FRANK ZAPPA - "DROWNING WITCH" (reaction)

Check out Sight After Dark reacting to "Drowning Witch" by Frank Zappa!
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[@SightAfterDark]

If you liked this, be sure to check out our Frank Zappa podcast! kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6qyoaCHbNVgeqM

[@nickdanger4568]

I laughed at all the schmucks who bought this album thinking all his music was like Valley Girl

[@SightAfterDark]

LOL

[@ganazby]

🤣

[@arthurkornblum9771]

Frank Zappa is truly in a league of his own. He continued to create masterpieces for decades, and entertained the masses. The best music you will ever hear!!!

[@rustynail3743]

I have this album cover as a tattoo........ long live ZAPPA

[@buckhorncortez]

@Zolar Czakl The picture is called a "Droodle" done by Roger Price. The ship arriving too late image is from the cover of the book, "Classic Droodles" by Roger Price.

[@tommccafferty5591]

And I love the album title, "Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch."

[@d5uncr]

Which is the explanation of the droodle we see on the cover.

[@Ninang363]

Dweezil did this live for a time. Chris Norton, his keyboard player, once told me that the reason they played it "Was my fault. I pushed hard for it before I realized how hard it would be to play live. Luckily we all love a challenge."

[@AmberPearcy]

Your channel is the only one I’ve seen (so far) to react to more than just a song or two of Zappa’s. I really appreciate that. Just found y’all a few weeks ago so I have some catching up to do, but loving it so far!

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks Amber! We appreciate you!

[@rk41gator]

Oh, man. If Zappa didn't have 1,000 songs I would say they have covered all of them. What an immense catalog of incredible music. Sick.

[@mortennilsen1732]

You can check out The channel «tre narsisse» who has just as many 🥰

[@tommccafferty5591]

Amber, that's what I love about this channel too.

[@rk41gator]

@sam lombardi There are exceptions to every 'rule' but it seems you are right. Brahms was 64, but Stravinsky lived to 89! Most not 60. Phil Collins is 70. You laugh. But I agree on Zappa. He IS one of our generation's best serious musicians. I also think some of the prog rock giants will be looked back as genius pioneers. Pioneers using 'modern' musical instruments (electronic), jazz modalities, experimentation and rock/Latin rhythms will endure as serious music. My pick is Genesis and in particular 'The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway' as one of the 20th century's most important works. There, I said it.

[@mgordon1100]

Chad Wackerman on drums. He's off the rails throughout the entire album.

[@64sirnose]

Chad Wackerman is always off the rails great call

[@mgordon1100]

@@64sirnose thanks. It's not one of my goto albums, but I tend to just prefer the live. However, if I'm in the mood for drums, SATLTSADW delivers.

[@seanbrennan5192]

@@mgordon1100 Chester Thompson absolutely kills it on duprees paradise on YCDTOSA vol. 2 Helsinki

[@mgordon1100]

@@seanbrennan5192 Funny. I've got that on my USB drive in the car, and listen to it often. Perhaps I'm just focusing too much on George hitting his finger. I'll pay attention to the drums next time.

[@EmptyGlass99]

Chad Wackerman - a drummer - is a classic case of nominative determinism.

[@AndyMmusic]

Another great Zappa reaction from you two! I really appreciate how you seem to understand Zappa. Not everyone does!

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks Andy!

[@tommccafferty5591]

I am not a musician and know nothing about music theory, but one of the things I always loved about Zappa's music was he would have so many different tempos going on at the same time. And somehow make it work.

[@saturninebear]

One of my very favourite Zappa pieces.

[@ganazby]

KZbin’s foremost Zappa reactors do it again! Frank’s ripping some exotic scales on this one. Fantastic later period stuff.

[@SightAfterDark]

😊

[@andreasrosenberg9317]

This goes into Envelopes =) a perfect fits!

[@Frunobulax74]

@Andreas Rosenberg - In concert, the sequence was always Drowning Witch segued into What's New in Baltimore? segued into Moggio.

[@sveinunglidsheim5828]

One of my favorite 80\s Zappa compositions and a really great creative guitarsolo. Tommy Mars keyboard skills are really proven at the end (which goes into the intrumental "Envelopes"). Btw, just gotta say. You girl, are really gorgeous.

[@FreeBrunoPowroznik]

Yeah, on first listening this track just seems like a complete mess but after several listens the sheer genius of the musical complexity becomes apparent. One of Zappa's greatest compositions, marred somewhat by the freeze-dried 80s sounds

[@1967PONTIACGTO]

you really need to get the album Grand Wazoo.... Eat That Question

[@bobschenkel7921]

My absolute all-time favorite Zappa album cover, and one of the best of anyone ever. Ship Arriving Too Late To Save A Drowning Witch is sooo perfect it hurts.

[@steveschmitz2839]

Bob, so agree, the only other I would compare is David Byrne's Uh-Oh.

[@steveschmitz2839]

@Zolar Czakl Very cool stuff friend, indeed. Curious what you think of the cover art from Uh-Oh? Be well.

[@steveschmitz2839]

@Zolar Czakl Friend, No, too me at least, that's the beauty of it....Dog is God, UH-OH. I was brought up catholic, not a believer now, and we have no children but have always had dogs, so I love that image and message. I would love to get that cover art on a tshirt. It's a really good album too.

[@bobschenkel7921]

@@steveschmitz2839 Yo Steve, I was a PK (preachers kid) and I am also a non-believer, although, I do have a feeling the ancient alien theory is closer to the truth than any organized religion. But as for David Byrne, he knows what is going on, and he will tell you all about it. And sometimes shows you what is going on too.

[@dago87able]

Sheesh, I don’t understand the logic to some requests, this should’ve been paired with the following track, Envelopes.

[@stevedotwood]

i agree

[@seanbrennan5192]

She’s only 17, she’s really sort of cuuuute, she’s working in the streets….

[@zapazap]

@@seanbrennan5192 With the 'na na na na BATMAN!' vibe.

[@seanbrennan5192]

Been waiting for this one. One of Frank’s best most challenging compositions

[@rk41gator]

LOVE the cover art. I first thought it was a 'z' for Zappa. Then I saw the drowning witch.

[@Katehowe3010]

His vocal enunciation on this song is as funny as hell. The way he stretches his vowels gets me everytime!

[@markdearlove8634]

Forgot what a trip that track is. What a soundscape! Zappa's like a mad scientist of musical concoctions. Warning! Recreational use can result in addiction

[@raffinicoghosian8699]

Aahhhh, I was waiting for you to this one. Heavy!

[@vrankholland8113]

Actually the full title is "The Ship's Arriving Too Late To Save The Drowning Witch" . Fantastically depicted in the album cover. Once you see it you can't unsee it.

[@nehcivil3001]

the sound of the guitar solos is essentially *underwater*

[@kentclark6420]

It felt like I was being dragged underwater, and being a part of the chaotic, changing tide.

[@SightAfterDark]

Exactly!

[@nikk1138]

This was the first Zappa album I ever listened to. When I was a kid, I would sneak into my older brother's room when he wasn't home so I could listen to his records. This song was my favorite. The story of the witch caught my attention but then I was quickly mesmerized by Zappa's guitar. I also gained a healthy appreciation for the xylophone! I've been a fan ever since. I love watching your Zappa reaction videos. You two are so cool. I'm not a musician so it is very interesting to hear you explain what's going on in the music and see what parts make an impression on you. I wish I could hang out and listen to Zappa's with you guys!!

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks to the internet, you kind of are! Thanks for watching!

[@davehagi9883]

Frank always hits the spot, listening, rather than just hearing.

[@Ferretbomber]

ha ha, this was the first album of Frank's I heard, in like 7th grade. I had no idea what to make of this after listening to top 40 am radio my whole childhood. Now? This completely rules.Thanks for the reaction!

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks for watching!

[@bryanhale5254]

this one has that sound of the album Tinseltown rebellion and there's one song from the man from Utopia called the dangerous kitchen so it's definitely from that era

[@bryanhale5254]

Oh and another thing it kind of sounds like that three album set shut up and play Yer guitar I think it's 3 albums that came in a box actually had it maybe it was more than that maybe it was for records I have to get back to you on that one

[@428chase]

album cover from an artist called Roger Price, whose ‘droodles’ had been a wildly popular form of entertainment in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Taking its name from a combination of ‘doodle’, ‘drawing’ and ‘riddle’, a droodle is a very minimalist assemblage of geometric shapes enclosed in a square panel, with a caption giving an amusing explanation of the image’s subjec

[@brucepieroni9102]

Great tune. Pure hardcore Zappa solo.

[@CWargh63]

One of my favorite Zappa songs is on this album - No, Not Now. Probably my most listened album of theirs.

[@TheOriginalFILIBUSTA]

A local DJ used to play this at night. One of the coolest album covers ever. You can see a lot in it.

[@SightAfterDark]

Love this cover!

[@hilocus]

You guys are amazing!! I'm not even a huge Zappa fan, in that I've only listened to a fraction of his output, but I'm loving what I'm hearing and your dedication to exploring his repertoire. Great stuff 😍

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks so much!

[@stevedotwood]

good reaction! Agreed on the.2nd guitar solo. Always loved that artwork, very "bare essential"

[@SightAfterDark]

Indeed!

[@zolarwaka8576]

After all these years of listening to this album, I think I finally understand the artwork! I guess I’ve never really looked at the album covers.

[@mgordon1100]

Drowning witch and ship. Lol. It also looks like a minimal Z and A. Very cleverly disguised.

[@Frunobulax74]

@Zolar Waka - If you like the album cover art, the artist's name is Roger Price and he did line drawings called Droodles. Frank liked his work, so he used one for this album.

[@Katehowe3010]

It's a bit obvious given the title of the album!

[@zolarwaka8576]

@@Katehowe3010 I know. Totally ridiculous that I never even gave it any thought before.

[@Katehowe3010]

@@zolarwaka8576 We're all guilty of things that stare us in the face! ;)

[@ztztzt13]

"Clappa" :D :D So cool, love it :D

[@robertallen6593]

FRANK ZAPPA IS THE BEST!!

[@timcardona9962]

Glad you finally got around to this EPIC CLappa piece ;) This is some of his best compositional work imo, kind of sounds like the soundtrack to a horror movie or a cartoon about Halloween haha. And not 1 but 2 guitar solo taboot!

[@SightAfterDark]

Yeahhhhhh

[@joselipton1641]

I saw them play this live. It's very difficult to play live and Zappa didn't allow sheet music on stage.

[@SightAfterDark]

Impressive

[@damonhines8187]

I didn't know her, but my condolences to her coven, familiars, etc. 8'>/ I too am a lousy swimmer,so this is very relatable for me. I could bob around in the water clinging to flotsam for days, though, if I had this to listen to. Thanks, too, for the guide suggestion for a relisten, intriguing! The bass is indeed a great platform from which to appreciate a lot of the other musical goings on. ;>D Lisa Simpson: "Stop saying 'tappa tappa tappa'." It works, tho', imo for 'Audience/Applause 101'. Big fun. lol

[@SightAfterDark]

Lol

[@markchristopher3202]

Most fluid guitar solo.Walked the plank but hadn't hit the water yet

[@itssimple7285]

regarding the bass, talk to Scott Thunes who's the bass you hear, here. He also transcribed and taught the other players much of the material in this period. He is also the bass player in the present 'Zappa Band' you guys have said you saw or are going to see. So if that's a 'yet to be' happening, maybe you can talk to him, yah? Plus he's a fun guy that definitely is not a moss grower - biologists should use his DNA to learn how to grow a perpetual motion machine. He's got the energy to spare! :)

[@SightAfterDark]

Haha the show already happened, but good to know!

[@Frunobulax74]

@its simple - Scott Thunes only did the job of clonemeister (running band rehearsals when Frank wasn't there) for the 1988 tour.

[@zappafan3473]

@@SightAfterDark wait. did you go? quick review please!

[@SightAfterDark]

We posted it on Patreon!!

[@richardarmstrong-finnerty3140]

One of his best. Thanks.

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks for watching!

[@leoscone4036]

Y'all are almost ready to tackle "Thingfish". As it revisits much from Zappa musical history it takes a bit of background knowledge to appreciate "Thingfish". It is some of the most crude and difficult Zappa listening, but utterly rewarding because...Zappa!

[@kornysinclair9145]

Used to listen to it...still am currently ..It is tough but amazing.. Simply one fd up album. One of my faves

[@matthewweber3904]

I dunno, I think that's possibly the worst thing FZ ever did. Inferior versions of old tunes and underwhelming new tunes; there are better albums to dive into.

[@geenadasilva9287]

hey! greetings fellow Thing-Fish fan!

[@kornysinclair9145]

@@geenadasilva9287 👍 Don't worry it probably comes out with woolite...this album to me is a classic Musicianship is top notch. Bought prob 22 yrs ago. Been Rocking out to it pretty heavy past few month...Smell this fountain Penn Harry..😊

[@leoscone4036]

@@geenadasilva9287 An acquired taste! Like the Evil Prince and his raw chitlin's.

[@428chase]

glad you got to this one I have submitted this request to numerous channels with no response so thanks

[@SightAfterDark]

Shoutout to our Patron James for suggesting it! Glad you enjoyed!

[@geenadasilva9287]

fun musical titbit: before "ritual sacrifice" the melody frank sings is the opening of Stravinsky's Rite Of Spring...

[@rk41gator]

I have now entered the Land of Oz, listening to this again.

[@bwana-ma-coo-bah425]

this is a very hard piece for any non Zappa to get.

[@memermetalthemiddleagedaut99]

this was my intro to zappa back in 1990, I went hardcore straight off the bat lol

[@SightAfterDark]

Seems like the only way to do it!

[@michaelhansen7516]

Thanks for digging into the spectrum of zappa's music, enjoying the ride. You liked the 2nd solo; listen to the take on Do Not Pass Go on the Guitar album. Really, just listen to all the cuts and you'll cement your Zappa guitar fascination.

[@SightAfterDark]

Glad you enjoyed Michael!

[@Pstephen]

Good one; I reckon that this, and especially the live version, are my favourite Zappa pieces - oh, and Wild Love, and City of Tiny Lites, and Let Me Take you to the beach, and Shove it right in (The singing and the drums on that are amazing), and the live Evil Prince, and... And The Man from Nowhere.

[@Pstephen]

And the live Don't eat the Yellow Snow from the first YCDTOSA is as good a bit of audience participation as you'll find anywhere.

[@BrianR.]

At one point, he is using a piece from the song The Dangerous Kitchen from the album The Man From Utopia. That's another Zappa song worth looking into.

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks!

[@mrtyreus0]

During Zappa's solo at around the 8 minute mark you can really hear the high fidelity studio pre/ and rack effects I mentioned in a previous video comment.

[@SightAfterDark]

Absolutely

[@markschattefor6997]

Hahahah, can't even make a rough guess on how many places/spots I've left that little square with the ship and witch hat symbol.

[@SightAfterDark]

Love it!

[@thomasvieth578]

It has not occurred to you that on the cover are also the letters z and a. I don’t even think that was intentional

[@eddiedoyle3607]

I have to tell you both that Frank's solos go from normal scales ( almost) to scales so out there that I don't even know what scales they are, and I played for 30 years and was very good if I do say so myself, this song has 2 separate solo sections , the first one I have no idea what scales are involved, the 2nd I believe is b Dorian, but what a contrast, if you want to hear the best dw version , it is from the Ritz 1981, it was broadcast on radio and should not be difficult to find, check it out

[@SightAfterDark]

Frank was definitely one of a kind; thanks for the info Eddie!

[@gennadyivanov2614]

👌

[@richardhill444]

Let's use our emagination...

[@Mime59100]

Yesssss bahahaha!

[@akahina]

You two are stellar! I sure have some suggestions for you, but can't even afford a patrion account, barely living on SS. Oh, well... try "The Black Page". There are several versions. Also "G Spot Tornado".

[@SightAfterDark]

You may be seeing one of those shortly 😉

[@SightAfterDark]

You may be seeing one of those shortly 😉

[@akahina]

@@SightAfterDark Here is a "not to miss" version of Frank conducting an orchestra (with dancers) performing "G Spot Tornado". Please watch! kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6rMpaGPaLenb8U

[@MrWaterpumpkin]

If you don't clap your hands at "Zappa Clappa", you should mention atabrine tablets ;)

[@altohippiegabber]

I hope Dan didn't stop doing his Zoolander impressions because of my earlier comment😗 (only in the 15th minute did he give us a quick sample of what he is capable of) Has your deepdive into the Zappa catalogue lead you to actually buying any of his albums? This would be a good idea because lots of his albums are concept albums and meant to listen to in its entirety.🧐

[@SightAfterDark]

Well we don’t wanna give anything away, but we’re working on something soon with one of Frank’s albums we think you’ll enjoy 😉

[@davehagi9883]

@@SightAfterDark Can´t wait.

[@xlerb_again_to_music7908]

About time too! ....oh, it's too late? :( Oh, oh, the Botchino

[@geenadasilva9287]

took me decades to track down the source of the Botchino...

[@mikedemike5393]

hard song to play..and CD's shit me when they abruptly stop when they actually transition..no one mentions who the witch is he arriving late to save...The better part is envelopes which I think is the transition.

[@zippydoodah1547]

Dangerous kitchen

[@germanocolla2667]

well, if you have played this song "hard" to listen to and long (beautiful but demanding), you can certainly play "Purple lagoon", a classic of the "orchestral" Zappa ,a musically fantastic piece, long equal and instrumental, but more "catchy" and in a splendid jazz-rock-fusion style with excellent instrumentalists and sublime passages, ......the classic reference version is this..... kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5DHf52Ea8mZprs (or, if you fear it is too much, also "" Been to Kansas City in A Minor "" is a nice song, shorter and simpler but with a nice jazzy/blues atmosphere and enjoyable sound ...a little instrumental piece of supreme Zappa..)

[@markofrontz1343]

Frank was always bothered that the band NEVER played the song 'correctly'

[@TommiBrem]

Somebody mixed up the scores again, every time they turn the page is a new piece.... Kinda.

[@rgaleny]

DANGEROUS KITCHEN IS A FZ SONG

[@SightAfterDark]

COOL

[@jammygitt]

Huge Zappa fan for over 40 years (love the serious stuff as well as the goofy) but this was not his among his best IMO.

[@davetothebeard]

FYI. The full title is SHIP ARRIVING TOO LATE TO SAVE A DROWNING WITCH. Discuss please.

[@Peter-K]

The album title is SATLTSADW, the song is just Drowning Witch...

[@davetothebeard]

@@Peter-K yeah I had a brain freeze. Thanks for setting me straight.

[@michaelthomas8592]

Me again: (Oh noooo!) Sorry, but did You, my lovely two, remark, how the title of this album developed? WHY DOES THIS ALBUM GET SUCH A TITLE? Watch it well! Left side: the ship! Middle-right side: a drowning witch-hat!

[@SightAfterDark]

Someone told us about it in the comments :)

[@thomasvieth6063]

I used to be a great Zappa fan, but in the end he ran out of ideas. And his best times were the mid-70's