Classical Composer Reacts to Inca Roads (Frank Zappa) | The Daily Doug (Episode 199)
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- čas přidán 9. 08. 2021
- #Zappa #ZappaReaction #FrankZappa #IncaRoads
In this episode of #TheDailyDoug, I'm listening to Frank Zappa for the first time on the channel. The song is Inca Roads from his 1975 album One Size Fits All. I was not disappointed! The song's twists, turns, follies, and incredible content were very entertaining. Come along for the ride!
Reference Video: • Frank Zappa - Inca Roa...
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Ruth Underwood deserves being inducted into a music Hall Of Fame.
True.
How’s the skill in her muting technique on Marimba Xylophone and Vibes. She’s a real pro that shadows even perceived giants like Lionel Hampton
Good call
Ruth is beyond that :)
Zappa was garbage
Zappa took "not taking himself seriously" very seriously.
Well said
As can be heard on YCDTOSA V5
I always feel that for Zappa the words where sometimes a necessary evil that had to be added to what for him was a perfect musical composition.
That’s very true. Frank was unbelievably serious about his art.
Broken hearts are for assholes.
"Inca roads" is a masterpiece, I get emotional every time I listen to it. Just perfect.
Not only was this a good choice for your first Zappa song for a reaction video, this is one of the best bands Zappa ever assembled.
Ditto! The lineup of musicians was unbeatable.
I agree. These foos are bad ass. I mean the mothers were good too and hella wild
Absolutely.✔️
“A composer is a guy who goes around forcing his will on unsuspecting air molecules, often with the assistance of unsuspecting musicians.”
Frank Zappa
On the Mt. Rushmore of American composers.
Perfect
Total mad mad respect for Frank. As a muscian, you had to be at the top of your game to play in Frank's band. Oh btw Ruth is a music goddess lol
@@davidthomas1467 You said it !!
This is an insult to other composers, zappa was a boring clown, and his stupid music too
On the Mt. Rushmore of ALL COMPOSERS !
Frank Zappa was the Salvador Dali of rock and roll.
Sometimes Melo, sometimes disturbing, sometimes intense, but always brilliant
As a Dali fan that is a very apt description!
Always brilliant . . . never , ever , disappointing
This stupid man who admits that he has a limited intelligence concerning a person like Frank Zappa, and the music that he doesn't know anything about. Just boils my butt. Just keep interrupting the music, and place your stupid opinions concerning something you do not know or understand. Where are the real music people?
Ruth is undoubtedly the best mallet artist in the business. And there are some amazing players out there, but she is a uniquely brilliant musician. And, a lovely person too!
Whatever happened to Ian?
@@JohnTLyon he and Ruth divorced in 1986. I don’t really know what he’s been doing but I do know he was doing some work in the movies with composers like James Horner. But that will have been a long time ago already.
@@JohnTLyon he was featured on keyboards in the titanic score
The claymation animation was created by legendary artist Bruce Bickford. Bickford climbed over the fence of Zappa’s compound one day with two reels of film to show Frank and asked Zappa if he could help him. Bickford was something different for sure!
Frank hired Bickford to work for him full time. The dude was pretty odd and I don't think there is any claymation that compares to Bickford.
All shot on a still camera as far as I know. I have a dvd of them working together
@@KyriDemetriades Damn! You should post that to the internet. I for one would love to see that. I have seen a few snippets of Bickford working clay, but to see more would be nice.
I must dig it out and at least get the name of the DVD@@yankeedyehard
Hi again, The dvd I have with the animation is Baby Snakes and my friend who seems to have an encyclopedic knowledge of all things Zappa referred me to" The Amazing Mr Bickford." by Zappa. @@yankeedyehard
I'm 66. I started listening to Frank when I was 15. You have a ways to go. It's endless. Mozart of our time.
I'm 10 years behind you but also was introduced to Frank at 15. A friend's sister's boyfriend played us Excentrifugal Forz and my life was instantly changed forever. Been a raving Zappa fanatic since that moment. And his family continues to discover amazing unreleased treasures in his vault to this day.
Same age. Art school, big hair, Afghan coat that stunk to high heaven, more than my fair share of acid and Zappa embedded in my brain. A very profound time for a lad from Southend on Sea in the UK.
Endless is aptly put…
67. Proudly have indoctrinated three generations to the maestro.
@@dymph4097 I'm impressed! I've tried since I was 15 but so far nobody has taken the bait.
I'm overwhelmed at seeing all these fellow Zappa fans. Warmest Regards every single one of you.
Warm regards back to you! And happy new year !! =)
zappa's greatness demonstrated by your statement.... isn't it like we all know each other?
Dig it! I bought Freak Out in 1966 @ age 9! ❄️🌍❄️🥀⭐🎸🔥💕
@@triplelowman I live in a terraced house in Liverpool and one of the guys living across the street from me had Joe's Garage on one day as I was going to the shop.
Didn't really know him other than he was called Joe himself of all things lol but anyway, I knocked and told him I had a ton of Zappa if he ever wanted to borrow an album or two.
Good friends to this day.
It is like there's a bond between Zappa fans.
right back at cha Hoss.
Ruth Underwood is a national treasure as a percussionist. Welcome to the Zappa rabbit hole....I've been hooked since the Freakout album first came out and I bought my copy at the local furniture store...where stereos were actual coffee tables. I was lucky to stumble onto Zappa in the early years because he gave me hope in music....you should listen to Peaches and Regalia next. You'll love it.
When I was eleven years old in 1966 my dad came home from his studio in Yorkville one day (he was an indie filmmaker, graphic artist and photographer) and I heard him yell for me as soon as he came through the front door. I thought 'Oh oh...I must be in trouble'. I came into the living room and he was sitting on the floor in front of our Clairtone Stereo with the Freak Out album in his hands. He said "Sit down, I've been listening to this all day in the studio! You've got to hear this!" It's fucking brilliant! It's insane, it's funny, it's wild, it's like nothing I've ever heard!" And so we sat and listened until about 11 pm. Mom brought dinner in for us and we sat on the couch in awe. I didn't really absorb and appreciate it until a few years later, and then Freak Out became my most prized album. I still have the original vinyl, and a newer copy I bought in the 80's, and I still listen to it today. When I played it for my two sons and a few of their friends when they were in their early teens (late 90's) it blew their minds. I have most of Zappa's albums including some rare bootlegs. I often wonder what he would have to say about the world today if he were still alive. And yes, Underwood is a phenomenal percussionist! Cheers from Canada!
“This is…amazing, beautiful, and odd. Unconventional, all
At the same time”. That is the best summary of Frank Zappas music ever
Inca Roads is absolutely the first Zappa composition/recording I would play for anyone that does not know Zappa.
I really can’t imagine he’s far in the music as is represented and he hasn’t run across Zappas music. He knows G.Duke (who we know is a wonderful artist)
I would play Peaches inRegalia, for an instrumental, Trouble every day.
@@bitxtrem Duke was one of the best.
I think you're right. Inca roads pretty much covers the entire range of Zappa musical madness.
In not taking anything too seriously, Frank demonstrated that he took everything seriously.
Doug: "It's getting weirder"
Zappa: "Hold me beer..."
...except Zappa was famously straight edge. So I’d say “hold my cigarette...”
now Doug has been introduced to the genius that was Frank Zappa and the extremely talented musicians he would hire to play in his bands !!
@@manicaimless - Is nicotine really so "straight edge"?
This band with George, Ruth, Chester, Napoleon, and Tom was Frank's favorite in many ways. He said it was the last time he felt like the band members were his friends, rather than employees. I'm happy that you liked this, and I see that you did The Black Page (probably my personal favorite of Frank's compositions), so that's where I'm headed next!
Welcome to the genius of Frank Zappa I love it when The Host "Doug" say's..."Wow I can't un-know hearing this" Your darn right my friend....and where Frank Zappa is concerned...there's ALOT more where that came from.
The album "Weasels Ripped My Flesh" there is a song called "Toads of the Short Forest" being played live. Frank makes an announcement in the middle: "At this very moment on stage we have member A playing in 7/8 time, member B playing in 3/4, the bass playing in 3/4. the organ playing in 5/8, the tambourine playing in 3/4 and the alto sax blowing it's nose". The dude was fearless.
He’s modern Mozart.
Isn't that song a "prelude to an evening with".....
Can you imagine keeping all that together in your head? The dude was a genius, no doubt.
I have that LP and who knows what will become of it when I'm gone
@@israelortizortega5038 : I don't think Mozart was anywhere close to such skills...
dude: "it's getting weirder."
me: no, wait, don't get distracted. pay attention to the solo dude.
the solo is Divine for me! just Feel it man is awwwwwwwwwwwwwwesome :-)
My thoughts, exactly.
Well, it's not his fault. Those visuals are really disturbing.
Zappa was a perfectionist and crafted his work to be performed with precision. Just great musicianship
It’s always FANTASTIC to see music educators, or just musical professionals be amazed by Zappa
So happy you found FZ, I love your musical breakdown and of course…the senses are buzzing with bewildered delight
"I think he's not taking himself too seriously". Now you get Zappa.
The spoof of 70s mysticism and esoterics (New Age) Doug heard in the lyrics was spot on, too.
My intro to Frank was “Just Another Band From LA”. My dad walked in as the phrase “…and then he shut the fucken door!” was playing. He swiped the record off the turn table and snapped it in two. I was hooked and have been listening for nearly 50 years. Frank said he wrote provocative lyrics to get his music in front of people. Hooked initially by the lyrics it became the music that has held me. On a side note, Dweezil plays his music nearly perfectly…he is worth the cost of admission if he plays in your area.
@@sledgehammer67 I've seen Dweezil in L.A. and the band was amazing. Almost felt like I was at one of Frank's shows. When I was a kid, it was Frank's "silliness" that got me into him, but in my later years I've found myself gravitating more to the instrumental works. It also exposed me to jazz which I really enjoy.
And yet I don't think he discounts the possibility of an extraterrestrial visit. He may wonder about it as much as Jon Anderson. He's just gonna be a lot less precious and pretentious about it.
No mention of nanook?
The best thing about Zappa is, once you hear it, it can't be unheard.
Love it 👍🏽
True
Thats a good or bad thing. I personally can't listen to Zappas music. Its terrible. Not to take anything away from Frank. He's a musical genius. His music is just to far out there for my taste.
Music rewires your brain and FZ is the doctor👍🏽
I like the complexity of his music. It makes it interesting and enjoyable even upon repeated listens.
It's hard to not smile here. What an over the top crazy difficult song yet so insanely tight and playful played. Man it's not nothing quite like Zappa
I play in "Stinkfoot Orchestra", a wonderful Zappa band in the SF bay area, and find this review really great. The second solo section of Inca is indeed in 7/8 (2/2/3 groupings), and the ensemble work is very demanding. Zappa is indeed original, beautiful, challenging, ironic, dissonant - quite the real deal. Finally, our percussionist, Shota, is also an impeccable percussionist -
I just saw you guys last night in Eugene, Oregon. This is third time I’ve seen you and I have to say you’re the best Zappa cover band I’ve seen and I’ve seen most of them. Thank you so much for doing this and please keep coming to Bend and Eugene because I will be there every time.
Has Stinkfoot Orchestra made any recordings? What do you play? I have in my collection an album by a wind ensemble called "Le Concert Impromptu and Jean-Michel Bossini play Zappa" It's a fine album worth checking out. Cheers from Canada!
@@gregpastic6910 Sorry late, been on the road. We've posted live recordings, and a lot of our fans do also, but we've done no studio recordings yet. It is a really fine band!
I saw Stinkfoot Orchestra earlier this year at New Parish in Oakland with Napoleon Brock Murphy and loved it. If you are still in the band, you are on my radar for future Bay Area shows. What instrument do you play?
@@maxbobness I play tenor and soprano saxophones. Would love to see you at more gigs. For our winter shows we are welcoming Ray White on stage with us - just played a show with him. Nice guy, tons of fun on the stage, powerful voice!
Ruth is my hero. Hearing her work with zappa is absolutely amazing.
I've seen the "Over-nite Sensation" lineup a few times and it can't be put into words. So glad I got to see Mr. Z.
100%
It's amazing what kind of a people's skill Zappa had. He got Ruth out of a New York show where she came regularly. How did he know?
Similar stories with George Duke and Steve Vai, Zappa got out of them what they even didn't know they had.
I dreamt of rehearsing with Zappa and Ruth. It was the most intimidating dream I have ever had. After I shared my insecurities with her and she said "You know, he would admit any of us are any good ever. What matters is the trust you fell within yourself whilst expressing yourself, through your instrument and body."
Ruth Underwood is the finest rock marimba player ever.
His best commentary consisted of long silent pauses afterward. There are no words worthy of Zappa’s catalog of talent, creativity and ambition. RIP FZ.
Your playlists are very cool!
Been a frank fan from the day I realized I wasn't "normal". I saw him in concert 2 new years eves in a row at the Long Beach Areana... very good times!
"Just-to-land- in-the-ann-deeeees..." The harmonies hes playing on the EP as he sings that lead are absolutely MIND-BLOWING!
I was a first-year music major in 1965 when I went to SF's Fillmore Auditorium to hear Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention... 4 hours later I stumbled out completely astounded and utterly changed. Life hasn't been the same. The idea of going to Broadway to do musicals was out the window and 4 years later I was gigging with a Grateful Dead offshoot, the genesis trio of NRPS, in coffee houses south of SF. There will never by anyone to equal Zappa in imagination and scope.
Wow...you're music history. Taking in shows at the Fillmore West. Well done.
facts girll, Zappa will be dearly missed
I miss the Filmore. I spent a couple nights every week there in 70 & 71
Great story! I'll bet you have a lot more of them.
Crazy story. He changed my life when I was 14. It was the early 90s and the first time I dug into his record Mystery Disks that was it. Hooked for life!!!!
Zappa was like a genius mad scientist. People either got it, or it went over their heads, entirely.
absolutely!!! could have not said it better!!!
Hotel California vs. Zoot Allures, one you play at a party, the other you play when you have the time to listen.
I get it , but I have problems with it. With his ability he certainly could have put weird to the side at least temporarily and made some epic tracks with mass appeal that everyone could enjoy for a long time. The barrier to entry for enjoying his work is too high.
@@NickKautz he had epic tracks that they allowed on some radio stations. But for the most part, you either loved him or you didn't. A treat in concert for sure!!! And he played the music as he was called to...without mainstream red tape bull-crap.
@@cherylpump3372 His vibe doesn't seem to have a destination , although one would assume it does with all the deliberate complication and his meticulous preparation suggest he was fond of organized elements that stand individually rather than just a constant stream of bizarre with no end game. There's order behind the chaos, but he doesn't want you to know.
Fantastic choice to review. Zappa is truly a musical genius. Ruth Underwood is a unbelievable musician!!! Next should be “The Grand Wazoo”
"This is amazing, beautiful, and odd; Unconventional, all at the same time." That pretty much sums up Frank Zappa.
"Peaches en Regalia" by Zappa next. Definitely "Peaches en Regalia" next.
Multiple versions of it, too.
And Trouble every day for one with lyrics.
That's a great one, and Watermelon in Easter Hay
Surprised but happy that so many people recommend Peaches. Definitely a top fave of mine. If someone asked me to give them Zappa in a nutshell, this would absolutely be the song I would recommend. The original Hot Rats version.
Frank was really lucky that Ruth wanted to join his band after hearing his music.
Piranther - I think she said she was at Julliard when she first heard Frank, and he made her realize there was a place for excellent musicians outside the "stuffy conservatory environment" (her words) she was a part of. If i remember correctly that is.
I’ve been listening to Zappa’s music for 50 yrs and I still come across compositions I’ve never heard before. Frank’s catalogue was incredibly vast, recording over 100 albums. Zappa recorded everything at home, on the road, in the studio, at concerts and everywhere else, so there is a plethora of recordings, not to mention numerous bootleg recordings from concerts. He will go down as one of the all time greats in music history.
Same here, and agreed. A remarkable composer, a lyrical master. Give me More Trouble Everyday, any day. Broke in my HPM100s with that one. I flipped the loud switch.
This video is already 2 years old but im stoked to see some appreciation for inca roads. Its easily one of the best performances ever.
Tom Fowler’s bass playing throughout deserves a mention. The whole band just shines.
A very underrated bass player.
Especially teamed with Chester Thompson. Dream rhythm section!
I love Tom. We worked together on a project in the early nineties.
Absolutely! Tom Fowler played with Zappa from the 60s all the way through to the end. Phenomenal how he could hold down any piece Zappa composed. Fowler and Ruth Underwood stayed with Zappa throughout his career, incredible musicians , both of them.
Watching Tom relentlessly anchoring a swirling solar system of insanity throughout Roxy the Movie is a true joy
May be my favorite lineup ever. The talent was scary. The band was tight. Makes me tear up. So good.
To add to this, he wrote every piece of music for every member. For every song. For every one of the sixty plus albums. Welcome to the family, Doug! Zappa is the savior of my auditory senses.
Ok, everybody praisng Ruth. She is a genius. But Chester Thompson drumming is a foundation on another level. What a perfect drummer he is. And George Duke voice was spectacular too, I could be wrong but it was Frank that convinced him to treat singing as a separate tool.
Your observation of Zappa’s music being “amazing, beautiful and unconventional all at the same time” is spot on. You could spend the rest of your life analysing Zappa’s music… seriously. He left thousands of unrecorded scores in addition to his prolific studio recordings. But as Zappa himself said “Talking about music is like dancing to architecture”. So get listening and prepare to be continuously amazed by his meticulously scored body of work. Frank was a unique human being and true genius.
...a different kind of summary:
4:22 ... !
4:37 ....? !
7:09 ...?
7:53 👀
8:03 ... ? !
9:07 ?
10:09 ! ...☕️
11:06 ?
13:37 😛... :)
14:20 !
15:26 ...🔌 ⚡️
"Talking about music is like dancing to architecture" hahaha, great!
Frank Zappa remains one of the most brilliant musical creators of all time. It's not just music. It's a conjunction of concepts and experiments so complex that really few can understand. I've only been a fan since forever and I believe that Zappa music should be studied in a very particular way. R.I.P. , Frank. I miss you, man.
Love your Gentile Giant pfp!
Really well said and succinct. Kudos.
Zappa was filth ich
I’ve been a fan (I’m old) since his first album, I’m thrilled that you got the experience and hopefully you’ll enjoy a few more of his amazing works.
I saw Frank perform live 5 times. They were without doubt the best live shows I’ve ever seen. He surrounded himself with the best musicians of the day and he demanded they give him their best work. He felt his audience deserved nothing less then that.
so jealous
I was lucky enough to see the original Mothers of Invention band at Massey Hall in Toronto in 1969 (?) if my memory is correct. It's still one of the best shows I've ever seen, and I've seen many!
Ruth Underwood is a force of nature. So glad you've discovered her. I can't believe how she can perform these lines.
It was a satirical take on "The Chariots of the Gods", theorizing that all the ancient construction marvels were the work of aliens.
The animation is from a stop-motion video collaboration, "A Token of his Extreme", which only showed on European TV (us tv being too uptight).
There are interviews on CZcams of Ruth Underwood and George Duke that are worth watching for how two classically trained musicians came to perform with one of the most gifted and and VERY unorthodox musician/composer's they had probably ever met.
There really is no one label, no one musical genre or style to be ascribed to him.
I read somewhere he said that, essentially he was a serious composer, but rock'n roll paid the bills.
He liked Edgar Varese/Anton Webern et al--at the same time he "always had a soft spot" for Doo Wop/R & B.
Frank always talked about the issues of the day. Must be impossible to listen to his music not being plugged into the times in which he composed. I feel lucky to have been a kid when Freak Out was released.
Book title: Chariots of the Gods? Unsolved Mysteries of the Past (1968)
Film title: Chariots of the Gods (1970)
Von Daniken? Ancient Aliens? 😁
Who said its a satire? Frank said he saw a UFO before in an interview. I think he just liked making lyrics about interesting subjects. A lot of people pigeon hole him as overly rational atheist but he was pretty open minded. In particular, I remember reading about how in the 60s he consulted some guy about astrology. He definitely had a minor interest in esoteric stuff even if he didn't take it so seriously
@@bryanlee5522 also the only musician I know of to play the bicycle...
Zappa's was a genius. I wish he was still here. I've been listening to his work since the early 70's. His music never stops being interesting to me. You get all that musical brilliance and the humour to go with it. Zappa was such a witty guy. One of a kind.
Nice I know how you feel I was Zapped in the 70's when my older brother plyed me Frank, still reelin" every listen every song is a adventure, thanks for the reminder of how great Frank was.
Zappa will STILL sound “futuristic” 50 years from now…his understanding of music was, is and will be something we can only appreciate in limited ways. I “re-hear” something years later that impacts me differently each time I hear it, even as years go by.
Frank Zappa = Cosmic Genius!
youre over reading intohim he just didnt like the way people treated music
I heard shades of Zappa and the "Mothers of invention " recently while rewatching the Chris Stapleton/Justin Timberlake 2015 CMA Performance... just say'n...
"I think... he's not taking himself too seriously" - LOL! That literally has to be one of the most profound statements on Zappa ever!
Don't worry, Mon, he ain't takin' you (or any of us) seriously, either!
classic reaction to Frank! 😄
Frank’s composing was amazing… off the grid totally. Look up some of his scores. Incredible!
Frank Zappa was, is, and forever will be a musical genius in a league all his own !!!!!!!!
The album "Hot Rats" is what you really need to hear. Some of the best music ever. Look up "it must be a camel" and tell me I'm wrong. Actually the whole album is some of the best anything.
"Hot Rats" was my first introduction to Frank Zappa back in 1971. It is still one of my favorites. Phenomenal musicianship throughout.
Love me some hot rats. But I’m a basket case Roll squeak, Roll squeak
Dude!!! Good call. Now I need to go dig out that CD.
Waka Jawaka ain't half bad either.
Hot rats was the first Zappa album I heard as a kid. "Peaches En Regalia" has always been a top fave of mine. The melodies and the orchestration particularly spoke to me at that time on my life. But there are so, so many...
Zappa was psychedelic jazz-fusion. He was definitely unique. He and his band mates were all extremely talented!
This was my first exposure to Zappa back in 85 on USA NightFlight. Been a fan ever since.
LoL, your mouth hanging open at the end of the performance. One of his best, Ruth is unrivalled in the world. The most rehearsed Rock Band in the world. I miss Frank. I met him after a show in 1980 at the LA Sports Arena.
Doug: "I have to dive deeper into Zappa's music!"
Me: It was nice knowing you, man...
He's done several Zappa videos now... Given that, I was wondering why he's not yet had any Captain Beefheart on.
I would recommend Peaches En Regalia from Zappa’s “Hot Rats” recording. It’s an early example of the expansion of his compositional palette via hiring more advanced musicians, including Max Bennett and John Guerin.
This was my introduction to Zappa. I absolutely love it but have come to realize I have only dipped my toes into Zappa waters....
Agreed. It has been picked up and performed by some orchestras that you can hear on CZcams.
Willie the Pimp is another great song from that album.
Love those 2 from The L.A. Express...Max Bennett & John Guerin. And they do a great job on Joni Mitchell's live album, Mikes Of Aisles.
peach and regalia was the first piece i heard of frank. i will never forget this day.
Frank Zappa & the Mother's, An Icon from my youth that molded the Very Fabric of my Transcendental Journey thru Evolution!!!
A friend worked security for a Zappa concert, rehearsals were tight. All had scripted notes. A composer Frank was.
"The Ocean is the Ultimate Solution" is one of his best guitar pieces,
Agree.
And I also would say Zappa probably has the longest list of "one of his best guitar pieces"-tracks.
Sleep Dirt is a killer guitar record. One of my favorites no doubt about it.
In case this hasn't been mentioned elsewhere in the comments, Erich von Daniken was HUGE in the 70s with his book "Chariots of the Gods?", which was full of dubious theories about alien visitors to Earth in ancient times. Among his propositions were that the Pyramids, Stonehenge and the Easter Island statues were the work of extraterrestrials, and that the Nazca lines were a landing strip for alien spaceships. "Inca Roads" was Frank's way of having a dig at the whole phenomenon.
My senior class had a Couples Night (about a dozen of us) to watch the "In Search of Ancient Astronauts" TV special. A couple months later my girlfriend and I attended the Zappa concert in Milwaukee. "Honey, they're playing OUR SONG!"
Oh wow so that's probably the inspiration behind the Stargate SG-1 show. I know the movie came first and by different people but the show literally had Daniel say that the pyramids were landing pads for spaceships and the name of the first episode was Children Of The Gods.
@@marksecosh LOL!
But now we know ETs are real. 🛸
Daniken has been totally debunked.
I was introduced to this song on You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore Viol 2. I've loved Zappa in all forms ever since.
The Inca Roads on One Size fits All is my favorite because Zappa literally takes all the instrument tracks from the performance in this video, and overdubs the edited guitar solo from You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore (Helsinki Finland.) Its an incredible demonstration of Zappa's experience in the industry as both a musician, and tech wizard.
Zappa is a fantastic guitarist. Actually my number 1! People seem to forget that!
Frank also has perfect pitch. Make a noise and he could tell what it is.
Absolutely !! His guitar solo in Zomby Woof is the greatest guitar solo of all time !
You're right: I do often forget that Zappa is your #1.
Steve Vai was pretty much taught by Zappa
@@soberobserver1646 Zomby Woof is great, but for my money Black Napkins does it for me!
Ruth was studying at Juilliard when she first heard Frank, who was at that time doing a residency at the Garrick Theatre in New York. She petitioned him to join the band, because she was bored with the college curriculum. It took a year or so, but Frank eventually invited her to an audition. Needless to say, she was IN. At the Garrick shows, she had immediately recognised Frank’s incredible musical genius, particularly on the track ‘Oh No’, which she rhapsodises about in a CZcams clip. His music is a multiverse. Go deep, Doug. Frank will blow your mind, and make you laugh. Cheers.
It might be worth mentioning that she only ever worked with Frank. After leaving his band she retired.
The claymation is from the movie Baby Snakes.
As a guitar player he himself considered himself just average, a blues player, but with all the music in his head, he’s still a transformational guitarist.
@@ronniefarnsworth6465 Frank? Insecure, no, that was not his issue!
I didn’t remember the reason he said it, thank you. he allowed inspiration to take him where ever it did, all he was saying is, he doesn’t practice the guitar, doesn’t try to improve his technique in that way, he just plays it! But his vast compositional ability showed up in his improvisation, as a composer, he was as comfortable with musical notation as say Beethoven or Brahms, he could hear the notes in his head as he wrote them, I’m sure, But he was not at all tied to notation when he improvised, his stream of consciousness musical outlet. As a guitar player I think a huge influence was Jimi Hendrix, he didn’t play Hendrix licks, he had his own very singular style, but was impressed by how Jimi could get in that zone, where what came out had this incredible magic, emotion
and power….,that transcended the actual notes being played. Jimi really only played in 2 keys, but you’d never know by listening, because he could get so far outside the box, while using relatively simple tools. In that sense Frank channeled that, but could play in time signatures and keys Jimi could not, at least not at age 27, had Jimi lived, he would have continued to break musical ground, Miles Davis was interested, the great jazz arranger of the time, whose name I cannot quite recall, Bill Evans? also wanted to work with Jimi. And Frank ended up with the remains of the Monterey concert Strat that Jimi lit on fire, and played it for years, before Dweezil ended up with it. So he definitely wanted to channel Hendrix. Yet, nobody played like Frank, faster cleaner sure, but he went far deeper into the unusual and inspiring than most guitar players ever went.
In an interview with Tom Mulhern in 83', Frank was asked if he spends much time working with his guitar. Frank responded, "hardly ever touch it. The only time I play my guitar is when I know I'm going to tour. I practice a little bit before we go into rehearsal to get the calluses built up again (on fingers). Then I play during rehearsals, and when I get out on the road, I usually practice an hour a day before each show. Once the tour is over, I don't touch it. I haven't touched my guitar for about 6 months." Knowing how talented and musically smart Zappa is, it's pretty interesting. He said he has a business to run and can in no way have time to practice as much as other guitar enthusiasts would imagine he could.
This whole album is a complete gem - one of my favorites of all time.
Don’t ask stupid questions, just enjoy the master music
Years ago in the late 1970's I was a performing trumpet and keyboard player. A bassist I knew who was one of the best I every worked with was lucky enough to try out for Zappa's band. He didn't even get close. Zappa's standards were off the chart insane. The musicians he used were all phenomenal.
The animator was Bruce Bickford. Frank was infatuated with him and his style of morphing things into other things. This was an excerpt from the movie "Baby Snakes" which features a lot of Bruce's work. And what a perfect introduction to Zappa for you. The "One Size Fits All" album is not only serious, complex music, it's also friendly to the ear. A lot of great stuff on that album. "Andy" is one of my favorite tracks. For percussion and musical instruments, search out "The Black Page Pt 2" as part 1 is percussion only. Known as the most difficult piece of music ever written. Oh, and Ruth is a beast of a percussionist. You should look up interviews with her talking about her time with Frank Zappa. She's such a wonderful person.
Florentine Pogen is my favourite Zappa song.
There are other videos out there of this song that doesn't include the claymation. I love the claymation, but it interferes with
intense listening. It's difficult enough to deal with the music density of Zappa pieces without having compelling visuals. However,
since this isn't the only live version of this song, it is acceptable that the diversion of clay visuals horn it. So, I encourage listening
to this song from the DVD and compare that to a video without the clay. Full disclosure: I'm allergic to Nixon, so anything with
Nixon in it is not going to fare will with me, except this claymation, which I did enjoy and The Big Lebowski.
@@mu99ins The Roxy performance of this, with added drummer, Ralph Humpfrys, is killer.
@@runtt01 - Oh yeah, the lounge version. I really like it. I've heard another lounge version on a Utube video, so they must have had fun with the lounge version around that time.
every time i hear ruth's name it makes me smile, what a beautiful glowing soul she has. and man what a musician and she has the most infectious love of frank's music.
Five classic instrumental pieces on Zappa's repertoire: Peaches en Regalia, Sons of Mr. Green genes, Chunga's revenge, Twenty smalls cigars and, last but not least, Watermelon in Easter Hay.
All great but you date yourself 😉
Zappa actually has classical music, so that use of the word here is a bit weird.
@@Flatscores I meant "classic" as a synonym of typical or standard, not as the musical genre or category.
Definitely Watermelon
Agreed, I may have had to put Sinister Footwear 2 and Black Page on there too though haha
Im sure Frank would have been honored to have you do this .
LMFBAO I just LOVE your ZAPPA reactions, Doug; quite appropriate to say the least
Peaches en Regalia is just so beautiful.
Ruth is so amazing. She was studying in New York when she first heard Zappa and it changed her life. Zappa recognized her talent and put her at the center of many compositions during that period. I’ve seen numerous interviews with Ruth and she has a special sparkle in her eyes when she talks about the years with Frank.
Check out the Album “Hot Rats”. Some critics cite it as the first “fusion” record.
Well done. Thanks.
It nearly brings me to tears when she says “he wrote this, for me”. They couldn’t have happened to anyone better than each other.
If you look through comments on Ruth in various videos on CZcams with her playing, you will note how many men are completely in love with her for her sparkling energy and sweet smile. Me too , I have to admit. A lovely person and musician in every way.
Not just "studying in New York" but doing advanced work at Julliard. She's not just a brilliantly talented percussionist but a very well trained one.
Zappa looked like a bum at the end 🤣 🤣
He had a classical album, with Kent Nagano and the London Symphony. I have it on vinyl.
'Andy' off the same album has unimaginable bass and drums and is worth a listen for sure
my thought exactly
I love Andy. Oh Anday! A thong rind!
DEAR OLD FRANK,IT'S ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO LISTEN THIS MUSICIAN...MISS A LOT!
"Florentine Pogen" from the same show is a treat too :).
Zappa would actually fine his musicians if they came to rehearsal unprepared. He was easily the most demanding bandleader of the rock era and some of the best musicians of the late 20th century developed their chops playing for him. He loved to push them out of their comfort zones. George Duke never sang before working with Zappa and thought he couldn't sing. Zappa insisted that he do the vocals on this song and you heard the result.
p.s. I second the recommendations for The Adventures of Greggary Peccary. Sheer lunatic genius
Prince was eerily the same, a demanding bandleader who pushed his musicians beyond what they thought possible. They were also fined for making tiny mistakes on stage (nothing got passed Prince) and expected to know the material during rehearsal.
Afaik: Zappa bought him the first synth and then George had to sing ;-)
Colaiuta, Vai, Bozzio.. George Duke itself..just to mention a very few
@@joaquinloayza8286 Chester Thompson: "Frank Zappa was the best musical school i ever went to"
Id give the honorific title of most demanding bandleader of the rock era to Captain Beefheart. If you know, you know
Nice to see a lot of comments regarding Ruth's incredible talent. Ruth's performances always astonishing ❤
Wow you picked a good one to jump into Frank... You have so much great music to listen too I've been a fan for over 50 years. Frank and his musicians are amazing. I really enjoy your video's...
"I'm gonna need something more stronger than coffee to appreciate this"
Surprisingly, Frank didn't
Beer. He was OK with beer. And tobacco.
You nailed it. Zappa never took himself seriously and he always threw shade at those who do. You are among the few people that “get it”.
I love folks first time listening to Zappa. Their faces are amazing.
That video was 'Sledgehammer' 10 years before Peter Gabriel!! With even better hallucinogenics!! Thank god there was Zappa
Zappa's last album was "The Yellow Shark" where Ensemble Modern performed his compositions. Zappa was an absolute giant. A composer. A social/political satirist. And absolutely one of the most unique and talented guitarists ever. EVER. You've got your work cut out for you, and by gawd I'm looking forward to it!
Yellow shark is amazing.
From The Yellow Shark I'd strongly recomend "Outrage at Valdez" or "Get Whitey"
Dog Meat is great also. Or G-Spot Tornado. And if you want to go way out, Ruth is Sleeping..
Civilization phase 3 is actually a bit later than The Yellow Shark, though. Both are outstanding albums.
@@whycantiremainanonymous8091 I never should have sold my CD of that album. And that sweet case it came in.
Your interpretation of what he's doing is spot on. Zappa was a bit of an anarchist, lyrically - the exact opposite of his music, which is strategised and planned to the last note. He was influenced as much by Varése, Webern and Stravinsky, as he was by Doo wop, R&B and Blues. He wasn't classically trained, but seems to have been a bit of a polymath, and eventually composed and performed symphonic pieces and jazz. He's an enigma, as the lyrics can often be puerile, and even juvenile - once again, the opposite of his music, which is often so cerebral. Warning, though - this is the world's largest rabbit-hole (100 albums, or thereabouts)
When Zappa met Slonimsky in person, they had been corresponding for awhile prior to meeting in person, Nicolas asked where he had studied, expecting the answer to be Julliard or other such institutiona, based on the sheet music Frank had sent him to ask his opinion of them....Slonimsky’s book, Thesaurus Of Scales And Melodic Patterns was Frank and many jazz musicians bible,......when Frank replied, the library, Nicolas was blown away that Frank had taught himself how to compose to such a high degree with almost zero instruction, Frank had started out as a percussionist in school, so had a basic education in music but not much beyond the basics of sight reading, the rest was one hundred percent self taught...his speech to the ASUC is biting, satire, and can be read on many different levels, and lays out his views on music education...
Frank planned out the notes but liked absurd lyrics... Total control on one side... Total random goof on the other... The whole spectrum
Mr. Fabrizio you are most certainly an educated man, as you are intimately aware of Frank's brilliance. Glad I'm not the only one! Bravo-
It's accurate to say there are levels of compositional control in his work. A piece like this has most of them covered. it starts with a riff that gives the drummer some freedom to play with where to place the accents while everyone else is working from a written arrangement. The mixed meter sections that aren't solos are probably charted and memorized. The solos are structured to give Frank space. Everyone else is comping in a free but limited capacity with no charts.
The more a composition hewed closer to symphonic the more charted it was. There were usually long solo sections with the band comping. The closer to 'rock' the song was, the less likely there was a written chart. The band was expected to behave more like a bar band and just play something. Frank would pick the parts he liked the best, and that was the arrangement. Exactly what you would expect from a guy who taught himself music theory from beginner through advanced levels at the library by day while simultaneously making a living playing Louie Louie and In the Midnight Hour by night.
THAT is the claymation work of Mr Bruce bickford, who also contributed claymation to a later zappa film called baby snakes. Also the booger bear they refer to was an award handed out to the member of the touring party who landed the ugliest groupie; usually the award went to road manager marty pirellis whos
also references in the song.
listening to you articulate your thoughts about frank zappas musicianship throught the video really made me happy, its all the things i felt in my soul but couldnt articulate as a 13 yr old when i discovered Frank's music on a late night rerun of Im the Slime on SNL. it was that show that inspired me to learn to play guitar
Watermelon in easter hay, Cosmic debris, Joe´s garage, Why does it hurt when I pee, Lucille and many more.
Joe's garage is maybe my fav album!
@@andrejz8954 mine too!
I'm pretty sure Frank Zappa blew your mind
Waiting.Been asking for Zappa for a long time.
Imagine how our minds were blown in high school when Zappa smashed everything!
First time on your channel and what a wonderful reaction!! Much like my first time *really* hearing Zappa music when Dwezel toured his work. An absolute jaw on floor moment. You had me practically in tears by the end. You nailed many of the technical issues musically and your surprise was just a blast to watch. Very well done Sir, I'm excited to check out more of your videos. Great thanks!!!
Re: Armadillo and Guacamole Queen. Been an Austinite since the late 60’s. Armadillo refers to the Armadillo World Headquarters, a prime music spot in the 70’s , and one Zappa played multiple times, even recording a live album there. The Guacamole Queen referred to character in a mural at the Armadillo.
Actually, Frank said he referred to a restaurant the band used to eat Guacamole in Austin and as the cook was formidable, she was called Guacamole Queen...
Ho avuto la fortuna di sentire questa formazione nel 1973 al Vigorelli a Milano. Straordinaria e indimenticabile
The amazing Bruce Bickford on claymation. He is unparalleled. I’ve never seen anyone like him.
Truly mind blowing, and a fit companion to the music. IMO the finest music video I've seen.
Have to agree. All the Bickford - Zappa collaborations are beyond mind blowing.
I really enjoyed watching your reactions to this piece of music. Very honest and authentic. This music really is quite blissful, impossible to grasp and completely transcendent.
I seen this on tv when I was 10 been a fan of Zappa ever since
Decides to react to Zappa, picks Inca Road. This will be GOOD! And by the thumb looks like you picked a very much excellent live recoding (token of his extremes) with one his best assembles: The Mothers Of Invention:
FZ-guitar, percussion, vocals
Napoleon Murphy Brock-sax, vocals
George Duke-keyboards, finger cymbals, tambourine, vocals
Ruth Underwood-percussion
Tom Fowler-bass
Chester Thompson-drums