On this day, 12-04-1993, Frakn Zappa passed away.
On the same day in 1971, Frank Zappa was playinf in Montreux, and the building caught fire. The song Smoke on the Water is about the fire.
I’ve come across more astounding coincidences. 
Still, RIP FZ. Freak Out, Absolutely Free and We’re Only In It For The Money were among the first CDs I bought (when I was abandoning vinyl/cassettes).
Who could’ve im-a-a-a-a-gined?
Ya know, I’ve been meaning to buy more Zappa. The little I’ve heard by him I love, but I’ve heard precious little. Anyone care to reccommend some good starting CDs for a newbie-Zappa-listening-guy?
I just did
I think many Zappa fans would agree that One Size Fits All (1975) is up there with his best. It’s a good all-arounder, has some funny stuff, some complex stuff, and is notably lighter on the scatology and occasional mean-spiritedness that some feel can cheapen his vision. Also I’d recommend Apostrophe’ (1974) along those same lines.
On the other hand, if you LIKE the scatological/nasty side, Sheik Yerbouti (1979) has some very creative things on it, although IMHO it’s a bit overlong. Filmore East (1971) is an earlier live record in this vein (though stylistically very different).
In his more early abstract vein (with side dishes of doo-wop and free jazz), Uncle Meat (1969) remains a favorite for me (although I gather I’m in the minority). For the best example of why he is often considered a ‘serious’ composer, check out The Yellow Shark (1993), an excellent and great-sounding recording of his chamber music–but be warned much of it is abstract indeed.
Have fun!
Hmmph…Everyone has their favorites it seems. Since no one has mentioned mine yet, I’ll toss out my own suggestions 
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Instrumental: Burnt Weeny Sandwich - Near the tail-end of the ‘original’ Mothers of Invention period. “Little House I Used To Live In” is fantastic. Not entirely instrumental, it contains a couple of classic doo-wop numbers.
Hot Rats - Immediately following the former. “Willie the Pimp” has standout guitar soloing and the original “Peaches En Regalia” is classic Zappa ( Zappa released at least three versions of this on different albums over the years ).
The Grand Wazoo - Just a little later. Heavy on the horns. Great drumming by Aynsley Dunbar and keyboard work by George Duke on “Cleetus-Awreetus-Awrightus”/“Eat That Question”.
More on the humor side: The “early mid-period” stuff with Flo& Eddie can’t be beat. Filmore East, 1971 ( okay Hoops did mention this one ) and Just Another Band From L.A. are de rigeur. The first is a little racier than the second.
A later period album I’d throw in here is Joe’s Garage, Part I. Another fairly racy one.
Others: The double-live “mid-mid-perid” Roxy and Elsewhere. Like most of the live stuff a good mix of humor and instrumental work. Some stand-out tromboning by Bruce Fowler.
“Early-mid-period” Chunga’s Revenge - Not live, but otherwise similar in description. Vocal help by Flo & Eddie.
As might be guessed, I’m partial towards the middle of Zappa’s career. But really all of his albums have some redeeming features and are worth listening to .
- Tamerlane
BTW, if you get the chance to see “200 Motels,” do so. Incredible film.
I’m partial to “We’re Only in it for the Money.”
I’m not a sophisticated Zappa listener but I do absolutely dig the hell out of Apostrophe.
My favorite was Freak Out.
From the album cover (as well as I remember it) referring to Frank:
“Sometimes he talks to the crowd. Sometimes there’s trouble.”
Of course, I had that album back in the late 60’s, and maybe it was the “atmosphere” that made it so amusing.
These are the ones I wore out:
Joe’s Garage acts 2 and 3 (my mom got it for me)(Vinnie Colaiuta (?) on drums - amazing)
Bongo Fury (kinda loose, good bozzio, fun beefheart)
You are what you is (best if listened to in one shot, interesting choice of drummers)
Tinseltown rebellion (good early 80’s snapshot)
Roxy and Elsewhere (great big-band stuff)
One Size fits all (great songs, great mix of vocalists)
Apostrophe (classic tunes, very funny)
Overnite Sensation (more classic tunes)
Weasels Ripped My Flesh (hated it, let it gather dust for five years, then loved it)
Studio Tan (epic ‘low-budget orhcestra’ pieces)
Fillmore East (oh my!!)
Zoot Allures (basic band, 'nother good Bozzio album)
I heard a bunch of his other albums but those stuck with me for various reasons. I guess I lean towards his mid to mid-late period.
BTW those are all vinyl. By the time I got a CD player my big Zappa phase had passed.
I didn’t really get into FZ until I saw him live (first time Manley Fieldhouse, Syracuse, NY '81 or '82). Totally blew me away. I hope there are some good live videos or dvds out there.
The only Frank Zappa I own is his performance of John Cage’s 4’33" *
*[sub]and for those who know what I’m talking about, this isn’t a joke; I actually DO have this on CD[/sub]
I have that cd too. It is a real cd.