What's everyones opinion on Frank Zappa?

snipes824 · February 2007

I Personally hate his music like none other. However, my roommate is huge into him and jam bands and such. He told me before that Pearl Jam could not play any Frank Zappa songs. He said they couldn't even read his music. Obviously I left the room because it was so ludicrus for someone to say that.

My question to you is this: Is Frank Zappa really that good? I admittedly don't know how good he really is. But Mike or Stone can't play his riffs? I hardly think thats accurate.

FinsburyParkCarrots · February 2007

Frank Zappa, at his best, was in a league of his own. He took contemporary classical music - he was a fan of Varese - jazz, doowop, wah-wah driven guitar rock and even burlesque, and synthesized it into something far beyond the creative or musical reaches of the vast majority of people in the world of rock. He also had a biting satirical wit, which is present in many of his lyrics, from his album "Freak Out" onwards.

He did produce some shite, too, but he was so prolific, and his good stuff far, far outweighs the bad.

As a guitarist, he was much more than a virtuoso technician: he had a distinctive musical sensibility too, which is why he would always cut Steve Vai when they played together on stage.

As for the question of whether Mike or Stone could play Zappa's riffs, well, I'm sure Mike could have a good go at Willie the Pimp or The Gumbo Variations!

keeponrockin · February 2007

Apples and oranges. Although, Zappa was technically much better.

josevolution · February 2007

what he was a musical genius at the least or a music GOD ......

sapperskunk · February 2007

douchebag.

Dog Loyal · February 2007

josevolution wrote:

what he was a musical genius at the least or a music GOD ......

A genius with a killer wit.

When I was young (too young), I was married to a musician. He loved Frank Zappa and I couldn't not stomach it, especially "St. Alphonso's Pancake Breakfast." It grated me. Then one day we got stuck in a huge traffic jam and he put Apostrophe in and said "just listen, just really listen." There was nothing better to do, so I opened my mind to it and OMG. Zappa is a GENIUS. St. Alphonso's is musically brilliant and a biting satire.

Before you write Zappa off, give these albums a chance:

Apostrophe
Joe's Garage (free speech!)
The Mother Fillmore East June 1971
Sheik Yerbouti

Truly excellent music can be difficult to get into at first. This is why pop music is so catchy and accessible and yet we get sick of it so fast. Twenty years after my introduction to Zappa I'm still hearing something new when I listen to it. It's that rich.

There was no ox that the man wouldn't gleefully gore. You think EV has a sense of humor? Give Zappa a chance.

ETA: I wouldn't compare him to Pearl Jam, the music is entirely different. PJ is thoughtful and earnest with a lot of emotion. Zappa was diabolical.

Todd76 · February 2007

Dog Loyal wrote:

Before you write Zappa off, give these albums a chance:

Apostrophe
Joe's Garage (free speech!)
The Mother Fillmore East June 1971
Sheik Yerbouti

Definitely a genius!!!!!!

my fav album of his is "We're Only In It For The Money"

........What's the ugliest part of your body. Some say your nose, Some say your toes. I think it's your mind

josevolution · February 2007

Dog Loyal wrote:

A genius with a killer wit.

When I was young (too young), I was married to a musician. He loved Frank Zappa and I couldn't not stomach it, especially "St. Alphonso's Pancake Breakfast." It grated me. Then one day we got stuck in a huge traffic jam and he put Apostrophe in and said "just listen, just really listen." There was nothing better to do, so I opened my mind to it and OMG. Zappa is a GENIUS. St. Alphonso's is musically brilliant and a biting satire.

Before you write Zappa off, give these albums a chance:

Apostrophe
Joe's Garage (free speech!)
The Mother Fillmore East June 1971
Sheik Yerbouti

Truly excellent music can be difficult to get into at first. This is why pop music is so catchy and accessible and yet we get sick of it so fast. Twenty years after my introduction to Zappa I'm still hearing something new when I listen to it. It's that rich.

There was no ox that the man wouldn't gleefully gore. You think EV has a sense of humor? Give Zappa a chance.

ETA: I wouldn't compare him to Pearl Jam, the music is entirely different. PJ is thoughtful and earnest with a lot of emotion. Zappa was diabolical.

i know i love his wit and i'm pissed that i missed those classic halloween shows here in NY have you seen that clip on youtube i believe it's called steve getting spanked man when you watch ZAPPA play those licks it's freaking amazing.

Dog Loyal · February 2007

josevolution wrote:

i know i love his wit and i'm pissed that i missed those classic halloween shows here in NY have you seen that clip on youtube i believe it's called steve getting spanked man when you watch ZAPPA play those licks it's freaking amazing.

This was the very first FZ tune I fell in love with. http://youtube.com/watch?v=8O6NUhG6IdE&mode=related&search=

Yeah, I know, it's a matter of opinion, but damn, that rocks.

Evacuation Rules · February 2007

snipes824 wrote:

I Personally hate his music like none other. However, my roommate is huge into him and jam bands and such. He told me before that Pearl Jam could not play any Frank Zappa songs. He said they couldn't even read his music. Obviously I left the room because it was so ludicrus for someone to say that.

My question to you is this: Is Frank Zappa really that good? I admittedly don't know how good he really is. But Mike or Stone can't play his riffs? I hardly think thats accurate.

He didn't say anyhting about riffs. He said that Pearl Jam couldn't even read or play Frank's music, which is true with 99% of the bands out there. Some of Frank's music is extremely complex.

Dog Loyal · February 2007

snipes824 wrote:

I He told me before that Pearl Jam could not play any Frank Zappa songs. He said they couldn't even read his music. Obviously I left the room because it was so ludicrus for someone to say that.

My question to you is this: Is Frank Zappa really that good? I admittedly don't know how good he really is. But Mike or Stone can't play his riffs? I hardly think thats accurate.

I've got to respond to this. I'm sure Mike and Stone could hold their own on most of Zappa's music, if they wanted to. I'm sure Eddie's a better singer, for that matter. It's cool that your roommate appreciates Zappa but there's no need for him to get all snobby about it.

Jeanwah · February 2007

Zappa is in his own league. I mean, you can't really compare anyone to him!

Although Trey Anastasio and his band played a mean Peaches In Regalia at his show a couple months ago here, and it sounded really good. Other than that, I don't know of anyone else even attempting to cover him.

JOEJOEJOE · February 2007

snipes824 wrote:

I Personally hate his music like none other. However, my roommate is huge into him and jam bands and such. He told me before that Pearl Jam could not play any Frank Zappa songs. He said they couldn't even read his music. Obviously I left the room because it was so ludicrus for someone to say that.

My question to you is this: Is Frank Zappa really that good? I admittedly don't know how good he really is. But Mike or Stone can't play his riffs? I hardly think thats accurate.

you left the room, instead of asking for further explanation?

Zappa was a genuis, but a misunderstood genius. He was a true artist, but he wasn't for everyone.

The only person who comes close to him these days is PRINCE, in terms of composing and arranging music.

mwachsman · February 2007

Though I've never really listened to his music, I love him for his interview on Crossfire.

josevolution · February 2007

Dog Loyal wrote:

This was the very first FZ tune I fell in love with. http://youtube.com/watch?v=8O6NUhG6IdE&mode=related&search=

Yeah, I know, it's a matter of opinion, but damn, that rocks.

thanks for posting this but i'm at work will watch it when i get home.

JOEJOEJOE · February 2007

Dog Loyal wrote:

I've got to respond to this. I'm sure Mike and Stone could hold their own on most of Zappa's music, if they wanted to. I'm sure Eddie's a better singer, for that matter. It's cool that your roommate appreciates Zappa but there's no need for him to get all snobby about it.

thank heavens that PJ fans never get snobby or elitist!

snipes824 · February 2007

thanks for the responses. i guess since i just dont like his music, its hard to believe just how good it really is.

snipes824 · February 2007

JOEJOEJOE wrote:

you left the room, instead of asking for further explanation?

Zappa was a genuis, but a misunderstood genius. He was a true artist, but he wasn't for everyone.

The only person who comes close to him these days is PRINCE, in terms of composing and arranging music.

haha i didnt really leave the room at first. he was just going off and practically yelling about how superior Frank Zappa is to everyone. He told me Zappa plays Zappa is touring again and i was like "oh goody cant wait" as a joke. I was like thats like me going to see Ten play. They are a cover band of Zappas music (even though it has a lot of his old bandmates). It would be like me seeing PJ without ed. And he flipped out and said how Pearl Jam can't touch Zappa and so forth and that Mike or Stone couldn't read, let alone play, his music. So i came here for some insight because i really dont know anything about zappa.

Evacuation Rules · February 2007

Your friend is right. Pearl Jam couldn't read or pull off Frank's music. That's what you wanted to know, and there's your answer. I'd be interested to know how much Frank Zappa you've actually heard, since you seem oblivious to the fact that he's a highly talented composer & musician.

Ledbetterman10 · February 2007

The Mothers' third album, We're Only In It For the Money, is one of my favorites of all time.

"Hi boys and girls I'm Jimmy Carl Black and I'm the Indian of the group"

JWBusher wrote:

Pearl Jam couldn't read or pull off Frank's music.

nobody could

Evacuation Rules · February 2007

Ledbetterman10 wrote:

nobody could

Right, that's what I said earlier.

To be fair, his friend was just trying to piss him off because he worships Pearl Jam....seems to have worked.

What's everyones opinion on Frank Zappa?

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