Zappadan commemorates the late composer/producer/musician Frank Zappa; it runs from December 4th – the day of Frank’s death in 1993 – through tomorrow, December 21st – the day of Frank’s birth in 1940. Zappadan is the blogger festival featuring all things Zappa. Frank took great delight in skewering hypocritical republiCons. Therefore, in his honor, today’s commemoration is the “Pew d’Etat” post! Recent hypocritical activities by certain members of Minnesota’s State Senate – GOPers, all of ‘em – have shown, once again, that the Party flying the “Family Values” flag believes in the sanctity of marriage (except when they don’t).
So today’s song choice, for the next to last day of Zappadan 2011, has to be “Dirty Love!” Now, Frank always had a “secret word” at his concerts, for fun and entertainment. With the sordid and scandalous behavior by drop trou GOPers at the Minnesota Senate, I picked this song cause there’s a secret word in it, too! Well, phrase, to be exact: “The poodle bites – c’mon Frenchy!” If what I’m hearing is correct, the significance of that “secret word” will become very apparent in just a pew, er, ‘scuse me, “few” days!
Which is why I added the “Pew d’Etat” to the title, there’s a new crew taking advantage and taking over the GOPer side o’ the aisle in the Minnesota State Senate! While past performance doesn’t guarantee future results, smart money is betting after their Pew d’Etate that it’ll just be SSDD….
Without any further ado – “Dirty Love!”
Frank Zappa tribute with ex-band members and many guests, recorded in November 1991 in New York City. Frank was too ill at this time, so he couldn´t attend.
Hope you enjoyed that; I’m sure Frank would be having a field day writing new songs based on the antics of Today’s GOP: Morally Bankrupt, Intellectually Dishonest, and Institutionally Corrupt.
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Previous posts on MPP, referencing Frank Zappa:
“Zappadan 2011, Day 11″ by TPT on Wednesday December 14th
“Zappadan 2011, Day 6″ by TPT on Friday December 9th, 2011
“Zappadan 2011, Day 4″ by TPT on Wednesday December 7th, 2011
“Zappadan 2011, Day 2″ by TPT on Monday December 5th, 2011
“That’s right folks, don’t touch that dial!” by TPT on Saturday November 19th, 2011
“One Year Later – Who Opposes HCR? Or…a picture says a thousand words.” by TPT, Thursday March 24th, 2011
“Watermellon In Easter Hay – May 17th, 1988, Barcelona, Spain” by TPT, Friday August 21st, 2009
“Progressive Nation 2009 Concert Tour” by TPT, Wednesday June 17th, 2009
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Where I get my Zappa music: The Electric Fetus
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject; comments welcome there)
Zappadan commemorates the late composer/producer/musician Frank Zappa; it runs from December 4th – the day of Frank’s death in 1993 – to December 21st – the day of Frank’s birth, in 1940. In previous posts commemorating Zappadan 2011 (see below) guitarists that have played for Frank, Steve Vai and Mike Keneally were featured. Today we’re going to look at one of the ingredients that makes Frank’s music so unique – percussion. So, withou any further ado, here’s a bit on Ruth Underwood – let’s look!
Here’s Ruth, demonstrating how Frank’s music is, shall we say, just a little different?
And yes, that’s Dweezil and Napoleon Murphy Brok at the end o’ that YouTube. And yes, that’s why if you get a chance to see Dweezil Zappa play live, you simply have to do it!
Here’s a live version of the song “RDNZL” from the double CD “You Can’t Do That On Stage Anymore (Volume 5)” (yes, “vol. 5″ – there are actually 6 double CD’s in the series) – there’s no concert footage; it’s just a great example of an instrumental song featuring incredibly tight percussion and a monster – MONSTER – guitar solo by Frank! Let’s listen!!!
Again, that’s off of “You Can’t Do That On Stage Anymore (Volume 5)” – which would make a great stocking stuffer for that Special Zappa Fan you’re buying presents for during these retailing days coinciding with HannaRamaKwanzMas…
Other suggestions – and it’s just me, but I buy the vast majority of my music locally, at The Electric Fetus – for that Special Zappa Fan in your life have to include:
“You Can’t Do That On Stage Anymore (Volume 2) – The Helsinki Concert”. Everybody remember Deep Purple and “Smoke On The Water”? “Frank Zappa & the Mothers were at the best place around / But some stupid with a flare gun burned the place to the ground / Smoke on the water…” – Yes, this concert is from back in those days – and the band line-up includes Ruth Underwood and Napoleon Murphy Brock!
Really, the whole “YCDTOSA” series is well-worth having.
As is the new stuff put out by Dweezil! Dweezil’s version of “Pygmy Twilight” on “Return Of The Son Of” shows that the apple don’t fall far from the tree. And those that like Ruth Underwood, will love Scheila Gonzalez.
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Previous posts on MPP, referencing Frank Zappa:
“Zappadan 2011 Day 6″ by TPT on Friday December 9th, 2011
“Zappadan 2011, Day 4″ by TPT on Wednesday December 7th, 2011
“Zappadan 2011, Day 2″ by TPT on Monday December 5th, 2011
“That’s right folks, don’t touch that dial!” by TPT on Saturday November 19th, 2011
“One Year Later – Who Opposes HCR? Or…a picture says a thousand words.” by TPT, Thursday March 24th, 2011
“Watermellon In Easter Hay – May 17th, 1988, Barcelona, Spain” by TPT, Friday August 21st, 2009
“Progressive Nation 2009 Concert Tour” by TPT, Wednesday June 17th, 2009
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Where I get my Zappa music: The Electric Fetus
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)
I wanted to start this post out with a video of Frank playing “Inca Roads” – and I searched and I searched and I searched. And what I found was a tasty – TASTY! – version of a guitarist that played for Frank, Mike Keneally. And it’s awesome in more than one way; in this version, there’s just Mike and bassist Bryan Beller – let’s watch!!!
Back in 1991, when Frank was sick and everyone knew his touring days were over, there were two special shows performed and recorded – film, too! – at The Ritz in New York on November 7 and 8, 1991. Frank picked the songs and arrangements – Mike Keneally was the guitarist. The film was used for a PBS documentary; the CD was called “Zappa’s Universe” and it’s great. “Inca Roads” evolved over the years while Frank toured; as most songs did – arrangements depended on who Frank hired for the band. The “Zappa’s Universe” version is one of my favorites, even though it’s Keneally playing and not Frank. I couldn’t find a TouTube of it, or another rocker off that CD, “Hungry Freaks, Daddy.” It’s a great CD, and one every fan of Franks should own.
1988 was a monster year for Frank; he put out the single CD “Broadway The Hardway” – with a guest appearance by Sting and a few not-so-subtle jabs at Jimmy Swaggart – and two double CD’s – “The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life” and “Make A Jazz Noise Here.” All three CD’s are live recordings. It was an incredible band; they played stuff from a reggae version of Johnny Cash’s “Ring Of Fire” to Ravel’s “Bolero” to “Stairway To Heaven.” Here’s Frank’s composition, “Black Napkins.”
Mention “Frank Zappa” to most people, and if they recognize the name they’re more than likely to make a “yellow snow” comment, or some comment on lyrics. Frank more than once said his music didn’t need lyrics, except for one reason: had to have ‘em to sell records. Well, to rip politicians he didn’t like, too. But to his hardcore fans, many of the best songs are instrumentals. If you liked “Black Napkins” go down below and click on the “Watermellon In Easter Hay” link -same band, same venue!
Frank’s son Dweezil has been touring and playing Frank’s music for the past few years; he’s wrapping up a tour in England now and Dweezil’s website says he’s starting to line up the 2012 tour by inking some February shows in California. I’ve been lucky to see Dweezil play here in Minneapolis 3 times; the inaugural “Tour De Frank” at the Orpheum, at First Avenue, and again at the Orpheum. Where ever you are, if Dweezil is playing anywhere near – go see him! More Dweezil, later.
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Previous posts on MPP, referencing Frank Zappa:
“Zappadan 2011, Day 4″ by TPT on Wednesday December 7th, 2011
“Zappadan 2011, Day 2″ by TPT on Monday December 5th, 2011
“That’s right folks, don’t touch that dial!” by TPT on Saturday November 19th, 2011
“One Year Later – Who Opposes HCR? Or…a picture says a thousand words.” by TPT, Thursday March 24th, 2011
“Watermellon In Easter Hay – May 17th, 1988, Barcelona, Spain” by TPT, Friday August 21st, 2009
“Progressive Nation 2009 Concert Tour” by TPT, Wednesday June 17th, 2009
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Where I get my Zappa music: The Electric Fetus
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject.com‘ comments welcome there)
Zappadan commemorates the late composer/producer/musician Frank Zappa; it runs from December 4th – the day of Frank’s death in 1993 – to December 21st – the day of Frank’s birth, in 1940. Hardcore Zappa fans know that Frank didn’t do drugs. Period. End of story. Well, he didn’t allow drug usage in his band, either. Zappa toured Europe often, and he simply wouldn’t tolerate the chance that a band member would get caught clearing Customs, and he simply wouldn’t tolerate someone being stoned and screwing up the intricate arrangements being played.
So today I thought it’d be fun to play a song called “Cocaine Decisions.” Frank wrote a lot of anti-drug songs (“City Of Tiny Lights” being one of my favorites). Let’s listen!
And then for yuks on Frank’s anti-drug stance, here’s Frank in a Saturday Night Live skit. Rather ironic, considering who is playing “Window Pane”….
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Previous posts on MPP, referencing Frank Zappa:
“Zappadan 2011, Day 2″ by TPT on Monday December 5th, 2011
“That’s right folks, don’t touch that dial!” by TPT on Saturday November 19th, 2011
“One Year Later – Who Opposes HCR? Or…a picture says a thousand words.” by TPT, Thursday March 24th, 2011
“Watermellon In Easter Hay – May 17th, 1988, Barcelona, Spain” by TPT, Friday August 21st, 2009
“Progressive Nation 2009 Concert Tour” by TPT, Wednesday June 17th, 2009
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Where I get my Zappa music: The Electric Fetus
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)
Zappadan commemorates the late composer/producer/musician Frank Zappa; it runs from December 4th – the day of Frank’s death in 1993 – to December 21st – the day of Frank’s birth, in 1940. I’d have posted yesterday, but I was unavoidably restrained.
So I’m posting today. And I’d like to offer two videos; the first is an interview with guitar virtuoso Steve Vai, who Zappa hired when only twenty (more on Steve Vai, in later posts). The first video is from an interview of Steve from the Dutch prodcasting company VPRO, which did a documentary about Frank:
And here’s Frank Zappa, performing what Steve was talking about, and demonstrating:
“The present day composer refuses to die.” Edgar Varese said it; Zappa quoted it on album liner notes; and although Frank’s not with us anymore (‘he bit the big one”) – his family’s press release on Frank’s demise stated “Composer Frank Zappa left for his final tour just before 6:00 pm on Saturday” – Frank’s music and legacy lives on.
(cross posted on MnProgressiveProject; comments welcome there)
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Previous posts on MPP &TPT, referencing Frank Zappa:
“That’s right folks, don’t touch that dial!” by TPT on Saturday November 19th, 2011
“One Year Later – Who Opposes HCR? Or…a picture says a thousand words.” by TPT, Thursday March 24th, 2011
“Watermellon In Easter Hay – May 17th, 1988, Barcelona, Spain” by TPT, Friday August 21st, 2009
“Progressive Nation 2009 Concert Tour” by TPT, Wednesday June 17th, 2009
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Where I get my Zappa music: The Electric Fetus
Every year when the snow gets ready to fly, I get a little sad – because on December 4th, 1993 Frank Zappa checked out. I’m tossing this one up today, because tomorrow GOPer talking heads will make the TV circuit, oozing talking points. This one is from Zappa’s performance on Saturday Night Live in 1976:
I’m thinking Frank was anticipating the advent of Faux News.
“That’s right folks, don’t touch that dial…”
While Frank had caustic commentary about politics, he – above all – was a musician. Here’s a HQ performance from 1988 in Barcelona of Frank’s instrumental “Watermellon In Easter Hay” – enjoy!
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)
… a picture says a thousand words.
A couple of weeks ago, i wrote a post: Canada prohibits Faux Noise broadcasting; Wisconsin Protests demonstrate why. That post included screenshots of two tweets by Faux Noise Fox News Repeater “Reporter” Mike Tobin, makin’ (stuff) up. Canada simply won’t put up with the (stuff) Faux Noise Fox News spews.
A couple of weeks before that, MediaMatters.org had a story about Faux Fox entitled “Stuff Is Just Made Up”. Which, of course, is just another demonstration of why Canada won’t put up with the (stuff) Faux Noise Fox News spews.
On the front page of MediaMatters.org today is a story entitled “All Of Us Will Be Slaves” And Other Health Care Predictions That Haven’t Come True. Two days ago, they did a report entitled “A History Of Death Panels: A Timeline”. And where did a lot – an awful lot (and I do mean “awful”) – of that stuff that didn’t come true and never was true come from? Faux Noise Fox News, whose motto should be: “We distort – you abide.”
There YouTube below is from a performance on Saturday Nite Live from 1976. It seems like Frank saw Faux coming, a long time ago.
I am gross and perverted
I’m obsessed ‘n deranged
I have existed for years
But very little had changed
I am the tool of the Government
And industry too
For I am destined to rule
And regulate youI may be vile and pernicious
But you can’t look away
I make you think I’m delicious
With the stuff that I say
I am the best you can get
Have you guessed me yet?
I am the slime oozin’ out
From your TV setYou will obey me while I lead you
And eat the garbage that I feed you
Until the day that we don’t need you
Don’t got for help…no one will heed you
Your mind is totally controlled
It has been stuffed into my mold
And you will do as you are told
Until the rights to you are soldThat’s right, folks..
Don’t touch that dialWell, I am the slime from your video
Oozin’ along on your livin’room floorI am the slime from your video
Can’t stop the slime, people, lookit me go(music and lyrics by Frank Zappa, 1940 – 1993)
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)
That was Frank Zappa, 21 years ago. Tonight, Dweezil Zappa brings the Zappa Plays Zappa Road Show to Minneapolis at the Orpheum; Dweezil and the band are warming up Dream Theater.
Link here to watch Dweezil and the band playing “Peaches En Regalia” last year (embedding disabled; it’s a DVD performance from last year’s tour). And yes, that’s Steve Vai playing Stunt Guitar, to the left of Dweezil, and Napoleon Murphy Brok on sax!
Friday night, August 21, 2009, Zappa Plays Zappa, Orpheum Theater, Minneapolis – it just don’t get any better!
(crossposted from MnProgressiveProject)
Earlier today I had tuned into Faux News. Then, I got the exciting news The World’s Finest Optional Entertainment would be on stage again. Dweezil has the Zappa Plays Zappa road show playing in the Progressive Nation 2009 tour. It’s in Minneapolis – at the Orpheum – on August 21st! Needless to say, I just bought 4 tickets, on the floor, in row O!
So, what does Faux News have to do with Zappa Plays Zappa? It’s a song! When Frank wrote “I’m The Slime” all those years about, he was anticipating Faux News! Let’s watch!!!
See you at the show – Orpheum on 8-21!
(crossposted from MnProgressiveProject)
