FRANK ZAPPA

Jazz Related Rock / Third Stream / RnB / Jazz Related Soundtracks / Jazz Related Improv/Composition • United States
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Frank Zappa was one of the great iconoclastic musicians of the 20th Century. He was born in 1940 in Baltimore where his Sicilian-born, Greek-Arab meteorologist father was employed by an arsenal that manufactured poison gas during World War II. The Zappa family eventually settled in Lancaster, Calif., a Mohave Desert town Frank called a cultural wasteland. Ironically, it was here, during his high school years, that Zappa's interest in outlandish combinations of music bloomed. He formed an R&B group called the Blackouts, he bought Stravinsky and Varese records, he played drums in his high school band, where he was introduced to 12-tone music and did some composing and conducting. And he began to suspect he was destined to live a life deviating from the norms of Americana.

Zappa recorded parody and instrumental doo-wop tunes in the early '60s and leased them to record companies like Original Sound in Los Angeles. His
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FRANK ZAPPA Discography

FRANK ZAPPA albums / top albums

FRANK ZAPPA Freak Out! (The Mothers Of Invention) album cover 3.83 | 36 ratings
Freak Out! (The Mothers Of Invention)
Jazz Related Rock 1966
FRANK ZAPPA Absolutely Free (The Mothers Of Invention) album cover 4.20 | 32 ratings
Absolutely Free (The Mothers Of Invention)
Jazz Related Rock 1967
FRANK ZAPPA We're Only in It for the Money (The Mothers Of Invention) album cover 3.81 | 34 ratings
We're Only in It for the Money (The Mothers Of Invention)
Jazz Related Rock 1968
FRANK ZAPPA Cruising With Ruben & The Jets (The Mothers Of Invention) album cover 2.82 | 20 ratings
Cruising With Ruben & The Jets (The Mothers Of Invention)
RnB 1968
FRANK ZAPPA Lumpy Gravy album cover 3.11 | 31 ratings
Lumpy Gravy
Jazz Related Rock 1968
FRANK ZAPPA Hot Rats album cover 4.53 | 69 ratings
Hot Rats
Jazz Related Rock 1969
FRANK ZAPPA Uncle Meat (The Mothers Of Invention) album cover 3.87 | 28 ratings
Uncle Meat (The Mothers Of Invention)
Jazz Related Rock 1969
FRANK ZAPPA Burnt Weeny Sandwich (The Mothers Of Invention) album cover 3.78 | 28 ratings
Burnt Weeny Sandwich (The Mothers Of Invention)
Jazz Related Rock 1970
FRANK ZAPPA Weasels Ripped My Flesh (The Mothers Of Invention) album cover 3.83 | 25 ratings
Weasels Ripped My Flesh (The Mothers Of Invention)
Jazz Related Rock 1970
FRANK ZAPPA Chunga's Revenge album cover 3.25 | 24 ratings
Chunga's Revenge
Jazz Related Rock 1970
FRANK ZAPPA 200 Motels album cover 2.64 | 19 ratings
200 Motels
Jazz Related Rock 1971
FRANK ZAPPA Waka/Jawaka album cover 4.11 | 31 ratings
Waka/Jawaka
Jazz Related Rock 1972
FRANK ZAPPA The Grand Wazoo (The Mothers) album cover 4.66 | 52 ratings
The Grand Wazoo (The Mothers)
Jazz Related Rock 1972
FRANK ZAPPA Over-Nite Sensation (The Mothers) album cover 4.15 | 34 ratings
Over-Nite Sensation (The Mothers)
Jazz Related Rock 1973
FRANK ZAPPA Apostrophe (') album cover 4.00 | 35 ratings
Apostrophe (')
Jazz Related Rock 1974
FRANK ZAPPA One Size Fits All (as Frank Zappa And The Mothers Of Invention) album cover 4.51 | 45 ratings
One Size Fits All (as Frank Zappa And The Mothers Of Invention)
Jazz Related Rock 1975
FRANK ZAPPA Zoot Allures album cover 3.28 | 23 ratings
Zoot Allures
Jazz Related Rock 1976
FRANK ZAPPA Studio Tan album cover 3.22 | 18 ratings
Studio Tan
Jazz Related Rock 1978
FRANK ZAPPA Sleep Dirt album cover 3.55 | 19 ratings
Sleep Dirt
Jazz Related Rock 1979
FRANK ZAPPA Orchestral Favorites album cover 2.89 | 14 ratings
Orchestral Favorites
Third Stream 1979
FRANK ZAPPA Joe's Garage: Act I album cover 3.77 | 24 ratings
Joe's Garage: Act I
Jazz Related Rock 1979
FRANK ZAPPA Joe's Garage: Acts II & III album cover 3.84 | 22 ratings
Joe's Garage: Acts II & III
Jazz Related Rock 1979
FRANK ZAPPA You Are What You Is album cover 3.23 | 17 ratings
You Are What You Is
Jazz Related Rock 1981
FRANK ZAPPA Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar album cover 4.05 | 11 ratings
Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar
Jazz Related Rock 1981
FRANK ZAPPA Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar Some More album cover 3.70 | 5 ratings
Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar Some More
Jazz Related Rock 1981
FRANK ZAPPA Return Of The Son Of Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar album cover 3.50 | 5 ratings
Return Of The Son Of Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar
Jazz Related Rock 1981
FRANK ZAPPA Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch album cover 3.54 | 12 ratings
Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch
Jazz Related Rock 1982
FRANK ZAPPA London Symphony Orchestra, Volume 1 album cover 3.28 | 9 ratings
London Symphony Orchestra, Volume 1
Third Stream 1983
FRANK ZAPPA The Man From Utopia album cover 3.38 | 13 ratings
The Man From Utopia
Jazz Related Rock 1983
FRANK ZAPPA Them or Us album cover 3.30 | 10 ratings
Them or Us
Jazz Related Rock 1984
FRANK ZAPPA Thing-Fish album cover 2.95 | 10 ratings
Thing-Fish
Jazz Related Rock 1984
FRANK ZAPPA Francesco Zappa album cover 2.23 | 10 ratings
Francesco Zappa
Third Stream 1984
FRANK ZAPPA Boulez Conducts Zappa: The Perfect Stranger album cover 3.40 | 10 ratings
Boulez Conducts Zappa: The Perfect Stranger
Third Stream 1984
FRANK ZAPPA Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of Prevention album cover 3.31 | 8 ratings
Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of Prevention
Jazz Related Rock 1985
FRANK ZAPPA Jazz From Hell album cover 2.66 | 20 ratings
Jazz From Hell
Third Stream 1986
FRANK ZAPPA London Symphony Orchestra, Vol.II album cover 3.08 | 6 ratings
London Symphony Orchestra, Vol.II
Third Stream 1987
FRANK ZAPPA Civilization Phaze III album cover 2.38 | 12 ratings
Civilization Phaze III
Third Stream 1994
FRANK ZAPPA The Lost Episodes album cover 3.62 | 8 ratings
The Lost Episodes
Jazz Related Rock 1996
FRANK ZAPPA Mystery Disc album cover 3.21 | 7 ratings
Mystery Disc
Jazz Related Rock 1998
FRANK ZAPPA Everything Is Healing Nicely album cover 2.62 | 4 ratings
Everything Is Healing Nicely
Jazz Related Rock 1999
FRANK ZAPPA Ensemble Modern Plays Frank Zappa: Greggery Peccary & Other Persuasions (feat. conductor: Jonathan Stockhammer) album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Ensemble Modern Plays Frank Zappa: Greggery Peccary & Other Persuasions (feat. conductor: Jonathan Stockhammer)
Jazz Related Rock 2003
FRANK ZAPPA Joe's Domage album cover 1.50 | 2 ratings
Joe's Domage
Jazz Related Rock 2004
FRANK ZAPPA QuAUDIOPHILIAc album cover 3.67 | 3 ratings
QuAUDIOPHILIAc
Jazz Related Rock 2004
FRANK ZAPPA Joe's XMasage album cover 2.00 | 2 ratings
Joe's XMasage
Jazz Related Rock 2005
FRANK ZAPPA The Making of Freak Out! Project/Object album cover 4.83 | 3 ratings
The Making of Freak Out! Project/Object
Jazz Related Rock 2006
FRANK ZAPPA One Shot Deal album cover 3.50 | 3 ratings
One Shot Deal
Jazz Related Rock 2008
FRANK ZAPPA The Frank Zappa AAAFNRAAA Birthday Bundle album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
The Frank Zappa AAAFNRAAA Birthday Bundle
Jazz Related Rock 2008
FRANK ZAPPA The Frank Zappa Birthday Bundle: AAAFNRAAAA album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
The Frank Zappa Birthday Bundle: AAAFNRAAAA
Jazz Related Rock 2010
FRANK ZAPPA 0.00 | 0 ratings
"Congress Shall Make No Law..."
Jazz Related Rock 2010
FRANK ZAPPA The Frank Zappa AAAFNRAAAAAM Birthday Bundle 21 Dec. 2011 album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
The Frank Zappa AAAFNRAAAAAM Birthday Bundle 21 Dec. 2011
Jazz Related Rock 2011
FRANK ZAPPA Feeding The Monkies At Ma Maison album cover 2.00 | 1 ratings
Feeding The Monkies At Ma Maison
Third Stream 2011
FRANK ZAPPA Joe’s Camouflage album cover 2.00 | 1 ratings
Joe’s Camouflage
Jazz Related Rock 2014
FRANK ZAPPA Dance Me This album cover 3.75 | 2 ratings
Dance Me This
Jazz Related Improv/Composition 2015
FRANK ZAPPA Frank Zappa for President album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Frank Zappa for President
Jazz Related Rock 2016
FRANK ZAPPA Zappa Original Motion Picture Soundtrack album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Zappa Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Jazz Related Soundtracks 2020
FRANK ZAPPA Funky Nothingness album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Funky Nothingness
Jazz Related Rock 2023

FRANK ZAPPA EPs & splits

FRANK ZAPPA live albums

FRANK ZAPPA Fillmore East - June 1971 (The Mothers) album cover 3.22 | 9 ratings
Fillmore East - June 1971 (The Mothers)
Jazz Related Rock 1971
FRANK ZAPPA Just Another Band From L.A. (The Mothers) album cover 2.50 | 8 ratings
Just Another Band From L.A. (The Mothers)
Jazz Related Rock 1972
FRANK ZAPPA Roxy & Elsewhere (as Zappa/Mothers) album cover 4.09 | 25 ratings
Roxy & Elsewhere (as Zappa/Mothers)
Jazz Related Rock 1974
FRANK ZAPPA Bongo Fury (with Beefheart & Mothers) album cover 3.60 | 11 ratings
Bongo Fury (with Beefheart & Mothers)
Jazz Related Rock 1975
FRANK ZAPPA Zappa in New York album cover 3.61 | 24 ratings
Zappa in New York
Jazz Related Rock 1978
FRANK ZAPPA Sheik Yerbouti album cover 3.48 | 23 ratings
Sheik Yerbouti
Jazz Related Rock 1979
FRANK ZAPPA Tinseltown Rebellion album cover 2.00 | 13 ratings
Tinseltown Rebellion
Jazz Related Rock 1981
FRANK ZAPPA Baby Snakes album cover 3.45 | 11 ratings
Baby Snakes
Jazz Related Rock 1983
FRANK ZAPPA Does Humor Belong in Music? album cover 3.29 | 7 ratings
Does Humor Belong in Music?
Jazz Related Rock 1986
FRANK ZAPPA Broadway the Hard Way album cover 3.24 | 10 ratings
Broadway the Hard Way
Jazz Related Rock 1988
FRANK ZAPPA Guitar album cover 3.58 | 13 ratings
Guitar
Jazz Related Rock 1988
FRANK ZAPPA You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Volume 1 album cover 3.56 | 9 ratings
You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Volume 1
Jazz Related Rock 1988
FRANK ZAPPA You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Volume 2 album cover 4.00 | 16 ratings
You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Volume 2
Jazz Related Rock 1988
FRANK ZAPPA You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Volume 3 album cover 3.56 | 8 ratings
You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Volume 3
Jazz Related Rock 1989
FRANK ZAPPA Live At Notre Dame University May 12, 1974 -  Unmitigated Audacity (as Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention) album cover 0.50 | 1 ratings
Live At Notre Dame University May 12, 1974 - Unmitigated Audacity (as Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention)
Jazz Related Rock 1991
FRANK ZAPPA 'Tis The Season To Be Jelly (Mothers Of Invention) album cover 3.00 | 2 ratings
'Tis The Season To Be Jelly (Mothers Of Invention)
Jazz Related Rock 1991
FRANK ZAPPA The Ark (Frank 's Mothers Of Invention) album cover 3.00 | 2 ratings
The Ark (Frank 's Mothers Of Invention)
Jazz Related Rock 1991
FRANK ZAPPA Make a Jazz Noise Here album cover 3.89 | 13 ratings
Make a Jazz Noise Here
Jazz Related Rock 1991
FRANK ZAPPA The Best Band You Never Heard in Your Life album cover 3.75 | 4 ratings
The Best Band You Never Heard in Your Life
Jazz Related Rock 1991
FRANK ZAPPA You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Volume 4 album cover 3.71 | 7 ratings
You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Volume 4
Jazz Related Rock 1991
FRANK ZAPPA As an Am [Beat the Boots #1] album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
As an Am [Beat the Boots #1]
Jazz Related Rock 1991
FRANK ZAPPA Freaks & Motherfu*#@%!: Live in Fillmore East 1970 [Beat the Boots #3] album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Freaks & Motherfu*#@%!: Live in Fillmore East 1970 [Beat the Boots #3]
Jazz Related Rock 1991
FRANK ZAPPA Anyway the Wind Blows [Beat the Boots #5] album cover 3.00 | 1 ratings
Anyway the Wind Blows [Beat the Boots #5]
Jazz Related Rock 1991
FRANK ZAPPA Piquantique - Stockholm Aug 21st 1973 [Beat the Boots #8] (Frank Zappa / Mothers) album cover 4.50 | 2 ratings
Piquantique - Stockholm Aug 21st 1973 [Beat the Boots #8] (Frank Zappa / Mothers)
Jazz Related Rock 1991
FRANK ZAPPA Playground Psychotics album cover 3.00 | 5 ratings
Playground Psychotics
Jazz Related Rock 1992
FRANK ZAPPA You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Volume 5 album cover 3.83 | 9 ratings
You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Volume 5
Jazz Related Rock 1992
FRANK ZAPPA You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Volume 6 album cover 3.50 | 7 ratings
You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Volume 6
Jazz Related Rock 1992
FRANK ZAPPA Electric Aunt Jemima [Beat the Boots #9] album cover 5.00 | 1 ratings
Electric Aunt Jemima [Beat the Boots #9]
Jazz Related Rock 1992
FRANK ZAPPA At the Circus [Beat the Boots #10] album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
At the Circus [Beat the Boots #10]
Jazz Related Rock 1992
FRANK ZAPPA Our Man in Nirvana [Beat the Boots #11] album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Our Man in Nirvana [Beat the Boots #11]
Jazz Related Rock 1992
FRANK ZAPPA The Yellow Shark album cover 3.62 | 16 ratings
The Yellow Shark
Third Stream 1993
FRANK ZAPPA Zappa's Universe album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Zappa's Universe
Jazz Related Rock 1993
FRANK ZAPPA Ahead of Their Time (as Mothers Of Invention) album cover 3.12 | 8 ratings
Ahead of Their Time (as Mothers Of Invention)
Jazz Related Rock 1993
FRANK ZAPPA Frank Zappa Plays the Music of Frank Zappa: A Memorial Tribute album cover 2.50 | 1 ratings
Frank Zappa Plays the Music of Frank Zappa: A Memorial Tribute
Jazz Related Rock 1996
FRANK ZAPPA FZ:OZ album cover 3.70 | 5 ratings
FZ:OZ
Jazz Related Rock 2002
FRANK ZAPPA Halloween album cover 3.58 | 6 ratings
Halloween
Jazz Related Rock 2003
FRANK ZAPPA Joe's Corsage album cover 2.92 | 3 ratings
Joe's Corsage
Jazz Related Rock 2004
FRANK ZAPPA Trance-Fusion album cover 4.10 | 5 ratings
Trance-Fusion
Jazz Related Rock 2006
FRANK ZAPPA Imaginary Diseases album cover 4.25 | 8 ratings
Imaginary Diseases
Jazz Related Rock 2006
FRANK ZAPPA The Frank Zappa AAAFNRAA Birthday Bundle album cover 2.00 | 1 ratings
The Frank Zappa AAAFNRAA Birthday Bundle
Jazz Related Rock 2006
FRANK ZAPPA Buffalo album cover 3.75 | 2 ratings
Buffalo
Jazz Related Rock 2007
FRANK ZAPPA Wazoo album cover 4.12 | 4 ratings
Wazoo
Jazz Related Rock 2007
FRANK ZAPPA The Dub Room Special! album cover 3.50 | 2 ratings
The Dub Room Special!
Jazz Related Rock 2007
FRANK ZAPPA Joe's Menage album cover 3.25 | 2 ratings
Joe's Menage
Jazz Related Rock 2008
FRANK ZAPPA Philly '76 album cover 3.50 | 3 ratings
Philly '76
Jazz Related Rock 2009
FRANK ZAPPA Beat the Boots III (six albums) album cover 2.50 | 1 ratings
Beat the Boots III (six albums)
Jazz Related Rock 2009
FRANK ZAPPA Hammersmith Odeon album cover 4.00 | 4 ratings
Hammersmith Odeon
Jazz Related Rock 2010
FRANK ZAPPA Carnegie Hall album cover 2.75 | 2 ratings
Carnegie Hall
Jazz Related Rock 2011
FRANK ZAPPA Road Tapes, Venue #1 album cover 3.00 | 3 ratings
Road Tapes, Venue #1
Jazz Related Rock 2012
FRANK ZAPPA Finer Moments album cover 4.00 | 3 ratings
Finer Moments
Jazz Related Rock 2012
FRANK ZAPPA Road Tapes Venue # 2 album cover 3.83 | 3 ratings
Road Tapes Venue # 2
Jazz Related Rock 2013
FRANK ZAPPA Roxy By Proxy album cover 3.00 | 2 ratings
Roxy By Proxy
Jazz Related Rock 2014
FRANK ZAPPA The Frank Zappa AAAFNRAA Birthday Bundle (Anything Anytime Anywhere For No Reason At All) album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
The Frank Zappa AAAFNRAA Birthday Bundle (Anything Anytime Anywhere For No Reason At All)
Jazz Related Rock 2014
FRANK ZAPPA Little Dots album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Little Dots
Jazz Related Rock 2016
FRANK ZAPPA Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention : Where the Shark Bubbles Blow - Classic Broadcasts 68-75 album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention : Where the Shark Bubbles Blow - Classic Broadcasts 68-75
Jazz Related Rock 2018
FRANK ZAPPA Halloween ’73 album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Halloween ’73
Jazz Related Rock 2019
FRANK ZAPPA Halloween 81 album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Halloween 81
Jazz Related Rock 2020
FRANK ZAPPA Zappa ’88 : The Last U.S. Show album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Zappa ’88 : The Last U.S. Show
Jazz Related Rock 2021
FRANK ZAPPA Zappa ’75 : Zagreb/Ljubljana album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Zappa ’75 : Zagreb/Ljubljana
Jazz Related Rock 2022
FRANK ZAPPA Zappa '80 : Mudd Club / Munich album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Zappa '80 : Mudd Club / Munich
Jazz Related Rock 2023

FRANK ZAPPA demos, promos, fans club and other releases (no bootlegs)

FRANK ZAPPA re-issues & compilations

FRANK ZAPPA Mother's Day album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Mother's Day
Jazz Related Rock 1968
FRANK ZAPPA Mothermania album cover 3.86 | 2 ratings
Mothermania
Jazz Related Rock 1969
FRANK ZAPPA The **** of The Mothers album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
The **** of The Mothers
Jazz Related Rock 1969
FRANK ZAPPA The Mothers of Invention album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
The Mothers of Invention
Jazz Related Rock 1970
FRANK ZAPPA Frank Zappa and The Mothers album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Frank Zappa and The Mothers
Jazz Related Rock 1971
FRANK ZAPPA The Worst of The Mothers album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
The Worst of The Mothers
Jazz Related Rock 1971
FRANK ZAPPA Frank Zappa y The Mothers of Invention album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Frank Zappa y The Mothers of Invention
Jazz Related Rock 1972
FRANK ZAPPA Pop History Vol. 14 album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Pop History Vol. 14
Jazz Related Rock 1972
FRANK ZAPPA Pregnant album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Pregnant
Jazz Related Rock 1972
FRANK ZAPPA Superstarshine Vol. 13: The Mothers of Invention album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Superstarshine Vol. 13: The Mothers of Invention
Jazz Related Rock 1972
FRANK ZAPPA Die Frank Zappa Story [Präsentiert von Dolf Hartmann] album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Die Frank Zappa Story [Präsentiert von Dolf Hartmann]
Jazz Related Rock 1973
FRANK ZAPPA Pop Giants Vol.27 album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Pop Giants Vol.27
Jazz Related Rock 1973
FRANK ZAPPA Superstarshine Vol. 26 Frank Zappa album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Superstarshine Vol. 26 Frank Zappa
Jazz Related Rock 1973
FRANK ZAPPA Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention
Jazz Related Rock 1974
FRANK ZAPPA 2 Originals of The Mothers of Invention album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
2 Originals of The Mothers of Invention
Jazz Related Rock 1975
FRANK ZAPPA Pop History Vol. 7 album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Pop History Vol. 7
Jazz Related Rock 1975
FRANK ZAPPA Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention (Verve) album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention (Verve)
Jazz Related Rock 1975
FRANK ZAPPA Shut Up n' Play Yer Guitar [3 Disc Box Set] album cover 3.97 | 11 ratings
Shut Up n' Play Yer Guitar [3 Disc Box Set]
Jazz Related Rock 1981
FRANK ZAPPA 10c Rare Meat album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
10c Rare Meat
Jazz Related Rock 1983
FRANK ZAPPA Them or Us / Thing-Fish album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Them or Us / Thing-Fish
Jazz Related Rock 1984
FRANK ZAPPA Frank Zappa's The Old Masters Box One album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Frank Zappa's The Old Masters Box One
Jazz Related Rock 1984
FRANK ZAPPA We're Only in It for the Money / Lumpy Gravy album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
We're Only in It for the Money / Lumpy Gravy
Jazz Related Rock 1985
FRANK ZAPPA Joe's Grage Acts I, II & III album cover 2.09 | 10 ratings
Joe's Grage Acts I, II & III
Jazz Related Rock 1987
FRANK ZAPPA The Man From Utopia / Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch album cover 4.00 | 4 ratings
The Man From Utopia / Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch
Jazz Related Rock 1988
FRANK ZAPPA You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Sampler album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Sampler
Jazz Related Rock 1988
FRANK ZAPPA Cucamonga Years: The Early Works of Frank Zappa (1962-1964) album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Cucamonga Years: The Early Works of Frank Zappa (1962-1964)
Jazz Related Rock 1991
FRANK ZAPPA Beat the Boots! II album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Beat the Boots! II
Jazz Related Rock 1992
FRANK ZAPPA Rare Meat: Early Works of Frank Zappa album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Rare Meat: Early Works of Frank Zappa
Jazz Related Rock 1994
FRANK ZAPPA London Symphony Orchestra, Volume 1 & 2 album cover 3.83 | 3 ratings
London Symphony Orchestra, Volume 1 & 2
Jazz Related Rock 1995
FRANK ZAPPA Strictly Commercial: The Best of Frank Zappa album cover 3.21 | 6 ratings
Strictly Commercial: The Best of Frank Zappa
Jazz Related Rock 1995
FRANK ZAPPA Kill Ugly Radio Some More album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Kill Ugly Radio Some More
Jazz Related Rock 1995
FRANK ZAPPA Läther album cover 4.19 | 8 ratings
Läther
Jazz Related Rock 1996
FRANK ZAPPA Strictly Genteel: A Classical Introduction to Frank Zappa album cover 3.67 | 3 ratings
Strictly Genteel: A Classical Introduction to Frank Zappa
Jazz Related Rock 1997
FRANK ZAPPA Have I Offended Someone? album cover 3.00 | 1 ratings
Have I Offended Someone?
Jazz Related Rock 1997
FRANK ZAPPA Cucamonga album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Cucamonga
Jazz Related Rock 1997
FRANK ZAPPA Cheap Thrills album cover 4.00 | 1 ratings
Cheap Thrills
Jazz Related Rock 1998
FRANK ZAPPA Son of Cheep Thrills album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Son of Cheep Thrills
Jazz Related Rock 1998
FRANK ZAPPA The Best Of album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
The Best Of
Jazz Related Rock 2004
FRANK ZAPPA Greasy Love Songs album cover 4.50 | 1 ratings
Greasy Love Songs
Jazz Related Rock 2010
FRANK ZAPPA Understanding America album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
Understanding America
Jazz Related Rock 2012
FRANK ZAPPA AAAFNRAA: Baby Snakes [The Compleat Soundtrack] album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
AAAFNRAA: Baby Snakes [The Compleat Soundtrack]
Jazz Related Soundtracks 2012
FRANK ZAPPA ZAPPAtite: Frank Zappa’s Tastiest Tracks album cover 0.00 | 0 ratings
ZAPPAtite: Frank Zappa’s Tastiest Tracks
Jazz Related Improv/Composition 2016

FRANK ZAPPA singles (0)

FRANK ZAPPA movies (DVD, Blu-Ray or VHS)

.. Album Cover
4.00 | 1 ratings
Classic Albums: Apostrophe (') Over-Nite Sensation
Jazz Related Rock 2007
.. Album Cover
0.00 | 0 ratings
The Torture Never Stops
Jazz Related Rock 2008
.. Album Cover
0.00 | 0 ratings
Roxy: The Movie
Jazz Related Rock 2015

FRANK ZAPPA Reviews

FRANK ZAPPA Cruising With Ruben & The Jets (The Mothers Of Invention)

Album · 1968 · RnB
Cover art Buy this album from MMA partners
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Frank Zappa’s “Cruising with Ruben and the Jets”, is probably one of the more misunderstood and under appreciated albums in pop music history. Often called a satire on doo-wop music, or a parody, this album is actually a labor of love of sorts as Frank and his band mates, sincerely (mostly anyways) try to pay tribute to the music of their youth. Yes, there is some silliness on here, but doo-wop was music by, for and about teenagers, it is by nature a somewhat silly form of music in the first place. About half of the songs on here are straight ahead doo-wop, expertly performed and souped up with some creative chord progressions and arrangements. In addition to that, there are a couple of doo-wop meets art rock creations, and then, since it is Zappa, there are also a couple of kind of ‘silly’ tracks too. The more straight ahead doo-wop numbers are excellent, this band had killer vocalists and their vocal arrangements are stunning. Add to that, the production on here is some of Frank’s best, every little vocal detail is crystal clear. This is doo-wop, so you can bet all the lyrics deal with teenage romance, especially the heartbreak of failed teenage romance.

On a couple songs, Frank and his crew merge doo-wop with art rock tendencies such as changing rhythmic meters, unexpected chord changes and psychedelic guitar work. Of this lot, “You Didn’t Try to Call Me” and “I’m Not Satisfied” are master pieces. Then there are the numbers that contain overly silly elements, such as the rap part in “Desire”, or the gun fire and scream insert in “Stuff Up the Cracks”, which would have been a much better song without the extraneous sounds. Many reviewers will dutifully point out that there are Stravinsky musical quotes on here, but that’s what happens when people copy someone else’s review because it would be nice if they actually knew where the alleged quotes are because a listen to the album does not seem to reveal any such thing.

Zappa was not too fond of hippie culture and most hippie music. With this in mind, “Cruising” could be seen as Frank’s attempt to deflate the pretentious and overly serious nature of the trendy ‘revolutionaries’ of the late 60s. No doubt, fun mindless teenager music such as doo-wop was considered very un-cool when this album came out in the late 60s, and it seems that had a lot to do with why Zappa put "Cruising" out in the first place.

FRANK ZAPPA Joe's Corsage

Live album · 2004 · Jazz Related Rock
Cover art Buy this album from MMA partners
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"Joe's Corsage" is a full-length album release by US avant garde rock act Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention. The album was released through Vaulternative Records in May 2004. "Joe's Corsage" features archive material recorded in 1964-1965. Some or probably most of it while the band were still called The Soul Giants. The album was compiled by archivist Joe Travers. Most of the material are demo recordings of tracks that in their final form would appear on the band´s debut album "Freak Out! (1966)", but also a few tracks that would appear on "Absolutely Free (1967)" and "We're Only In It For The Money (1968)". In addition to the demos there are also a couple of live cover tracks by Righteous Brothers and Marvin Gaye. There are also a couple of interludes on the album where Frank Zappa speaks of the origins of the band and his influences, taken from interviews from the sixties.

If you are already familiar with the early material by the band and the doo woop/r´n´b style of tracks like "Anyway the Wind Blows" and "Go Cry On Somebody Else's Shoulder" you pretty much know what to expect from "Joe's Corsage". The versions on this album vary from the ones that ended up on the studio albums, but for the most part the tracks aren´t terribly different from the studio versions. A track like "I'm So Happy I Could Cry", which ended up being titled "Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance" on "We're Only In It For The Money (1968)" featuring a new set of lyrics, is one of the tracks that sound a bit different from the studio version, but otherwise I think there are little here that´ll be of interest to anyone but the most hardcore collectors. Still the recordings are of good quality with a, for the time, remarkably good sound production and of course there´s nothing wrong with the quality of the material either, so a 3 star (60%) rating is fair.

FRANK ZAPPA Orchestral Favorites

Album · 1979 · Third Stream
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"Orchestral Favorites" is a live album release by US artist Frank Zappa. The album was released through DiscReet Records in May 1979. It´s the successor to "Sheik Yerbouti" from March 1979. All material featured on "Orchestral Favorites", was originally meant to be featured on the shelved "Läther" box-set, but ended up being released as one of four individual album releases, instead of the collective work that would have been the "Läther" box-set.

The 5 tracks featured on "Orchestral Favorites" were recorded during three sessons on the 17th-19th of September 1975, at Royce Hall on the UCLA campus with conductor Michael Zearott and the 37-piece Abnuceals Emuukha Electric Symphony Orchestra. The first two sessions were recorded as concerts with an audience, while the last session was done without an audience. Zappa spliced the best parts from the three sessions together and added an overdub guitar solo on "Duke of Prunes". It´s a combined classical orchestra and rock group performance, so in addition to the classical music instruments like violin, oboe, and clarinet, the music also features regular rock music instrumentation of guitars, bass, keyboards, and drums. The music is fully instrumental.

The melodic, dynamic, and symphonic "Strictly Genteel" opens the album. An early version of this composition with vocals was included on the "200 Motels" (1971) film and soundtrack. Themes from "200 Motels" (1971) are also used on the closing track "Bogus Pomp". "Pedro's Dowry" and "Naval Aviation in Art" are avant garde tinged classical music pieces, showing Zappa´s more experimental side. "Duke of Prunes", which was originally featured on "Absolutely Free" (1967), is featured here in a re-arranged classical orchestra/rock group version. The above mentioned overdubbed guitar solo is pretty intense, featuring an almost constant near feedback noisy approach.

While "Orchestral Favorites" certainly features a couple of intriguing moments, it´s arguably the least interesting release culled from the shelved "Läther" material. According to Zappa he spend around $200,000 on this project, and honestly I can´t say I think those money was well spend. A 3 star (60%) rating isn´t all wrong though as there are enough great elements to warrant that rating.

FRANK ZAPPA Sheik Yerbouti

Live album · 1979 · Jazz Related Rock
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"Sheik Yerbouti" is an album release by US artist Frank Zappa. The album was originally released in March 1979 as a double vinyl release through Zappa Records. It was the first release on Zappa´s own label after his acrimonious split with manager and business partner Herb Cohen in May 1976, which meant the end of their co-owned DiscReet Records and a host of lawsuits and disagreements over the remaining part of their distribution deal with Warner Bros. Records. "Sheik Yerbouti" bridges the gap between the two last (out of four) individual albums that Warner Bros. Records released featuring material which was originally meant to be released on the four-LP box set Läther. A box set which was shelved and split into four albums and released by Warner Bros. Records without Zappa´s full consent. The two albums bookending "Sheik Yerbouti" are "Sleep Dirt" from January 1979 and "Orchestral Favorites" from May 1979.

"Sheik Yerbouti" ended up being Zappa´s most commercially successful release and it laid the foundation for the mainstream success (well...relative mainstream success) he had in the 80s. Most of the basic tracks were recorded during 1977/1978 live performances and later spliced with studio overdubs. In typical Zappa fashion it´s most of the time impossible to hear where the live tracks and the studio overdubs start and end. What you´ll experience as a listener is just a very well produced album, featuring an organic, professional, and detailed sound production, helping the material shine like the best quality productions always do.

"Sheik Yerbouti" is loved by many but loathed by just as many as a consequence of the sexually explicit lyrics (although some of them are hidden behind secret words and descriptions) and lyrical topics poking fun at union workers, disco, a certain type of Jewish women, egotism...etc. "Jewish Princess" is considered particularly controversial and even some interpret it as anti-semitic. Zappa refused to apologies though and maintained that he just described a certain type of women that he had observed. "Bobby Brown" is another song which is often considered controversial because of the sexually explicit lyrics which includes stereotyping of lesbians, golden showers, rape, and anal sex. It´s all done with a gleam in the eye and the great social satirical angle that Zappa was known for.

"Sheik Yerbouti" is overall a very eclectic release featuring pop/mainstream oriented songs, which could have been played on commercial radio (and were in some countries), if it wasn´t for the explicit lyrics, rock songs, progressive rock songs, avant garde pieces, jazz/fusion, punk, and silly spoken word dialogue from the band members. Featuring no less than 18 tracks and a total playing time of 71:40 minutes, there are a lot of material and minutes for Zappa to guide us through the many different sounds and styles of "Sheik Yerbouti". The vocal part of the album deserves a special mention. It´s primarily Zappa himself and drummer Terry Bozzio who sing the lead vocal parts on the album, but Napoleon Murphy Brock is credited for singing lead vocals on "Wild Love" (along with Tommy Mars) and Adrian Belew sings the lead vocals on "Jones Crusher" and "City of Tiny Lites" (as well as performing the Bob Dylan impersonation on "Flakes"). Bassist Patrick O'Hearn is also credited for performing some lead vocalst. Naturally with that many lead vocalists and a host of backing vocalists, the vocal part of the album is equally as eclectic in nature as the instrumental part of the material.

It would be wrong to call any Frank Zappa related release an easy listen or mainstream oriented, but parts of "Sheik Yerbouti" are probably the closest you´ll get to that with Zappa. However the eclectic nature of the album ensures that the listener is constantly kept on his/her toes and challenged by the clever compositions and high level musical performances. Are some of the lyrics offensive or in bad taste? I guess it depends on the ears that hear and the morale and political/social values of the listener. Personally I find the lyrics quite brilliant, and in my opinion even the most silly and borderline mean lyrics should be understood as social commentary rather than hateful rantings. Upon conclusion "Sheik Yerbouti" is one of the essential albums in Zappa´s discography, and especially essential if you´re looking for his most accessible comedic/satirical releases. A 5 star (100%) rating is fully deserved.

FRANK ZAPPA Sleep Dirt

Album · 1979 · Jazz Related Rock
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"Sleep Dirt" is an album release by US artist Frank Zappa. The album was released through DiscReet Records in January 1979. It´s the successor to "Studio Tan" from September 1978. All material from "Sleep Dirt", was originally meant to be featured on the shelved "Läther" box-set. The original version of "Sleep Dirt" is entirely instrumental. Some of the tracks were initially written in 1972, and imagined with vocals, for a shelved stage musical titled "Hunchentoot". In 1982 Zappa opted to hire female vocalist Thana Harris to add vocals to "Flambay", "Spider of Destiny", and "Time is Money". He also made Chad Wackermann overdub drums on "Flambay", "Spider of Destiny", and "Regyptian Strut". The 1991 CD reissue of "Sleep Dirt" features these changes, which makes the 1979 original vinyl version and the 1991 CD reissue version of the album very different listening experiences. All original instrumental tracks were recorded between 1974 and 1976.

"Sleep Dirt" opens with one of the most intense, dark, and almost sinister sounding instrumentals in Zappa´s discography in "Filthy Habits". It´s an instant album highlight. "Flambay", "Spider of Destiny", "Regyptian Strut", and "Time is Money" follow, and it´s easy to hear that these clever, tightly arranged, and classical music influenced rock could have appeared as part of a stage musical. They are dramatic, theatrical pieces of music, with the occasional more fusion influenced touch. Having listened to the original versions without vocals, I personally have a hard time appreciating the versions featuring the added vocal parts, and the overdubbed drums are completely unnessary too (to the point where they lessen the listening experience), so my recommendation is to listen to the original instrumental versions. "Sleep Dirt" is completed by the beautiful acoustic guitar duo title track and the impressive 13:20 minutes long jazz/fusion instrumental "The Ocean Is the Ultimate Solution".

While "Sleep Dirt" may not have been released exactly how Zappa originally planned, this is the album release which ended up being presented to the fans, and as it is (the original instrumental version), it´s through and through a high quality release, featuring a powerful, detailed, and organic sounding production, high level musical performances, and intriguing songwriting. A 4.5 star (90%) rating is deserved.

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