Top products from r/Zappa

A deluge of Zappa releases have been added to Amazon:

On November 4th:

Chicago '78 (2CD) $17.50

> This Vaulternative Records concert release finds Zappa & band at the Uptown Theater, Chicago, Ill - September 29, 1978. Of the two shows played that evening, the late show is captured here in its entirety. As you would expect, the concert delivers with a good blend of fan favorites, blistering guitar solos, audience participation, on-the-spot improvisations and stellar playing from a talented band line-up.

Little Dots (CD) $9.91

> Little Dots is the sequel to 2005's Imaginary Diseases. It features additional hand-picked selections from the Maestro himself of the 10-piece 'Petit Wazoo' tour of late 1972. Although FZ worked on this material during different time periods throughout the 70s and 80s, nothing was ever officially released. Now we get the chance to hear more from this horn-driven ensemble, featuring mammoth improvisations and unreleased compositions.

Meat Light: The Uncle Meat Project/Object (3CD) $25.64

>Uncle Meat gets the deluxe treatment in this three CD Project/Object Audio Documentary. Included is the original 1969 vinyl mix (restored, remastered and available digitally for the first time), an original sequence that includes unique source material and bonus vault tracks mostly compiled from the recording sessions at Apostolic Studios in NYC between 1967 and 1968.

On November 11th:

Lumpy Gravy (LP) $24.98

We're Only In It For The Money (LP) $24.98

Cruising With Ruben & The Jets (LP) $24.98

Weasels Ripped My Flesh (LP) $24.98

Joe's Garage (3LP) $38.98

I very rarely want to hear anyone play Zappa except Zappa himself, but I really enjoy the shit out of this. It's a group playing Zappa pieces on baroque instruments and it's just plain fucking beautiful.

Dale Brumfield emailed me today that "I will dig up that issue cover and email it to you when I restore my laptop." So I'm hoping to post it once received.

He also talked about the issue in his book, "Richmond Independent Press:: A History of the Underground Zine Scene".

His website is http://www.dalebrumfield.net/

His stated area of expertise is "Literary & Digital Archaeology". I so want to be a digital archaeologist. Truly that sounds like a perfect job. :)

I’d recommend one of the recent big box sets! They’re great and if he doesn’t already have them, make pretty awesome gifts!

Roxy Performance

Zappa in New York 40th

I thought is was interesting that "Pop Culture Historian" Michael Walker, who wrote the book on Laurel Canyon, pulls out Absolutely Free, with its collage cover artwork by FZ, and claims to not know of any collage artwork by FZ.

Mother Mary and Joseph, he is holding it in his hand!

He very well could have said that and they edited it out, but why would they do that? Anyway, nice to see GZ on TV.

It looks bleak on that front. Check some reviews at Amazon - the 2 enthusiastic comments are written by a troll and a nutcase. Clayson's own blurb doesn't exactly inspire confidence:

>Perhaps the most original and adventurous of twentieth century composers, Varese remains both a figurehead and grey eminence of modern music. Me? I have to be in a specific mood for Varese's music, but when I am, I find it a real cool way-out sound. That's my perspective. However, if, after purchase of a Varese album, you think he's a load of old rubbish, don't come crying to me.

This book was pretty good, and talks a bit about that whole scene: http://www.amazon.com/Laurel-Canyon-Rock---Rolls-Neighborhood/dp/0865479666/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1414023058&sr=8-2&keywords=laurel+canyon

His autobiography is a good read. He kind of rambles a lot but he tells a good story of his time in the Mothers and all his different projects afterwards.

The earliest reference to the James Baker event that I can find is in this book from 2002. I haven't read it, so I have no idea whether the author cites an original source or not. It would be interesting to know.

Check out the Zappa Songbook and the Zappa Guitar Book! Both were recently reprinted and are available pretty cheaply.

I just started listening to this, thanks.

For those that want more Scott Thunes, check out the book In Cold Sweat. Really interesting take on the end of the '88 touring band.

http://www.amazon.com/Cold-Sweat-Interviews-Really-Musicians/dp/0879109564/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394195879&sr=1-7&keywords=scott+thunes

https://www.amazon.com/Cruising-Ruben-Jets-Frank-Zappa/dp/B01M06KYJR/ref=sr_1_21?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1474516500&sr=1-21&keywords=frank+zappa+vinyl&refinements=p_n_binding_browse-bin%3A387647011

http://www.amazon.com/White-Sands-Patrick-OHearn/dp/B0000042MU

I found out this is all part of a book:
http://www.amazon.com/Weird-Scenes-Inside-Canyon-Laurel/dp/1909394122

And there's more parts available on this site (which includes more images and videos!):
http://informationfarm.blogspot.com.au/2010/02/inside-lc-strange-but-mostly-true-story.html

It might not be exactly what you're looking for but The Big Note has all sorts of extra information on just about every album and song in the catalog.

https://www.amazon.com/Big-Note-Guide-Recordings-Frank/dp/1554201462/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1557257426&refinements=p_27%3AUlrich%3BCharles&s=books&sr=1-1&text=Ulrich%3BCharles

Tink's the one! Do read his book! https://www.amazon.com/Course-Said-Yes-Amazing-Adventures/dp/1522979832/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1459379703&sr=1-1&keywords=arthur+barrow

There's this text as well, though I think with this and Watson we've basically exhausted crit-theory type of engagements with Zappa. Weirdly it seems there's a trend of assuming there's a mass of literature on him when there actually doesn't seem to be much.

[Read "Negative Dialectics of Poodle Play" for the most mind bending in-depth analysis of Zappa you will ever find.] (http://www.amazon.com/Frank-Zappa-Negative-Dialectics-Poodle/dp/0312141246)

Buy this book:

The Big Note: A Guide to the Recordings of Frank Zappa https://www.amazon.com/dp/1554201462/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_egXNBbHMCH6RP


Also listen to the albums Freak Out!, Overnite Sensation, Apostrophe, We're Only in it for the Money and Zoot Allures

No, I take him at his word that he liked to have extramarital sex. I think it had something to do with Gail's disdain for Dweezil and Moon (since they were closer to Frank, Dweezil mentioned the Medea Complex in the WTF interview). He also had groupie living at the Laurel Canyon house at one point to the chagrin of Gail (you can read more about that in groupie Nigey Lennon's book, to be also read with a grain of salt, if read at all).