Drummer reacts to "Son of Mr. Green Genes" by Frank Zappa

[@kevinlundgren1169]

And yes , Zappa has been in my top 5 of guitar gods for over 40 years !

[@larryhelmeczy4320]

Thanks for another installment. A little history lesson: I distinctly remember when I brought this album home probably early 1970. I was so excited and it didn't disappoint. Zappa had disbanded the early Mothers: they were notorious but not money making and Zappa wanted to work with a higher level of musicianship. One of the 1st records made with a 16 track recorder; so he was able to layer horns and keyboards from Ian Underwood. Essentially this cut is a giant guitar solo but he made it interesting by constantly changing the support. Actually my favorite songs from this album are the shorter ones: Peaches En Regalia, Little Umbrellas and It Must Be a Camel. "Peaches" is one of Zappa's most famous songs and "It Must be a Camel" belongs in a moody movie. I appreciate your Zappa ride. You are getting there

[@Ferretbomber]

if i recall, the straw that broke the camel's back in terms of perceived profitability was when The Mothers played a jazz festival, and in between sets some completely legendary jazz figure asked Frank if he could borrow 5 bucks. It was then Frank figured he was going to go broke if he ran the band the way it was, so he disbanded the Mothers and became more of a 'general contractor' kind of bandleader.

[@captaincoconut8967]

This is my favorite Zappa album I think this is his best album

[@L33Reacts]

So far from what I've heard it is absolutely great! I love it! Willie the pimp is still stuck in My head :)

[@captaincoconut8967]

@@L33Reacts this whole album is amazing check out the gumbo variations the whole songs a jam unbelievable peace bro🟤

[@michaelabbott9080]

The first Zappa record we all heard...and 54yrs later l still love it and listen to it regularly

[@zappafanseeker1099]

Hi. Like your reactions to FZ. Thanks for Frank Fridays. Thanks to FZ superfan peter K. It was my honor to know and work for Frank and the Zappa family for more than a decade. I say this to add credibility to saying that while you are walking in the dark, and have noticed that your feet are getting wet, you are actually wading into the ocean of music that Frank created. There are more than 1000 Zappa compositions, with many like this tune having multiple permutations. Some songs came from lyrics, some the opposite. Some titles came from sounds of in progress tunes like "Kreegah bandulo" ending up being " Lets move to Clevland." Some songs had completely different sets of lyrics like " I'm so happy I could cry "becoming "Take your clothes off when you Dance." Sometimes the lyrics stayed, and the entire music changed as in the "original" Beefheart vocaled "The torture never stops" and the Zoot Allures version. To all you nice people out there who think Frank was a genius in one way or another, I say it was true as a human being could be. I spent literally hundreds of hours with him one way or another, and he never ever let me down in terms of being the most incredible relentlessly honest, focused, workaholic tornado of musical creativity I have ever seen or heard of. Until he got sick his typical work week was probably 100 hours, happily putting little green rosettas on muffins, and being an eyebrow enhancement technician to countless musicians who were lucky enough to play with or for him. He also had the closest to a photographic memory of anyone I have personally known. I am 73 and likely on my way out, but it so wonderful to see new generations of music lovers discovering this incredible man and the art that he left us. To this moment, it breaks my heart to think of what this world might be like if he were still in it.

[@L33Reacts]

Wow this might be one of the nicest comments I've ever gotten. That is so cool you worked for him! Sounds like a dream Job lol what did you do? Thank you so much for watching my friend.

[@zappafanseeker1099]

@@L33Reacts Thank you muchly. After years of being friends with Frank, he created a split up sort of job for me based on my totally non-musical background. I worked at Barfko-swill, the mail order Division of Zappa records, and later the 818-Pumpkin phone info hotline . Most importantly (to me anyway) I worked for the family which involved going to Franks house at least once a day and doing what I guess they now call personal assistant type stuff which could be everything from the daily mail run from the offices to taking their animals to the vets, or buying groceries or whatever errands Frank or Gail or any of the "Kids" wanted. It was very personal and I felt totally blessed every time I set foot in that most amazing house/studio.

[@rickmerlotti7720]

@@zappafanseeker1099 Thanks for that heartfelt and informative post. I often reflect on what Frank would be doing and saying if he were still around. He had a profound effect on my thinking. We'd probably have another 1000 compositions. So sad that it didn't happen that way. What a loss.

[@robinreiley1828]

Zappa has a massive musical vocabulary, he is never afraid to mix musical genres, change time signatures, mix "ugly sounds" with beautiful melodies and chord progressions. He once called "Music" Sculpted Air, and that is a good explanation of what he does, he doesn't Write Songs he Sculpts a Sonic Landscape, and inhabits it with Characters of Melody.

[@kevinlundgren1169]

I have heard a version of Titties and Beer where Frank told off the record company and some of their employees , pretty damn good ! Have you heard Titties and Beer yet ?

[@dilemmamusic]

As a youngster I only listened to classical music - Hot Rats was the album that 1st got me into rock in my early teens. The next rock band I got into after that was Alice Cooper (the original band), interestingly another Zappa protege. Lee I agree spot on, every track on this album is like a whole different thing in itself, yet the album coheres marvelously. And Zappa is one of *the* great guitarists in the pantheon. I would also count though Ian Underwood as the accomplice genius to Zappa here (and with the Mothers).

[@chad9017]

Never heard much Zappa always sounds good though. Heard him talk about never doing it same way twice in concert. Love that.

[@shemanic1]

I must agree, Thanks for Frank Fridays dude. Hot Rats is up there in my all time top 20 albums. "Peaches En Regalia" next Please.

[@larrygranat4456]

Awesome! Love this song. Thanks!

[@L33Reacts]

Glad you enjoyed it Larry! I did too! 🌞🙏

[@stevesosman3577]

Outrageous...incredible

[@bobasher2197]

You need to listen to Gumbo Variations from the same album, keep up the good work!

[@L33Reacts]

Thanks Bob! I'll add it to the list.

[@kevinmauch5622]

There's a vocal version of this song, (Mr. Green Genes) on the Uncle Meat album.

[@davidbutterworth877]

Seen Frank 4 times in early 70s got some zappa freaks here ❤

[@garyhernandezediting]

“Cheapnis” from Live At the Roxy in elsewhere 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽

[@alldayadventures5418]

BEST ALBUM from his early Years...! You will notice the music is very different from the later 70's years. Lots of Brass, lots of Gritty Tunes. PLEASE DO A SECOND Frank Friday...! Same Album, You already did "Willy The Pimp" featuring Captain Beefheart on Vocals Try: "Gumbo Variations", will blow your mind...! With 60+ Albums, and 1000 tunes in his Catalog, you can do up to (3) Frank Fridays for ever and ever...!

[@Alix777.]

I disagree. I think it's pretty weak compared to Absolutely Free, Uncle Meat or Burnt Weeny Sandwich. One of the few Zappa album I never listen, I find it pretty uninspired. I guess it's more easy on ears than Uncle Meat or any other early albums.

[@gentle_goy23432]

​@@Alix777.I think we should start with it. It's not the best for me, but it's clearly better than absolutely free. But every Zappa album is worth listening to.

[@RedPillMode]

wonderful album

[@johnnyfrederick01]

On another album, “The Best Band You Never Heard in Your Life,” you can find this tune with a new title (Mr. Green Genes) and lyrics. Zappa had a fascination with vegetables, as you’ll see when you hear the lyrics. Also see, “Call Any Vegetable” on "Absolutely Free” or “Just Another Band from LA”

[@reidwhitton6248]

Mr. Green Genes is the original song title first recorded for the Uncle Meat album. But yeah, that Best Band version with the horn section and great vocals is really nice!

[@Royale_with_Cheeze]

The track being discussed here is "Son of" Mr. Green Genes because it came after Mr. Green Genes from Uncle Meat, 6 months before Hot Rats.

[@wowwhywow]

Great reaction Lee... this is a song that holds up very well to repeated listenings. Because by the time it's over, all you remember id it was a LONG guitar solo. But when you listen again, you go "Oh yeah...I forgot there was all this stuff at the beginning.

[@L33Reacts]

Haha that's a lot of zappa stuff for me. I'll go back and listen again while editing or doing whatever and notice 5 new things and curse myself for not saying it in the video 🙃😆😆

[@Royale_with_Cheeze]

@@L33Reacts Listening to Zappa music (among many others) is like watching a Quentin Tarantino movie that is non-linear. You can't understand (or catch) all of it in one viewing, or in the case of music, one listening. The thing about Zappa's music as well is that much of it is interconnected. Little tidbits of any given composition relates to earlier stuff. You found the Billy The Mountain stuff in Greggery Peccary. It's truly a universe unto itself. Have a great weekend, L33.

Ur. righr, Lee: "Sounds like f***g program Tv Show...without lyrics". Zappa said about this Album: "A movie for your ears" The next one is "Little Umbrellas"☺☻ Thanks for a great reaction and Congrat. From Perú.

[@jessem470]

New Subscriber and happy to have landed here Watched your Zappa journey and love the progression I would like to throw a curveball G Spot Tornado Frank composed and executed on computer call a Synclavier ( basically an early sampler ) but Franz took it to the extreme . Anyway for a Frank Friday i would recommend / request G spot Tornado from Jazz from Hell album Followed by G Spot Tornado performed by Ensemble Moderne with Frank conducting Great Channell

[@jeffmartin1026]

Frank wrote about the everyday, including food/vegetables. His nickname for his wife was "Pumpkin". He often reworked earlier songs into new versions, like with this song. Gumbo Variations is based off of his song Call Any Vegetable (which you should also listen to).

[@waltercrain2910]

yes. if you do call, the chances are good the vegetable will respond to you. more conceptual continuity. "barking pumpkin" record company. 818 pumpkin hotline.

[@timfeeley714-25]

At one point in time, because of this song there was a huge misconception that Frank's father was Mr Green Jeans (Hugh Brannum) from the Captain Kangaroo Show. He was not!🚫

[@Royale_with_Cheeze]

Exactly. The only reason this is named "Son of" Mr. Green Genes is because Mr. Green Genes is on Uncle Meat. Being a sequel, Son of got tagged on. Fun fact: Gibby Haynes of Butthole Surfers dad was a kid TV show host, known as Mr. Peppermint. 30 years as the host of one of the longest-running local children's shows in television.

[@L33Reacts]

Captain kangaroo... I haven't heard of that in a long ass time. Must be the Simpsons. lol

[@zappafanseeker1099]

@@L33Reacts interesting you mention the Simpsons. Matt Groening, creator of the Simpsons was a HUGE Zappa fan and friends with Frank. I helped smuggle him into the show of Dweezils original band "Z" "s debut show at club Lingerie in Hollywood, and he got to sit in "the box" with Frank to see the show. Frank was already very sick, and I think it was the only time he got to see them perform live in public. Z was comprised of DZ, his brother Ahmet, Mike Kenealy, Brian Bellar, Scott Thunes, and now Zappa Vaultmeister Joe Travers. Thanks for inducing a happy flashback

[@428chase]

as a drummer you should really appreciate this check out this kit

[@tixximmi1]

And Mr. Green Jeans was the side kick of Captain Kangaroo. Spelling is off a letter or two. It was a TV show. Captain Kangaroo got his start being Clarabell on Howdy Dowdy. Hot Rats Vol I was the second album I got back in the day.

[@KeithMcbride-fy3hy]

Uncle Meat gives an insight into various Zappas

[@jonathanbohman5069]

Note the ‘back orchestration’. Keyboard and reed parts double the spontaneous guitar solo,after the fact.

[@richardwirt3193]

Want to listen to another great cut look up (Occams Razor ) what a guitar piece from Frank it really is an extended riff section of Inca Roads

[@L33Reacts]

Inca roads extended was all you had to say. I'm there. Lol

[@chad9017]

E..... Its all in the E. And maybe the A .

[@chad9017]

Remindse of Lou Reed stuff. Jazzy

[@chad9017]

We are all up to speed ob Who Pink Floyd Boston and everything else that got played on the radio in the 70s and early 80s How couldn't we be? The amount of legends of rock dramatically dropped after that time period for many reasons. Mostly big money. Play the greats who were not heard as much. Zappa is a good start

[@davetothebeard]

Try Little Umbrellas from the same album. You’ll love it.

[@StefanoBartaletti]

Again I repeat myself. So glad you got into Frank Zappa's world but beware! You won't ever be the same after that. Now it's time for some Lumpy Gravy craziness

[@bryanhale5254]

You need to hear the version on the album called Uncle Meat ......it has rhe lyrics but it probably isn't as long as this instrumental version

[@Alix777.]

This album is amazing

[@L33Reacts]

I didn't even know that was an album. That's crazy how much material he has out. What a dude. I'll keep my eye out for that one

[@gentle_goy23432]

​@@L33ReactsЯ бы с него начинал

[@stephenmichael8837]

You can’t go wrong with anything Hot Rats.

[@lassekristoffersen5906]

Allways.

[@wowwhywow]

This is from the album Hot Rats. The song I requested (which you will probably do next week) is from Sleep Dirt... but that album was renamed Sleep Dirt by the record company without Zappa's permission...the album that Zappa delivered was SUPPOSED to be named Hot Rats III. So , next week ...get ready to be blown away by the song I requested.

[@L33Reacts]

I got you bro. What was it again? So I can just go ahead and download it now so i don't forget.

[@lucasroth7922]

Hot Rats! Zappa's best imho! 🔥🤘✌

[@phaultypmm]

eat your greens dont forget the beans and celery

[@phaultypmm]

what headphones you using

[@phaultypmm]

you will be the first with mike mareen not that i even know if its good but at this moment im in love

[@phaultypmm]

eat a grap;e a fig a crumpet too theyll go right through

[@wolftracks9010]

"It's all about the dollars and cents exchange. And the taste of the accountant is what is ruling the mass media. If you want to make music that you believe in, the chances of doing it are nil. The horrible part of it is, artists who are feeding this ecological chain, stop making songs they believe in and start making products that they know will be air-able. They change their style to fit the narrow framework of the temporary accepted norm for suitable radio sounding music. Anything that comes outside that norm, doesn't go on the air. You don't hear about it, you don't know about it." - FZ

[@chitownlee]

Ian was Ruth's husband.

[@chitownlee]

Actually you can't say fuck elp, Carl Palmers the only one alive.

[@chad9017]

How does anyone even imagine that b4 they play it. Sure some of its accidents or muscle memory. But most of it. J.C.ist

[@Royale_with_Cheeze]

If you ever get to listen to another stellar track from this album, Gumbo Variations, go for the shorter (original) version. It runs just under 13 minutes. The remixed version is longer (just under 17 minutes), but the original version is tighter, and to many Zappa purists, better. Sometimes less is more.

[@reidwhitton6248]

The full 30 minute jam is in the Hot Rats Sessions box.

[@Royale_with_Cheeze]

@@reidwhitton6248 Yes, indeed. Titled Big Legs. Between the original vinyl, the 17-minute CD remix and Big Legs, which do you prefer?

[@L33Reacts]

Awesome someone else mentioned it in another comment. I'll make sure to do that one eventually.

[@reidwhitton6248]

The one I'm used to is the 1987 CD version. I like FZ's remix because the guitar is hotter in the mix. I've only listened to the full jam once. I should open up that box and play it some more.

[@Royale_with_Cheeze]

@@reidwhitton6248 I prefer the original vinyl version because it's tighter than the '87 remix. To each his own, of course. Big Legs is interesting in that it shows us what a great editor Frank was. Having the entire versions of such things as Black Napkins from Osaka to compare with the Zoot Allures (same performance but edited) version illustrates that further. And he did that with razor blades. No digital and computer aid. Fantastic!

[@timfeeley714-25]

4th!😮

[@timfeeley714-25]

2nd!😅

[@timfeeley714-25]

3rd!😊

[@chad9017]

Yeah never pretentious good description of Zappa's work. But don't pretend you're branching out covering the most popular bands on reaction videos. Comes off a little like u think im dumb .. (pretentious.) All good tho i do listen to some other pretentious ppl. If they got something to say.

[@timfeeley714-25]

1st!😂

[@MJM1309]

Legend has it he (Mr Greene Jeans) is Frank Zappa's father. Legend crushed Did Mr Green Jeans have a son? Green Jeans was the father of musician Frank Zappa. But in fact, Hugh Brannum had only one son, and he was neither Frank Zappa nor this author. Sometimes, though, he still wonders what it might have been like.

[@Royale_with_Cheeze]

The title of this, being "Son of" Mr. Green Genes is because it came after the song Mr. Green Genes on the previous album, Uncle Meat. Simple as that.

[@jeffwilliams4964]

I recall it was something to do with Baltimore, Frank, and my birthplace.

[@Royale_with_Cheeze]

​@@jeffwilliams4964 Mr. Green Genes is a song on Uncle Meat. This is a longer instrumental version that came after. It's as simple as that.

[@RalphSpoiledsport]

it's a song that offers dietary advice.🥬🥦🍇