Zappa Works 02-19-12

The Music of Frank Zappa
MUGC 4890-001 MUGC 5890-001

Dr. Joseph Klein"
II. The Works"
Frank Zappa: Discography

Freak Out! !
(1966)!
Absolutely Free !
(1967)!
Link 1! Link 2!
Were Only in it for the

Money!
(1968)!
!

Lumpy Gravy !
(1967/68)!
Cruising With Ruben

and the Jets!
(1968)!
Uncle Meat !
(1969)!

Hot Rats!
(1969)!
!
Burnt Weeny Sandwich

(1970)!
Weasels Ripped My Flesh

(1970)!

Chungas Revenge!
(1970)!
!
Fillmore East June 1971

(1971)!
Link 1!
200 Motels!
(1971)!

Just Another Band From LA!

(1972)!
!
Waka/Jawaka!
(1972)!
The Grand Wazoo !

(1972)!

Overnite Sensation!
(1973)!
!
Apostrophe!
(1974)!
Roxy & Elsewhere !

(1974)!

One Size Fits All!

(1975)!
!
Bongo Fury!
(1975)!
Zoot Allures !
(1976)!

Zappa in New York!

(1978)!
!
Studio Tan!
(1978)!
Sleep Dirt !
(1979)!

Sheik Yerbouti!
(1979)!
!
Orchestral Favorites!
(1979)!
Joes Garage !
(1979)!

Tinseltown Rebellion!
(1981)!
!
Shut Up N Play Yer Guitar!

(1981)!
You Are What You Is !

(1981)!

Ship Arriving Too Late to

Save a Drowning Witch!
(1982)!
!
The Man From Utopia!
(1983)!
Baby Snakes !
(1983)!

London Symphony
Orchestra, Vols. 1 & 2!
(1983/87)!
!
The Perfect Stranger!
(1984)!
Them Or Us !
(1984)!

Thing-Fish!
(1984)!
!
Francesco Zappa!
(1984)!
Meets the Mothers of

Prevention!
(1985)!

Does Humor Belong!

in Music?!
(1986)!
!
Jazz From Hell!
(1986)!
Guitar !
(1988)!

Broadway the Hard Way!

(1988)!
!
The Best Band You Never!

Heard in Your Life!
(1991)!
Make a Jazz Noise Here !
(1991)!

Playground Psychotics!
(1992)!
!
Ahead of Their Time!

(1993)!
The Yellow Shark !

(1993)!
Frank Zappa: DiscographyCollections

You Cant Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 1-6!
(1988-92)!
!
Beat the Boots (1991-92)!

!
Individual album titles include As an Am, The Ark,
Freaks & Mother*#@%!, Unmitigated Audacity, Any
Way the Wind Blows, Tis the Season to Be Jelly,
Saarbrcken 1978, Piquantique.!
Frank Zappa: DiscographyCollections

Strictly Commercial!
(1995)!
!
Have I Offended Someone?!

(1997)!
Strictly Genteel!
(1997)!
Frank Zappa: DiscographyPosthumous Releases

Civilization Phaze III!

(1994)!
!
The Lost Episodes!

(1996)!
Lther !
(1996)!
Frank Zappa: DiscographyPosthumous Releases

Everything is Healing!
Nicely!
(1999)!
!
Joes Corsage!
(2004)!
Imaginary Diseases!
(2006)!
Zappas Musical Concepts"

AAAFNRAA: Anything, Anytime, Anywhere, For No Reason At All!
Studio as instrument!
Xenochrony !
Improvisation vs. notation (vis--vis, transcription)!
Performer vs. machine!
Reality vs. artifice: distinction between live (no overdubs) and highly edited
studio versions !
putting the eyebrows on it!
The Studio as Instrument"

Pal Recording Studio / Studio Z (1961-64): Purchased from Paul Buff in 1964,
Zappa learned recording studio techniques here. Closed down after Zappa was
busted by vice police.!
Utility Muffin Research Kitchen (completed in

1979): $3.5 million facility included two Ampex tape
machines, a collection of Neumann and Telefunken
mics, state-of-the-art headphone monitoring system,
echo chambers, and The Vault; fully digital by 1984.!

Pal Recording Studio / Studio Z (1961-64): Purchased from Paul Buff in 1964,
Zappa learned recording studio techniques here. Closed down after Zappa was
busted by vice police.!
Utility Muffin Research Kitchen (completed in

1979): $3.5 million facility included two Ampex tape
machines, a collection of Neumann and Telefunken
mics, state-of-the-art headphone monitoring system,
echo chambers, and The Vault; fully digital by 1984.!
Synclavier (1982) digital synthesizer/

sampler with FM synthesis and sampling
capabilities; FZ used the instrument to realize
complex musical ideas either solo or in
conjunction with live performers.!

Musique concrte use of acoustic sound sources as raw musical material.!
Studio techniques include changing tape speed, splicing, reverse playback,
overdubbing, channel isolation, etc.!
Xenochrony (alien time) experimental resynchronization of musical material

recorded at different times. FZ used this technique in three ways:!
To splice together different performances of the same work in
order to create a definitive version.!
To import solos recorded during live performance into a studio
recording of the main work.!
To create completely new compositions using pre-recorded
material from different sources.!

Flower Punk (Were Only in it for the Money, 1968)!
Original version: increased tape speed, separate
material in each channel!
Played back at normal tape speed, isolating left
channel!
Dog Breath, in the Year of the Plague (Uncle Meat, 1969)!

Original version: increased tape speed!
Played back at normal tape speed!
Ya Hozna (Them or Us, 1984)!

Original version: vocal track played in reverse!
Played back with correct vocal direction: includes
valley speak and excerpt from Sofa No. 2 (du bist
ein Sofa) !
The Studio as InstrumentXenochrony"

Inca Roads guitar solo:!
Original live version recorded in Helsinki, Finland (22 September 1974);
appeared on You Cant Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 2 (1988).!
FZ overdubbed live 1974 recording of guitar solo over studio recording of
band in One Size Fits All (1975): combines the benefit of a clean, tight studio
realization with the inspired spontaneity of a live solo.!
Three different contexts for a single guitar solo:!

Outside Now Solo over slow groove: Live performance in Munich,
Germany (31 March 1979); studio recording later released on Guitar (1988). !
Keep it GreaseySolo removed from live version and overdubbed on
frenetic accompaniment in Joes Garage (1979).!

Rubber Shirt (Sheik Yerbouti, 1979)!
Use of xenochrony to create a completely new work.!

FZ credited Terry Bozzio (drums), and Patrick
OHearn (bass), who were responsible for the
improvisations used to create the work.!
Resulting work blurs the distinction between reality

and artifice by using the recording studio as an
instrument and creating an illusory performance.!
Description of compositional process included in liner notes:!

The bass part is extracted from a four track master of a performance from Goteborg,
Sweden 1974 which I had Patrick O'Hearn overdub on a medium tempo guitar solo track
in 4/4. The notes chosen were more or less specified during the overdub session, and so
it was not completely an improvised bass solo. A year and a half later, the bass track
was peeled off the Swedish master and transferred to one track of another studio 24 track
master for a slow song in 11/4. The result of this experimental re-synchronization (the
same technique was used on the Zoot Allures album in Friendly Little Finger) is the
piece you are listening to. All of the sensitive, interesting interplay between the bass and
drums never actually happened... also note, the guitar solo section of the song Yo'
Mama on side four was done the same way.!

Theme from the Third Movement of Sinister
Footwear (You Are What You Is, 1981)!
Part of a three-movement work that appeared in

various guisesincluding a ballet for orchestraduring
the 1970s and 80s.!
The third movement theme was based on an FZ

guitar solo from 1978 performance of Persona Non
Grata at The Palladium (NYC). ! Link!
Steve Vai transcribed the Palladium solo (with original accompaniment), which
was subsequently included in The Frank Zappa Guitar Book (1982).!
For You Are What You Is, the transcribed solo was recorded by Vai with David
Ocker (bass clarinet) and Ed Mann (percussion). Vais version of the solo is heard
in the left channel along with FZs original version in the right channel.!
Theme from the Third Movement of Sinister Footwear transc. by Steve Vai!
Use of Musical Materials Within the Project/Object"

Transcriptions for different bands/ensembles: this allows for different
instrumentation as well as unique characteristics of individual personnel.!
Any Way the Wind Blows!
original version (1963)!
first release!
Doo-wop version!
The Lost Episodes!

(1996)!
Freak Out! !
(1966)!
Cruising With Ruben

and the Jets!
(1968)!

Dog Breath, in the Year of the Plague!
The Dog Breath Variations!
live version (1974)!
studio versions!
orchestral version!
live version (1971)!
Uncle Meat !
(1969)!
Just Another Band!
From LA!
(1972)!
You Cant Do That!

On Stage Anymore!
Vol. 2 (1988)!
The Yellow Shark !

(1993)!

Self-appropriation: the same material is recontextualized within a different work

(e.g., Sinister Footwear II and Wild Love).!
Them Or Us !
(1984)!
Sheik Yerbouti!
(1979)!
!

Self-appropriation: the same material is recontextualized within a different work

(e.g., Sinister Footwear II and Wild Love).!
Modifications of lyrical (and even musical) content based on cultural relevance:

time and location of event determine specific content.!
Quotation:!
Stylistic appropriation: Doo Wop, blues, Varse, etc.!
Covers: Ravels (Bolero), Bartk (Third Piano Concerto), Allman Brothers
(Whippin Post), Johnny Cash (Ring of Fire), etc.!
Literal quotation: Stravinsky (Le Sacre du Printemps, Firebird, LHistoire
du Soldat), Holst (The Planets)!
Archetypal American Musical Icon Modules: Louie, Louie (Richard
Berry, 1955), My Sharona (The Knack, 1979), Whip It (Devo, 1980),
Theme from The Twilight Zone (Marius Constant, 1960), Theme from The
Tonight Show (Paul Anka, 1962), Theme from Mr. Rogers Neighborhood
(Fred Rogers, 1963), Theme from Jaws (John Williams, 1975)!
Link!

Archetypal American Musical Icon Modules Louie, Louie (Richard Berry): !
Return of the Son of Monster Magnet (Freak Out!, 1966)!
Plastic People (Absolutely Free, 1967)!
Son of Suzy Creamcheese (Absolutely Free, 1967)!
Louie, Louie (At the Royal Albert Hall in London) (Uncle Meat, 1969)!
Florentine Pogen (One Size Fits All, 1975)!
Sam With the Showing Scalp Flat Top (Bongo Fury, 1975)!
The Adventures of Greggery Peccary (Studio Tan, 1978)!
Jesus Thinks Youre a Jerk (Broadway The Hard Way, 1988)!
Welcome to the United States (The Yellow Shark, 1993)!
Also incorporated into numerous live performances!
!
Archetypal American Musical Icon Modules My Sharona (The Knack):!
The Blue Light (Tinseltown Rebellion, 1981)!
Galoot Update (Thing-Fish, 1984)!
The Radio is Broken (The Man from Utopia, 1983)!
Rhymin Man (Broadway the Hard Way, 1988)!
Bolero (The Best Band You Never Heard in Your Life, 1991)!
Musical Analyses"
Son of Suzy Creamcheese (Absolutely Free, 1967)!
Music and lyrics based on Louie, Louie!

References to drug culture and the LA
freak scene!
Suzy Creamcheese character is the

archetypal groupie; part of FZs Conceptual
Continuity!
Constantly shifting irregular meters and

fast tempo create a virtuosic effect!
Son of Suzy Creamcheese (Absolutely Free, 1967) Analysis!
Andy (One Size Fits All, 1975)!
Absurdist lyrics, typical of all songs on One

Size Fits All (dada influence)!
Combination of expressive blues, intricate

rhythmic/melodic interplay, and varied vocal
styles!
Relatively simple harmonic language:

primarily alternating A/B ( I II ) chords locally
within an overall A/E ( I V ) harmonic
macrostructure!
Structurally monothematic, with brief

interruptions of contrasting material!
Catholic Girls (Joes Garage, 1979)Instrumental Interlude!
Watermelon in Easter Hay (Joes Garage, 1979)!
Joes imaginary guitar solo: only solo on

the album not recorded in a live performance.!
Harmonically and structurally simple:

pentatonic melody over alternating A and B/E
chords (IV-I) within a basic three-part form.!
Alternating measures of 4/4 and 5/4 create

subtle metrical irregularity throughout.!
Watermelon in Easter Hay (Joes Garage, 1979) transc. by Steve Vai!
a (a)!
Intro!
a!
A A!
a!
variation!
a!
b!
a!
A!
ornamentation!
rhythmic var.!
transition motive!
a!
a!
c!
B!
c!
c!
b!
a!
A!
a!
a!
b!
a!
B A!
a!
a!
b!
a!
A!
a!
a!
b!
a!
a!
a!
b!
a!
A A!
a!
a!
b!
a!
A!
a!
a!
b!
c!
B!
c!
c!
b!
a!
A!
a!
a!
b!
a!
Coda!
a!
a!
a!
Zappa as Pedagogue"
Television Appearances: e.g.,
Steve Allen Show, Ernie Sigley Show!
Interviews (radio and print)!

Performances: e.g., Mount St. Marys Concert, Approximate (KCET broadcast)!
Recordings: e.g., Toads of the Short Forest (Weasels Ripped My Flesh)!
Liner notes: e.g., Freak Out!, We're Only in it for the Money, Sheik Yerbouti!
Books: Them or Us, The Real Frank Zappa Book!
Additional Slides!
from liner notes to Freak Out! (1966)!
The Beatles: Sergeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)!
Frank Zappa: Were Only in it for the Money (1968)!
Sargeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band and

Were Only In It For The Money!


The Beatles:
With the Beatles (1963)!
Mothers of Invention:
Were Only in it for the Money (1968)!

Zappa Works 02-19-12

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Zappa Works 02-19-12

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Format Tersedia

The Music of Frank Zappa

MUGC 4890-001 MUGC 5890-001

II. The Works"

Frank Zappa: Discography

Were Only in it for the

Frank Zappa: Discography

Cruising With Ruben

Frank Zappa: Discography

Burnt Weeny Sandwich

Weasels Ripped My Flesh

Frank Zappa: Discography

Fillmore East June 1971

Frank Zappa: Discography

Just Another Band From LA!

The Grand Wazoo !

Frank Zappa: Discography

Roxy & Elsewhere !

Frank Zappa: Discography

One Size Fits All!

Frank Zappa: Discography

Zappa in New York!

Frank Zappa: Discography

Frank Zappa: Discography

Shut Up N Play Yer Guitar!

You Are What You Is !

Frank Zappa: Discography

Ship Arriving Too Late to

Frank Zappa: Discography

Frank Zappa: Discography

Meets the Mothers of

Frank Zappa: Discography

Does Humor Belong!

Frank Zappa: Discography

Broadway the Hard Way!

The Best Band You Never!

Frank Zappa: Discography

Ahead of Their Time!

The Yellow Shark !

Frank Zappa: DiscographyCollections

Beat the Boots (1991-92)!

Frank Zappa: DiscographyCollections

Have I Offended Someone?!

Frank Zappa: DiscographyPosthumous Releases

Civilization Phaze III!

The Lost Episodes!

Frank Zappa: DiscographyPosthumous Releases

Zappas Musical Concepts"

putting the eyebrows on it!

The Studio as Instrument"

Utility Muffin Research Kitchen (completed in

The Studio as Instrument"

Utility Muffin Research Kitchen (completed in

Synclavier (1982) digital synthesizer/

The Studio as Instrument"

Xenochrony (alien time) experimental resynchronization of musical material

The Studio as Instrument"

Dog Breath, in the Year of the Plague (Uncle Meat, 1969)!

Ya Hozna (Them or Us, 1984)!

The Studio as InstrumentXenochrony"

Three different contexts for a single guitar solo:!

The Studio as InstrumentXenochrony"

Use of xenochrony to create a completely new work.!

Resulting work blurs the distinction between reality