Happy Birthday to the late great Frank Zappa. Today is known in the blogosphere as Day Zero of Zappadan, the annual blogswarm honoring Frank. The blogswarm started several years ago, but this year we've added Alicia Policia's "Yellow Snow Cupcakes" (edible) as a Zero Day tradition.
What songs accompany your holiday sweets this evening?
Fox's Shannon Bream Repeats Scalia's Falsehoods on 'Cornhusker Kickback'
Pastor's Hateful Sermon on Gays and Lesbians Draws Protests in North Carolina
Tony Blair Branded 'War Criminal' in Court; Pelted With Eggs While Leaving
Verdict with Dan Abrams: Donahue and Carlson on Iraq
Right Winger Brad Blakeman compares Glenn Beck to Jon Stewart : It's as crazy as Jon Stewart's crazy |
Pastor's Hateful Sermon on Gays and Lesbians Draws Protests in North Carolina |
| Plays: 96 Downloads: 8 | |
|
Tony Blair Branded 'War Criminal' in Court; Pelted With Eggs While Leaving |
| Plays: 74 Downloads: 7 | |
 |
Alan Simpson Still Pounding His Fist on the Table for a Grand Bargain |
| Plays: 41 Downloads: 6 | |
 |
Adviser Brags Romney Told Joke About Firing Hotel Maid |
| Plays: 20 Downloads: 3 | |
 |
Bill Maher Takes a Shot at the Birthers With Parody on Romney's 'Wiferism' Scandal |
| Plays: 13 Downloads: 0 |
 |
Colin Powell Takes Hannity to Task for His Obsession with Bill Ayers and Rev. Wright |
| Plays: 4952 Downloads: 225 | |
 |
Stockman: Romney Can't Say He Learned How to Create Jobs in the Leveraged Buyout Business |
| Plays: 2264 Downloads: 165 | |
|
Bill Maher Takes a Shot at the Birthers With Parody on Romney's 'Wiferism' Scandal |
| Plays: 1808 Downloads: 139 | |
 |
Arizona Congressional Candidate 'Pulls a Coffman' |
| Plays: 1656 Downloads: 147 | |
 |
Steve Rattner Says Romney Was Not A Job Creator |
| Plays: 1210 Downloads: 124 |
|
Colin Powell Takes Hannity to Task for His Obsession with Bill Ayers and Rev. Wright |
| Plays: 4952 Downloads: 225 | |
 |
S.E. Cupp Attempts and Fails to Defend Paul Ryan's Immoral Budget |
| Plays: 3938 Downloads: 146 | |
 |
Newt Gingrich Attacks John King for Asking About Ex-Wife Saying He Wanted an Open Marriage in the 90's |
| Plays: 2798 Downloads: 137 | |
 |
Even The Cops Couldn't Bring Themselves To Foreclose On 103-Year-Old Atlanta Woman |
| Plays: 373 Downloads: 2350 | |
 |
Brzezinski: GOP Presidential Race 'Embarrassing as an American' |
| Plays: 2487 Downloads: 101 |
So much nicer to say that something religuluous.
Mayor Sheila Dixon has declared Monday as "Frank Zappa Day" in Baltimore.
The eccentric musician was born in Baltimore on Dec. 21, 1940. He died in 1993.
Last week, Baltimore's public art commission decided that it will erect a bust of Zappa outside a public library.
The bust was given to Baltimore by fans of Zappa from Lithuania, where his music was popular among the avant-garde in the early 1990s. A similar bust is a tourist attraction in Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital
Only two things come to mind: Titties and Beer
sorry... couldn't resist.
Corruption favors the wealthy.
You have great taste, fiver!
;)
from the Zappa Plays Zappa tour.
As for holiday sweets ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zA_2pLQJj-U
(h/t to Uncle Wally for posting it a few weeks ago - much appreciated!)
Not a big Zappa fan, but I might be. I enjoyed this.
Frank Zappa - I am the walrus
Is it the 21st century yet?
..., that's the Northern Illinois University Huskies, I must simply must post a link to our theme song.
Since it's Zappa, I will now stop apologizing :)
Corruption favors the wealthy.
To have a Zappa theme song. One thing I never understood, Isn't Northern Illinois University WEST of Northwestern University?! Don't know exactly where Northern is but since Northwestern is next to lake Michigan, I would think its impossible to get further east and still be in Illinois.
or at least the lesser Palin, Todd...
'watch out where the huskies go & don't you eat that yellow snow'.
nt
Its my favorite song as well. You may know this but there is a great alternate take on the Playground Psychotics CD. I like the one on Band from LA better but both are great and the one on Psychotics has some significant differences in the instrumentation and lyrics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbfaiumA1gs
It's been a long day, so it's off to bed for me. Sweet dreams, everyone!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7GG3EhsWUk&fe...
MC 900 Ft Jesus - I'M GOING STRAIGHT TO HEAVEN
me-oww!
What are you thinking? Are you thinking? Just how could you post this?
Yeah, Frank died. He even died while running for president, I was going to vote for him. Tell me this, given that he was a more brilliant man then anyone who posts here, where the hell do you come off just going for a comment about "yellow snow" remembering him?
A song from 1974 that you bring up on Frank's birthday. Tell me this, what was the most embarrassing thing you have done since 1974? Frank lived from 1942-1993, produced some of the best music ever heard through his guitar playing, composition and direction. Yet there are some fools, this site included who can remember little other the yellow snow. I'd hope that in the future if you don't know what the heck you are talking about that you would just keep your mouth shut and stop embarrassing the rest of us.
I hope you have your own pretty yellow panties from where you wet them. Does that sound like a comment you would like posted here? Then shut up about Frank and try to get an idea about the meaning of his work. Yeah, I'm really pissed about this sort of comment. It happens too often. Frank Zappa was one of the greatest masters of our time. STFU about a 25 year old joke song and get a clue.
In case you think I'm simply making this up out of the top of my head, note that there is a !00% instrumental by Zappa called "I promise not to cum in your mouth". There's a clue - he didn't think much of people that who, for all your good qualities, were just reacting to the yellow panty syndrome.
bluegal, You owe Frank an apology.
And as long as she wasn't taking drugs, I don't think he gives a shit.
Did Frank appoint you 'Guardian of his memory' or are you just tired and emotional?
me-oww!
Frank said it best po-jama people.
No good recordings of this seem to be around, I guess you'll have to figure out how t read it:
http://www.science.uva.nl/~robbert/zappa/albu...
or listen to a pretty crappy version here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fI71nXCg0Xw
I just hope for a bit of respect for one of the best.
Maybe "miss kitty" should get over her reactionary comments while taking drug, being tired and emotional?
Yeah, I'm pretty sure Frank doesn't give a shit. He's dead.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOc12Z9t0P0
I said that.
As for reactionary, read your hysterical comment directed at the author of the thread, the look in the mirror, and stop projecting.
And WTF is "while taking drug?"
Never mind I don't care.
me-oww!
Wow, dude calm down. Frankie Z. IMO was one of the best guitar players of his generation. And yeah Appostrophe was probably one of his biggest commercial successes, well maybe that was overnite sensation but don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. Just appreciate the fact that somebody is showing him his due, and enjoy the memories.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHWnZtfgFys
"...not Redlands, no no..."
So cool to be born on the first ay of lengthening daylight...
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
Truly amazing. How could anyone do this live?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dysc50JVtoo&fe...
Also, more music for Miss Kitty. This is what I was talking about. Check the title and guitar work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa14L1UOxKI
And started collecting in the 60s
thanks though.
me-oww!
... but everyone on this thread seems to be here because they know and love Zappa.
What's the problem? Respect?
Why do I picture Frank laughing at that?
Corruption favors the wealthy.
For those in the vicinity of the East Coast, Dweezil will be out with ZPZ for a few shows in early 2010. If you like Frank's music then you will love Zappa Plays Zappa. Great musicians playing great music, and they're really nice people too.
Baltimore is January 15. See you there....
I thought I'd play more of it.
Yellow Snow, Nanook Rubs It, and more.
Great Googly Moogely
What is your conceptual, continuity?
I mean the doggie wee wee has blinded me, and I can't see. Temporarily .
Next Stop.
The Parish of St Alfonso.
I see alot of people saying Apostrophe was a commercial grade album.
I used to think that. But not anymore. It's a great album. From a musical genius . That's all.
Get On Your Feet And Do the Funky Alfonso!
He was delighted as it stiffened, As it ripped right thru his sock.
Oh well, Ya can't keep everyone happy.
Or maybe I should put in an (')
What is your conceptual, continuity?
(Yes, you needed to be good to play with Frank)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gzt6PwuQABk
I've never understood the adulation for the overrated, puerile, condescending obvious "satire" and pretentious technowankery of Zappa's "music." He had a couple of albums worth of good ideas when his original Mothers backed him, but once he dispensed with his original band and became the primary (awful) singer, his work became unbearable.
"Don't Eat The Yellow Snow" is a prime example of some of his more wretched material.
The only album of his that I can actually enjoy, and enjoy from start to finish, is WEASELS RIPPED MY FLESH.
and instant gratification . . cheap thrills. At least Frank is being acknowledged by young people.
Zappa is unlike 99% of rock/pop music out there. Everyone else uses the equivalent of what you learn in the first couple of weeks in an intro to music theory class. A few simple chords, 4/4 or 3/4 time. Zappa was really a composer who added on lyrics because just music doesn't sell. He used unusual time signatures, changing time signatures, and harmonies that often are closer to modern classical music than rock or pop. That's why every musician I've ever known respects and/or loves his music.
Still remember all the words to Brown Shoes Don't Make It- Used music from 200 Motels for a play I directed in the mid-70's. I have students today who actually know some of Zappa's music.
Great to influence young minds. One of my favorite stories about 200 motels is that Zappa hired a bunch of classical musicians to perform the music and that the Soprano who had to sing lyrics like "dental hygeine makes me hot" almost quit because she found the lyrics so offensive.
One of the few non Zappa fans (I was almost going to say "Zappa haters" but that is one of the words I've banned from my vocabulary) mentioned Zappa's "purient" lyrics. I usually stay away from trying to psychoanalyze public figures since so much analysis tends to get bogged down in the illness du jour. Remember when after John Edwards' scandal everyone in the world seemed to be a narcissist? But I think one of the most interesting stories from Zappa's early life is when he got entrapped by a vice cop into making an obscene audio tape and then got arrested for it. Zappa spent several days in jail (inspiring at least one later song San Berdino) and I think the insanity that someone could be plucked from the street and because they didn't have a decent lawyer end up spending time in jail for such a harmless act as creating an audio tape so influenced him that he decided from that point on to raise his middle fingers to all the vice cops of the world with his lyrics.
when he got entrapped by a vice cop into making an obscene audio tape and then got arrested for it. Zappa spent several days in jail (inspiring at least one later song San Berdino) and I think the insanity that someone could be plucked from the street and because they didn't have a decent lawyer end up spending time in jail for such a harmless act as creating an audio tape so influenced him that he decided from that point on to raise his middle fingers to all the vice cops of the world with his lyrics.
I guess the lesson Zappa learned from this experience is to use cops to get even with the world. Zappa is the first one to ever chase down anyone caught downloading one of his songs without permission. He is the king rat fink of DRM HELL.
I don't do this because the bust is not worth the media, but Zappa is a real pig doing this to other poor people who can't afford the packaging. It USED TO BE THE AIRWAVES WERE FREE. So they took the culture off the airwaves and they put it in packages and they SELL OUR OWN CULTURE BACK TO US PIECEMEAL.
Zappa loves it because he wants to make sure his little ones never have to work like the rest of us stupid dogs.
I will never listen to his music again and I haven't heard it for years. Screw Zappa.
"Zappa is the first one to ever chase down anyone caught downloading one of his songs without permission."
I haven't heard of this do you have a link? It sounds like strange behavior for a man who once played all the LP's (forget how many, at least 3) from Joe's Garage over KROQ and told people in advance so they could be sure to have their tape machines ready. Of course we has doing that to screw his record company. I don't understand why some people get so intensely angry when an artist does something selfish or stupid. Artists aren't priests, they are human like anyone, in fact the bast ones are often perfectionists and otherwise hard to get along with and treat others like crap. Its part of having the drive to be a great musician. Hendrix used to hit his girl friends when he got drunk. Lennon was a total shit to his first wife. And Axl Rose... is Axl Rose. If you are going to expect all musicians to be nice guys you won't be able to listen to much besides the Osmonds. There is no question that Zappa was very obsessed with money. That he was concerned as much or more because he wanted to support his family as well as himself seems like a good thing to me.
Comments are closed on this entry