The song is a statement that we were moving to slow in this country with respect to racism. The jockeys were racist displays, prominently displayed in wealthy communities. I remember many of them back in the 70's. He references how hoses were used on protesters. He is singing from the perspective of a black person.
Never heard this version. Pleasantly surprised! Seemed very close to the more prominently promoted studio version yet containing some additional seasoning. Damn, George does go off!
The lyrics are a response to the Watts Riots in LA. - protesters getting sprayed with firehoses by the police. Growing out one's Afro was a sign of growing black pride. And as mentioned below, the little jockeys were generally racist stereotypical images that people would keep on their lawns. The 21 Club here in NYC used to have a row of them proudly displayed, although they were repaints to be less racist. Interestingly, lawn jockeys also played a role during the Underground Railroad guiding escaped slaves along the way - but this probably doesn't play into this song. Uncle Remus was a black character who sold sentimental stories about slaves during slavery - they painted an image that made slavery seem almost palatable. Uncle Remus is generally disliked in the black community as an apologist for slavery. He was the storyteller in Disney's embarrassing "Song of the South."
George Duke wrote the music and Zappa wrote the words, obviously Zappa is not black but he was singing in character here, the person singing those words is meant to be an African-American. This is a mix out-take, the version that was released in 1974 is from this take but a much better mix and edited down (the piano solo section is the middle is edited out).
Hi john, how are you doing? I am well, saw your reaction vid to Uncle Remus, that is a must watch, non-negotiable, short song but surprisingly powerful for such a quick jaunt into such a sad theme, and he still manages to leave us with a smile
Still lots of lawn jockeys out in the Maryland countryside. Alot have been white faced painted over but there are a few of the hard-core old boys that are still living in the 1800's. Always laugh and think of this song which Frank cowrote with George Duke when I see one.
For more context, the song's title references Joel Chandler Harris' series of books called "Uncle Remus", a kind of trickster character based on stories he gathered from former slaves during Reconstruction. These are complex stories written by an even more complicated man. He was the very progressive editor of the Atlanta Constitution for decades and frequently fought for black American's rights. But the stories are stereotypical, condescending and paternalistic and some of it is hard to read. So, like some have said, Frank updated it to refer to a lack of movement and critiqued the continued race problems, like the Watts riots. Interestingly, Disney did a movie, "Song of the South" 1945, featuring Uncle Remus which made another theatrical run in the early 70s. I saw it in1973 as a kid and it was weird, racist - but very well done technically. Frank may have come across an ad for it or even seen it. This is way too long. Fun reaction - again!
You don't know who Uncle Remus is hey ????....lmao.....Uncle Remus is Black and is a character in the disney movie ''SONG OF THE SOUTH'' 1946....it's kind of a racist movie, but was very realistic for 1946 in the south UNITED STATES !!....Sounds like Frank made Uncle Remus as a big fro dude who knocked over those black man jockeys with a ring in one hand that were on the rich peoples front lawns back in the day !!!!!....I saw those jockeys even in the 70's and part of the 80's !!!...Sometimes listening to Frank is a history lesson....the music was, most partially written by George Duke ....the amazing piano player !!!!....You should listen to every song on this album...''Apostrophe' '', is an amazing album....So is ''Overnight Sensation ''.....Trust me...those 2 albums floored me at 14 years old !!!
me too. late 70's and hearing Apostrophe (') and Overnite Sensation was life changing. So was Sheik Yerbouti the solo on Yo Mama is my favorite guitar solo by Frank.
Frank wanted to give Tina and other Ikettes credit on the album Apostrophe (') and Overnite Sensation but Ike Turner wouldn't allow it because he didn't want their name on Franks music because I thought his music was trash. Also, Frank said in his Real Frank Zappa Book that Tina Turner was extremely kind and easy to work with. That is the first time I've heard that version with the additional backing vocals.
Zappa guy since '73. With all due respect, if you're doing this with a few buddies cool, but it needs to be absorbed. I can't help but think your analysis is probably more subjective because you're on T.V.
@@try2enjoythedaylight785 I know what you’re saying, but this IS the actual song nonetheless, just less edited and a little less fine tuned (not remixed) than the Apostrophe version ;)
Kind of pitiful that you didnt recognize the gospel influences in the musical structure of this song, which go along with the subject matter of the lyrics.
The song is a statement that we were moving to slow in this country with respect to racism. The jockeys were racist displays, prominently displayed in wealthy communities. I remember many of them back in the 70's. He references how hoses were used on protesters. He is singing from the perspective of a black person.
I remember Gail explaining the Jockey thing to me...
Never heard this version. Pleasantly surprised!
Seemed very close to the more prominently promoted studio version yet containing some additional seasoning.
Damn, George does go off!
It’s the same exact recording, just edited on Apostrophe. This was released in 2016.
Brings back drunken happy times in 70s in far north Scotland! Zappa R I P
The lyrics are a response to the Watts Riots in LA. - protesters getting sprayed with firehoses by the police. Growing out one's Afro was a sign of growing black pride. And as mentioned below, the little jockeys were generally racist stereotypical images that people would keep on their lawns. The 21 Club here in NYC used to have a row of them proudly displayed, although they were repaints to be less racist. Interestingly, lawn jockeys also played a role during the Underground Railroad guiding escaped slaves along the way - but this probably doesn't play into this song.
Uncle Remus was a black character who sold sentimental stories about slaves during slavery - they painted an image that made slavery seem almost palatable. Uncle Remus is generally disliked in the black community as an apologist for slavery. He was the storyteller in Disney's embarrassing "Song of the South."
George Duke wrote the music and Zappa wrote the words, obviously Zappa is not black but he was singing in character here,
the person singing those words is meant to be an African-American.
This is a mix out-take, the version that was released in 1974 is from this take but a much better mix and edited down (the piano solo section is the middle is edited out).
Thanks for the update. I did notice a lot of extras in the center, and wondered what version this was. I own original Vinyl.
@@alldayadventures5418 they released an album called Crux Of The Biscuit which is basically Apostrophe out takes so this come from there.
Nice to hear an alternate take of this piece, George Duke's piano is extra crispy. First time checking out your content.
It’s not really an alternate take, but the same exact recording, just edited and further mixed on Apostrophe.
Tina and the Ikettes were singing background on many of the songs on the albums of that era.
I love that guitar sound.
I'm really enjoying your Zappa enlightenment!
One of the sickest songs of all time
Hi john, how are you doing? I am well, saw your reaction vid to Uncle Remus, that is a must watch, non-negotiable, short song but surprisingly powerful for such a quick jaunt into such a sad theme, and he still manages to leave us with a smile
Dude is obviously tryin to show you Franks "drummers". Simply the best!!😁😁👍👍
Still lots of lawn jockeys out in the Maryland countryside. Alot have been white faced painted over but there are a few of the hard-core old boys that are still living in the 1800's. Always laugh and think of this song which Frank cowrote with George Duke when I see one.
For more context, the song's title references Joel Chandler Harris' series of books called "Uncle Remus", a kind of trickster character based on stories he gathered from former slaves during Reconstruction. These are complex stories written by an even more complicated man. He was the very progressive editor of the Atlanta Constitution for decades and frequently fought for black American's rights.
But the stories are stereotypical, condescending and paternalistic and some of it is hard to read. So, like some have said, Frank updated it to refer to a lack of movement and critiqued the continued race problems, like the Watts riots.
Interestingly, Disney did a movie, "Song of the South" 1945, featuring Uncle Remus which made another theatrical run in the early 70s. I saw it in1973 as a kid and it was weird, racist - but very well done technically. Frank may have come across an ad for it or even seen it.
This is way too long. Fun reaction - again!
We are the other people. Frank told us so.
Do you think that I'm crazy? Out of my mind? Do you think that I creep through the night, and sleep in a phonebooth?
btw, I'm another person....
Brilliant Frank.
DOWN IN DE DEW
Oh My Goodness!
What a cool mix and arrangement ...
The Ike-ettes sang on Montana, here, and on several other tracks, as seen here:
th-cam.com/video/CIW2KzxUusI/w-d-xo.html
Dinah Mo-Humm too.
We are, "children of invention".
We are Zappateers 😁
.
This is a kind of a different song from Frank Zappa. Because the music was mostly from George Duke
Zappaphiles!
You don't know who Uncle Remus is hey ????....lmao.....Uncle Remus is Black and is a character in the disney movie ''SONG OF THE SOUTH'' 1946....it's kind of a racist movie, but was very realistic for 1946 in the south UNITED STATES !!....Sounds like Frank made Uncle Remus as a big fro dude who knocked over those black man jockeys with a ring in one hand that were on the rich peoples front lawns back in the day !!!!!....I saw those jockeys even in the 70's and part of the 80's !!!...Sometimes listening to Frank is a history lesson....the music was, most partially written by George Duke ....the amazing piano player !!!!....You should listen to every song on this album...''Apostrophe' '', is an amazing album....So is ''Overnight Sensation ''.....Trust me...those 2 albums floored me at 14 years old !!!
me too. late 70's and hearing Apostrophe (') and Overnite Sensation was life changing. So was Sheik Yerbouti the solo on Yo Mama is my favorite guitar solo by Frank.
I guess by now you know that’s the Ikettes , Tinas’ backing singers, Tina was never used by Frank
Tina never WORKED for Frank would sound better tho ;)
Frank wanted to give Tina and other Ikettes credit on the album Apostrophe (') and Overnite Sensation but Ike Turner wouldn't allow it because he didn't want their name on Franks music because I thought his music was trash. Also, Frank said in his Real Frank Zappa Book that Tina Turner was extremely kind and easy to work with.
That is the first time I've heard that version with the additional backing vocals.
Great stuff. I tell ya now I i i don't even care.......
Zappites
The whole lp used the ikettes
Zappa guy since '73. With all due respect, if you're doing this with a few buddies cool, but it needs to be absorbed. I can't help but think your analysis is probably more subjective because you're on T.V.
For some great music from 1969 try Court of the Crimson King. You will engoy
Zappaphiles
Why would you listen to an outtake Or remix of a song before...THE ACTUAL SONG
Probably because he wanted to?
@@withoutdestination7840 great thank you for explaining it now I know why
Yep, because as Frank would have said...... AAATFNRAA
@@try2enjoythedaylight785 I know what you’re saying, but this IS the actual song nonetheless, just less edited and a little less fine tuned (not remixed) than the Apostrophe version ;)
Kind of pitiful that you didnt recognize the gospel influences in the musical structure of this song, which go along with the subject matter of the lyrics.
Did this guy actually miss the brilliant drumming?! Must not like music very much. Or understand what he's listening to.
Man, you have really no clue.
Sadly