboard! Thank you.
You are the only person I’ve ever heard talk about The Phil Collins Big Band. I love that album!
I like his "weird (Zappa) Wednesdays" because 1) his open mind 2) his honesty in his on-the-spot comments, and 3) his commendable ability to combine the air of a master with the comment zealotry of the convert. Such is the power of FZ.
LOVE that hot night in Paris with Phil Collin's big band. 'Pick Up the Pieces' is stellar.
Doug, I know this is really late to the party, and I'm sure others have brought this to your attention, but regarding your comment about Frank's guitar playing, when someone somewhere said one time that he wasn't really a good guitarist, he put out the albums 'Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar', 'Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar Some More', and 'Return of the Son of Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar', all of which are just Frank layin' it down like only he could, mostly live, and it's mind-warping... As a young budding guitarist I used to go to sleep with one of these playing hoping it would soak into my subconscious..!
I wouldn’t mind if this is called Zappa’s Wednesday, I love the reactions with Frank’s music. However it would be really cool if someday you make a reaction video with The Mars Volta, specifically L’Via L’Viaquez, what they played always reminded me a lot of Zappa’s music (keeping the distance of course). Great content man, keep it up!
yes!!!!
There's so many live versions of this song. With various changes in lyrics depending on the night. The one where they reference the lone ranger is hilarious.
Do a review on either 'Stick It Out' or 'Sy Borg' from Joe's Garage. I'd love to see your reaction.
You could check "I'm A Beautiful Guy" and "Beauty Knows No Pain" from the 1981 "You Are What You Is" album. Those two back to back are awesome