Frank Zappa - Approximate (1974)

[@rossjoseph3844]

Ruth in later years has taught music to kids who can't afford formal music instruction. Not only is she a phenominal talent but a wonderful human being.

[@drumman9021]

I have the upmost respect for Ruth because she truly loved Frank’s work.

[@garrettbaker2320]

That doesnt surprise me at all. What an amazing musician she is!

[@Caniballe]

Love her

[@datadavis]

@@rossjackson7352 is that you RJ?

[@RobJazzful]

*phenomenal

[@PROTAsoloproject]

"Chester, you're not singing your drum fills." I'm dying.

[@Drifterella]

I am crying with laughter, lol. omg Frank was the true genius.. So glad I met him a "hundred years ago", now I can die happy, lel.. Thanks for this video, it should be part of any music school class !!!

[@ilongfordarkness]

Frank Zappa is the music equivalent to abstract art, I don't get it but I'm glad it exists.

[@Mr_Joseph979]

Frank Zappa was a genius! I only discovered him 6 years ago after knowing OF him my whole life and I regret the time I wasted NOT being exposed to his music.

[@Rainy_Day12234]

Every note was scripted, not improvised.

[@craigstevens9351]

@Less Than Nothing... i could be surgically precise squirting diarrhea on a canvass to draw a picture but it would still just be diarrhea on a canvass

[@anthonyparkinson5820]

How can you not get Zappa? Very long and intense discography and live performances that add up to a phenomenal career. He brought in, inspired and made careers out of so many great musicians. One of the great intellects also on music of that era.

[@garrettbaker2320]

Check out his main influence Edgard Varese if you want musical density.

[@lennartkarrman2009]

A true genius. Surrounded by extremely talented musicians ❤️

[@brahim119]

*@Lennart Karman.* Glad I read your comment first, because I was going to say the same thing. 👍🎵🎶🎶🎵🎶🎶👍

[@brucegrunwald20]

Roger that

[@sandyago4735]

You're speaking about Ruth , I'm assuming

[@BobPagani]

Ruth is playing her ass off on this and smiling the whole time like it's easy.

[@jrosner6123]

She is amazing

[@lotswifemusic9965]

For her, it is easy

[@MikeGervasi]

Ruth is a monster. Massive talent and loved that Frank wrote parts for her. Huge talent on that stage as well.

[@krispy3790]

what? shes part of the band why wouldnt he write parts for her? lmao the boomers simping for her in these comments are so weird

[@steelingcable6350]

@@krispy3790 ik

[@uncleernie7949]

@@krispy3790 lololol

[@fanaticaldueling6337]

@@krispy3790because most musicians like writing their own parts when contributing to a body of music. Adrian Belew had that freedom when he was with frank. Quit being ignorant

[@Anthony-hu3rj]

@@krispy3790 "boomers." very dull description of human beings.

[@senianns9522]

It was so much better being 20 in the 70's than 70 in the 20's!

[@bikingbirder2010]

Adapt and survive - and bring Frank with you. Loving my late Sixties.

[@kevintheskullanderson2879]

Frank Zappa was just ahead of his time. He not only came around once in-a-lifetime; he came around just once. There's never going to be another Frank Zappa.

[@Farigorn]

a0a0hjuzii8◇}`[▪}○[▪]○ slxopdue4Tehododfllcldosoalala

[@Farigorn]

a0a0hjuzii8◇}`[▪}○[▪]○ slxopdue4Tehododfllcldosoalalalal a

[@Farigorn]

lwlala

[@AntwhaleNearfar]

Danny Elfman was the Frank Zappa of the 80’s.

[@earlvanfleet3501]

Heard Dweezil? Didn't think so!

[@Artemetra]

A great travesty was avoided when Ms. Underwood gave up the idea of playing in symphony orchestras to join Zappa's band.

[@123agidee_2]

Imagine how much rehearsal is necessary to get a band this tight

[@surfdigby]

Imagine how much it must mess with your brain to only rehearse the rhythm of the melody, but not the pitch.

[@petr3788]

I think not every band can do that even if they firmly decided to rehearse as much as needed.

[@chrisreed3022]

They reputedly rehearsed for weeks for 6 hours a day. For another recording Zappa paid the LSO to perform for him and some players went off at lunch to the pub to get pissed and Zappa was outraged.

[@lorenzobertolini5541]

He's the Utmost Genius of our times and for ever

[@funkyalfonso]

@@chrisreed3022 He said never again.

[@Vito_Tuxedo]

There has never been anyone even remotely like Frank Zappa, and there never will be again. That kind of genius is unique.

[@jsims1617]

Unique is one word,crap is another

[@charliewhelan9488]

@@jsims1617 the man had talent and there's no way you can deny that

[@JazzyJonas]

And that kind of unique was genius :-)

[@jsims1617]

@@charliewhelan9488 It depends on your perception of talent. To me, no.

[@charliewhelan9488]

@@jsims1617 I'm not sure talent is subjective. There's no way you can deny he mastered his instrument and his rhythmic abilities are crazy

[@Mandragore-music-and-comics]

This guy IS (not was: for he still is and will be) a complete astonishing everlasting Genius...

[@juanchaves2971]

I can not imagine how anyone could assemble this many complete musical geniuses, and then actually get them to coordinate them to this level, I mean I just cannot relate. They were ridiculous! Crazy, crazy talent and creativity.

[@bigblocklawyer]

Yeah...Lynyrd Skynyrd comes to mind.

[@jerryballard371]

You have it inverted… nobody other than this caliber of musicians could coordinate this well. 😁

[@DunmoresMovieMania]

@@bigblocklawyer -- I'm glad you are being sarcastic.

[@bigblocklawyer]

@@DunmoresMovieMania Wut? A band way more influential on main stream music than Zappa, and they all lived on the same street growing up and played little league together. Literally a perfect example of creativity and coordination at an enigmatic level. There was no reason, other than fate that all that talent was centered in a few block area.

[@davidcarter1738]

It is the wonder of generations.Me being 65 and still trying to relate.But I know quality when I hear it.

[@floundergearjam]

Notice - that each musician is...having fun. They are playing their parts, singing (even singing the drum fill). When your job is not work, it is your passion, and you are having FUN.

[@kenm.3512]

Absolutely brilliant ! And funny. "Chester, you're not singing your drum fills !" Ruth is incredible on this number.

[@Gurci28]

2:34

[@Gurci28]

3:42

[@PJBubbles]

The utterly fabulous Ruth Underwood!

[@RasberrySkittle]

I swear, every Frank Zappa video has this comment

[@dougdrazga4461]

Ruth was fabulous. This might be the best lineup ever. They're clowning around on this like it's "Louie Louie."

[@RogerBiwandu]

Sexy as...

[@scotttully8572]

On Ruth!

[@gepmrk]

Ruth was and still is incredible.

[@JA-io8nx]

By far the best lineup Zappa ever had

[@paulinebutcherbird]

Agreed.

[@sdkee]

Ruth is amazing as usual. And funny as hell. Hadn't seen this one.

[@paulblanshard9336]

Its off the Dub Room Special video..

[@DVincentW]

@@paulblanshard9336 I had that VHS tape, played it to death. I love when he has the PZM mic on his forehead. Hysterical.

[@sherlockholmes6990]

Frank Zappa did not use drugs. Obviously he had no need.

[@ensignofindustry1033]

Drugs did Zappa

[@neilslade]

Frank was a chain smoker, a nicotine addict, thoroughly, and it killed him in the end--- or rather in the prostate.

[@jorgegonzalez-larramendi5491]

non-stop nicotine plus crappy coffe. gimme a break

[@sherlockholmes6990]

@@neilslade Obviously that's not what I meant. Obviously.

[@sherlockholmes6990]

@@jorgegonzalez-larramendi5491 Obviously that's not what I meant. Obviously.

[@wostra42]

A decomposition of a musical performance, into its elements. Zappa at his humorous and intellectual best.

[@tonyreynolds5112]

You gotta love someone who made music for us dopers but who never did drugs himself. He is missed.

[@chrisoneill3999]

Frank was a heavy tobacco user. Like Sonny Bono his anti-drug stance just meant the drugs Ronald Reagan didn't like.

[@squeegeeboard]

@@chrisoneill3999 zappa didn't like the effects of drugs, on himself or on others. Nothing to do with reagan. He did smoke pot a few times, but he wasn't a fan.

[@tonyreynolds5112]

@@vitamind.d.fishinsea8570 I shoulda said illegal drugs. I remember Zappa and Grace Slick doing public service ads on underground radio stations back in the day " Smoke all the pot you want and do acid if it's Owlsley but stay away from speed it'll generally fuck you up like your parents". Late 60s and early 70s were beyond awesome. Zappa advocated pot and hallucinogenic use but not for himself. Makes me crave LSD shrooms mescaline. ☮️☮️☮️

[@weon_penca]

In his autobiography, Ozzy tells the story about being on tour or something with FZ, and FZ musicians asking him for weed, "but please not to tell Frank because he would fire us from the band because he don't do and don't like drugs" and then FZ himself asking him for weed, "but please don't tell the band because they don't do and they don't like drugs", Ozzy in the end didn't understand sh*t but gave weed to everyone.

[@tigerlikeswater]

@@tonyreynolds5112 "do acid if it's Owlsley"....LMAO - Stanley's name spelled 'Owsley' - but typos, I know.... I read that after Owsley moved to Far North QLD he only ate chicken broth. What a genius he was as well....

[@thevolkman]

"Chester, you're not singing your drum fills."

[@TonyPayneUK]

I thought that looked like Chester.

[@CirclingtheFringes]

Chester might not get payed for this gig...

[@billsmith9711]

@@TonyPayneUK who also played with Genesis?

[@TonyPayneUK]

@@billsmith9711 The very same.

[@billsmith9711]

@@TonyPayneUK saw them in Atlanta in 1976

[@virginiaviola5097]

Frank truly brought out the very best in the very best. He made music fun. The older I’ve gotten, and now I’ve gotten older than him, the more I come to understand and appreciate just what Frank was all about.

[@jamesanderson9327]

This was great... I love the "comedy group" side of FZ as much as the "serious classical genius" side. But Ruth Underwood is one of the finest musicians to ever grace a record album, and she deserves to be heard by everyone! Ed Marimba (Arthur Dyer Tripp III) is wonderful too, Ruth Underwood's playing is unsurpassed!

[@rhythmfield]

Don’t forget Ed Mann - probably Ruth’s equal

[@pmvoice88]

It takes an insane amount of practice and talent to play like this.

[@dorengarcia7925]

I saw Zappa and Ruth do a percussion duet. Saw Zappa several times and it was the best thing I ever saw his band do. Zappa started out playing drums. Zappa and Ruth together is even more astounding than Ruth on this one if that's possible. I just remember being blown away by how good Zappa was with mallets... rather see him do that than the guitar god stuff.

[@chamberpaint]

Frank used to say "Ladies & Gentlemen, Ruth Underwood and her Two Friends!". I'm particularly fond of this performance. Especially how it sounds in my brain when they DANCE the composition. Nice.

[@biffdorkinton555]

I got to ask her about reading Frank's charts and she said, "Oh you'd be surprised, some of it is like kindergarten level, but yes, the rest can be very difficult." Had a type of crush on her since then and will never change my mind about her. What a treasure.

[@EmptyGlass99]

I've never wanted to meet any of my musical heroes but Ruth Underwood is the one exception.

[@biffdorkinton555]

I was at this taping and talked to her then. Great lady.

[@plutoneon_tv8070]

So refreshing looking at adults playing like children!

[@mauricedorreboom5388]

That's why his stage antics compilation was called "You Can't Do This On Stage Anymore"'. There is no one that comes even close of what Zappa did on stage.

[@bigorstojanov184]

@@mauricedorreboom5388 Ever heard of GG Allin?

[@nrich5127]

Zappa's genius is still reverberating today ... I saw him live 3 times and every time .. it was totally a different take on music with his sense of humor throughout ...

[@paulinebutcherbird]

You can get an alternative take on Frank Zappa, on his home life at the log cabin when he was first famous, from getting up in the morning to going to bed, composing at the grand piano, rehearsing with the Mothers of Invention, visiting rock stars, freaks, family squabbles and more. It's my story but this is what you get. 'Freak Out! My Life with Frank Zappa 1968 - 1971'.

[@jclevenger7580]

“Alright, that was the melody” LMAO… The melody, just with the instruments sounds amazing. I never got exposed to Frank Zappa when I was younger. Truly a pioneer of music.

[@cweakley]

This ensemble makes every other band sound like your high school music class.

[@md-ps2hx]

Phenomenal Playing ... What a brilliantly entertaining show from quality musos ... and FZ even has time to have a ciggie ... Astounding performance ... almost 50 years ago ...

[@josephpaul8874]

Legend says the folks at the line to join Frank Zappa's band are still rehearsing these parts.

[@SteveJones172pilot]

I dont think I knew that Chester Thompson ever played with Zappa.. I only know him from playing on tour with Genesis and he's always been one of my favorite drummers.. Showing off his skill again on this one!!

[@stormynortherner]

Same. This must have been early in his career.

[@Nano0k]

He was part of my personal favorite line-ups of Frank's from 1973-75. Check out the live FZ albums The Roxy & Elsewhere and You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore vol. 2. Amazing stuff, and you get to hear a much longer version of this song on the latter album with mind-blowing solos. Great studio albums with that band, too.

[@mysteriousplankton]

There is no rock band in the history of Rock bands that can touch The Mothers. Even if they can cop the notes and the technique, they cannot command an audience and musicians like Frank. And Ruth is just insanely amazing.

[@-danR]

Zappa's manuscript hand is exquisite.

[@richsackett3423]

I've been enjoying 1:00 paused for a few minutes now. Didn't know he was so well-educated.

[@slickrockcreek1]

@@richsackett3423 Nice call, I went back and checked that out. Frank considered himself a composer and as far as I know he required all his players to be able to read music, even the drummers had to be able to read percussion scores.

[@-danR]

Yes, Ruth mentioned that in an interview when she mentioned a piece he wrote for her.

[@literalwho9017]

@@richsackett3423 he wrote and conducted some "Modern Classical" pieces, check out Lumpy Gravy for example

[@andragg]

He was fortunate to be in NYC where he met Ruth. He also lucked out and got Ian Underwood (who has a PhD in composition) in the band who helped Zappa with notation and arranging and as a copyist. I met Bunk Gardner and Don Preston once and they both said the same thing, that Zappa didn't have much formal training (1 semester in Jr. College) but learned fast and his music became more sophiticated in just a couple years after he got Ian Underwood, Art Tripp and Bunk Gardner in the band. People who think Zappa was born a musical genius and taught himself music theory and harmony are incorrect. He's a brilliant composer, period!

[@ejb7969]

Nobody in music today has the enthusiastic imagination to come up with anything like this. We were so lucky to have FZ. And it boggles my mind that when he was my age, he had already been dead for 10 years. (Props to Tom Lehrer for that method of comparing life achievements.)

[@WELLBRAN]

Now in the music world your shunned if you try anything like this or to be daring and different.

[@DVincentW]

Great statement!

[@KC9UDX]

Tom Lehrer outlived most of us already.

[@nintendonut100]

There definitely are musicians around this creative, they're just not big names

[@nintendonut100]

This creative and with this much imagination I meant to say

[@williamhiggins842]

I have seen the man and his phenomenal band of musical geniuses on more than one occasion and I can't say that I have ever seen this piece ever performed.

[@Nano0k]

Frank Zappa (lead guitar, vocals), Napoleon Murphy Brock (saxophone, vocals), George Duke (keyboards, vocals), Ruth Underwood (Vibes, percussion), Tom Fowler (bass) and Chester Thompson (drums) perform complex Approximate part one instrumental melody only and part two singing a-Capella. Approximate was played live at KCET TV Studio, Los Angeles, CA in August 1974. If you liked this, check out Frank's album You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore vol. 2. Much longer version of this song with mind-blowing solos.

[@Nano0k]

Credit to 9zmO-2G2b-4 from CalVid

[@eliotmccann2589]

Lovely to see FZ laughing at 2:35-2:40

[@Tjp7624]

Laughed for like five seconds his entire career, jk haah

[@DodoDiaz]

I’ve seen this one many times and just now realizing something. Ruth manually muting the notes that are randomly picked. Skills.

[@froghermit9852]

I am trying to understand what you mean can you explain more?

[@DodoDiaz]

@@froghermit9852 Around 1:51 you can see her playing randomly picked notes and right after muting them with her hands, so that those notes are shortened. I’m just saying that she knows her instrument well.

[@froghermit9852]

@@DodoDiaz oh got ya I see now

[@nickmcleod7259]

What makes you think they are random notes?

[@DodoDiaz]

@@nickmcleod7259 Here’s a transcript from this taping (taken from ”The Dub Room Special!”): ”Now as you can see from this piece of paper that we have on the screen, which you can't really see at this point, but it will be on the screen for our television audience at home, that uh, there are some actual notes and there's a lot of other things on there which the rhythm is indicated but the pitches are not indicated, which means you get to choose whatever you like. Any kind of note that you can grab fast enough to make it on that rhythm as what your part is, see? And the only thing that happens is the group is rhythmically coordinated and the rest of it is . . . every person for themself.”

[@GTX1123]

Frank Zappa = comic and musical genius

[@OmniGuy]

If you say do. I can't listen to more than about 45 seconds of this utter shit.

[@GTX1123]

@@OmniGuy Hundreds of thousands of fans who loved Zappa could care less what you think. You may not like his humor or his music, but the guy could write symphonic scores. Not too many rock musicians who can do that.

[@OmniGuy]

Like I said......if you say do.

[@davidandcookie7648]

@@OmniGuy he didn't say "do," but he did say so. I'm sorry for your lack of decent taste such that you would refer to this as shit.

[@OmniGuy]

No need for you to be sorry D&C.

[@EchydnaRecords]

ruth underwood is so fucking awesome

[@bigal05171957]

ZAPPA one of the greatest MUSICIANS EVER 🎸🎵

[@dominicaustin6016]

I absolutely adore the immense talent of Zappa and his influence. Although, sometimes when I'm hearing a crazy abstract cocophony and everyone else gets it, I feel left out.

[@xbmpr]

Makes me feel like the smartest dummy on planet earth. Thanks earth, for giving us Frank Zappa.

[@fatdad64able]

@Dominic Austin: I can relate, lol. It's like when a teacher in school explains something pretty difficult and everybody nods and seems to have understood...... except for oneself. Feeling left out, but also slight panic.^^

[@5967malibu]

I heard you got to go back to 1974 where there was something called purple microdot...

[@thesoundsmith]

It's NOT cacophony! That can only be played on a cacaphone...

[@dorengarcia7925]

The more you listen the more you'll "get"... like I couldn't dig Mozart... but took a class an started getting it, now I get it. Had Bach in my back pocket for years... I'm 69, and now I'm starting to get it. Sometimes the best music takes time, sometimes when you see it live it hits you on the head like a sledge hammer.

[@Axwage]

The Blood, Sweat & Tears diss is savage.

[@teebee5323]

Yea I was like, is that a crack at BS&T lip and air syncing?

[@Opheggie54]

Can you imagine being this musically tight

[@CribNotes]

All of Zappa's musicians were on salary. By the late 70's, he would prepare for a tour by rehearsing about eight hours a day, six days a week for two months. Yeah, that's gonna be a tight band.

[@comiskey2005]

I wasn’t into Zappa, but I gotta admit he was a mad genius.

[@larryholcomb2165]

I'm not a fan of all his material but he's my favorite composer and recording engineer. Ruth Underwood is my favorite percussionist...

[@charleswahlstrom3154]

I suggest you go get some

[@usmc-veteran73-77]

Great song, love it. Send me back to 1974, when I was a 19 yr old United States Marine at Camp LeJeune North Carolina

[@Hrth6]

This was incredible. They were having a great time performing this.

[@rainerwaansinn]

The good thing about Frank Zappa is the fact that he recorded and archived everything. And so we can gradually learn more and more about him, hear more and more, see more and more. That is wonderful. Born in 1950, I was a fan of his from the very beginning. His "promoter" in my circle of friends.

[@noradosmith]

These guys could literally play anything. Damn

[@klausschneider1045]

Anything, yes. When Frank rehearsed the Yellow Shark with the renowned "Ensemble Modern" , there were complaints from some musicians about the difficulty of the movements. Frank's answer: My Rockband can play this.

[@richsackett3423]

By design.

[@princeofcupspoc9073]

"Literally" does NOT MEAN WHAT YOU THINK IT DOES. Please buy a dictionary.

[@franciscojavierruiz7219]

This is the ultimate prove of the magistral bunch of geniouses Zappa put together..

[@bluesharp59]

Saw Frank November 26, 1975 Civic Center, St. Paul, MN . What a Great Show it was. RIP Frank we all miss you and never forgotten.

[@joseph-ow1hf]

That is the craziest, yet coolest thing I've ever seen. BTW: I totally forgot Chester played w/ Frank. I met Chester once. As nice and cool as you would imagine him.

[@drazj]

this playing is extremely hard guys, from my point of view. Incredible

[@tomthebomb557]

Some two thousand years from now, a future archeologist will discover this and it will become a hit...That is how far ahead Frank Zappa's musical genius goes.

[@Drifterella]

Totally agree,, Zappa will be listed up there with Bach and all the "classics", heh.

[@Maria-kq4ri]

Still loving Frank in 22, truly a wise man and a musical genius. ♥️

[@CusterFlux]

Ruth Underwood circa '74 - the Perfect Woman™.

[@emilezoulette882]

thanks for finishing this sentence suziecreamchease

[@jhrharrison]

She still is!

[@funkyalfonso]

@@emilezoulette882 But what's got into her?

[@oriaxberkaal]

I saw Frank Zappa doing the same thing in Milan, sept. 9, 1974. Awesome!

[@MarcoLongoMusic]

Damn I wish I was born already

[@carlosmarques3252]

RIP FZ i hear your music since i was 14 years old. ONE SIZE FITS ALL

[@MrTortureneverstops1]

I'm still in love with Ruth after all these years !

[@rolfdejonge3915]

Super! Thanks! ✌️🤠💥🌟

[@std882]

Ruth is absolutely amazing. As are the rest of the band of course.

[@Oceanmachine27]

I love how, on these old video tapes, any reflective surface could cause that kind of "smeary" flash of light. I just think it looks cool.

[@OboeCanAm]

I stopped by to say the usual: "Ruth Underwood is a wonderful musician and person".

[@donstoddard8458]

I feel so lucky that I got the chance to see Zappa a couple dozen times

[@secretmission7607]

Ahh... I love these old sing-a-long tunes...

[@paulinebutcherbird]

Funny.

[@pegbars]

This is one of the most awesome pieces I've ever heard.

[@cajadomatic]

Ruth is a monster, an angel, a musical goddess!

[@brendandonnelly5879]

The world still could do with Mr. Zappa.

[@teebee5323]

Zappa and Carlin figured out the uniparty before the uniparty even figured it out.

[@nforne]

Now more than ever. I’d love to know what he’d make of today’s politics and wokeness.

[@martinboere3274]

I watched Alex Winter's Zappa documentary the other day and to my utter disbelief I found out that this TV-special was never officially broadcasted, whereas it contains memorable performances by one of the best Zappa band line-ups ever. This world just ain't right (b.t.w. I loved the documentary).

[@jaypickett3552]

Thank you for mentioning the documentary as I was unaware of its existence. Done by the esteemed Bill S Preston Esquire? Even better!

[@garrettbaker2320]

The 74 band was the best of them all. I had a chance to see them but chose midnight hockey instead, Regerts!

[@DodoDiaz]

The documentary features a clip from an unaired TV special, recorded at the DiscReet rehearsal studio about two months before the KCET ”Token of His Extreme” special. While ”Token of…” wasn’t broadcasted in North America, it was aired in a couple of European countries in the ’70s. In Zappa’s lifetime he featured alot of it in ”The Dub Room Special”. The DiscReet remains unreleased but hopefully the estate and the Vaultmeister will put it out at some point.

[@KutWrite]

What a fun and strange guy... and group. Good that they found each other. Nice, too, to put a face to their xylophone after all these years.

[@KOLDBLU3ST33L]

Yea, you had to BE a EXCEPTIONAL musician to play with Zappa 😎. RIP FRANK

[@FrankTerranova1]

Thanks for uploading this performance. It's Typical Early Weird Zappa: Tight, Fun, and Avante Strange. 😳

[@Dixler683]

This man was a genius in possession of the most magnificent nose ever created.

[@SaltpeterTaffy]

The man is more nose than face!

[@jazzman1954]

You haven't seen mine.

[@DaveCroy]

It's a honker

[@craigjohnson7822]

'Red sea pedestrians' would gladly stand waiting at traffic lights to watch that yacht sail past

[@jeffdawson2786]

This band was unrivaled, even among FZ’s many amazing bands.

[@freddiesoverbite6162]

Ruth was greased lightning on those vibes.

[@marcome]

Wow! Tks a zillion Frank Zappa!

[@sheldoncooper8199]

Who in the F are the 64 people that disliked this ? THIS is Pure musical genius and i am not even a musician.

[@indigo5601]

this is pure musical genius and i am a musician...

[@lemsrache8377]

Trump voters

[@sp404ex]

It's like the really cool kids let us in on an inside joke. The musicianship is impressive and the fun is STILL infectious all these years later.

[@charlesmiller000]

It's 92 today thanks to ME.

[@charlesmiller000]

...and I'm a musician/computer engineer.

[@nelsonlugo45]

Dude, I saw this lineup (plus Ponty) destroy Nassau Coliseum right around this time, after Mahavishnu Orchestra opened for them. Kottke opened the show. She was amazing, like she is here.

[@Nano0k]

Very jealous. And were you referring to *Leo* Kottke? If so, was he solo or with a band?

[@michelvanbriemen3459]

I never got what Frank Zappa was about, until I heard the magic words: "He was pushing music to its breaking point, sometimes a bit further"

[@samfrancisco8095]

I saw Frank Zappa 2 times in Upstate New York and once in Canada in the 70's. Decades later, I saw his son, Dweezil in Sacramento, CA at the Crest Theatre. It was like Deja Vu. The talent these 2 men brought together is amazing.

[@dougmphilly]

his best band ever

[@emilezoulette882]

c'est clair!

[@emilezoulette882]

i'm with you there man ! greetings from france

[@gringochucha]

Absolutely outstanding musicians, every one of them. Man, what I wouldn't give to go back in time and watch them.

[@mrodifer]

I always thought FZ looked like he was having a blast when he was playing with these guys. (Wish there was more aural and visual documentation of the larger lineup that preceded the Roxy unit , which included both Fowler boys, both Underwoods, Jean-Luc Ponty, George Duke and Sal Marquez. Yowza!) Overall, however, this bunch's amazing personalities as players is why I always return to them as a benchmark. FZ loved them!

[@michaelbrinkers1145]

Anyone who's ever worked for Zappa .....Over-talented, but (from what I've read, woefully) underpaid.

[@boilinabag]

the musicianship of this band is as good as it gets. i dont recall this piece on the albums. greatness.

[@CpLKaNeZA]

What a fantastic group of individuals and musicians. Hope we can return to something like this someday.

[@fatdad64able]

Why do I keep coming back to this from time to time?

[@bohindramusic]

Increíble Band❤️‍🔥✌️🥸 I love FLUTE in Zappa Music , Ruth Underwood fantastic

[@petethegrip4556]

Not sure what I just watched, but did watch till the end- I think I got a contact High:)

[@erasmodarotterdam]

Genius Genius Genius, really missing Him!

[@rman52]

Come on Frank. Blood Sweat and Tears was a fantastic band. The title album from 1969 is one of the great albums of all time. Almost up there with Chicago. Of course almost every Zappa album is a great album and many are masterpieces.

[@buckbumble]

I’ve always heard that Zappa demanded perfection which led me to assume he much have been unscrupulous with his group, much like Miles Davis was. I’m fairly new to his music and this video kinda helps me to appreciate the humour and personality in Frank’s music. There is something childlike and free about the way he conducts and it just makes everything more endearing. With that said, I’m off to listen to Lumpy Gravy.

[@funkempfang]

so where are you now then? Enjoy the ride(it never stops)!

[@ericskinner7355]

Ruth, putting the majic element on top of Frank's compositions. Love it!

[@ericskinner7355]

And Frank, what can I say that hasn't already been said. Gone too soon..... miss you buddy.

[@ericskinner7355]

And Dweezil , I'm sure your dad would be extremely proud of your playing and what you've done with his music, dispite all of this lawsuit BS .Tell your brother to get a job, then tell him that you still love him.

[@hisvorpalsword]

Imagine not knowing that much about Zappa, watching this, and losing your mind? It's me. I don't know that much about Zappa and I'm losing my mind.

[@richardeast3328]

I remember first hearing Zappa and the Mothers around the late 1960's while in high school. I really didn't know what to think, but grew to like him. One of Zappa's fellow musician friends, Captain Beefheart is even freakier than Zappa.

[@fondriest777]

How’ve you been coping?

[@islandmank]

As a musician, that just looks like so much fun! \m/

[@paulinebutcherbird]

Maasses of hard work behind it, hours and hours and hours in fact.

[@islandmank]

@@paulinebutcherbird for sure. It's zappa after all! \m/

[@riversshow]

I love this guy... He was a genius!!!

[@101519e]

DUDE WAS SOMETHING ELSE. MISS HIM.

[@maureenwassermann767]

I don't love a lot of Frank's music, but I have nothing but the highest respect for his, and his band's, musical abilities. Astonishing.

[@jackwyatt1218]

sad

[@paulinebutcherbird]

I agree. I keep planning to make my own LP choosing the tracks I like from each of the albums because as you say, some of the tracks are unlistenable.

[@ernburn3738]

Jesus Christ Almighty! Saw the band 5 times straight on New Years Eve in the 70's. LA was just tha best for Zappa shows, never gets old.