Classic Album Discussion - Frank Zappa/MOI - One Size Fits All

[strat1117]

Ouch's new custom title has gotten me thinking a lot about Frank Zappa lately, and has brought back a lot of very fond memories. I always found it interesting that Zappa's musical talents were/are more appreciated in Europe than in the US, where his often scatalogical lyrics drew most of the attention away from his intricate melodies, complex rhythms and inspired guitar playing. Frank could make his Custom SG copy (or his Hendrix Strat) sing, spit, cackle or cry on command, and he never, ever sounded like anyone but himself.

I just listened through One Size Fits All (on vinyl, of course), one of my very favorite records, for the first time in many years. For me, this is a high water mark in Zappa's immense and varied catalog. It has everything from blues/rock to jazz, syncopated rhythms and insightful, sometimes hysterically funny lyrics -- in many ways, it is as intellectually challenging as music can be. Is it his best album? Who knows. Let's just say that, IMHO, it is a masterpiece. 42'44" of pure, unadulterated genius.

:^{=

Enjoy!

 

[professorchaos]

Frank Zappa's reputation for the bizarre overshadows that he really could play the guitar! I love Willie the Pimp from Hot Rats. That may be the greasiest lick (or is it a riff?) anyone has ever recorded. He also tears it up on "You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 2." It is a live show (or shows). The fast numbers like "Room Service" and "Cheepnis" showcase how incredibly tight that band was. I believe it is the same iteration of the Mothers that recorded "One Size Fits All."

Another one not to be missed is 'The Mothers Fillmore East - June 1971.'

Now I'll have to find "One Size Fits All."

 

[strat1117]

Frank Zappa's reputation for the bizarre overshadows that he really could play the guitar! I love Willie the Pimp from Hot Rats. That may be the greasiest lick (or is it a riff?) anyone has ever recorded. He also tears it up on "You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 2." It is a live show (or shows). The fast numbers like "Room Service" and "Cheepnis" showcase how incredibly tight that band was. "Pygmy Twylyte," however, steals the show.

Another one not to be missed is 'The Mothers Fillmore East - June 1971.'

Now I'll have to find "One Size Fits All."

The famous Helsinki show -- a classic. At one point you can hear some guy screaming for Whippin' Post at the top of his lungs. (Frank says something like "Stop it, you'll hurt your throat!", and it sounds like he is actually concerned for the guy! ) As the story goes, Frank was so bummed that they didn't have Whippin' Post in their repertoire so they could actually play it and blow this guy's mind, he insisted that they learn it and it became a staple at FZ concerts for many years. If you haven't heard FZ's version of Whippin' Post, you will be surprised at the fact that it is (usually) a serious, blazing, true to the original version, and not just a satire.

Enjoy!

 

[professorchaos]

And since they didn't know "Whipping Post," he worked it into Montana!

"Pygmy Twylyte" is what always brings me back to that album. The guitar solo blows me away every time.

 

[Newfie]

Ouch's new custom title >>>>SNIP

I picked up on that last night. Always loved Zappa. Who else could come up with something like "Zircon Encrusted Tweezers" in a song like "Dynamo Humm". Then again, who else could come up with that song???

 

[ouch]

Whippin' Floss! The Helsinki version may be the best.

My daughter recently discovered Apostrophe, and we're having a hoot. It is a bit difficult to keep her away from the more suggestive lyrics.

I think Frank may have intentionally tried to dissuade critics with his use of vulgarity, but his ability to have unbelieveably beautiful passages arise from the chaos was unmatched. If you listen to Weasels Ripped My Flesh, you'll scratch your head, then all of a sudden The Orange County Lumber Truck will appear. It's an incredible little ditty that's upbeat, snappy, and absolutely normal- the perfect commercial tune.

 

[Captain Flint]

I don't know Zappa's career very well but I really liked Hot Rats. It was then that I discovered that a Belgian band called dEUS had sampled "Little Umbrellas" in "Great American Nude", one of the best tunes in their first album Worst Case Scenario.
Man, that guy was a genius!

 

[Lo'Tek]

I've owned several of Zappa's albums though not that one, but heck, I always voted for him.

 

[SilentTuba]

If you look at my signature, clearly, I'm a Zappa fan. One Size Fits All ranks among my favorite albums of all time. It is eclectic and engaging, complex, yet accessible. Plus, it contains Sofa No. 1, one of the most beautiful tunes I've ever heard...I still get goosebumps when I hear it.

I agree that Filmore East 1971 is a great, if overlooked, album. Zappa's cover of "Happy Together," sung by Flo and Eddie, is masterful.

The great thing about Zappa is, he was so prolific, it will take me years to discover all the wonderful music he left behind.

It's Sunday morning, and now I feel like listening to some Zappa...maybe Hot Rats or Grand Wazoo?? Sheik Yerbouti??? We're Only In It For the Money?? Can't decide....

 

[johnniegold]

Thanks for the great review Neil. I have made this thread a sticky as a Classic Album Discussion and will add this selection to the Record Shop. Nicely done.

 

[professorchaos]

My daughter recently discovered Apostrophe, and we're having a hoot. It is a bit difficult to keep her away from the more suggestive lyrics.

Look out, Apostrophe is a gateway album! How I listen to music hasn't been the same since I discovered Zappa.

It's Sunday morning, and now I feel like listening to some Zappa...maybe Hot Rats or Grand Wazoo?? Sheik Yerbouti??? We're Only In It For the Money?? Can't decide....

May I suggest Waka Jawaka?

 

[bob.e]

Zappa is remembered for all the wrong things it seems to me. He was one of America's greatest guitarists and should be thought of in the same rarified air as a Clapton, Beck, Hendrix, Lee, Thompson, Cooder or Bloomfield, although I admit neither Richard Thompson and Alvin Lee get the respect they deserve either

 

[Captain Flint]

I admit neither Richard Thompson and Alvin Lee get the respect they deserve either

+1!

 

[strat1117]

Whippin' Floss! The Helsinki version may be the best.

My daughter recently discovered Apostrophe, and we're having a hoot. It is a bit difficult to keep her away from the more suggestive lyrics.

I think Frank may have intentionally tried to dissuade critics with his use of vulgarity,

No Commercial Potential.

but his ability to have unbelieveably beautiful passages arise from the chaos was unmatched. If you listen to Weasels Ripped My Flesh, you'll scratch your head, then all of a sudden The Orange County Lumber Truck will appear. It's an incredible little ditty that's upbeat, snappy, and absolutely normal- the perfect commercial tune.

There's another example of exactly what you are talking about on side 2 of Apostrophe(') -- You have Jack Bruce wailing away on the title song and then, suddenly and without warning, Uncle Remus pops up, an absolutely beautiful melody with some of the tastiest guitar licks I've ever heard (from anyone, not just Zappa).

BTW, I see you're going all UMRK on the custom titles lately -- I love it!

It's Sunday morning, and now I feel like listening to some Zappa...maybe Hot Rats or Grand Wazoo?? Sheik Yerbouti??? We're Only In It For the Money?? Can't decide....

When you just can't decide, only Lumpy Gravy will do! The perfect Sunday morning pick me up (hope I'm not too late).

 

[professorchaos]

zappa is remembered for all the wrong things it seems to me. He was one of america's greatest guitarists and should be thought of in the same rarified air as a clapton, beck, hendrix, lee, thompson, cooder or bloomfield, although i admit neither richard thompson and alvin lee get the respect they deserve either

+1 for emphasis.

 

[raisindot]

Hmmmm. While I have nearly everything in the Zappa catalog, including most of the "YCDTOS" sets, I have to admit that I've never heard this one or "The Grand Wazoo."

Personally, I thought that he peaked with the Mothers in "We're Only in It for the Money" and "Uncle Meat" and with "Hot Rats" as a soloist.

Then when he discovered he could make a lot more money making sophmoric aural pornography for geeky high schoolers, it all went downhill. Hell, when I was a teen, I thought "Overnite Sensation" was one of the amazing albums every made. Then I started listening to the Mothers' stuff from the 60's. Compare the genuine anger of "Trouble Comin' Every Day" and the avant-garde metaphysics of "Help I'm a Rock" from "Freak Out" to dreck like "Cosmic Debris" and "Don't Eat The Yellow Snow" and the brain rot is obvious.

And, personally, I find Filmore '71 to be worthless. Nearly 60 minutes of Flo and Eddie's frat boy fantasies with endless background vamping.

It's so frustrating that so many amazing compositions and guitar solos were trivialized in some of the most banal, childish, and misogynistic lyrics ever written.

And, sad to say, a lot of his more extended solos don't hold up very well. Listen to a lot of his late 70's and early 80's recordings and you basically get the same thing--10 minutes of arpeggio runs. Every now and then he pulls off something beautiful, like "Watermelon in Green Hay" from the otherwise worthless "Joe's Garage Parts 2 and 3," but most of it's self-absorved guitar porn.

Jeff in Boston

 

[ouch]

There's another example of exactly what you are talking about on side 2 of Apostrophe(') -- You have Jack Bruce wailing away on the title song and then, suddenly and without warning, Uncle Remus pops up, an absolutely beautiful melody with some of the tastiest guitar licks I've ever heard (from anyone, not just Zappa).

My favorite example of this may be the end of The Grand Wazoo. After the brutal assault of Eat That Question, he finishes with Blessed Relief, one of the most peaceful songs I can think of. It's always the first song I play for people who don't like Zappa.

 

[Mr. Clean]

...My daughter recently discovered Apostrophe, and we're having a hoot. It is a bit difficult to keep her away from the more suggestive lyrics.

....

...
You aint got no friends . . .
An all the others: they hate ya
...
You got stink foot! stink foot, darlin
Your stink foot puts a hurt on my nose!
...

Zappa is remembered for all the wrong things it seems to me. He was one of America's greatest guitarists and should be thought of in the same rarified air as a Clapton, Beck, Hendrix, Lee, Thompson, Cooder or Bloomfield, although I admit neither Richard Thompson and Alvin Lee get the respect they deserve either

I concur. Zappa was a thought provoker, yet often his methods were too strange to move the masses.

FWIW and IMO, while One Size Fits All, is a fine album and Apostrophe might have had more sales; Overnight Sensation should be ahead of either in terms of pure enjoyment as well as musicality. FZ and Jean Luc Ponty on the same album

 

[strat1117]

My favorite example of this may be the end of The Grand Wazoo. After the brutal assault of Eat That Question, he finishes with Blessed Relief, one of the most peaceful songs I can think of. It's always the first song I play for people who don't like Zappa.

My license plate from the early 80's through the early 90's: "GD WAZOO"

 

[ouch]

And yet not one mention of Roxy and Elsewhere.