Frank Zappa: Classic or Dud?

I think every double disc album he released could be trimmed 50%, except Uncle Meat.

What would I get out of this that I wouldn’t get out of listening to an actual jazz band. Or going to see some classical thing, the symphony, the opera etc.

Probably already asked this one before, rhetorical question, don’t really want to know the answer that much, pvmic etc.

What would I get out of this that I wouldn’t get out of listening to an actual jazz band. Or going to see some classical thing, the symphony, the opera etc.

Party atmosphere, rock and roll gymnastics, cultural commentary and audience participation.

Oh wow, thanks!

I hate all that stuff, so I think I'll pass, thanks

Well, not quite, but mostly

No, I think you were right the first time.

🥸

yeah go listen to an actual jazz band tbh

zappa is dead _and_ he smells funny

What would I get out of this that I wouldn’t get out of listening to an actual jazz band.

you'd get something you won't get from, say, a bop combo, but George Duke's solo records of the 70s deliver basically all the same thrills you can get from Zappa stuff with only a fraction of the DO NOT WANT factor. however it should also be remembered that late in his life he released this, that this album's title and cover were a choice he made.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a0/George_Duke-Dukey_Treats.jpg

Stockholm Syndrome!

Lol!

Try Make A Jazz Noise Here. Same band but almost entirely instrumental.

― Tahuti Watches L&O:SVU Reruns Without His Ape (unperson), Tuesday, April 2, 2024 2:14 PM (four hours ago) bookmarkflaglink

IMO I think this is the best thing he released from the best tour he did. Incredibly jealous you saw them on that tour, unperson.

As a hater, I guess I might say the same

Virtuosi on recordings sometimes ill-used but live is a different story

The other '88 tour albums (Bway the Hard Way and Best Band You've Never Heard) are filled w/ gorgeous stuff, too, but there's still a lot of Zappa schtick to wade through. Make a Jazz Noise has always struck me as his his most straight-faced (aside from all orchestral stuff) – minimal silly stuff, minimal caustic songs, just a really, really tight band doing a lot of Zappa's best live material.

There's a 5LP or 3CD box set of the Mothers live at the Whisky in 1968 coming out in June, but what's interesting about that is this, from the press release:

All vinyl was cut from hi-res digital file by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering in 2023 and is being pressed at Optimal: Media in Germany on BioVinyl, a new environment-friendly formulation and sustainable product made from bio-based PVC (polyvinyl chloride). The petroleum previously required for PVC production is replaced by recycling used cooking oil or industrial waste gases. Through the use of renewable energies and recycled raw materials, CO2 emissions are significantly reduced. More information about BioVinyl available here: https://www.optimal-media.com/en/news/biovinyl/

This is the first I've heard of this process. Anybody know more?

Huh. Interesting indeed!