Frank Zappa Buying Guide

Francis Vincent Zappa was one of the 20th century's greatest musical polymaths: autodidactic composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist, satirist, social critic, conductor, and guitar virtuoso. He was a genre-bending artist, drawing on elements of rock, jazz, classical, sketch-comedy, doo-wop, avante garde, opera, and electronic music. Zappa recorded and performed with a constant rotation of studio and touring musicians. He released a total of 57 albums in his lifetime, with an additional 21 released posthumously.

With a total of 78 albums, Zappa may have the most intimidating repertoire for a listener to undertake. In addition prolific production, Zappa's music is too eclectic to classify. He refused to adhere to expectations, at times releasing up to four albums in a single year that have little stylistic relation to one another (other than being undeniably Zappa).

Nevertheless, this guide hopes to give a brief chronology of Zappa's musical career, highlighting most of his work and hopefully providing enough information to give anyone an idea about where in this massive collection to begin.1960s and The Mothers of Invention

His early period, from the groundbreaking album Freak Out! (1966) to Uncle Meat (1969) [though additional recordings from that era were later compiled onto the albums Burnt Weeny Sandwich and Weasels Ripped My Flesh (both 1970)], ended with the disbandment of the original Mothers of Invention.  Additional albums from his early period include:*Absolutely Free (1967)-- Experimented with a more concept oriented album, as each side on the original LP composes a mini-suite*We're Only in It for the Money ( 1968)-- Musically experimental; satirizes 60s culture, especially the hippie counterculture.*Lumpy Gravy ( 1968)-- Highly experimental: orchestral music mixed with surreal dialogues and interjected with sound effects and musical fragments*Cruising with Ruben & the Jets(1968)--A simultaneous tribute and parody of Doo-Wop music.1970s and Fusion

Zappa then released one of his most enduring solo recordings, Hot Rats (1969), which marked a shift towards incorporating more jazz elements into his compositions, as well as the emerging jazz-rock fusion genre. This album also showcased Zappa's phenomenal guitar chops, most notably on the track Willie the Pimp. After a brief foray into the world of symphonic orchestra, Zappa assembled a new band under the old name, The Mothers, composed of some ex-M.O.I. personnel and some new musicians, notably Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman of The Turtles. With the new line-up, The Mothers released Chunga's Revenge (1970), and two live albums, Fillmore East- June 1971 and Just Another Band from L.A. (1972).

Soon after, Zappa followed up his jazz-fusion ambitions with Waka/Jawaka and The Grand Wazoo (both 1972), which were both musically reminiscent of Hot Rats. The studio personnel on these albums was in constant flux, including both new musicians as well as various M.O.I. veterans. Using the always-varying line up, Zappa continued his prolific recording habits with more accessible pop albums, Overnight Sensation (1973), Apostrophe (') (1974), which reached a career-high #10 on the Billboard Pop Charts, and a return to jazz fusion with the live album Roxy and Elsewhere (1974) and One Size Fits All (1975). According to Kelly Fischer Lowe, the live album You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore Vol. 2 (1988) embodies the spirit and prowess of this era in Zappa's career.

In 1975, he released a live album with long-time musical compatriot, Captain Beefheart, entitled Bongo Fury. Zoot Allures (1976) followed, his first recording with his new record company, Warner Bros. During this time, Zappa composed a four-LP album, Läther (pronounced "leather"), but was not released until 1996 due to complications with Warner Bros. Another live album followed, Zappa in New York (1978). His legal troubles continued, as Warner Bros. released several albums without Zappa's consent, including Studio Tan (1978) and Sleep Dirt (1979) and Orchestral Favorites (1979), which is performed by a 37 piece electric orchestra. During this period, Zappa also began receiving criticism for his vulgar and offensive language, which would later become a major issue in his career.

Zappa left Warner Bros. and in 1979 independently released two critically acclaimed albums, Sheik Yerbouti and Joe's Garage under his label Zappa Records.1980s and the Synclavier

In 1981, he released Tinsel Town Rebellion, comprised of tracks taken from his 1979 and 1980 tours, as well as one studio track. Guitar phenom Steve Vai is a notable addition to Zappa's lineup, having toured with him in 1980. That same year, Zappa released the double album You Are What You Is, followed by the triple album instrumental work, Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar, which highlights Zappa's solo guitar soloing during the 1979-80 tour.

Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch (1982) featured the Grammy-nominated Valley Girl, Zappa's biggest hit single ever. 1983 saw the release of two disparate projects, The Man From Utopia, and  London Symphony Orchestra Vol. 1, which was performed by the London Symphony Orchestra as yet another attempt at displaying Zappa's orchestral talents. Additional recordings of these sessions were released in 1988 as London Symphon Orchestra Vol. 2. He continued in this orchestral vain with Boulez Conducts Zappa: The Perfect Stanger(1984), which is notable for the first recording in which Zappa used the synclavier, which he would incorporate into his music for the remainder of his career. Also from this year are the albums:* Them or Us (1984) Two Disc comprised of live and session music.* Thing-Fish (1984) three-record bricolage set in the style of a Broadway play.* Francesco Zappa (1984) a synclavier rendition of works by 17th century composer Francesco Zappa.

In 1985, Frank Zappa became a political icon when he testified against the Parents Music Resource Center (PMR) for their attempts at administering warning labels on albums deemed "Inappropriate". Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of Prevention (1985) uses exerpts from Zappa's senate testimony against the PMRC and sets them to synclavier compositions. The very next year, Zappa  earned his first Grammy, for Best Instrumental Rock Performance, with the track Jazz From Hell off the album with the same name. Though this album was entirely instrumental, performed almost entirely with the synclavier, it was sold with the parental advisory sticker"Explicit Lyrics".

In 1988, Zappa went on his last world tour with a rock group, the recordings of which were released in three seperate albums: Broadway The Hard Way (1988), The Best Band You Never Heard in Your Life (1991), and Make a Jazz Noise Here (1991)

In the Fall of 1992, in what would be his final stage appearacnce before his death, Zappa conducted the German chamber ensemble, Ensemble Modern. The recordings of these performances were compiled in the album, The Yellow Shark (1993).

Beat the Boots Vol. 1 (1991) A compilation of bootleg recordings from the 1967-1982 era. Beat the Boots Vol. 2 is a suppliment to the first volume, comprised of recordings from 1968-1978. Additional Classification Live Albums

*Fillmore East: June 1971--Features the mini-opera "Billy the Mountain."*Just Another Band From L.A. (1972)--Pauley Pavilion on the campus of UCLAmw-redirect*Roxy and Elsewhere (1974)-- The Roxy Theatre in Hollywood, Californiamw-redirect on December 10, 11 and 12, 1973.*Bongo Fury (1975)-Featuring Captain Beefheart, recorded May 1975 at the Armadillo World Headquarters in Austin, Texas. Also features studio tracks.*Zappa in New York (1978)-- Features recordsings from concerts at New York City's Palladium in December 1976*Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar Vol. 1-3 (1981)--Highlights Zappa's solo guitar soloing during the 1979-80 tour.*Tinseltown Rebellion (1981)-- 1979 and 1980 recordings*Does Humor Belong In Music (1986)-- Recorded October–December 1984*Guitar (1988)-- Guitar solos excerpted from live performances, recorded between 1979 and 1984; a follow-up to Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar.*Playground Psychotics (1992)-- Recorded with The Mothers of Invention in 1970–71.*Ahead of Their Time (1993)-- Royal Albert Hall, 1968.*FZ:OZ (2002)--  January 20, 1976 concert at the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney, Australia*Halloween (2003)--Recordings compiled from various shows at The Palladium, New York City in late October 1978, as well as some video content from the same period.*Imaginary Diseases (2006)--Live recordings with a stripped-down version of the "Petite Wazoo" tour of 1972*Buffalo (2007)-- 25 October, 1980, in Buffalo, New York*The Dub Room Special (2007)-- August 27, 1974, and from a concert in New York City on October 31, 1981.*Wazoo (2007)--Boston,  September 24, 1972.

   1988 World Tour

*Broadway the Hard Way (1988)-- Featuring new material featuring songs with strong political emphasis*The Best Band You Never Heard in Your Life (1991)--Zappa "standards" and an eclectic collection of cover tunes*Make a Jazz Noise Here (1991)--mostly instrumental and avant-garde music. Parts are also found on <I>You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore</I>, volumes 4 and 6.

   You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore

*You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore Vol. 1 (1988)*You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore Vol. 2 (1988)*You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore Vol. 3 (1989)*You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore Vol. 4 (1991)*You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore Vol. 5 (1992)*You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore Vol. 6 (1992) Posthumous Albums

*Civilization, Phaze III (1994)-- Last album completed before Zappa's death, called by Zappa a "Opera-Pantomime".The Lost Episodes (1996)--Previously unreleased material from early in his career, and as early as 1958, into the mid-1970s.*Läther (1996)--Unreleased tracks, unreleased versions of familiar tracks, and alternate mixes and edits of tracks that appeared on the albums Zappa in New York (1978), Studio Tan (1978), Sleep Dirt (1979) and Orchestral Favorites (1979), and in edited form on Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar (1981).*Frank Zappa Plays the Music of Frank Zappa: A Memorial Tribute (1996)--Compilation of original and live versions of Zappa's "Signature Tunes":  Zoot Allures, Black Napkins and Watermelon in Easter Hay.*Have I Offended Someone? (1997)--A collection of Zappa's songs that have gained notoriety as being particularly offensive, and often satirical or parodic.*Mystery Disc (1998) Material covers the early stages of Zappa's career, recorded between 1962 and 1969 (except "The Story of Willie the Pimp", 1972).*Everything Is Healing Nicely (1999)-- Features recordings made with the Ensemble Modern in preparation for The Yellow Shark.*FZ:OZ (2002) -- January 20, 1976 concert at the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney, AustraliaHalloween (2003)-- Recordings compiled from various shows at The Palladium, New York City in late October 1978, as well as some video content from the same period.*Joe's Corsage (2004)-- Material from Zappa and the Mothers of Invention from before their first release, Freak Out*QuAUDIOPHILIAc (2004)-- Compiles recordings he made while experimenting with "quadraphonic", or four-channel, sound in the 1970s.*Joe's Domage (2004)-- Rehearsals leading to the 1972  albums The Grand Wazoo, Waka/Jawaka and Studio Tan.*Joe's XMASage (2005)-- Third installment of the achival recordings (the previous two being Joe's Corsage and Joe's Damage)*Imaginary Diseases (2006)-- Live recordings with a stripped-down version of the "Petite Wazoo" tour of 1972*Trance-Fusion (2006)-- Consists of guitar solos recorded by Frank Zappa shortly before his death.*The Making Of Freak Out! Project/Object (2006) Box set--features previously unreleased material from Zappa's first album, Freak Out!* The Frank Zappa AAAFNRAA Birthday Bundle (2006) (iTunes exclusive)-- Consists of five previously unreleased tracks performed by Frank Zappa, and six new tracks featuring the Zappa family.*Buffalo (2007)--  Live album from 25 October, 1980, in Buffalo, New York with the same personnel on Tinsel Town Rebellion (1981) and Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar (1981).*The Dub Room Special (2007) Soundtrack--Includes recordings from a TV-show performance on August 27, 1974, and from a concert in New York City on October 31, 1981.*Wazoo (2007)- A 2-CD set consisting of a concert with "The Mothers of Invention/Hot Rats/Grand Wazoo" 20-piece big band in Boston on September 24, 1972. Includes compositions from the 1972  albums The Grand Wazoo, Waka/Jawaka and Studio Tan.*One Shot Deal (2008) External Links

* Zappa.com--Official Website* Wikipedia.org-- Bio* Wikipedia.org-- Discography* Allmusic.com-- Overview

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