Double Zappa |FZ| 1968-1969 Solo
These two mostly instrumental albums are the first Frank Zappa solo records. Sans Mothers, Zappa used these forays to assert his interest in serious composition, drawing on influences like Igor Stravinsky, Edgar Varèse, and of course, popular rock and roll music.
Lumpy Gravy (1968-)
Lumpy Gravy is a wildly impressive collection of musical ideas, set in two musical suites. Incorporating surf and pop rhythm sections with musique concrete and absurdist vocal samples (recorded inside a piano with all the keys pressed down, nabbing harmonics from the resonating strings nearby), it does in fact feel like “phase two of We’re Only in It for the Money,” borrowing its wonderful sped-up, tape manipulated feel. The composition is loaded with themes that would be recycled on later releases (“Bwana Dik,” “Oh No,” “King Kong”). Recorded with the Abnuceals Emuukha Electric Symphony and meticulously spliced and diced by FZ, Lumpy Gravy is a monumental achievement – but only a drop in the bucket from one of rock’s most prolific composers.
“Duodenum (Theme From Lumpy Gravy)”
CD Reissue | 1995 | Zappa Records | from amazon ]
Original Vinyl | 1968 | Verve | search ebay ]
Hot Rats (1969)
I wouldn’t say this album is notably better than any other FZ record, but it caught on big. Maybe it’s the short, catchy title; may be the toned down weirdness; could be that Zappa just cut all the bullshit and delivered an undeniable slab of rock that the masses could dig and critics would acclaim. Two of these tracks (“Peaches En Regalia” and “Son of Mr. Green Genes”) even made the legendary (albeit illegal) jazz standards tome, The Real Book, proving the album was the equal of contemporary ‘musician’s music.’ While “Peaches,” featuring Shuggie Otis on bass guitar, may have been the zaniest track ever to become a standard (played on baseball stadium organs to this day), the rest of the album eschews condensed complexity in favor of long form jams and sickening guitar work. Captain Beefheart’s vocal performance on the hot-licked “Willie The Pimp” might be one of his defining moments, though certainly not from Capn’s viewpoint – his distaste for FZ’s production prowess begins here. The rest of the album is fully instrumental – groovy, melodic, jazzy, brilliant, essential listening. In case you haven’t heard it by now:
“Peaches En Regalia”
CD Reissue | 1995 | Zappa Records | from amazon ]
Original Vinyl | 1969 | Reprise | search ebay ]
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Almost thought you’ve ended the Double Zappa series.
It’s good to see it back again, thanks to you I’ve become a Zappa fan!
It’s also good to see your blog back in business after again!
The Gumbo Variations is one of the best jams ever. Talk about high-octane! was that ever played live?
Great stuff! As much as I like all of Zappa’s music, for a single album I don’t think he ever topped Hot Rats. A true classic, and one everyone should own. Thanks for posting.
Brendan, I assume by “sickening guitar work” you mean the sort of playing that makes a mere mortal like me want to throw all my own guitars out of the window and go back to the tambourine. I know what you mean, though – the first time I saw Carlos Santana live, I came away saying that anyone that good should have his hand cut off. Sour grapes? Of course not! Anyway, an interesting pairing, since Rats is so snugly approachable and Gravy so frighteningly demented! That’s F-Zee for you. The first time I heard him was in 1969 when I was hitchhiking round the south of England and I got picked up by a guy of about my own age who took me home to his mum’s flat and insisted on playing me the whole of Freak Out. At the time I was heavily into Memphis soul, and stuff like Who Are The Brain Police nearly scared me sh*tless. Today I’m a fawning Zappa admirer. We all grow up eventually.
When Frank recorded the spoken parts for Lumpy Gravy inside the piano, the keys of the piano weren’t all pushed down. A sandbag was laid on the sustain pedal of the piano.