Actually, Ian Underwood was among the early Mothers, starting with We're Only in it for the Money, and Ruth (Komanov) Underwood was there shortly thereafter, starting with Uncle Meat. I could not make a top 10 Zappa album list and exclude Uncle Meat, Roxy and Elsewhere, and the beautiful and amazing The Yellow Shark. So on your list, I would use those three to replace Sheik Yerbouti, which I never liked, Joe's Garage, which I thought was just OK, and yes, Freak Out. I realize Freak Out was influential, and groundbreaking, but not something I really like to listen to. As for Sheik Yerbouti and Joe's Garage, I think there are several Zappa records that are better. In addition to the three I mentioned above, there's also Waka/Jawaka, The Man From Utopia, Ruben and the Jets, and Jazz From Hell, all of which I prefer over Frank's Sheik Yerbouti, Joe's Garage period. So I'm 70% in agreement with your FZ top 10. 🙂 The man changed my musical life, starting at about age 15.
@@sarahtonin4649 Yet dig that the gentleman doing these reviews of Zappa has his opinion and appreciation for such a long, and Stella career. It’s a rare treasure that such a gentleman takes on such a mission. I say…. spit on in his review! Zappa is certainly one of the most criminally misunderstood genius composers of human existence. Hats off for your passion and correction where you see fit yet, this analysis is fantastic!
@@sarahtonin4649 nor do I! Everyone has one, usually not so thoughtfully executed though. I appreciate the time and dedication put into these reviews! He has it right in his articulation of the times and body of work! We all have our favorites…… I appreciate watching and listening to someone who knows exactly what he is talking about. A rare occasion these days for all those thousands of reactionary fakes spawning a generic channel without a clue!
I really appreciate your insightful reviews! They've made me go back to the music I listened to back in the day, which is proving to be a very enjoyable experience.
Zappa takes time to sink in ... I bought You Are What You Is on double LP when it was released because I loved the single ... listened to the album but just did not "get it" ... a few years later I made a tape of it for listening to on a car journey ... then I was hooked .. . Joe's Garage and Sheikyerbouti were next .. . then on to Hot Rats and the Apostrophe / Overnight Sensation albums ... I would include Burnt Weeny Sandwich / Zoot Alures ... I also like the Them or Us and Broadway the Hand Way live albums ... I can appreciate the 1960 's material but am less keen on it. I do quite like Jazz from Hell and his classical work is worth checking out ... there are also plenty of "duds" in the catalogue because it is so vast . . . be wary of Uncle Meat / Just Another Band From L.A. ... Thing Fish . .. hiis instrumental guitar albums have spectacular playing but can be way too much so approach these carefully ... but the playing is awesome. So - in summary - an amazing catalogue to check out and once you "get it" you will be hooked ... have a good explore around TH-cam / Qoboz (my preference) / spotify to see what you think ... the recommendations from the video are good suggestions ... Calum - Aberdeen - Scotland . .. P.s. also check out any local Zappa tribute bands in your area . ..
1. Over-nite Sensation 2. Uncle Meat 3. One Size fits All 4. Freak Out 5. Studio Tan 6. Burnt Weeny Sandwich 7. Only in it for the Money 8. Absolutely Free 9. Weasels ripped my Flesh 10. Sheik Yerbouti
This feels weighted with strong consideration to historical importance and fan popularity. I must admit I would be hard pressed to drop any of the Roxy era albums of the list either, those being: Overnight Sensation, Apostrophe and One Size Fits All. They really are a peak of playing and writing. I would have probably only picked one or two of the early original Mothers albums if we're picking purely on the merits. As much as it pains me to do it, I would've dropped Freak Out, despite the historical significance, in favor of say, the brilliance of The Grand Wazoo, or the feedback and continued orchestral experiments of his middle '70's era albums like Zoot Allures, Sleep Dirt, or Orchestral Favorites. I was happy to see You Are What You Is on your list as that is a brilliant and often overlooked album that has always remained in my top three. That album along with Apostrophe and Overnite Sensation I thought struck the perfect tenuous balance of Zappa humour. Broaching provocative subjects without crossing the line into mean spirited bashing or juvenile, ridiculous, rubbish. Both of which I think he went a little too far with (for my taste) from time to time. He also brilliantly balanced the comedic, story telling aspects with unbelievably virtuosic ensemble playing, while wrapping it all up with enough melody and hooks to make these albums popularly accessible. And one other observation: You Are What You Is is the only album on your list that isn't from the '60's or ''70's! I might've arrived at the same place if you disqualified Broadway the Hard Way or The Yellow Shark as live albums. But as albums containing almost all new material, they served the same function as a new studio album. And finally, with Zappa's near obsession with live recording and voluminous output, you should follow this with a top ten Zappa live albums. In fact, you could even pick twenty by doing albums released before his death as well as posthumously! Some of those released posthumously, were even better than those released before. Anyway, another enjoyable video analysis as always. Thanks for your thoughtful insights.
Really enjoyable top ten video. Don't think i would be brave enough to actually do it myself with The Grandmothers massive output. All your choices are cracking!
I bought Weasels Ripped My Flesh right after release in 1970 based on a girlfriend's recommendation that Zappa was really trippy and after the cover caught my eye. She was my first gateway to cool music even though she was into sappy dreck like James Taylor and John Sebastian. Anyway, all my friends and I were convinced Zappa was into weed and psychedelics just like everybody else. Little did we know nothing but heavy use of nicotine and caffeine could lead to such outrageous artistry.
Very surprise that no one lists Weasels Rip My Flesh, and Overnight Sensation simply has his best three songs he ever wrote; Montana, The Slime and Dirty Love.
1. HOT RATS. 2. WAKA JAWAKA. 3. WEASELS RIPPED MY FLESH. 4. JAZZ FROM HELL. 5. FREAK OUT. 6. ABSOLUTELY FREE. 7. WE'RE ONLY IN IT FOR THE MONEY. 8. 200 MOTELS ( soundtrack). 9. RUBEN AND THE JETS. 10. THE GRAND WAZOO.
1) Lather 2) Uncle Meat 3) Grand Wazoo 4) The Yellow Shark 5) Roxy & Elsewhere 6) Make a Jazz Noise Here 7) One Size Fits All 8) Apostrophe 9) Hot Rats 10) Joe's Garage
Perhaps "Lather" would be near the top of this list, if allowed to be released but sadly the 4 last WB Records releases will be underrated as a result of the record company... Studio Tan, Sleep Dirt, Orchestral Favorites and Zappa in NY all suffered from the indignities of WB Records but contain perhaps the pinnacle of Zappa's music...
I’m gonna be the odd one out. I’ve never listened to a Zappa album. I know a couple songs but haven’t taken then time to actually sit and get through one of his albums. So I’ll actually use this list as a starting point to dip my feet in the pool.
I was 14 when I heard Freak Out! and it was love at first listen. I became an instant fan, and he became a major influence on my own music, second only to The Beatles. But there were many of his albums that I thought were better than Freak Out!, and I don't think it would even make my top 10 list. I would also demote Sheik Yerbouti. To me, that album represents a Zappa period where being a "naughty" entertainer seemed more inportant to him than being the brilliant composer that he was. Was not that fond of the Joe's Garage series either, for the same reason. He seemed to be lazily capitalizing on how easy it is to push peoples' sex buttons. With the exception of the brilliant and amazing Yellow Shark, I think his best work was from 1975 back. I'm glad you have One Size Fits All on top. "Inca Roads" alone is worth the price of that great record. But Roxy and Elsewhere would also have to be on my top ten. I was only surprised that you left out the one that I would make #1, or near it. My top 3 would likely be "Uncle Meat," "One Size Fits All," and the original mix of "We're Only in it for the Money" (The remix ruined it, it was like it had been vandalized.) So I mostly agree, but I would definitely replace Sheik Yerbouti and Joe's Garage with Uncle Meat and Roxy and Elsewhere, and find a place for The Yellow Shark, because Zappa was a composer above all else. 🤓
Love it all from the 20th century's best composer, Absolutely Free my fave. Live at the Fillmore one of the best live albums of all time & 200 Motels soundtrack also brilliant. ( See the movie ) Help, I'm a rock
amazing to take on this task, but you handled it very well indeed....just for my own personal listing, two albums that would have to find their way in the top ten are 'zoot allures' and 'sleep dirt'....but that's just me...brilliant my friend...peace...rocky
1. Uncle Meat 2. Hot Rats 3. We're Only in it For the Money/Lumpy Gravy 4. Weasles Ripped My Flesh 5. Grand Wazzo 6. Waka Jawaka 7.Lather 8.200 Motels 9. Ruben & the Jets 10. Overnite Sensation... IMHO, FZ said & did it all before 1980...
We're only in it for the money was the 1st Zappa album I heard in early 70s. Was on LSD at the time when a friend put it on. Was really enjoying it but kept laughing at things I heard. When he makes fun of the hippies really got me.. "I will walk with a psychedelic gleam in my eyes at all times, I will love everyone, I will love the police as they kick the shit out of me on the street". 😆
To hear the late, great George Duke sing, "...deep in the streets she drove a '59 Morgan..." from "Florentine Pogen." O.M.F.G.!!! Hard to quibble with any of your choices or reasons or research, Barry. My list might (would) be slightly different, but our choices -- yours and mine -- are close enough for rock-n-roll. "...she's a Teenage Baby and she turns me on/I'd like to make her do the nasty on the White House lawn..." Sometimes I wonder what I might've been like had I NOT been turned on to FZ in my callow youth...55 years later, it's a moot point!
Reviewers pick (in reverse order): 10. You are what you is; 1981 9. Joe's garage; 1979 8. Absolutely Free; 1967 7. We're only in it for the money; 1968 6. Over-nite Sensation; 1973 5. Apostrophe; 1974 4. Freak Out! 1966 3. Sheikh Yerbouti; 1979 2. Hot Rats; 1969 1. One size fits all; 1975.
I'd have put 'The Grand Wazoo' in there and for me it's pretty close to a number 1, in particular the track 'Eat That Question' is simply an awesome piece of well written music. However having over 120 Zappa albums released pre and post the passing of the great composer it get's harder and harder for me to define rankings so full on respect to you sir for boiling down Zappa's amazing catalogue to this list and obviously a fellow Zappa fan to boot, so well done.
I agree, The Grand Wazoo would've been in my top five. He went with the more popular Hot Rats, which was his only real representation of the early solo period between the original Mothers period and the trifecta of the Roxy era bands studio work: Overnight Sensation, Apostrophe, and One Size Fits All.
And like the previous album Waka Jawaka it was recorded during a difficult time for Zappa; he was recovering from injuries received when he was pushed off stage during a show at The Rainbow Theatre in London. He was in fact confined to a wheelchair and unable to tour for almost a year.
"The Ocean Is The Ultimate Solution" from the "Sleep Dirt" album is my favourite Zappa track. Terry Bozzio, Patrick O Hearn and Zappa. Just 3 musicians on this one. Mind blowing bass and drums and my favourite blistering and soaring Zappa guitar solo.
Once upon a time, must have been late spring '76 or thereabouts, three guys (Terry Bozzio, Dave Parlato and FZ) were jamming for 40 minutes. A bit later in the recording process for Zoot Allures Zappa meets Patrick O'Hearn and has him play a new basspart on a 13 min edit of that jam, replacing Dave Parlato's bass part. Zappa added some more overdubs (including that brilliant solo) and voila: The Ocean Is The Ultimate Solution.
Everyone has their own favorites. My top ten would include Uncle Meat and Grand Wazoo near the top. My only quibble is with the distinction between "live" and "studio" albums, which does not really apply to FZ. FZ did not simply release live versions of fan favorites. Almost all the live albums released in his lifetime (until the YCDTOSA series) were made primarily of previously unreleased compositions, and often were interspersed with studio material and overdubbed in the studio (first half of "Roxy & Elsewhere") . Zappa often spliced live material into "studio" songs (guitar solo on the "studio" version of "Inca Roads") or used live tracks as the basis for "studio" songs (most of "Sheikh Yerbouti" & much of "Joe's Garage). Zappa pointedly did not limit himself to these kinds of categories. But I guess you have to do something to narrow down his huge catalog of albums. Good review as always.
I bought Joe’s Garage when I was in college around 1990, it’s still may favorite to this day. Overnight Sensation and Apostrophe fill out my top 3 Zappa studio albums . I really dig his live albums as well, Live From New York being a particular favorite of mine. His book was also very entertaining. A very interesting and intelligent musician. He left us far too soon.
My top 5 ZAPPA albums are: 1 hot rats 2 overnite sensations 3 sheik yerbouti 4 one size fits all 5 apostrophe(,) Honerable mention.... you are what you is well, that's just me what can I say? Anyway stay safe.
I love Frank's guitar and compositional skills and I also love the obscene lyrics that come out of his filthy mouth . It is just what is needed today to counter the political correctness and the cancel culture movement that's making us all sick .
I gradually got tired of the juvenalia in Zappa albums, and his libertarian isolationism. It's not the humor that lasts so much as the music... you still seem to be fascinated by his politics or 'philosophy.'
My 10 favourite albums (I'm starting from the bottom getting to the top) by Zappa are: 10. Lumpy Gravy (1968) 9. One Size Fits All (1975) 8. The Grand Wazoo (1972) 7. Hot Rats (1968) 6. Weasels Ripped My Flesh (1970) 5. Burnt Weeny Sandwich (1970) 4. Freak Out! (1966) 3. Absolutely Free (1967) 2. We're Only in It for the Money (1968) 1. Uncle Meat (1969)
Zoot Allures would have been one of my top ten. Hot Rats is 1 or 2 as you had it listed. Unlike you the Central Scrutinizer bugs the shit outta me. I enjoy your videos.
I would have moved Overnight Sensation higher on the list but I think I agree with your #1 pick. Inca Roads has one of my fav guitar leads of all time, and it was a live recording! Omg!
A listening at a party in Copenhagen in the early 80'ies, (where a girl unknowingly put on Overnite, assuming it was heavy metal).. was my first listen! I FOUGHT everyone coming close to the turntable.. At the point where I was flipping the disc for the third time, I was overcome, and thrown out from that party.. but still felt it was a win... That was the night I became a fan, and has been ever since!
1. one size fits all.... 2. sheikh yerbouti.... 3. you are what you is.... 4. joe's garage.... 5. overnight sensation.... 6. us and them.... 7. shut up and play yer guitar/ ....some more/son of.... 8. broadway the hard way.... 9. tinseltown rebellion.... 10. zoot allures....
Owning but a mere 103 Frank albums, I'm clearly a lightweight in the Zappaverse. Rather than try and spew out my personal Top 10 - impossible to do since it's so mood-dependent - I shall list what I consider to be the LEAST enjoyable/MOST boring items in Zappa's catalogue: 10. Chicago '78. 09. Them Or Us. 08. London Symphony Orchestra Vols. 1 & 2. 07. Joe's Xmasage. 06. Does Humor Belong In Music? 05. Joe's Domage. 04. You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore Vol. 3. 03. Joe's Camouflage. 02. Francesco. 01. "Congress Shall Make No Law..."
In no particular order: 1 - One Size Fits All 2 - Apostrophe 3 - Hot Rats 4 - Overnite Sensations 5 - The Grand Wazoo 6 - Joe's Garage part 1 7 - Studio Tan 8 - Waka Yawaka 9 - Burnt Weeny Sandwich 10 . Chunga's Revenge
Can't agree with you more about One Size Fits All. A magnificent album! The tracks Inca Roads, Po-Jama People and Andy alone are enough to put it at number one for me. Sorry, but I couldn't leave out the live albums ... they're just too good. My understanding is that he used a lot of taped live bits when he produced and constructed his studio tracks anyway, so his live and studio work is often interchangeable. 10. Zappa in New York 9. Joe's Garage Act I 8. Zoot Allures 7. Sheik Yerbouti 6. Hot Rats 5. Roxy & Elsewhere 4. Over-Nite Sensation 3. Bongo Fury 2. Apostrophe (') 1. One Size Fits All
My 10 would be very different as a teenager, but here it goes, 27 years later: 10. The Yellow Shark 9. Lumpy Gravy 8. Lather (I only know these collection of songs as the Triple CD 1996 Rykodisc release.) 7. Freak Out! 6. Burnt Weenie Sandwich 5. Waka/Jawaka 4. Hot Rats 3. The Grand Wazoo 2. Zoot Allures 1. Cruising With Ruben & the Jets. I have a soft spot for Zappa's doo wop and sarcastically sentimental lyrics. Although there are way better songs on Rhino's Doo Wop Box Set Vol. 1, I can't imagine there being an entire album of doo wop originals better than this. And the songs rerecorded from Freak Out! are better here in my opinion, especially the slower, sultry, lugubrious "You Didn't Try To Call Me."
Every time I go back and try to like Zappa, I'm further convinced that he's just a joke band. And I don't get the joke. Not his fault. Just how it is. Now, gimme Cap'n Bee-fart any day!!!!
The first and second Mothers albums, though interesting, I wouldn't place among the 10 best. Instead i would put Waka Jawaka and Zoot Allures, or some other, I don't know really. It is dificult in general to make a ''best'' list of Frank Zappa's music.
This is the best start to a day that I have had in some time. Thank you for your articulate critiques of the wise and wonderful albums of FZ. So very grateful for the sheer hilarity, scathing satire and musical brilliance of Zappa!
Of course the record label made that image from We're Only In It For the Money be the inner sleeve. Also, The Mothers and the VU were on the same, somewhat cash strapped, label, and there was an actual financial rivalry for resources. On the Canadian version of the album it's both Zappa and the VU who have their music erased.
I'd add, 'the complete Roxy' recordings would now be one of the finest Zappa albums as it's even better than the original offering having EVERYTHING from that great moment.
Haha franks fixation with buggery. People used to find homosexuality to be funny. Sayin that he may be a back door man due to that is kinda like saying people who protest war are actually people who want to go to war.
Zappa has to be not only the first one to use rock and roll as a platform to make satire (at least to the extent he did) but also the most unusual out of the many popular musicians who made social criticism. I don't know if he has ever defined himself ideologically, but based on some interviews, his criticism of conservativism, progressivism, collectivism, organized religion and the overall disdain for the government as an entity, I would say his philosophical views were close to libertarianism or maybe even anarchocapitalism. Not exactly a common ideological approach for a popular artist.
Rat Tomago (marvellous), Rubber Skirt and maybe Yo Mama and The SY Tango aside, I could do without Sheik Yerbouti altogether. For me it exemplifies second-half Zappa at his worst - unlike on JG, the smut is mechanical and uninventive, and the music unarresting. He spent too much of his later years in a muck-metal desert, as though he was writing for Beavis and Butt-Head before they came along ("Hey Beavis, he said Fist Fuck, hurhurhur.") But this is a great list of wonderful records.
My big problem with Zappa is that, on the more "accessible'' records, once you've got the joke, there's not a whole lot there to do but move onto the next joke. That said, there's plenty that isn't such obvious japery: But, here's a little list, bearing in mind I am less of a fan of Zappa's music and more of the possessor of and once frequent to now occasional listener to Zappa's music: WORST EVER HANDS DOWN: Jazz From Hell. One of the worst records ever made by someone who obviously knows how to make a good one. I would rather listen to an hour of Bruce Springsteen than two minutes of this. He won his first grammy for this! 10: Lumpy Gravy. I've got no idea 9: Absolutely Free. In its own way, the album every kid who had either two cassette decks or one of them fancy 4 track recorders tried to make at some point in time. 8. Sleep Dirt: I'm not sure, but some of these songs may be invested with actual, you know, emotions. 7 Guitar. What it says on the tin 6. Waka/Jawaka - The Grand Wazoo It's kinda sorta the same album. Shows the regal impertinence of the man that he can diss Steely Dan and put out these two albums 5. Zappa In New York - which is proof that his music will always be better than his juvenile sense of humour. 4. Shut Up and Play Your Guitar - it's Guitar, but betterer. 3. Bongo Fury. They say people either love or hate this record. I say Cognitive Dissonance is mental multi-tasking. 2. Uncle Meat. A record I genuinely like. I tend to like the bits and pieces albums (Gravy, Free, Meat) because it makes his passive aggressive style work for him not against him. 1. The Yellow Shark. Talk about hiding your light under a bushel. For 27 years.
I wrapped a news paper around my head so I looked like I was deep... Excellent list, it included my top 3 Z albums, Apostrophe, Overnite, & One Size! Pondering the significance of short-person behavior In pedal-depressed panchromatic resonance And other highly ambient domains...
Thank you for your wonderful review and homage to one of most unique, iconiclastic, eccentric and enigmatic figures in pop music. I've been a fan of Frank's since 1970. I have collected 23 of his albums.
Though my list would be different, I agree with many choices and with your #1. “Inca Roads” was simply mind boggling to any musician that heard it. It’s difficult now to understand how far ahead of its time it was. Interestingly, the guitar solo was a live recording of a different song, spliced in. After moving to LA some 36 years ago one revelation was how many more of Zappa’s references made sense. "Camarillo Brillo" is goofing on people mispronouncing Spanish city names ("Cam-ah-ree-o"). Anyhow, great job, and I’m glad that for once you couldn't sneak in a “Topographic Oceans” reference... 😉
1. Hot rats (top 10 albums of all time easily) 2. One size fits all 3. Joe's garage 4. Overnite sensation 5. Apostrophe 6. The grand wazoo 7. Sheik Yerbouti 8. Waka Jawaka 9. You are what you is 10. The man from utopia
Love your reviews. Great choices, only you missed two of my favorite tracks: “The Torture Never Stops” and “Valley Girl”. But there are so many things happening on every one of his albums. You are in for a ride every time. Mos def not easy listening.
I’ve not been a Zappa fan until recent years. He’s a fascinating composer and musician, much too complex and rich with social commentary back in the day for me. Now with more time and patience, and releases from his vault, I am diving into his work. Thanks for your knowledge and take on his music.
You can't argue with anyone's top 10 Zappa albums. I'll be returning to this to listen more fully when I'm not distracted. While the order of the albums you mention would change for me (or anyone I imagine), the additions I'd include are Reuben and the Jets (which I always enjoy) and Burnt Weenie Sandwich for the violin solo by Sugar Cane Harris. And Grand Wazoo for its jazz fusions second only to Hot Rats.
I'm new to buying Frank Zappa although heard his albums as far back as the 1980s. I have all you mention bar the first two Mothers albums and You Are What You Is. But I have Uncle Meat, Chunga's Revenge, Waka Jawaka, The Grand Wazoo and Zoot Allures. I suppose Apostrophe, Sheik Yerbouti and Joe's Garage take some beating but Uncle Meat and The Grand Wazoo are popular with me at the moment.
A very underrated album I think more so than many of his others. Uncle Meat should be notably for King Kong. An epic track which was a staple of many of his live concerts and every version of it was different.
![ได้เวลา! พาน้องแฝดฉีดวัคซีนครบ 1 เดือน🫣 [cc] แดนแพทตี้ SS2 | EP.52 |](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IzeLtaXBLNE/mqdefault.jpg)
You do the best album analysis that I have ever seen. Fantastic presentation and a great deal of thought.
Actually, Ian Underwood was among the early Mothers, starting with We're Only in it for the Money, and Ruth (Komanov) Underwood was there shortly thereafter, starting with Uncle Meat.
I could not make a top 10 Zappa album list and exclude Uncle Meat, Roxy and Elsewhere, and the beautiful and amazing The Yellow Shark. So on your list, I would use those three to replace Sheik Yerbouti, which I never liked, Joe's Garage, which I thought was just OK, and yes, Freak Out. I realize Freak Out was influential, and groundbreaking, but not something I really like to listen to. As for Sheik Yerbouti and Joe's Garage, I think there are several Zappa records that are better. In addition to the three I mentioned above, there's also Waka/Jawaka, The Man From Utopia, Ruben and the Jets, and Jazz From Hell, all of which I prefer over Frank's Sheik Yerbouti, Joe's Garage period. So I'm 70% in agreement with your FZ top 10. 🙂 The man changed my musical life, starting at about age 15.
@@sarahtonin4649 Yet dig that the gentleman doing these reviews of Zappa has his opinion and appreciation for such a long, and Stella career. It’s a rare treasure that such a gentleman takes on such a mission. I say…. spit on in his review! Zappa is certainly one of the most criminally misunderstood genius composers of human existence. Hats off for your passion and correction where you see fit yet, this analysis is fantastic!
@@mvm5375 Yes, that was in no way a criticism of his top 10. It's all opinion, isn't it? He asked for ours,
and I have no shortage of opinions. 🤓
@@sarahtonin4649 nor do I! Everyone has one, usually not so thoughtfully executed though. I appreciate the time and dedication put into these reviews! He has it right in his articulation of the times and body of work! We all have our favorites…… I appreciate watching and listening to someone who knows exactly what he is talking about. A rare occasion these days for all those thousands of reactionary fakes spawning a generic channel without a clue!
I totally agree. It's a brilliant review channel.
Great List, I just wanna say Chunga's Revenge will always be my favorite FZ album.
Hot Rats is simply sublime. In my view, not only Zappa's best album but one of the best ever recorded. Now THAT's saying something!!!😆
I really appreciate your insightful reviews! They've made me go back to the music I listened to back in the day, which is proving to be a very enjoyable experience.
Can't say I've ever listened to a Frank Zappa album. I will be now! So much music, so little time...
Zappa takes time to sink in ... I bought You Are What You Is on double LP when it was released because I loved the single ... listened to the album but just did not "get it" ... a few years later I made a tape of it for listening to on a car journey ... then I was hooked .. . Joe's Garage and Sheikyerbouti were next .. . then on to Hot Rats and the Apostrophe / Overnight Sensation albums ... I would include Burnt Weeny Sandwich / Zoot Alures ... I also like the Them or Us and Broadway the Hand Way live albums ... I can appreciate the 1960 's material but am less keen on it. I do quite like Jazz from Hell and his classical work is worth checking out ... there are also plenty of "duds" in the catalogue because it is so vast . . . be wary of Uncle Meat / Just Another Band From L.A. ... Thing Fish . .. hiis instrumental guitar albums have spectacular playing but can be way too much so approach these carefully ... but the playing is awesome. So - in summary - an amazing catalogue to check out and once you "get it" you will be hooked ... have a good explore around TH-cam / Qoboz (my preference) / spotify to see what you think ... the recommendations from the video are good suggestions ... Calum - Aberdeen - Scotland . .. P.s. also check out any local Zappa tribute bands in your area . ..
Lucky you ! Barry's list is a great starter for ten.
I think you got the rankings listed pretty well. I was so glad you chose "One Size Fits All" as number one. It's my favorite.
One Size Fits All is my favourite Zappa album too !
1. Over-nite Sensation 2. Uncle Meat 3. One Size fits All 4. Freak Out 5. Studio Tan 6. Burnt Weeny Sandwich 7. Only in it for the Money 8. Absolutely Free 9. Weasels ripped my Flesh 10. Sheik Yerbouti
Always dug Zoot Allures. The Torture Never Stops was probably my favorite Zappa song.
Agreed.
Has there ever been a Zappa fan, who is not well spoken? Great video my friend.
This feels weighted with strong consideration to historical importance and fan popularity. I must admit I would be hard pressed to drop any of the Roxy era albums of the list either, those being: Overnight Sensation, Apostrophe and One Size Fits All. They really are a peak of playing and writing. I would have probably only picked one or two of the early original Mothers albums if we're picking purely on the merits. As much as it pains me to do it, I would've dropped Freak Out, despite the historical significance, in favor of say, the brilliance of The Grand Wazoo, or the feedback and continued orchestral experiments of his middle '70's era albums like Zoot Allures, Sleep Dirt, or Orchestral Favorites. I was happy to see You Are What You Is on your list as that is a brilliant and often overlooked album that has always remained in my top three.
That album along with Apostrophe and Overnite Sensation I thought struck the perfect tenuous balance of Zappa humour. Broaching provocative subjects without crossing the line into mean spirited bashing or juvenile, ridiculous, rubbish. Both of which I think he went a little too far with (for my taste) from time to time. He also brilliantly balanced the comedic, story telling aspects with unbelievably virtuosic ensemble playing, while wrapping it all up with enough melody and hooks to make these albums popularly accessible.
And one other observation: You Are What You Is is the only album on your list that isn't from the '60's or ''70's! I might've arrived at the same place if you disqualified Broadway the Hard Way or The Yellow Shark as live albums. But as albums containing almost all new material, they served the same function as a new studio album.
And finally, with Zappa's near obsession with live recording and voluminous output, you should follow this with a top ten Zappa live albums. In fact, you could even pick twenty by doing albums released before his death as well as posthumously! Some of those released posthumously, were even better than those released before.
Anyway, another enjoyable video analysis as always. Thanks for your thoughtful insights.
Yep. I’m just gonna go ahead and getting “liking” this video out of the way so I can focus on drinking coffee and savoring all 26 minutes of this.
Thank you - I hope it doesn't disappoint
Really enjoyable top ten video. Don't think i would be brave enough to actually do it myself with The Grandmothers massive output. All your choices are cracking!
I bought Weasels Ripped My Flesh right after release in 1970 based on a girlfriend's recommendation that Zappa was really trippy and after the cover caught my eye. She was my first gateway to cool music even though she was into sappy dreck like James Taylor and John Sebastian. Anyway, all my friends and I were convinced Zappa was into weed and psychedelics just like everybody else. Little did we know nothing but heavy use of nicotine and caffeine could lead to such outrageous artistry.
Very surprise that no one lists Weasels Rip My Flesh, and Overnight Sensation simply has his best three songs he ever wrote; Montana, The Slime and Dirty Love.
Overnight sensation is on the list
1. HOT RATS. 2. WAKA JAWAKA. 3. WEASELS RIPPED MY FLESH. 4. JAZZ FROM HELL. 5. FREAK OUT. 6. ABSOLUTELY FREE. 7. WE'RE ONLY IN IT FOR THE MONEY. 8. 200 MOTELS ( soundtrack). 9. RUBEN AND THE JETS. 10. THE GRAND WAZOO.
1) Lather
2) Uncle Meat
3) Grand Wazoo
4) The Yellow Shark
5) Roxy & Elsewhere
6) Make a Jazz Noise Here
7) One Size Fits All
8) Apostrophe
9) Hot Rats
10) Joe's Garage
Perhaps "Lather" would be near the top of this list, if allowed to be released but sadly the 4 last WB Records releases will be underrated as a result of the record company... Studio Tan, Sleep Dirt, Orchestral Favorites and Zappa in NY all suffered from the indignities of WB Records but contain perhaps the pinnacle of Zappa's music...
I fully agree with you. And Gregary Peccary is imho the pinnacle of his whole output.
@@PeffDada Zappa loved that piece himself...
Just downloaded Erie,a live performance from 74 Frank absolutely smoking on his SG
I’m gonna be the odd one out. I’ve never listened to a Zappa album. I know a couple songs but haven’t taken then time to actually sit and get through one of his albums. So I’ll actually use this list as a starting point to dip my feet in the pool.
Every journey and a single step... enjoy
I was 14 when I heard Freak Out! and it was love at first listen. I became an instant fan, and he became a major influence on my own music, second only to The Beatles. But there were many of his albums that I thought were better than Freak Out!, and I don't think it would even make my top 10 list. I would also demote Sheik Yerbouti. To me, that album represents a Zappa period where being a "naughty" entertainer seemed more inportant to him than being the brilliant composer that he was. Was not that fond of the Joe's Garage series either, for the same reason. He seemed to be lazily capitalizing on how easy it is to push peoples' sex buttons. With the exception of the brilliant and amazing Yellow Shark, I think his best work was from 1975 back. I'm glad you have One Size Fits All on top. "Inca Roads" alone is worth the price of that great record. But Roxy and Elsewhere would also have to be on my top ten. I was only surprised that you left out the one that I would make #1, or near it. My top 3 would likely be "Uncle Meat," "One Size Fits All," and the original mix of "We're Only in it for the Money" (The remix ruined it, it was like it had been vandalized.)
So I mostly agree, but I would definitely replace Sheik Yerbouti and Joe's Garage with Uncle Meat and Roxy and Elsewhere, and find a place for The Yellow Shark, because Zappa was a composer above all else. 🤓
Love it all from the 20th century's best composer, Absolutely Free my fave. Live at the Fillmore one of the best live albums of all time & 200 Motels soundtrack also brilliant. ( See the movie )
Help, I'm a rock
amazing to take on this task, but you handled it very well indeed....just for my own personal listing, two albums that would have to find their way in the top ten are 'zoot allures' and 'sleep dirt'....but that's just me...brilliant my friend...peace...rocky
1. Uncle Meat 2. Hot Rats 3. We're Only in it For the Money/Lumpy Gravy 4. Weasles Ripped My Flesh 5. Grand Wazzo 6. Waka Jawaka 7.Lather 8.200 Motels 9. Ruben & the Jets 10. Overnite Sensation... IMHO, FZ said & did it all before 1980...
We're only in it for the money was the 1st Zappa album I heard in early 70s. Was on LSD at the time when a friend put it on. Was really enjoying it but kept laughing at things I heard. When he makes fun of the hippies really got me.. "I will walk with a psychedelic gleam in my eyes at all times, I will love everyone, I will love the police as they kick the shit out of me on the street". 😆
To hear the late, great George Duke sing, "...deep in the streets she drove a '59 Morgan..." from "Florentine Pogen." O.M.F.G.!!! Hard to quibble with any of your choices or reasons or research, Barry. My list might (would) be slightly different, but our choices -- yours and mine -- are close enough for rock-n-roll. "...she's a Teenage Baby and she turns me on/I'd like to make her do the nasty on the White House lawn..." Sometimes I wonder what I might've been like had I NOT been turned on to FZ in my callow youth...55 years later, it's a moot point!
I believe it was Napoleon Murphy Brock who sang "deep in the street she drove a 59 Morgan"
You may well be correct, Mr. Fingers.
Zoot Allures is a great album
Hellyeah
I also rank King Kong by Jean Luc Ponty as truly a Zappa album. Excellent instrumentals of FZ songs (bar one but he did produce that one)
My absolute favourite zappa album at number 1.
I was hoping top 3, hut to see OSFA at number 1 is fantastic
I love your list your number one is mine, but I would left absolute free out and put in burnt weeny snadwich
studio tan should have gotten in there, imo
We should be talking about how "Lather" is in the top 3...
sheik yerbouti is a live album - isnt it?
I lot of Zappa's stuff is a hybrid of live a studio stuff
No Uncle Meat? Say it ain't so.
Reviewers pick (in reverse order):
10. You are what you is; 1981
9. Joe's garage; 1979
8. Absolutely Free; 1967
7. We're only in it for the money; 1968
6. Over-nite Sensation; 1973
5. Apostrophe; 1974
4. Freak Out! 1966
3. Sheikh Yerbouti; 1979
2. Hot Rats; 1969
1. One size fits all; 1975.
My first Zappa record was Freak Out. I still have it today! I'm a lifelong fan.
I'd have put 'The Grand Wazoo' in there and for me it's pretty close to a number 1, in particular the track 'Eat That Question' is simply an awesome piece of well written music. However having over 120 Zappa albums released pre and post the passing of the great composer it get's harder and harder for me to define rankings so full on respect to you sir for boiling down Zappa's amazing catalogue to this list and obviously a fellow Zappa fan to boot, so well done.
Yes. Blessed Relief.
I agree, The Grand Wazoo would've been in my top five. He went with the more popular Hot Rats, which was his only real representation of the early solo period between the original Mothers period and the trifecta of the Roxy era bands studio work: Overnight Sensation, Apostrophe, and One Size Fits All.
And like the previous album Waka Jawaka it was recorded during a difficult time for Zappa; he was recovering from injuries received when he was pushed off stage during a show at The Rainbow Theatre in London. He was in fact confined to a wheelchair and unable to tour for almost a year.
Yes, the Grand Wazoo, Waka Jawaka, Uncle Meat, Sleep Dirt and Burnt Weeny Sandwich.
@@danu6718Don’t forget weasels 😈
"The Ocean Is The Ultimate Solution" from the "Sleep Dirt" album is my favourite Zappa track.
Terry Bozzio, Patrick O Hearn and Zappa. Just 3 musicians on this one. Mind blowing bass and drums and my favourite blistering and soaring Zappa guitar solo.
The best guitar solo of all time. Starts exactly halfway through.
Amazing underrated Zappa song!
Once upon a time, must have been late spring '76 or thereabouts, three guys (Terry Bozzio, Dave Parlato and FZ) were jamming for 40 minutes.
A bit later in the recording process for Zoot Allures Zappa meets Patrick O'Hearn and has him play a new basspart on a 13 min edit of that jam, replacing Dave Parlato's bass part.
Zappa added some more overdubs (including that brilliant solo) and voila: The Ocean Is The Ultimate Solution.
Everyone has their own favorites. My top ten would include Uncle Meat and Grand Wazoo near the top. My only quibble is with the distinction between "live" and "studio" albums, which does not really apply to FZ. FZ did not simply release live versions of fan favorites. Almost all the live albums released in his lifetime (until the YCDTOSA series) were made primarily of previously unreleased compositions, and often were interspersed with studio material and overdubbed in the studio (first half of "Roxy & Elsewhere") . Zappa often spliced live material into "studio" songs (guitar solo on the "studio" version of "Inca Roads") or used live tracks as the basis for "studio" songs (most of "Sheikh Yerbouti" & much of "Joe's Garage). Zappa pointedly did not limit himself to these kinds of categories. But I guess you have to do something to narrow down his huge catalog of albums. Good review as always.
And I love that he puts One size fits All at #1. That's hard to argue, definitely a underrated LP. He has the balls to put it out there. Well done!
But it just might be a one shot deeeeeeal!😊
Sheik Yerbouti is such a great album.
It's the Utility Muffin Research Kitchen (not Center).
I bought Joe’s Garage when I was in college around 1990, it’s still may favorite to this day. Overnight Sensation and Apostrophe fill out my top 3 Zappa studio albums . I really dig his live albums as well, Live From New York being a particular favorite of mine. His book was also very entertaining. A very interesting and intelligent musician. He left us far too soon.
My top 5 ZAPPA albums are:
1 hot rats
2 overnite sensations
3 sheik yerbouti
4 one size fits all
5 apostrophe(,)
Honerable mention.... you are what you is well, that's just me what can I say? Anyway stay safe.
Strongly agree with your choice of number 1. "One Size Fits All" stands out from the rest of the catalogue.
I agree. I could easily make 10 top 10 lists, and , “One Size…” would always be number 1. Magical.
Now is that a real pancho or is that a Sears pancho?
Wanda!
Love the list!One size fits all is my favorite too!The guitar solo on Inca Roads is the absolute best!!
It's the "Utility Muffin Research KITCHEN" not center.
I know
I love Frank's guitar and compositional skills and I also love the obscene lyrics that come out of his filthy mouth . It is just what is needed today to counter the political correctness and the cancel culture movement that's making us all sick .
I gradually got tired of the juvenalia in Zappa albums, and his libertarian isolationism. It's not the humor that lasts so much as the music... you still seem to be fascinated by his politics or 'philosophy.'
I love early Zappa. Anything after 1974 I think is a bit patchy. His sixties albums I think are perfect.
One size fits all is a perfect album
@@andrewdyke5561 It sure is, Andrew. Lovely record, and not a note of filler.
Absolutely Free is definitely better than Freak Out in my opinion. Both good though.
My 10 favourite albums (I'm starting from the bottom getting to the top) by Zappa are:
10. Lumpy Gravy (1968)
9. One Size Fits All (1975)
8. The Grand Wazoo (1972)
7. Hot Rats (1968)
6. Weasels Ripped My Flesh (1970)
5. Burnt Weeny Sandwich (1970)
4. Freak Out! (1966)
3. Absolutely Free (1967)
2. We're Only in It for the Money (1968)
1. Uncle Meat (1969)
I probably listen to Gumbo Variations more than any other song
Zoot Allures would have been one of my top ten. Hot Rats is 1 or 2 as you had it listed. Unlike you the Central Scrutinizer bugs the shit outta me. I enjoy your videos.
Ruth and Ian were both on Uncle Meat just not yet married.
I would have moved Overnight Sensation higher on the list but I think I agree with your #1 pick. Inca Roads has one of my fav guitar leads of all time, and it was a live recording! Omg!
Agree 100%... That solo was however edited, but to perfection..
A listening at a party in Copenhagen in the early 80'ies, (where a girl unknowingly put on Overnite, assuming it was heavy metal).. was my first listen! I FOUGHT everyone coming close to the turntable.. At the point where I was flipping the disc for the third time, I was overcome, and thrown out from that party.. but still felt it was a win... That was the night I became a fan, and has been ever since!
'Joe's Garage' also contains one of Zappa's typical musical jokes /tours de force. Look out for it, all through the album.
1. one size fits all....
2. sheikh yerbouti....
3. you are what you is....
4. joe's garage....
5. overnight sensation....
6. us and them....
7. shut up and play yer guitar/
....some more/son of....
8. broadway the hard way....
9. tinseltown rebellion....
10. zoot allures....
I love Joes Garage especially the first one. I might go for Hot Rats as my favourite but I dont know them all, not even close
No Uncle Meat, No Lumpy Gravy, No Burnt Weeny, No Weasels, I’m sure you can guess my favourite Frank era.
Owning but a mere 103 Frank albums, I'm clearly a lightweight in the Zappaverse. Rather than try and spew out my personal Top 10 - impossible to do since it's so mood-dependent - I shall list what I consider to be the LEAST enjoyable/MOST boring items in Zappa's catalogue:
10. Chicago '78.
09. Them Or Us.
08. London Symphony Orchestra Vols. 1 & 2.
07. Joe's Xmasage.
06. Does Humor Belong In Music?
05. Joe's Domage.
04. You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore Vol. 3.
03. Joe's Camouflage.
02. Francesco.
01. "Congress Shall Make No Law..."
One size fits all, is my fav, followed by Hot rats, Joes garage, and Overnight sensation.
In no particular order:
1 - One Size Fits All
2 - Apostrophe
3 - Hot Rats
4 - Overnite Sensations
5 - The Grand Wazoo
6 - Joe's Garage part 1
7 - Studio Tan
8 - Waka Yawaka
9 - Burnt Weeny Sandwich
10 . Chunga's Revenge
Can't agree with you more about One Size Fits All. A magnificent album! The tracks Inca Roads, Po-Jama People and Andy alone are enough to put it at number one for me.
Sorry, but I couldn't leave out the live albums ... they're just too good. My understanding is that he used a lot of taped live bits when he produced and constructed his studio tracks anyway, so his live and studio work is often interchangeable.
10. Zappa in New York
9. Joe's Garage Act I
8. Zoot Allures
7. Sheik Yerbouti
6. Hot Rats
5. Roxy & Elsewhere
4. Over-Nite Sensation
3. Bongo Fury
2. Apostrophe (')
1. One Size Fits All
My 10 would be very different as a teenager, but here it goes, 27 years later: 10. The Yellow Shark 9. Lumpy Gravy 8. Lather (I only know these collection of songs as the Triple CD 1996 Rykodisc release.) 7. Freak Out! 6. Burnt Weenie Sandwich 5. Waka/Jawaka 4. Hot Rats 3. The Grand Wazoo 2. Zoot Allures 1. Cruising With Ruben & the Jets.
I have a soft spot for Zappa's doo wop and sarcastically sentimental lyrics. Although there are way better songs on Rhino's Doo Wop Box Set Vol. 1, I can't imagine there being an entire album of doo wop originals better than this. And the songs rerecorded from Freak Out! are better here in my opinion, especially the slower, sultry, lugubrious "You Didn't Try To Call Me."
Hot Rats at number 2, I can live with at least. Grand Wazoo, Sleep Dirt, and Wakka Jawakka all deserve similarly high positions. ;)
As always, very nicely done. We wore the grooves off those early Zappa/Mothers records at university. I'd have to say WOIIFTM. is my #1.
Every time I go back and try to like Zappa, I'm further convinced that he's just a joke band. And I don't get the joke.
Not his fault. Just how it is.
Now, gimme Cap'n Bee-fart any day!!!!
Gumbo Variations is easily one of the best instrumentals Zappa ever did. Really contributes heavily in making Hot Rats a great piece.
The first and second Mothers albums, though interesting, I wouldn't place among the 10 best. Instead i would put Waka Jawaka and Zoot Allures, or some other, I don't know really. It is dificult in general to make a ''best'' list of Frank Zappa's music.
This is the best start to a day that I have had in some time.
Thank you for your articulate critiques of the wise and wonderful albums of FZ.
So very grateful for the sheer hilarity, scathing satire and musical brilliance of Zappa!
Of course the record label made that image from We're Only In It For the Money be the inner sleeve. Also, The Mothers and the VU were on the same, somewhat cash strapped, label, and there was an actual financial rivalry for resources. On the Canadian version of the album it's both Zappa and the VU who have their music erased.
I'd add, 'the complete Roxy' recordings would now be one of the finest Zappa albums as it's even better than the original offering having EVERYTHING from that great moment.
Good list for a rock fan I guess but most of those albums don't really represent his best music
I'm 48 yp and my first listen when i was twenty ; since i've bought all those ten albumus but my fav is "200 Motels"
I guess nobody likes Man From Utopia as much as I do...
yes....I do....I play it a lot....
and drowning witch....
they're both a little bit different to the others....
It’s a great album, i love it too!
I just looked at Wikipedia and it says he did 62 albums! And another 62 albums released posthumously. I had no idea.
Roxy and Elsewhere, you mean. Also, Ben Watson, not Brian. Great job.
Haha franks fixation with buggery. People used to find homosexuality to be funny. Sayin that he may be a back door man due to that is kinda like saying people who protest war are actually people who want to go to war.
I think you'll find that Ian & Ruth Underwood were there already for Uncle Meat in 1969.
Of course this is subjective.
Thanks for your review. Has some of my favorite albums included. Zappa was a musical genius and an equal opportunity offender
Where is burnt Weeny? Great video and analysis though, I enjoyed it very much
I’ve been listening to Absolutely Free a lot recently.
I didn’t really get it earlier at all.
Anything ‘66 to ‘75 will do me
Zappa has to be not only the first one to use rock and roll as a platform to make satire (at least to the extent he did) but also the most unusual out of the many popular musicians who made social criticism. I don't know if he has ever defined himself ideologically, but based on some interviews, his criticism of conservativism, progressivism, collectivism, organized religion and the overall disdain for the government as an entity, I would say his philosophical views were close to libertarianism or maybe even anarchocapitalism. Not exactly a common ideological approach for a popular artist.
Rat Tomago (marvellous), Rubber Skirt and maybe Yo Mama and The SY Tango aside, I could do without Sheik Yerbouti altogether. For me it exemplifies second-half Zappa at his worst - unlike on JG, the smut is mechanical and uninventive, and the music unarresting. He spent too much of his later years in a muck-metal desert, as though he was writing for Beavis and Butt-Head before they came along ("Hey Beavis, he said Fist Fuck, hurhurhur.")
But this is a great list of wonderful records.
If I want to get into an artist that I’m not familiar with, I see if you’ve done a video (like this) and then go from there. Many thanks
My big problem with Zappa is that, on the more "accessible'' records, once you've got the joke, there's not a whole lot there to do but move onto the next joke. That said, there's plenty that isn't such obvious japery:
But, here's a little list, bearing in mind I am less of a fan of Zappa's music and more of the possessor of and once frequent to now occasional listener to Zappa's music:
WORST EVER HANDS DOWN: Jazz From Hell. One of the worst records ever made by someone who obviously knows how to make a good one. I would rather listen to an hour of Bruce Springsteen than two minutes of this. He won his first grammy for this!
10: Lumpy Gravy. I've got no idea
9: Absolutely Free. In its own way, the album every kid who had either two cassette decks or one of them fancy 4 track recorders tried to make at some point in time.
8. Sleep Dirt: I'm not sure, but some of these songs may be invested with actual, you know, emotions.
7 Guitar. What it says on the tin
6. Waka/Jawaka - The Grand Wazoo It's kinda sorta the same album. Shows the regal impertinence of the man that he can diss Steely Dan and put out these two albums
5. Zappa In New York - which is proof that his music will always be better than his juvenile sense of humour.
4. Shut Up and Play Your Guitar - it's Guitar, but betterer.
3. Bongo Fury. They say people either love or hate this record. I say Cognitive Dissonance is mental multi-tasking.
2. Uncle Meat. A record I genuinely like. I tend to like the bits and pieces albums (Gravy, Free, Meat) because it makes his passive aggressive style work for him not against him.
1. The Yellow Shark. Talk about hiding your light under a bushel. For 27 years.
The Yellow Shark is wonderful.
Nice sellection
I wrapped a news paper around my head so I looked like I was deep...
Excellent list, it included my top 3 Z albums, Apostrophe, Overnite, & One Size!
Pondering the significance of short-person behavior In pedal-depressed panchromatic resonance And other highly ambient domains...
Heya mate, loved the video! Chose some killer albums there, I'd add WakaJawaka, Grand Wazoo and Sleep Dirt for sure
Thank you for your wonderful review and homage to one of most unique, iconiclastic, eccentric and enigmatic figures in pop music. I've been a fan of Frank's since 1970. I have collected 23 of his albums.
Though my list would be different, I agree with many choices and with your #1. “Inca Roads” was simply mind boggling to any musician that heard it. It’s difficult now to understand how far ahead of its time it was. Interestingly, the guitar solo was a live recording of a different song, spliced in. After moving to LA some 36 years ago one revelation was how many more of Zappa’s references made sense. "Camarillo Brillo" is goofing on people mispronouncing Spanish city names ("Cam-ah-ree-o"). Anyhow, great job, and I’m glad that for once you couldn't sneak in a “Topographic Oceans” reference... 😉
Nothing here retracts from the impression of Zappa as a sleazy misanthrope.
1. Hot rats (top 10 albums of all time easily)
2. One size fits all
3. Joe's garage
4. Overnite sensation
5. Apostrophe
6. The grand wazoo
7. Sheik Yerbouti
8. Waka Jawaka
9. You are what you is
10. The man from utopia
Love your reviews. Great choices, only you missed two of my favorite tracks: “The Torture Never Stops” and “Valley Girl”. But there are so many things happening on every one of his albums. You are in for a ride every time. Mos def not easy listening.
I’ve not been a Zappa fan until recent years. He’s a fascinating composer and musician, much too complex and rich with social commentary back in the day for me. Now with more time and patience, and releases from his vault, I am diving into his work. Thanks for your knowledge and take on his music.
You can't argue with anyone's top 10 Zappa albums. I'll be returning to this to listen more fully when I'm not distracted. While the order of the albums you mention would change for me (or anyone I imagine), the additions I'd include are Reuben and the Jets (which I always enjoy) and Burnt Weenie Sandwich for the violin solo by Sugar Cane Harris. And Grand Wazoo for its jazz fusions second only to Hot Rats.
If you really want a challenging listen, check out Weasels Ripped My Flesh. Very avant-guard but it became my favorite of his over time
I can't disagree with the choices and everyone will have an album that was missed. Mine is Live at the Fillmore East 1971.
I'm new to buying Frank Zappa although heard his albums as far back as the 1980s. I have all you mention bar the first two Mothers albums and You Are What You Is. But I have Uncle Meat, Chunga's Revenge, Waka Jawaka, The Grand Wazoo and Zoot Allures. I suppose Apostrophe, Sheik Yerbouti and Joe's Garage take some beating but Uncle Meat and The Grand Wazoo are popular with me at the moment.
"One Size Fits All" is his best album....a beautifully performed, sonically rich and well composed album...
"Uncle Meat" needs a mention.
A very underrated album I think more so than many of his others. Uncle Meat should be notably for King Kong. An epic track which was a staple of many of his live concerts and every version of it was different.