Composer Reacts to Frank Zappa - The Gumbo Variations (REACTION & ANALYSIS)

Bryan reacts to and talks about his thoughts on FRANK ZAPPA The Gumbo Variations.
ORIGINAL VIDEO // • FRANK ZAPPA The Gumbo ...
ALL LINKS // linktr.ee/criticalreactions

[@wdfortyWD40]

"It ain't rock, it ain't jazz, it ain't classical, it's Zappa!". I think it was Ruth Underwood who said that.

[@Chicago_Podcast_Authority]

Please check out the song "Watermelon is Easter Hay" from Joe's Garage or "Greggary Peccary" from Studio Tan

[@TommiBrem]

I second Greggary Peckary.

[@findlesplurb]

@@TommiBrem Another vote for Greggary Peccary here. Though he should know going in, it's quite a lengthy track. It's about 20 or 25 minutes long. (Worth every second though, of course!)

[@stevedotwood]

@@findlesplurb Greggery Peccary definitely. It's compressed Zappa. Best definition you can get.

[@Peter-K]

Things to know, this song was mainly edited together from individual performances, in fact Ian Underwood played every keyboard, horn, and woodwind. He did Sax solo, the late great Don 'Sugar Cane' Harris was on the violin, and Frank did guitar. Frank also did percussion parts apart from drums, and again, it was edited together after being recorded, the engineering of this album is epic all on its own. But though it was structured in a jazz style, there was a heavy R&B influence that drove it. George Duke told Frank that he wrote such beautiful medleys and he didn't need to break them apart they way he did. Frank answered, bah, it all needs to be broken. His goal was to shatter norms, and that is what sets him apart. Though all his music varies widely in tone and structure. there are characteristics in how he arranges it that Zappa fans can sense to know it is him, even on a first listen. This was his first break from the original MOI, and he was writing things they could never play. Frank always said, I write what I want to hear, if you want to listen great! If not, I don't care. He was writing music all the time, even while on tour, hell, he would debut songs on stage a day after he wrote it. A lot of the songs that he recorded evolved and were tweaked on the road long before he decided they were ready to put on an album. If you want atypical FZ, Watermelon in Easter Hay, straight guitar piece that sounds nothing like anything else he wrote. Must do Joe's Garage version, best of all the versions out there.

[@hansvandermeulen5515]

The Gumbo Variation was edited down from one single 34 minute jam, with some overdubs afterwards, all the solos were from the jam itself. Little House I Used To Live In, recorded around the same time was broken up and piec3d together with solos moved around and other stuff thrown in. I can really recommended checking that tune out.

[@beelzebob23]

WIEH solo makes me cry. Every time.

[@tommccafferty5591]

The rhythm section, especially the drumming of Paul Humphrey, are so outstanding on this track. It is my favorite Zappa song. I listen to it when I am driving alone.

[@shaftpunk84]

I recommend the title track to Waka Jawaka. Frank played an amazing guitar solo on that one, then transcribed the solo and wrote a complimenting horn section that was then overdubbed over the solo.

[@timcardona9962]

Agreed! Waka/Jawaka is an EPIC track with some very emotive playing from zappa and don preston

[@progperljungman8218]

Exciting to follow this listen and commenting of your's. As usual, I really enjoy your spontaneous thoughts! So much I wanna say, but found this quoted below to say it better 😊. The album is from 1969 btw. " “The Gumbo Variations” is a studio jam session. A basic drum beat, a wobbling bass line, a simple melodic frame, and the stage was set for the three main soloists of the day. First, Ian Underwood delivers one of the best saxophone solos he recorded for Zappa: crossing over to free jazz, he steals the spotlight for seven whole minutes. Violinist Sugar Cane Harris comes in next, followed by Zappa himself. There you have it: a straightforward rock jam featuring gifted improvisers. Of course, “The Gumbo Variations” is far from the usual material the man put out, but then Hot Rats is not your typical Zappa record. This piece is one of the reasons why so many people who usually hate the guitarist agree on the qualities of the album. The original LP version of the piece was edited, but when Ryko reissued the album on CD in 1987, it was restored to its 17 minutes. Zappa’s love of studio tweaking being legendary, this is most probably the only complete take of a jam session available on his records." - allmusic’s François Couture And yeah, Zappa played the guitar as usual 😊 (so most of the improvised solo parts aren't attributed to him) This song may play a big role in this album being regarded as an early work of jazz-fusion.

[@dago87able]

Is there such a thing as a typical FZ record? Is there such a thing as an atypical FZ record? hmm...

[@progperljungman8218]

@@dago87able Good point!

[@dago87able]

@@progperljungman8218 I think more/less conventional, instead of typical, would be a more apt distinction, wouldn’t you say?

[@progperljungman8218]

@@dago87able Sure! I thought the article was good enough in making important points though.

[@timcardona9962]

Yes its improvised - they're just jammin although Zappa did sometimes edit studio jams to give them a certain shape He also employed lots of jazz players who can do this kind of thing on the spot yet make it sound like they've been playing together for years

[@MUSICADELCENTRO]

Thanks a lot! Its an iconic track, is a soundtack of my hole life! Zappa called to Hot Rats "a movie for your ears". In Gumbo" Don "sugar cane" Harris is actually amazing!

[@dellacostaful]

Don Sugarcane Harris baby

[@wdfortyWD40]

Greatest blues violin player bro.

[@agghjjhgdhvfgjngggh2381]

The electric violin on this is absolutely fantastic, hot rats is a great starter Zappa album.

[@dantean]

If you think of Hot Rats as the beginning you don't get what he did even a little. There's NO other beginning apart from Freak Out!

[@dago87able]

@@dantean I think (he, she, them... who the fvck would guess it) is not saying it is the beginning, but just a starter, which is not saying the same thing at all.

[@alldayadventures5418]

Any song from "Sleep Dirt" any song from "Grand Wazoo" 100% creative instrumental musica...

[@marcribe6483]

Sleep Dirt was released in 1979 in vinyl as an all instrumental album however when it came out in CD in the nineties various songs had a vocal track. The instrumental is better, which is not to say the new singing is bad.

[@alldayadventures5418]

@@marcribe6483 My Sleep Dirt is a LP. Did not know that. I own 35 vinyl FZ records, only a few on disk. Yes I agree the CD versions are often different than the LP.

[@marcribe6483]

@@alldayadventures5418 Yeah, I still own all my vinyls and have also bought the CDs, cause I figure I should protect the vinyl by using more the CDs. Zappa In New York had more tracks although unfortunately they changed the order of songs compared to the vinyl that didn't work as well in my opinion. Especially the Sofa leading to Black Page 1&2. Anyway. I was very disappointed with Sleep Dirt. I think its three songs with Thana Harris on vocals; who sings and interprets the songs very nicely but growing up listening to it as an instrumental, her added vocals just doesn't work for me. I have it, I would suggest you try to get a copy and listen to it at least, but it does change the song slightly. I'm thinking specifically of Spider of Destiny right now. Anyways, that's my 2 cents on the subject. Cheers.

[@alldayadventures5418]

@@marcribe6483 Honestly as a huge Zappa Fan, 1/2 his albums do not appeal to me at all. Joe's Garage Part 1 is super, the other 2 never liked. Have all 3 LP of Shut up and Play, which most other Zappa fans don't care for...Mostly everything after Sheik-yr-bootie and newer. Except yellow Shark which is so intense you must listen to just one song. Then stop to process..

[@erikahlander3489]

Interesting! - both comments and this full version I never heard before. I am used to the old vinyl version.

[@Blady99]

My FAVORITE Zappa song. Very fun to watch you listen

[@beelzebob23]

Gawd I love this song. Glad you did the cd version. Every time that bass line recycles I get chills.

[@Frankincensedjb123]

If you're looking for something unusual, try Lumpy Gravy with the Abnuceals Emuukha Electric Symphony Orchestra

[@drmegawhits6548]

Whew. Had me going with your face in that thumbnail. But once I saw you jamming out a couple minutes in I felt much better haha! I hadn't actually thought too much of how similar this is to The Mighty Masturbator and that sparked a little bit of self reflection. I think I do gravitate towards art that is created for the sake of the artist. It feels almost voyeuristic on my end and the art feels more "pure"? Side note: absolutely love this album "Hot Rats" and it's sister album "Wakka/Jawakka" but I'm not the biggest Zappa fan. Something about the vocal delivery just does not click for me. Double side note: I was able to see this album performed live in its entirely by Frank's son, Dweezil, March 14th last year. A couple days before every thing was shut down! Feels so long ago at this point

[@dago87able]

Hey Matthew, from a Zappa fan (not the biggest either ;), Hot Rats obviously has much to do with Waka Jawaka, but the real sister album to it is The Grand Wazoo.

[@brucepieroni9102]

Jammin' from outer space. Jon-Luc on violin is insane!

[@buddystewart2020]

There's no single ideal listener out there who likes my orchestral music, my guitar albums and songs like 'Dyna-Moe-Humm.' - Frank Zappa

[@joedeucetime]

I remember the first time I heard this tune, my best friend at the time introduced it to me. We were getting big into jazz fusion at the time. I couldnt get enough of this album after that.

[@no_notes1229]

Interesting that you felt this was made for Zappa himself, not his fans. He stated that several times, actually: He wrote music he wanted to hear, and if anybody wanted to come along, great! This is not in anyway my favourite song of his, but I really enjoy his variety. Seems like you miss to check out his early psychedelic stuff, for example Brown Shoes Don't Make It - from the Absolutely Free album (also important track in the history of recording techniques). If you haven't checked out his orchestral stuff, there is much to choose from - Strictly Genteel is very non-jazzy and straight/approachable, while G-spot tornado is more chaotic and intense, and Mo and Herb's vacation is more experimental and noise/fixed voicing based. Uncle Meat or Dog Breath are my favorites, though - among the orchestral that is. Even though it's very prog-jazz, I'm shocked you haven't reacted to Inca Roads yet - the epitome of his works (most seem to agree). It would also be fun to see your reaction to something like Jumbo Go Away - Another rock song with silly lyrics, but with an insane instrumental part in the middle that blows my mind - no one else makes anything like that.

[@peterbartolomeo9574]

So happy to listen to a person who actually teaches his audience

[@timkaufhold6163]

Love this tune the whole album is great. Bet you thought it was going to be a sax solo halfway through the song .Blessed releaf off the grand wazoo is a must.

[@mikedemike5393]

At the time fusion was set in jazz rhythm time and Frank here shows how truly improvisation can exist on a rock style that most people need to know where the one is...most people....he found the way.

[@danielross334]

I love the gumbo variations! Fantastic sax, violin and guitar solos. Jazz-rock collapses into doo wop.

[@ganazby]

It’s a fun jam, in the context of the album. Inca Roads, The Little House I used To Live In, or anything off The Grand Wazoo would have been more representative, IMO. Enjoyed the break down.

[@markchristopher3202]

The tune that got me into the Swish cymbal back in '69.

[@ulfingvar1]

Zappas music will be radical 200 years from now.

[@lvlooper5768]

Masterpiece of an album

[@howterson]

Players On This Song Frank Zappa guitar, octave bass, percussion Ian Underwood piano, organus maximus, all clarinets, all saxes Lowell George rhythm guitar (supposedly uncredited) Don "Sugarcane" Harris violin Paul Humphrey drums Max Bennett bass

[@kentclark6420]

This is the first time I heard this one from Frank. His stuff can be an acquired taste. The sax was too wild and outside the box for my liking, but I probably need to listen a few more times.

[@Frankincensedjb123]

Your analysis is pretty spot on. Zappa used order and disorder equally effective. On occasion, he'd have a certain rhythm established and melody, if you will (in the sense that there are starter notes), and then he'd tell the musicians at certain points to "play your favorite note" within the given rhythm. He enjoyed the work of avant-gard composers like Edgard Varèse, Igor Stravinsky, and Anton Webern.

[@tixximmi1]

You mentioned the rising intensity. Try Billy the Mountain on Playground Psychotics. (not from JABFLA) About the 20 minute mark. It starts with a keyboard lead. The drummers (Dunbar) part is more Rising Intensity. And remember this album was released in 1969. Before prog had a home.

[@laughingcorpsev2024]

Jazz from hell is my favorite frank zappa album ....he gone wild with that one

[@danielross334]

Try to listen to the Yellow Shark, where Frank collaborated with the "classical" music group "the ensemble modern".

[@antidote7]

Not as excited about this choice. Although I think it needs to be taken in context of the entire album. Some interesting options for more Zappa. G Spot Tornado from The Yellow Shark Billy The Mountain from Just Another band from LA. Greggary Peccary from Studio Tan Inca Roads from One Size Fits All Dog/Meat from The Yellow Shark Debra Kdabra from Bongo Fury Sofa from Live from New York

[@dantean]

Mostly dull choices apart from "Billy" which is still way, way down the list.

[@antidote7]

@@dantean You have to know very little about composition to say such nonsense. Not only are the compositions amazing, they are performed zestfully. Yes, that dull Ensemble Modern, one if the most amazing orchestras around. I'm hoping Brian doesn't listen to you. I believe he would be blown away by these selections even more so than the Zappa he has heard so far. But hey, we all have our own opinions...

[@chaosmos24]

These are all fine choices. I would like a reaction to Holiday in Berlin Full Blown and Little House I Used to Live In from Burnt Weeny Sandwich. Any number of tracks from Uncle Meat would also be fun.

[@duster71]

I usually have to laugh at guys probably half my age try to analyze Frank.I lived just outside NYC and started seeing him in 73 when I was 13. I had a musical epiphany at my first FZ concert,he and the band come out and hits that first note of Penguins in Bondage,it was like a bolt of lightning hit me. Greatest musical mind to ever walk this earth, add on all the touring he did and handled a bit of the business end of his music. Not one of those farty old English never ever mention Frank cause he blew them all away. Hendrix came no where near Frank s playing but they were friends.Even Albert King said Jimi couldn't play the blues.

[@ryantabor3026]

Check these out, man, even if they're not featured on one of your reaction/analysis vids. Well, here are my top Zappa pieces that I've listened to so far (Ranked): The Little House I Used to Live In King Kong (plus all variations contained in one album called Uncle Meat) The Grand Wazoo Holiday in Berlin Eric Dolphy Memorial Barbecue Brown Shoes Don't Make It Big Swifty The Gumbo Variations The Return Of The Son Of Monster Magnet The Chrome Plated Megaphone Of Destiny Inca Roads Help I'm A Rock Be Bop Tango Peaches In Regalia Uncle Meat (plus variation) Dog Breath In The Year Of The Plague (plus Variation) The Air Toads of the Short Forest Cheepnis Wild Love Don't You Ever Wash That Thing Who Are The Brain Police I have not listened to all Zappa albums but these are my favorites (ranked): Uncle Meat - 1969 Burnt Weeny Sandwich - 1970 Freak Out - 1966 Absolutely Free - 1967 We're Only In It For The Money - 1968 Weasels Ripped My Flesh - 1967 to 1969 The Grand Wazoo - 1972 Hot Rats - 1969 Waka Jawaka - 1972 Roxy and Elsewhere - 1974 The Perfect Stranger - 1984 Jazz From Hell - 1986

[@backinblackboy]

It is improvised

[@tommccafferty5591]

Actually 3 solos. Ian Underwood on horns, don "Sugarcane" Harris on violin an Frank on guitar.

[@tonyengel8847]

What’s ironic is Devon Townsend pretty much hated frank zappa but you can definitely hear tinges of similarities yet it could be coincidence.Definitely dive into Zappa.pure genius!!!

[@kernelpickle]

If you want to hear something completely different from this, then you should check out songs on Freak Out! or Cruisin' with Reuben and the Jets. Lots of Doo Wop inspired silliness.

[@danielross334]

Frank was inspired by modern "classical" music. Igor Stravinsky and Arnold Schoenberg, as well as very noisy jazz, and west coast R & B and doo wop. He was a total genius, and hugely productive. But the chaos is an essential part of what he did.

[@jonathanhenderson9422]

Every time I hear Zappa I'm always immensely impressed. I think the only thing that's kept me away from his discography is how immense it is and how I know it would take me at least a few weeks to go through it all. This is another great track though. In a way it reminds me of Miles Davis's electric era, especially ca. On the Corner. It has that same rock, jazz, funk combination. This is perhaps a bit looser and less dense than Davis, but I dare say it's more fun and just as interesting. It very much sounds like a live, improvised jam though. Other than the groove there's not a lot of melodic through-lines, though I'm fine with that. That improvised, loose, jam feeling is also very reminiscent of Davis's electric period so it's still familiar. If I'm being nit-picky critical, I might say it goes on a tad too long, but that's jam bands for you. I've also thought Davis had a tendency to drone on too long during that period, but that's a very subjective thing. Improv jam bands are kinda like post-rock/metal in the sense there's supposed to be something hypnotic about just getting lost in the groove without expecting it to go anywhere, just living and enjoying everything moment-to-moment. EDIT: For clarity, I know this came before Davis's On the Corner. I've just heard On the Corner first so that's what it reminded me of. Not saying Frank was necessarily influenced by Davis.

[@paardenslager868]

Hahah weeks? I’ve been at it for years now.

[@arnesaknussemm7294]

A few weeks? You lucky! (Or not) I'm enjoing and understanding and go deeper in FZ discography from when i was i teen (and now i'm 47!)

[@davidcherry3107]

@@arnesaknussemm7294 Ditto, except I started listening when I was 16 and now I'm 58. I really know about 1/4 of Zappa's music. I'm somewhat familiar with more than that, but it takes time to really dig in.

[@wwestern99]

When I hear a sax solo like this, I think his instructions were, let it out and bring it back in and let it back out and bring it back in. Probably a lot more complicated than that. :}

[@peterbartolomeo9574]

Frank was beyond his contemporaries. He of course was a guitar master....but his abstract compositions had the unique element of absurdity. His life view. He looked at human behavior with a comedic lense. As a composer he was really way ahead of his time. You have to understand Zappa the man. Brutal taskmaster....you had to be a phenom to play in his bands. Read and write music.....Stevie Vai tells many a cool story of Frank and his auditions. Only Rock legends I can halfway compare to him John Paul Jones Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page. ...Creators .. innovators....composers. I was turned on to Zappa in early 70s. He was amazing.

[@mikedemike5393]

miles davis worked to fusion jazz and rock but Zappa gives it a rock base like no other...there were many trying to graft these stylings and Miles had bitches brew but this album found pay dirt...Jazz improvisations on a rocking rythme.

[@b.l.fisher8230]

Eat That Question, Illinois Enema Bandit, Filthy Habits & The Torchem' Never Stops.

[@songsmithy07]

It's hard to convey just how far outside the lines this stuff was for the average rock fan when it first came out.

[@Chicago_Podcast_Authority]

Maybe not the best example of Zappa's catalog as it's such a one off. He would make more Jazz and fusion instrumentals but they were far more composed than this one

[@jeffmartin1026]

There is a reason this is titled The Gumbo Variations. Frank held to the continuity concept, that everything he wrote was all interrelated. I'm no musician but I think this song should be listened to in context of Call Any Vegetable and Son of Mr. Green Jeans is variations on the song Mr. Green Jeans from his Uncle Meat LP. The Uncle Meat LP has several variations of the Uncle Meat theme. Hot Rats was the first FZ LP to be recorded with 16 track tape machines. You should listen to his LP We're Only In It For The Money as a single piece. It will pretty much give you a taste of the entire Zappa spectrum. Another extended piece with Jon Luc Ponty is The Little House I Used To Live In. For Something completely different from this style I will suggest Evelyn, A Modified Dog or Harder Than Your Husband. Carry On!

[@5891jonathan]

Love the wildly obnoxious in-your-face sax.

[@fintanoclery2698]

Best description I've heard yet. Underwood was brilliant

[@SalamaSond]

Civilization, Phase III

[@pipco121234]

It’s called ‘Variations on the basic theme’ . FZ hated jazz, probably because the only musicians possible of playing his music where rooted in jazz or just extraordinary {-

[@Thoraxziod]

I wouldn't say this represents everything Zappa has done at the time. I don't hear Zolar Czakl, Bow Tie Daddy, Who are the Brain Police or an idea of Lumpy Gravy in it. All that was before this piece. If I only heard that jam from Zappa I wouldn't have any idea that he could even think of a concept like Lumpy Gravy. This piece to me only represents one aspect of his total music, stemming more from his idea of "freaking out" then his more outlandish avant guard stuff.

[@robloxdonut2271]

Listen to something from Civilization Phase III. You can still call it jazz if you like but it doesn't sound at all like ones you've been onto so far ...

[@genesbeans]

T;he apotheosis of John Coltrane. The greatest album of all time. What hath Chuck Berry wrought?

[@kb4446]

Alot of people's don't realize studio is live more than libe

[@kb4446]

Dude shut up

[@kb4446]

The fact you just said that means you are not worthy shut up I am disconcludeing you forever hereforth. Go get bent ametuer

[@raymullett6571]

Try Frank.s "Get Whitey"

[@findlesplurb]

To those saying this doesn't qualify as a 'composition': Zappa himself called improvisation 'instant composition'. According to him, whoever was soloing (provided it was improvised) became a composer in that moment. Under this expanded definition, this absolutely qualifies as a composition. Not to be douche-y, but...fans should know this.

[@CriticalReactions]

100%. I played Jazz Trumpet for several years and I always referred to solos are on-the-fly composition. You're writing music without the safety of being able to erase and you're doing at the speed of the song. Now whether what comes out is "good" composition or not is a totally different thing. But yeah, melody is usually being composed in the moment.

[@findlesplurb]

@@CriticalReactions Thank you. It's great to see that you agree with this. Hopefully some of these folks can open their minds, because if they can, they will find themselves in a whole new universe of musical possibilities.

[@findlesplurb]

@@CriticalReactions PS: I love 'at the speed of song', what a wonderful turn of phrase that is.

[@steezydan8543]

This sounds like the type of song the band would come up with when Frank wasn't there, kind of like a self-parody or imitation of the rest of their work. Frank Zappa without Frank lol sounds kind of like King Crimson

[@Peter-K]

Hey Dan, you really know very little about Frank, this is the kind of music he wrote throughout his career. He always found great musicians to play it, mainly because mediocre ones couldn't do it.

[@progperljungman8218]

@@Peter-K Still it IS improvised over a simple core melody and Zappa himself plays the smaller part in the soloing (while also embellishing a lot with the guitar along the way). Very much in his vein all through.

[@daslafdev]

OMG Little Umbrellas would have been a much better recommendation from this album IMO. I know jams are a big part of zappa's catalogue but I feel his composition skills are under represented in tunes like this. Like, how the hell The Black Page, Waka/Jawaka, Inca Roads or The Grand Wazoo haven't been featured yet here? I feel like Brian has not been exposed to the best of Frank yet (I'm looking forward for when that happens though).

[@dantean]

You'll never get Frank without starting from "Freak Out." Otherwise, you simply think you're listening to another jam band. A good one, but barely distinguishable from The Allman Brothers, The Grateful Dead, and...whomever.

[@deaconfrost4484]

Not bad for a spaghetti eater like me. Right? 😜😜

[@kb4446]

Have you ever or will ever freeeeee a live stch

[@BenGreen1980]

If you want something very different from Frank, have you listened to any of his orchestral music? G-Spoit Tornado (live 1992 with the Enseble Modern): kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJ28o4iej7Csors

[@bikingfencer]

There is repetition, particularly from Ponty, with Willie the Pimp. I hadn't noticed that it was all one chord... it went on way too long.

[@jabu003]

React to the ¨The adventures of greggery peccary¨.... this was a jam.... not the best to a composer to react .....

[@whycantiremainanonymous8091]

About the least interesting track in the album it's from. I'd rather suggest either "It must be a camel", or "Little umbrellas". I'd bet Brian has heard."Peaches in regalia" in the past, but if not, it'd be also great, of course.

[@duster71]

You need to learn alot more about FZ before you try to analyze hit.The few reaction videos of Frank by people who have no idea who he was or saw him over 30 times from 74-88.

[@masterofparsnips5327]

I love a lot of Zappa but I was bored with this after the first few minutes 🙁

[@nikelodeon6852]

That's jazz improv kiddo

[@masterofparsnips5327]

@@nikelodeon6852 .... give me "Echidnas Arf" or "Blessed relief" over this. I've been listening to Zappa since I was 13 or 14 .. I'm now 57. Still not a fan of this tune .. but each to their own "Kiddo" 😉

[@nikelodeon6852]

@@masterofparsnips5327 Your loss grandpa. It's a great tune sorry if it doesn't tickle your fancy.

[@masterofparsnips5327]

@@nikelodeon6852 🤣🤣🤣 ... like I said dude ... each to their own 😉

[@nikelodeon6852]

@@masterofparsnips5327 You talk more in emojis than actual words...are u sure you're not a kid lol. If you're not a musician or never understood the art of improvising obviously you won't get the song.