Long time readers are aware that, while I will readily concede that Zappa was a genius, with few exceptions -- like the above -- his music gives me absolutely zero pleasure.
I should add that when I interviewed him for Stereo Review in 1979, he clearly thought I was an idiot. And I wasn't crazy about him either. 😎
Anyway, for some reason I was thinking about him this morning, and "Trouble" popped into my head. Make of that what you will.
7 comments:
i too am lukewarm toward zappa - saw him live once with flo and eddie - "trouble every day" fits the times, certainly
the pick for next attorney general announced yesterday reminds me of another zappa song - "willie the pimp"
oh well - tomorrow never knows
"Hungry Freaks, Daddy" is another great song from the same album.
Except for the first two albums Zappa’s music makes my skin crawl. Today’s song is wonderful and very appropriate for today and tomorrow.
Captain Al
I outgrew him when I outgrew high school.
1969- Just turned 18. Myself and a couple friends were waiting in line in front of the Fillmore East to open.
The crowd parted and who should emerge walking through the crowd but Frank - a sight to see, crushed red velvet hip huggers, no shirt
Chicago opened which was fitting as they had a horn section.
The show, part Barnum &Bailey, part Dr Demento. Door races up and down the aisle, skeleton from the ceiling racing through the audience.
56 years ago - can still recall vividly.
Hot Rats my favorite - later met Steve Vai.
rob
PS - Steve, well written article and interview
In the pages of ROLLING STONE many years ago, Lester Bangs wrote a review of an early 1970s Zappa album (I can't recall the specific title). In it, he basically argued that while Zappa's early stuff was eclectic, edgy, funny and subversive, after that Frank's music and his persona grew increasingly tiresome and self-satisfied and condescending. I'm not sure I totally agree with that assessment but I have a feeling it's a view shared by several people who are reading this blog.
Played the grooves off this double LP on release, quite the mind-opener for a callow youth otherwise focused on the next Manfred Mann LP. That was about as far as my Zappa enthusiasm extended, though in (much) later life I've come to enjoy any number of discs by performers playing his music in (typically) small instrumental ensembles. Hate the artist, not the art.
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