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So, 18 Juni 2006 01:53 |
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http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/ae/articles/0618zap pa0618songs.html
Jun. 18, 2006 12:00 AM
Frank Zappa was one of the most prolific musicians of the rock-and-roll
era, sometimes releasing three albums a year. With classical discs,
comedy discs and just plain weird CDs in his catalog (which has
continued to grow since his 1993 death with numerous archival
releases), finding the best music is daunting. So here are a dozen of
his best numbers, conveniently divided into family-friendly and X-rated
groups:
Zappa for all ages
Inca Roads - This song from 1975's One Size Fits All combines lyrics
about aliens visiting ancient civilizations with some of the most
intricate music Zappa has written. Check out Ruth Underwood's marimba
work. advertisement
Montana - Tina Turner adds background vocals on this absurdist tale of
a dental-floss farmer and his pygmy pony from 1973's Overnite
Sensation.
Peaches en Regalia - A short instrumental from Zappa's 1969 album Hot
Rats, Peaches is arguably his best-known composition.
Let's Make the Water Turn Black - Zappa sings about some strange
friends he had as a boy in the original version on 1968's We're Only in
It for the Money, but the song became a classic as a live instrumental.
Trouble Every Day - Biting social commentary and dirty blues riffage
from the Mothers of Invention's 1966 debut, Freak Out. Trouble Every
Day was rewritten throughout Zappa's career, but none has the power of
the original.
G-Spot Tornado - A frenetic composition from Zappa's 1986 offering Jazz
>From Hell. Originally recorded/programmed on the Synclavier, an
expensive synthesizer popular among techno producers, the piece was
rearranged for chamber ensemble for the last CD released in Zappa's
lifetime, The Yellow Shark.
Zappa for adults only
Bobby Brown Goes Down - The story of a young man's journey of sexual
discovery, this obscene and homophobic ditty from 1979's Sheik Yerbouti
(pronounced "Shake yer Booty") was a hit in Europe.
Punky's Whips - The story of drummer Terry Bozzio's obsession with
Punky Meadows, guitarist from the band Angel. This extended number
served as a springboard for some of Zappa's greatest guitar solos in
the late '70s. A revelatory version of this live fave is included on
Zappa's concert film Baby Snakes.
Don't Eat the Yellow Snow - An Eskimo named Nanook, an evil fur-trapper
and a baby seal join forces for this Zappa comedy classic from 1973's
Apostrophe (').
Do You Like My New Car? - Flo and Eddie may insist they aren't
groupies, but they sure sound like it on this X-rated monologue from
Fillmore East - June 1971.
Honey Don't You Want a Man Like Me - A classic tale of boy meets girl,
boy goes home with girl, girl rejects boy, boy and girl have sex, from
1978's live In New York CD.
Stevie's Spanking - Like Punky's Whips, Stevie's Spanking focuses on
the sexual exploits of one of Zappa's band members, complete with a
knockout guitar solo. This time the focus is on Steve Vai, who also
takes the solo break.
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