Zappa Albums similar to Hot Rats???

[Zach C.]

I absolutely LOVE Hot Rats, and enjoy most other Zappa records, but...the comic aspect is too much for me at times.

I just don't care about "boogers" on the window pane and stuff like that. Also, the stop and start nature of much of it is off-putting to me.

I have a good number of his records and while I like them all for different reasons, I'm wondering what I'm missing. And, since I can't justify the highish prices for another "booger" record, I'm not finding out.

Have in no particular order:

Hot Rats
Uncle Meat
Burnt Weenie Sandwhich
Over-nite Sensation
Apostrophe
You are what you is
Ship arriving
Shiek Yerbouti
Joes Garage (acts 1,2,3- man did that project fall apart!)
Strictly Genteel

The man was clearly a genius and very dedicated, but seriously needed an editor.

Hot Rats speaks to my soul, but the rest is just better than your average rock group IMHO. From a technical perspective, much better, but from a listenability perspective...I think some musicians get so caught up in "bad ass" that they forget their audience. John Coltrane comes to mind. Fingers of fury, but "A few of my favorite things" What was he thinking?

Can you guys help me out here?

 

[Zach C.]

Hmmmmm. 10 Views...

No Zappa fans?
Wrong question?
Dead forum?

Hmmmmmm.

 

[orange]

Are you asking us to find you an album like Zappa's, without Zappa?

Zappa is a singularity.

 

[Elite-ist]

How about "One Size Fits All?" I have the 1975 LP. "San Ber'dino" is a hoot.

Nando.

 

[Zach C.]

Are you asking us to find you an album like Zappa's, without Zappa?

Zappa is a singularity.

Not at all. Like I said with too many words. I like Zappa.

I love Hot Rats, but I keep wondering how to find more Zappa albums like it.

Time period, I would guess, but I was hoping for a specific recommendation or two.

FWIW, Edgard Varese would be Zappa w/o Zappa to my mind.

 

[Zach C.]

How about "One Size Fits All?" I have the 1975 LP. "San Ber'dino" is a hoot.

Nando.

Thanks. I'll check it out.

How about "Make a Jazz Sound Here" ?

Where does that fit?

 

[Elite-ist]

I have only one Double Live of Zappa on CD, and that one isn't it. It sounds very interesting - I might try to find a copy on LP.

Nando.

 

[Northwinds]

HOT RATS 2

Pretty obscure and it's not a boot, German Reprise release. This is the only copy I have ever owned, cover is beat but the records clean. Have to pull it out and give it a listen this week as this is just an old photo

I don't think you can get much closer to a "similiar" lp as Hot Rats LMAO

 

[Elite-ist]

The Live one I have is "Zappa in New York." I haven't given it a listen, yet, as it is sealed. I bought it and a lot of other progressive rock albums at a Garage Sale from a fellow who operates a recording studio out of his home. I bought all his Yes and Black Sabbath albums.

Nando.

 

[Zach C.]

...and that one isn't it. It sounds very interesting - I might try to find a copy on LP.

Nando.

I don't follow you.

There's just so many Zappa albums...That's why I was asking for help finding more that are similar to Hot Rats.

 

[Zach C.]

HOT RATS 2

Pretty obscure and it's not a boot, German Reprise release. This is the only copy I have ever owned, cover is beat but the records clean. Have to pull it out and give it a listen this week as this is just an old photo

I don't think you can get much closer to a "similiar" lp as Hot Rats LMAO

So...same tracks?

You can count me a jealous, BTW. I nearly bought an original copy on vinyl once, but it wasn't priced and dude had to pull it out of the "special customer cabinet" after he saw me looking at other "informed" choices. Then he pulled out his "record value guide" and I knew it was over. Those guides are good for what exactly? I've never seen anything sell for anything near what they call for, cept on the bay.

Even at that, he was talking NM, and it had clearly been dropped and the lead-in was broken off.

Some people.

 

[Zach C.]

The Live one I have is "Zappa in New York." I haven't given it a listen, yet, as it is sealed. I bought it and a lot of other progressive rock albums at a Garage Sale from a fellow who operates a recording studio out of his home. I bought all his Yes and Black Sabbath albums.

Nando.

I don't have any live albums, so that may be a good direction for me to look as well.

We'll need to talk prog rock at some point...

I like a lot of it, but again, don't know where to start finding more that I would like. The "orchestral" stuff doesn't appeal to me much on the whole, but the more "rock" side is great.

I picked up a copy of "Star Castle" the other day, but the little lady doesn't let me listen to this kind of thing when she's around. (I get to reject her choices as well, lest you think I'm PW'd.)

 

[Elite-ist]

I only got into Zappa recently. I just found his music too far out of my pleasure-principle. Now, I can appreciate him. Progressive rock is my favourite music genre. It wasn't before, during my young adult years. What's happening to me? Sure, we can get into a great discussion of prog rock.

Nando.

 

[Zach C.]

I only got into Zappa recently. I just found his music too far out of my pleasure-principle. Now, I can appreciate him. Progressive rock is my favourite music genre. It wasn't before, during my young adult years. What's happening to me? Sure, we can get into a great discussion of prog rock.

Nando.

My tastes have broadened with age as well, but I was never exclusive with my music listening. Just too limiting why miss out just cause your friends like "blank" genre only?

I think we may come to appreciate the complexities and genuine musicianship of the "more challenging" genres as we age.

I find that I really like improvisation from the rare talented and skilled musicians (both). It's them speaking to us with their souls, and while it's a very narrow group who can do this and even then often only at select times, it's superb when it works.

Bland jam bands OTOH...less so, though I still like some.

Gotta run...

 

[Elite-ist]

One of my friends, Johnnny, who lives not far from me is going to see Zappa Plays Zappa this Wednesday. He invited me to go to the concert, but I passed on his offer. He knows more about Zappa than anyone I know.

Nando.

 

[orange]

NOOOOOOO....

Nando, take that opportunity if it's still there!

Watching Dweezil Zappa play a tribute to his father will be an experience you'll appreciate.

 

[Elite-ist]

I'm just not interested enough to go, Steven. I'm up much too early in the mornings during the week to head to work. Sorry Dweezil and pops.

Nando.

 

[Zach C.]

I'm just not interested enough to go, Steven. I'm up much too early in the mornings during the week to head to work. Sorry Dweezil and pops.

Nando.

I used to think, "I'll sleep when I'm dead."

Now, I wish I could sleep.

No chance I'm messing that up for a weeknight show!

 

[Pure_Brew]

I find a few nice Zappa gems once in awhile. There's a couple tracks on "Broadway the hard way" I like, one being a cover of an Oliver Nelson & Murder by Numbers with sting. Also black napkins on Zoot Allures and Some solo piece fro Joes Garage. Isn't there a -Shut up and Play your guitar- album? That might be good. You can sample a ton at iTunes etc.

 

[Zach C.]

I find a few nice Zappa gems once in awhile. There's a couple tracks on "Broadway the hard way" I like, one being a cover of an Oliver Nelson & Murder by Numbers with sting. Also black napkins on Zoot Allures and Some solo piece fro Joes Garage. Isn't there a -Shut up and Play your guitar- album? That might be good. You can sample a ton at iTunes etc.

itunes, huh? I did not know that.

Thanks for your thoughts.