History AwesomeMusic / FrankZappa

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNkl1avYXRM "Black Napkins"]]. A gorgeous solo dripping with emotion and guitar pyro.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfzfLw6OSJU "Disco Boy"]]. A humorous EarWorm poking fun at the disco trend of the time.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-6U0ccc_Hg "The Muffin Man"]]. A tale of the titular Muffin Man, the song exemplifies everything wonderful about Zappa from his offbeat humor to his top notch musicianship.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd_gU03mcZ4 "Don't You Ever Wash That Thing?"]]. A jam between the band, particularly highlighting the dual drummers [[note]] In fact, it was this track that convinced Music/PhilCollins to hire Chester as {{Music/Genesis}}' touring drummer. [[/note]]

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYxaoRVofE8 "Inca Roads"]]. A parody of the pseudo-spirituality of many ProgressiveRock bands, this song demonstrates the band's prowess from Ruth's percussion to Frank's tasty guitar work.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPi9HYODBjc "Po-Jama People"]]. A [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech "Reason You Suck" Speech]] towards conformists set to an epic guitar jam.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnBwWFulRwM "Florentune Pogen"]]. A quirky song capped off by Napoleon Murphy Brock's eccentric vocal.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKrpjTBBDvM "Andy"]]. A surreal piece ranging from the avant garde to blues, with a Johnny "Guitar" Watson vocal cameo as icing on the cake.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBK3Y8EgJCM "Carolina Hard-Core Ecstasy"]]. A sweet melody complimented by fantastic horn work, some stellar keyboards, and a tinge of humor.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbLkjf6V5XE "Advice Romance"]]. A bluesier number with some strong vocals by Napoleon and a stellar slide solo from Denny Walley.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd_gU03mcZ4 "Don't You Ever Wash That Thing?"]]. A jam between the band, particularly highlighting the dual drummers [[note]] In fact, it was this track that convinced Music/PhilCollins to hire Chester as Music/Genesis' touring drummer. [[/note]]

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmPlZ0Rb1qk "Be-Bop Tango"]], EpicRocking with AudienceParticipation and George Duke at their finest.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmX3MGX9RYU "Dummy Up"]]. A routine between Napoleon Murphy Brock and Jeff Simmons as TheAggressiveDrugDealer. Doubles as a CrowningMomentofFunny.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmPlZ0Rb1qk "Be-Bop Tango"]], an EpicRocking with AudienceParticipation and George Duke at their finest.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmX3MGX9RYU "Dummy Up"]]. A routine between Napoleon Murphy Brock and Jeff Simmons as TheAggressiveDrugDealer. Doubles as a CrowningMomentOfFunny.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHIhsq9qHPk "Uncle Remus"]], a suprisingly poignant song co-written by George about race relations and how they've progressed (or not) into the modern age.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nrxx72AK0ZU "Oh No"]]. Written in response to [[Music/TheBeatles "All You Need Is Love"]], this track is a brilliant lampooning of psychedelic pop with vocals by Ray Collins on his final lead vocal with Zappa.[[note]]He contributed background vocals to ''Apostrophe(')'' though.[[/note]]

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKTFfT4sMhQ "Plastic People"]]: With the marching beat to back him and an elaborate arrangement courtesy of the expanding lineup, Frank delivers some scathing criticism of people choosing politics like trends.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuSD7Q_hArs "Call Any Vegetable"]]: A catchy, quirky little number with Ray belting it out on vocals along with some strong woodwind work from Bunk Gardner.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXiKRJ6E7kA "Big Swifty"]]. A stellar way to begin the big band period of Frank's career, taking up all of Side One and not wasting a note.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIIDEpXEt0w "For Calvin (And His Next Two Hitch-Hikers)"]]. With great vocals by Sal Marquez and Janet Neville-Ferguson,

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nQeYoYn03s "Dirty Love"]]. More straightforward by Zappa standards, it's nonetheless one of the more infectious tunes in his catalog with it's catchy groove and overall quirkiness.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smZA9Jv3qH0 "Montana"]]. One of Frank's greatest earworms to cap off the album. ''Moving to Montana soon, gonna be a dental floss tycoon.''

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpNn1nht0_8 "The Yellow Snow Suite"]][[note]] Don't Eat That Yellow Snow, Nanook Rubs It, St. Alphonso's Pancake Breakfast, Father O'Blivion[[/note]], four loosely connected songs that embodies both the musicality and absurdist humor of Frank's work.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtx4ZJ1cwI0 "Cosmik Debris"]]. The tale of Frank's meeting with a psychic set to a killer groove, full of quotable lines and hooks to make this a Zappa staple.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXP_pr7np-o "Apostrophe"]], a jam session between Frank, [[Music/Cream Jack Bruce]], and [[Music/DerekAndTheDominoes Jim Gordon]] with three great musicians pushing each other to the edge.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtx4ZJ1cwI0 "Cosmik Debris"]]. The tale of Frank's meeting with a psychic set to a killer groove, full of quotable lines and hooks to make this a Zappa staple.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpNn1nht0_8 "The Yellow Snow Suite"[[note]] Don't Eat That Yellow Snow, Nanook Rubs It, St. Alphonso's Pancake Breakfast, Father O'Blivion[[/note]]]], four loosely connected songs that embodies both the musicality and absurdist humor of Frank's work.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smZA9Jv3qH0 "Montana"]]. One of Frank's greatest EarWorms to cap off the album. ''Moving to Montana soon, gonna be a dental floss tycoon.''

* ''Music/TheGrandWazoo'', ''Music/OverniteSensation'', ''Music/{{Apostrophe}}'', ''Music/RoxyAndElsewhere'', ''Music/OneSizeFitsAll'', and ''Music/JoesGarage'', which increased the musicality of Zappa's work to stellar results.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywL3ZkpAhwc "Billy The Mountain"]]. In this parody of Rock Operas such as ''{{Music/Tommy}}'', Flo and Eddie sing their tails off to the excellent backing of the band. Say what you will about the Flo and Eddie era, they delivered here!

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYrd00riNqY "The Gumbo Variations"]]: An epic jam highlighted by Ian ripping on various woodwind instruments, Sugarcane shredding like his life depends on it, and Frank capping it off on guitar. And this is considered a rare time when the otherwise controversial eighties remasters improved on the original, as it extends the already epic solos.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fb3Cu_Xrt_g "WPLJ"]]: A tongue in cheek cover of the Four Deuces' single that nonetheless adds a sense of lighthearted fun to start the album.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1iVLEELtqE "Holiday In Berlin"]]: A brilliant piece that captures the feel of a holiday in a strange place with it's use of GenreRoulette.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXjBKn_mKeI "The Little House I Used To Live In"]]: An eighteen minute epic kicked off by a fantastic classical piano by Ian before switching between various live improvisations, the highlight of which being a scorching violin solo by Sugarcane Harris.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFWiJAYmADQ "Didja Get Any Onya?"]]: An erratic free jazz track capped off by a surreal spoken word by [[Music/LittleFeat Lowell George]] that shows you just what you're getting into.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6bCRqEA_NI "Directly From My Heart To You"]]: In contrast, the band, with some help from Sugarcane on vocals and violin, delivers a straightforward Music/LittleRichard cover to great effect.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nrxx72AK0ZU "Oh No"]]: Written in response to [[Music/TheBeatles "All You Need Is Love?"]], this track is a brilliant lampooning of psychedelic pop with vocals by Ray Collins on his final lead vocal with Zappa [[note]]he contributed background vocals to ''Apostrophe(') though.[[/note]]

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a61Q5GUo8Vs "Transylvania Boogie"]]: What an awesome jam! Between the ripping guitars and the wild drums of Aynsley Dunbar, this is such a way to open the album.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l33UbJw9VJE "Twenty Small Cigars"]]: A great jazz instrumental from the ''Hot Rats'' sessions with Ian on piano and Wrecking Crew legend Max Bennett on double bass.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TXqyp-7nNQ "Chunga's Revenge"]]: Starting with an EpicRiff, it only gets better from there, with Max and Aynsley perfectly setting up the atmosphere, along with Ian's scorching wah-infused alto and Frank's guitar.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFs5Y1hlN-I "The Mud Shark"]]: A retelling of the infamous Shark Incident involving members of Music/LedZeppelin and Vanilla Fudge, the song nails the soul rock style of those bands to a tea.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywL3ZkpAhwc "Billy The Mountain"]]: In this parody of Rock Operas such as ''{{Music/Tommy}}'', Flo and Eddie sing their tails off to the excellent backing of the band. Say what you will about the Flo and Eddie era, they delivered here!

[[AC:Music/FillmoreEast-June1971 (1971)]]

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywL3ZkpAhwc "Billy The Mountain"]]: In this parody of Rock Operas such as ''Music/Tommy'', Flo and Eddie sing their tails off to the excellent backing of the band. Say what you will about the Flo and Eddie era, they delivered here!

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nrxx72AK0ZU "Oh No"]]: Written in response to [[Music/TheBeatles "All You Need Is Love?"]], this track is a brilliant lampooning of psychedelic pop with vocals by Ray Collins on his final lead vocal with Zappa [[note]]he contributed background vocals to ''Apostrophe(') though.[[/note]]

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7VAOuIePVo "Son Of Mr. Green Genes"]]. The EvenBetterSequel to an already great song, it takes the motif of the previous song to stratospheric levels between the guitar goodness and brilliant instrumental work of Frank's band.

* From the Mothers, you've got ''Music/FreakOut!'', ''Music/AbsolutelyFree'', ''Music/WereOnlyInItForTheMoney'', and ''Music/UncleMeat'', which were a culture shock for that time and remain just as fresh all these years later.
* ''Music/HotRats'',''Music/TheGrandWazoo'', ''Music/OverniteSensation'', ''Music/{{Apostrophe}}'', ''Music/RoxyAndElsewhere'', ''Music/OneSizeFitsAll'', and ''Music/JoesGarage'', which increased the musicality of Zappa's work to stellar results.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rhRhSx_jbM "Hungry Freaks Daddy"]]: From the driving bass riff to the scathing social commentary, Frank and the Mothers kick their career off with a bang.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuABc9ZNtrA "Who Are The Brain Police?"]]: Starting with the droning bass, this surrealist psychedelia predating the Summer Of Love and even Music/TheBeatles' ''Music/Revolver'' shows more what Zappa would come to be known for.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjCWiBTQbD4 "Go Cry On Somebody Else's Shoulder"]]: A brilliant tongue in cheek pastiche of the doo wop the members grew up on, along with a stellar performance by Ray Collins.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNCHDoTcLOw "How Can I Be Such A Fool"]]: A well crafted pop number with a tender vocal by Ray, showing the band's range this early on.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oo4EnABWB4Y "Trouble Every Day"]]: A more bluesy number by the band, who pull it off brilliantly behind social commentary about the racial conflicts that remain as relevant as ever.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eNaArI_syU "Son Of Suzy Creamcheese"]]: A short, energetic tune that deftly handles various time changes along with a great melody to top it all off.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZLWD75KKGA "Brown Shoes Don't Make It"]]: Regardless of what one thinks off the lyrics, with it's epic and multi-part arrangement and cinematic structure, it's small wonder why some consider this Frank's first true masterpiece.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnjufR8GDcw "Who Needs The Peace Corps?"]]: With it's biting lyrics and swinging arrangements, this earns it's status as a Zappa classic.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKNG8R6tb0A "Mom & Dad"]]: With a rare heartfelt vocal from Frank, you definitely feel [[TearJerker a lump]].
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gauX2N1FOg "Bow Tie Daddy"]]: A brief little poking at the older generation, the song nonetheless creates a pleasant dose of nostalgia.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPOHOtQ8Qw0 "What's The Ugliest Part Of Your Body?"]]: A hilarious and subversive number with a fantastic bridge with one of Frank's few non-processed vocals on the album.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ViwVPfC7t4 "Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance"]]: An EarWorm through and through, perfectly lampooning the psychedelic pop of the time.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4D0vmVdrOg "Cheap Thrills"]]: An energetic 50s rocker with Frank performing all instruments to boot.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZA0dzk9Wng "Deseri"]]: A fun R&B tune with a laid back vibe recalling a bygone era.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttrXan2syvc "Anything"]]: A low key doo wop ballad, Ray really hits it home with a very heartfelt vocal performance.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tyFlT2FQpk "Main Title Theme"]]: Right off the bat, we get brilliant percussion work courtesy of Art Tripp (and an EarlyBirdCameo from Ruth Underwood), immediately setting the album up for greatness.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuWjjbhODfs "Nine Types Of Industrial Pollution"]]: Right here, we get Frank's mastery of the avant garde, and more than does proud by John Cage and Edgard Varese.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jTPZKI1Zls "The Uncle Meat Variations"]]: The woodwind players and Art really sell it with their fantastic classical performances along with the usual madcap humor.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHHAjJPAgyY "Ian Underwood Whips It Out"]]: ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin, Ian Underwood recalls how he joined the band before showing just what he's got.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYYirmf8jlI "Mr. Green Genes"]]: With it's durge like arrangement backing him, Ray delivers a gorgeous vocal as always.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD5kTEf8Rd0 "King Kong"]]: An epic avant jazz piece demonstrating the band's instrumental prowess, and just having a cool atmosphere to begin with.
** Also of note is the performance on [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToQWHNFZ2RE ''Color Me Pop'']]

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGQxI0G6mKk "Peaches En Regalia"]]: Between the brilliant melody and arrangement, some stellar keyboard and woodwind work courtesy of Ian, it is held as one of Frank's best compositions and rightly so. Even better, it's included in ''The Real Book'', basically the ultimate set of jazz standards!
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87dVLkPNDtk "Willie The Pimp"]]: Kicked off by Sugarcane Harris' violin and featuring a CrazyAwesome vocal performance from Music/CaptainBeefheart himself, and topped off by Frank's EpicRocking. Hot damn!
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7VAOuIePVo "Son Of Mr. Green Genes"]]: The EvenBetterSequel to an already great song, it takes the motif of the previous song to stratospheric levels between the guitar goodness and brilliant instrumental work of Frank's band.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPOHOtQ8Qw0 "What's The Ugliest Part Of Your Body?"]]: A hilarious and subversive number with a fantastic bridge with one of Frank's few non-processed vocals on the album.

* ''Music/HotRats'',''Music/TheGrandWazoo'', ''Music/OverniteSensation'', ''Music/Apostrophe'', ''Music/RoxyAndElsewhere'', ''Music/OneSizeFitsAll'', and ''Music/JoesGarage'', which increased the musicality of Zappa's work to stellar results.

* ''Music/HotRats'',''Music/TheGrandWazoo'', ''Music/OverniteSensation'', ''Music/Apostrophe(')'', ''Music/RoxyAndElsewhere'', ''Music/OneSizeFitsAll'', and ''Music/JoesGarage'', which increased the musicality of Zappa's work to stellar results.

[[AC:Music/AbosutelyFree (1967)]]

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rhRhSx_jbM "Hungry Freaks Daddy"]]: From the driving bass riff to the scathing social commentary, Frank and the Mothers kick their career off with a bang.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuABc9ZNtrA "Who Are The Brain Police?"]]: Starting with the droning bass, this surrealist psychedelia predating the Summer Of Love and even Music/TheBeatles' ''Music/Revolver'' shows more what Zappa would come to be known for.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjCWiBTQbD4 "Go Cry On Somebody Else's Shoulder"]]: A brilliant tongue in cheek pastiche of the doo wop the members grew up on, along with a stellar performance by Ray Collins.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNCHDoTcLOw "How Can I Be Such A Fool"]]: A well crafted pop number with a tender vocal by Ray, showing the band's range this early on.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oo4EnABWB4Y "Trouble Every Day"]]: A more bluesy number by the band, who pull it off brilliantly behind social commentary about the racial conflicts that remain as relevant as ever.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKTFfT4sMhQ "Plastic People"]]: With the marching beat to back him and an elaborate arrangement courtesy of the expanding lineup, Frank delivers some scathing criticism of people choosing politics like trends.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuSD7Q_hArs "Call Any Vegetable"]]: A catchy, quirky little number with Ray belting it out on vocals along with some strong woodwind work from Bunk Gardner.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eNaArI_syU "Son Of Suzy Creamcheese"]]: A short, energetic tune that deftly handles various time changes along with a great melody to top it all off.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZLWD75KKGA "Brown Shoes Don't Make It"]]: Regardless of what one thinks off the lyrics, with it's epic and multi-part arrangement and cinematic structure, it's small wonder why some consider this Frank's first true masterpiece.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnjufR8GDcw "Who Needs The Peace Corps?"]]: With it's biting lyrics and swinging arrangements, this earns it's status as a Zappa classic.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKNG8R6tb0A "Mom & Dad"]]: With a rare heartfelt vocal from Frank, you definitely feel [[TearJerker a lump]].
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gauX2N1FOg "Bow Tie Daddy"]]: A brief little poking at the older generation, the song nonetheless creates a pleasant dose of nostalgia.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPOHOtQ8Qw0 "What's The Ugliest Part Of Your Body?"]]: A hilarious and subversive number with a fantastic bridge with one of Frank's few non-processed vocals on the album.

* ''Music/HotRats'',''Music/TheGrandWazoo'', ''Music/OverniteSensation'', ''Music/Apostrophe'', ''Music/RoxyAndElsewhere'', ''Music/OneSizeFitsAll'', and ''Joe's Garage'', which increased the musicality of Zappa's work to stellar results.

%%* If you want albums, you've got ''Music/FreakOut!'', ''Music/AbsolutelyFree'', ''Music/WereOnlyInItForTheMoney'', ''Music/UncleMeat'', ''Music/HotRats'', ''Music/TheGrandWazoo'', ''Music/OverniteSensation'', ''Music/Apostrophe'', ''Music/RoxyAndElsewhere'', ''Music/OneSizeFitsAll'', and ''Joe's Garage'' to start off with.
%%A list of albums is not a proper example. Why is EACH ONE awesome? Do not uncomment the above example without expanding it to provide context.

* If you want albums, you've got ''Music/FreakOut!'', ''Music/AbsolutelyFree'', ''Music/WereOnlyInItForTheMoney'', ''Music/UncleMeat'', ''Music/HotRats'', ''Music/TheGrandWazoo'', ''Music/OverniteSensation'', ''Music/Apostrophe'', ''Music/RoxyAndElsewhere'', ''Music/OneSizeFitsAll'', and ''Joe's Garage'' to start off with.

* If you want albums, you've got ''Music/FreakOut!'', ''Music/AbsolutelyFree'', ''Music/WereOnlyInItForTheMoney'', ''Music/UncleMeat'', ''Music/HotRats'', ''Music/TheGrandWazoo'', ''Music/OverniteSensation'', ''Music/Apostrophe'', ''Music/RoxyAndElsewhere'', ''Music/OneSizeFitsAll'', and ''Joe's Garage'' to start off with.