While I really like Frank Zappa, and have listened to him since the 1960s, some of his albums bear repeated listening a lot more than others. For example, while Prelude to the Afternoon of a Sexually Aroused Gas Mask is entertaining enough in its way, it’s not something I find myself humming in the car.
I have a number of Zappa’s albums, but I’d like to get more. However, there’s an awful lot of them, and I’d prefer albums that are heavier on jazzier, more extended cuts, rather than the ones that sound like a flatulent rhinoceros fell into the orchestra pit (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
Of the albums I have, I particularly like Hot Rats, Waka/Jawaka, and The Grand Wazoo, along with about half of Weasels Ripped My Flesh.
While I like parts of Absolutely Free, We’re Only in It for the Money, Lumpy Gravy, and 200 Motels, they are pretty episodic and don’t have that many extended musical riffs.
An album that I don’t particularly like is Zoot Allures. I find that I rarely have a hankering to listen to The Torture Never Stops.
I appreciate some recommendations on what other Zappa albums I might like based on these preferences.
The closest thing you’ll find in Zappa’s extensive catalog to the ones you’ve already listed as your favorites is Sleep Dirt (the working title for which was Hot Rats III). The album opens with a heavy, brooding, extended guitar excursion, runs through several songs from an abandoned Wazoo-era stage musical and a lovely acoustic guitar duet, and climaxes with the lengthy powerhouse jam “The Ocean Is the Ultimate Solution.” Unfortunately, the original LP mix is not available on CD. The original LP was all instrumental, while the CD version adds vocals and new rhythm tracks to the songs from the Hunchentoot musical, deleting some of Ruth Underwood’s brilliant percussion parts in the process. Also check out Roxy and Elsewhere, especially the great “Echidna’s Arf (Of You)”/“Don’t You Ever Wash That Thing?” sequence.
If you like Zappa’s guitar soloing in isolation, try Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar. The two extended pieces at the end should be right up your alley. Then there’s You Can’t Do That On Stage Anymore Vol. 2 (The Helsinki Concert) for some extended jamming with the a stripped down version of the Roxy-era band–no horns, but still featuring Ruth Underwood and George Duke.
You might also try Jean-Luc Ponty’s album of Zappa compositions (plus one jam with FZ himself), King Kong.
I’m going to second what Biffy said, especially re: Sleep Dirt and Shut Up…
I would add Burnt Weeny Sandwich to what’s already been mentioned. It’s a favorite and hits somewhere between jazz and avant-garde/modern classical music. Don’t be put off by that description – it’s very good.
The best value in music today is still the FZ CD released a few years ago, with *both ***Apostrophe **and Overnite Sensation on it. Just amazing, his best two albums IMO on one CD, I don’t believe you could do better.
Gotta agree with Askance on Apostrophe/Overnite Sensation. I’m also really fond of the Mother’s first album, Freak Out!, but it’s a little more psychedelic and a little rougher production-wise than some of the later stuff, so you may want to listen to it if possible beofre buying a copy.
FWIW, that specific CD is long out of print. It was replaced by separate CDs for the two albums when the entire Zappa catalog was reissued by Ryko in 1995.
I would compare them to Zoot Allures, which the OP cited as an album on the “not so great” list.
Biffy, of course, is absolutely correct in his post. His recommendations are excellent. I second the YCDTOSA2 suggestion. The extended Pygmy Twylyte is one of my top ten favorite Zappa tracks.
I’d group my favorite albums as follows. This isn’t exhaustive, or even particularly accurate, but when I think of (my favorite) Zappa albums, these are the general groups I think of them in.
Young Person’s Guide to Frank Zappa
Joe’s Garage
Apostrophe (’)
Overnite Sensation
You Are What You Is
Zoot Allures
One Size Fits All
Them Or Us
Sheik Yerbouti
Man From Utopia
Baby Snakes
Old School
Freak Out
Absolutely Free
We’re Only In It For The Money
Chunga’s Revenge
Mothermania
Uncle Meat
Flo & Eddie
Just Another Band From LA
Weasels Ripped My Flesh
Fillmore East, June 1971
Fan Favorites
Hot Rats
Roxie & Elsewhere
Grand Wazoo
Sleep Dirt (Vinyl release)
Selected Tracks
Bongo Fury (Carolina Hardcore Ecstacy and Muffin Man)
FZ Meets The Mothers Of Prevention (We’re Turning Again)
It’s not one of my personal favorites, but you might want to check out Studio Tan.
The song was a top ten hit by War in 1972-73. Zappa plays a slightly jumbled up but clearly recognizable version of the chorus melody from 5:35 to 5:55.
Don’t you know
Can’t you see
That for you
And for me
The world is a ghetto
Always good to see postings from noted Crimhead Biffy the Elephant Shrew over here. His posts are usually right on target.
Some embellishments: Inca Roads from One Size Fits All is clearly jazzy in places, although the entire album doesn’t qualify as such. While I’m not as much of a fan of FZ’s 80’s studio work, Sinister Footwear II and Marqueson’s Chicken from Them or Us have both caught my ear.
A minor hijack: you might consider checking out Mike Keneally’s work… he has (IMHO) taken the FZ influence in new directions better than anybody. The Universe Will Provide is a Stravinskyesque piece he just did which combines rock guitar and the Metropole Orkest. Dancing is really wide-ranging, but (to your original post) more than half of the songs have lyrics. He has many others.