One of Frank Zappa's micro-operas. By Mike Keneally and the Orchestra of Our Time, conducted by Joel Thome. Recorded at the Ritz, New York, November 1991.
he day I met Frank Zappa in August 1967, I had to take down the lyrics of Absolutely Free from a reel-to-reel tape Frank had brought with him to London from America. When he read my transcription, I told him I thought this song was immoral and instead of throwing me out the door, he debated with me for half an hour about its moral status. Long-story-short, I ended up living and working in his log cabin in Laurel Canyon, Hollywood.
excellent, I was singing Brown Shoes when I was 6 years old... I had no idea what it meant of course, but my sisters girlfriends all loved it... truly the reason I started playing guitar. Very faithful to the original, well done!!
Wonderful to see my percussion teacher, first mentor & dear friend... & genius, Joel Thome, conducting Orchestra of Our Time, collaborating w/ Frank Zappa. So many incredible, heart memories. Great piece. Wow, really brings up some stuff for me.
It's good to hear this version. He does a good job. I first heard this song performed by zappa himself (live) on Tinseltown Rebellion and liked it then. Nice one for sharing.
great show that was, indeed! i got the VHS as well and i remember becoming a Keneally fan the night i watched it for the first time! i was blown away, when he played the guitar solo in Any Kind Of Pain note for note!!! ;-) viva Zappa! viva good music!
Wonderful... really impressed. & I was lucky to have my request in Mannheim Germany to hear 'Brown Shoes,' with then 1973 band. I even helped sing it shouting up the words to Zappa while the band and he went for it:
Mike Keneally is one of the gods. He can play anything on keys and guitar. He played a lot with Steve Vai too, and more recently Devin Townsend for the Empath tour. Same drummer here too! Morgan Agren
I suggest you listen to it on Absolutely Free. Frank sang it much better. This guy is a good musician but lacks the vocal quality that Frank had. To me, the the song is saying that success is not about being financially well off. Frank was also saying that a 13 year old had sexual experience which some do and did. And yes, to fuck on the White House lawn. Don't try to get it. Enjoy as much as you can. Listen to it 3 times in a row. Frank used blues, jazz and contemporary serious music.
Really too bad Frank’s not around to comment and write about the tragedy happening in Washington and America today. He predicted it. The slime coming from your TV ( and phone), the plasticity, it’s still there more than ever. And meanwhile the greedy power mongers are dictating our healthcare, civil rights, liberty etc.
This song is about Frank's involvement in the Masons and I imagine the guilt he felt. Guilt because Frank was a member of the very thing he claimed to hate.
he day I met Frank Zappa in August 1967, I had to take down the lyrics of Absolutely Free from a reel-to-reel tape Frank had brought with him to London from America. When he read my transcription, I told him I thought this song was immoral and instead of throwing me out the door, he debated with me for half an hour about its moral status. Long-story-short, I ended up living and working in his log cabin in Laurel Canyon, Hollywood.
This show was Keneally's 50th b-day present to Frank. So much love , heart & talent.
I'm impressed how close this is to the Zappa version. Thank you, Mike!
Keneally is so spot on, and he's handling quintuple duties in this ....... No one could have done it better for this.
excellent, I was singing Brown Shoes when I was 6 years old... I had no idea what it meant of course, but my sisters girlfriends all loved it... truly the reason I started playing guitar. Very faithful to the original, well done!!
Definitely takes guts to do this number, applaud Mr Kenealy for taking a nice straightforward approach to it.
I'm surprised I never heard of Mike Kenealy before. The guy's fantastic!
+William Dwyer Yes!! Yes he is!!!
th-cam.com/video/nz8KSkgIPdA/w-d-xo.html
He played for zappa i think
Wonderful to see my percussion teacher, first mentor & dear friend... & genius, Joel Thome, conducting Orchestra of Our Time, collaborating w/ Frank Zappa. So many incredible, heart memories. Great piece. Wow, really brings up some stuff for me.
Holy shit this is some amazing stuff. Never heard of Mike Keneally but I'm an instant fan.
I too ran about singing this at 10 years old...been hooked ever since
This concert was a birthday for Frank, however his health kept him from attending.
It's good to hear this version. He does a good job. I first heard this song performed by zappa himself (live) on Tinseltown Rebellion and liked it then. Nice one for sharing.
obviously, a lot of the reason that Zappa hired him is due to his incredible stage presence.
this is fantastic, with Mats, Morgan, Keneally and especially Scott Thunes posing as a badass.
jesus.. christ.. best thing i've seen in months. awesome
This performance was amazing. Specially the smother my daughter in chocolate syrup part
great show that was, indeed!
i got the VHS as well and i remember becoming a Keneally fan the night i watched it for the first time! i was blown away, when he played the guitar solo in Any Kind Of Pain note for note!!! ;-) viva Zappa! viva good music!
Wonderful... really impressed. & I was lucky to have my request in Mannheim Germany to hear 'Brown Shoes,' with then 1973 band. I even helped sing it shouting up the words to Zappa while the band and he went for it:
This is a great cover! Never heard of this artist but a I’ll definitely be looking him up!
Nasty nasty nasty! Great job Mike K!
*thank you mike*
Without Frank and his disciples we freaks would think we were alone.
Flawless.
I just back to hear the orchestra tackle the Faux 12- tone Webern-Schoenberg section ("we see...in the back)....it tickles!
"If she was my daughter, I'd..."
"What would you do, Donnie?"
Frank would be proud. A+
brilliant....well done
Amazing!
Perfect!!!!!
I like the way Frank satirized the Beach Boys with a musical reference to their tune "Little Deuce Coupe" (5:17 ff)
Didnt expect this, thanks.
Amen!
just. fucking. supreme.thanks mike!
My God, Mike looks and even sounds a bit like Devin Townsend here haha
All 3 seem to be intertwined at a divine level, Zappa, Keneally, and Townsend.
And now he’s in Devin’s band 😮😮😮
Wtf is that the same Mike whom I saw playing in Joe Satriani's band? 😂
The very same..............
Mike Keneally is one of the gods. He can play anything on keys and guitar. He played a lot with Steve Vai too, and more recently Devin Townsend for the Empath tour. Same drummer here too! Morgan Agren
Mats Morgan in this band. Just makes it that much better.
I loved it.
Oh damn. Mats and Morgan
still have the video , waiting for the dvd
now I know why I related to this so well...) can't seem to find a good quality F. Zappa though.
glad you're being honest. load off my mind.
This is fucking fantastic, to be honest.
@splankhoon Don't hold your breath. I need to convert my VHS copy to digital before it's unwatchable, if it's not already too late.
sounds very Mr Bungle :)
Mr. Bungle sounds like this, you mean? :D
I love Mr Bungle but Zappa is the grand master.
ZAPPA RIMARRA ' !
🤩👌👍👍👍💥😊
No sweat.
is he playing a heartfield talon IV?
4:50 5:34
Is that keyboard player that (swedish) guy I think he is?
Narseln Yup, its Mats Öberg
Just to say never puke in your shoes !!???!!
Pity about the ending.
i just don't get it. i badly want to, but i just don't.
I suggest you listen to it on Absolutely Free. Frank sang it much better. This guy is a good musician but lacks the vocal quality that Frank had. To me, the the song is saying that success is not about being financially well off. Frank was also saying that a 13 year old had sexual experience which some do and did. And yes, to fuck on the White House lawn. Don't try to get it. Enjoy as much as you can. Listen to it 3 times in a row. Frank used blues, jazz and contemporary serious music.
either you get it or you weren't suppose too
There's Milli Vanilli if you wish... or Punky Meadows
sorry, mike, but it is: be a JEIIIK (go to woik) BE A JOIIIIKK
if the joker was a vocalist :p
This should be the theme song for the Trump campaign.
Sam R small hands don't make it.
More like Anthony Weiner's theme song
Really too bad Frank’s not around to comment and write about the tragedy happening in Washington and America today. He predicted it. The slime coming from your TV ( and phone), the plasticity, it’s still there more than ever. And meanwhile the greedy power mongers are dictating our healthcare, civil rights, liberty etc.
@@curiousnomad certainly wasn't Trumo he was talking about. The establishment was defeated on 8/9/16. THAT'S what he was talking about.
hurrr hurrr hurrr derp
If "Good Vibrations" is considered a "pocket symphony", this is straight up Mahler's 8th.
This song is about Frank's involvement in the Masons and I imagine the guilt he felt.
Guilt because Frank was a member of the very thing he claimed to hate.
Yeah right.
Read Ben Watson's book it opened my eyes and broke my heart. This brings a whole new meaning to Hershey squirts!
users who like this also like; A Clockwork Orange, acid.
How to make Zappa obnoxious
No, I don't approve. Mike can't sing. Period. The music is brill, because it is Franks. But Mike has spoiled it. Sorry. Just my opinion.
BLZBOB it’s a style but he definitely CAN sing.
Frank couldn't either, shit fits when you suck it in.
Awful!
5:34 5:59