Frank Zappa Reviews the Singles of October 1968

[@YesterdaysPapers]

Fun bit of trivia: The song "I'm The Urban Spaceman" by the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band was produced by Paul McCartney under the pseudonym Apollo C. Vermouth. It reached #5 in the UK charts.

[@thinginground5179]

How did he even come up with the name "apollo C. Vermouth"... Like what does that even reference or mean.

[@SurreyMan0409]

And he played ukulele on it.

[@bigtone1348]

The B side was The Canyons of your Mind. There are 3 versions of this song. The mono single version has a spoken intro and a different first verse. The 2 stereo versions have another first verse and only one has the spoken intro. There is rumoured to be a 4th version, which is the stereo mix of the single version, but without the spoken intro. And I'm singing just for you, covered in sequins!

[@Ndlanding]

@@bigtone1348 Nah! It's about a super-modern yuppie-type person. At the end, it says "Here comes the twist... I don't exist. Urban space (parks, etc.), my arse.

[@bigtone1348]

@@Ndlanding Listen to interviews with Neil Innes. He wrote the song. Neil explained on local radio in 2005 that the urban spaceman sits in his apartment on the 20th floor of a tower block, looking out at more tower blocks. He fantasises that he is a superhero, in order to cope with the boredom of life. Urban space refers to small areas of man made park land between tower blocks, which were built in the early sixties onwards. At the end of the song, he admits that it is all in his head.

[@VonL]

When I read the title of this episode I said to myself “this’ll be a doozy”. I wasn’t disappointed.

[@slide4180]

He'd be 'canceled' today for some of these comments.

[@theothertonydutch]

@@slide4180 Cancel culture isn't real except for those exceptions when the people are actual creeps. But that's just called the justice system.

[@pancakelens75]

@@slide4180 sure would; he’s always been relatively based

[@Peter7966]

Frank was never short on opinions... and his take on things was always uniquely his own. Zappa was an original.

[@paulmackay7265]

@@slide4180 nah he wouldn't be canceled....You never would have heard of him in the first place. Non conformists like him wouldn't have a chance to release a single album in today's world.

[@lupcokotevski2907]

Joe Farrell from the Elvis Jones Trio plays the incredible flute on Laura Nyro's psychedelic blues track Poverty Train (1968) in 6/8. Nyro performed it at Monterey 1967 backed by the Wrecking Crew - its on KZbin.

[@grokeffer6226]

He played with Chick Corea before Al Di Meola joined the band and also with Mose Allison later on. Middle-Class White-Boy is a fun song from Mose Allison.

[@bh8365]

@Lupco. Poverty Train. Eager to check out that version. I don't remember the album track as being psychedelic.

[@jpinnacle]

Thanks for the info. "Poverty Train" is my favorite Laura Nyro song.

[@tomcarl8021]

My last name is Farrell. I was always so proud that someone with my surname was a world famous jazz musician. Until I found out he was an Italian guy who changed his name to Farrell. I was mad. Hahaha!!!!!

[@cronobactersakazakii5133]

Great upload and surprise ! “Information is not knowledge.Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is not truth. Truth is not beauty. Beauty is not love. Love is not music. Music is THE BEST.” - Frank Zappa

[@Chicago_Podcast_Authority]

More Zappa content please

[@theelysium1597]

indeed.

[@grandpavanderhof]

Thank you Frank for the Diana Ross comments, I've felt the same way about her face since the first time I saw her on Ed Sullivan!

[@weeooh1]

Zappa is a musical genius and very demanding of his musicians, so expect criticism of anything he comes across. But if something bizarre or rhythmically unexpected is presented, he may like it. My favorite quote of his: "Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible".

[@pancakelens75]

Super interesting video; I’d consider subscribing to this channel if it wasn’t for robot voice narrator…

[@oldskoolfool141]

Typical hypocritical liberal mindset, says "Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible" in one breath then in another how he prefers blacks to essentially stay within their cultural lane and not get too sophisticated, reminds me of that 'uppity N's' quote

[@weeooh1]

@@oldskoolfool141 I think you are misinterpreting the intent behind his words. In 1968 the concept of PC correctness was virtually non-existent and ppl were not as constrained by language as they are today. Zappa critiqued black music no differently than he did white music, and he liked and disliked elements of both. He has had several black musicians in his bands over the decades who have contributed much to his music and who loved and admired him greatly (George Duke, Napoleon Murphy Brock, Ike Willis and others). Whatever your young 21st century mindset interprets of Zappa, pretty sure its quite a bit off.

[@justjeph6927]

Hmmm.. a lyrical influence on Neil Peart perhaps?

[@NGKiernan]

Yeah, look at all the memorable music he produced? LOL. The greatest collection of "Smell My Farts" muzak ever recorded. How many copies have sold in the last forty Years? Virtually zero,

[@Frankincensedjb123]

"I don't respond well to romantic music because I always see a boy and girl in love swooning and crooning in front of old guys in evening dress on a stage covered in a star-spangled banner." The amazing thing was Frank's gift for detail. It's those details about music that helped him write a wide array of genre inspired music. Just amazingly honest and insightful thoughts here.

[@charlesnelson5187]

he had no filter back when everyone had a filter

[@justjeph6927]

A focused mind

[@DukesMusic84]

Zappa's interviews from the 60s, 70s and 80s are legendary. The man did not hold back, to say the least. His review of Don Partridge was especially savage.

[@termsofusepolice]

Later he was even harder on Keith Partridge.

[@nobbynoris]

@Chris Waters Makes me wonder what FZ would have done to Alan Partridge.

[@OuterGalaxyLounge]

Like Frank, I was kinda relieved when the Elvin Jones jazz came on. I like Zappa's music when it's at its most complex.

[@MrUndersolo]

Yes, I was waiting for Zappa to appear here! Thanks!

[@markb20]

When I saw Frank Zappa as the "man", I thought here comes a lot of theoretical meanings wrapped with technical double-speak, but Zappa was quite knowledgeable and well spoken about each subject of music. Enjoyed it very much. Finally, LOVED the charts shown at the time of the interview, I find it fascinating to see the music that the listening public choose as their favorite music at this point in their lives. I should know, I was a young child in 1968, always running around the neighborhoods, listening up to hear what the cool older kids were getting into, music-wise. I always heard the Rascals and the Doors blasting out of their radios or record players; they knew their music.

[@timscarrow9151]

He did not lack Huberis though,, "You could learn something" can be a little condescending if you don't want to work for a narcissist. Frank is one of my favorite guitarists, but he did have an EGO.

[@markb20]

@@timscarrow9151 Zappa did not suffer fools gladly- or any other way for that matter.

[@lupcokotevski2907]

The drummer of the Fifth Dimension track is more than likely Hal Blaine.

[@tomcarl8021]

Good catch. It's obviously The Wrecking Crew. They did everything for the Fifth Dimension. It's either Hal on drums or the equally great Earl Palmer. I read somewhere the way to distinguish whether it's Hal or Earl, is to listen to the toms. Hal, apparently tuned his toms lower than most drummers, giving his drum fills a deeper, richer tone. And notice the arrangement credit is Bones Howe. His resume is nothing short of jaw-dropping. Oh, and look at the record label it's on. Liberty Records. Founded by the legendary Sy Waronker. I thought the label folded by the mid/late sixties, but I guess not.

[@mladen8127]

I was thinking, okay well surely he must be running low on good ones by now... And then you go and drop Zappa.

[@tomcarl8021]

I see "The Immortal Otis Redding" at number 16. The album came out posthumously. It was a collection of everything he'd recently recorded at the time of his death. Fantastic album. Gives you an idea of where he was going musically. Bittersweet because, though he'd been making albums since 1964, this shows he was just getting started. Steve Cropper is on fire on that album. Give it a listen, everybody.

[@charlesgallagher1376]

They played Dock of the Bay on American Bandstand. The song blew my 10 year old mind. Then Dick Clark said Otis Redding, the song's singer had died two weeks before. Devastated me, I never forgot that moment, the song has never gotten old.

[@tomcarl8021]

@@charlesgallagher1376 Think of his partner Steve Cropper. He put together the sounds of the seagulls and added the now famous lead guitar. When he was finished after about forty-eight hours, he put on a suit, flew to the funeral, and was one of Otis' pallbearers.

[@FawleyJude]

Elvin Jones put out a single?? From this album?? That UK popular music scene must have really been different than in the US.

[@therocknrollmillennial535]

"I don't mind a record that sets out not to have guts but I lose interest when it pretends to have some." I am now, and forever, convinced that Frank Zappa was Holden Caulfield in the flesh.

[@gordiannot77]

Frank's honesty is Lovely❤

[@michaelrochester48]

I have not even played this episode yet and I am going to laugh and love this one

[@dantean]

The work that must have gone into finding things Frank was GUARANTEED to treat with contempt must have pleased the editors no end.

[@timscarrow9151]

Why Colored people ? oops People of color, do they walk backwards too?

[@katbela3971]

I like Zappa's corrosive irony to criticize what he doesn't like: - ''the drums are too good for Charlie Watts'' 0:48 - ''I'd like the record better if there weren't any singers because I can't understand a word. If I did know what they were singing then I'd really be repelled''. 0:56 - ''This is the most acceptable teenage record that won't take much trouble to understand, if you want to understand.'' 1:17 - ''One of the ugliest things I have seen is Diana Ross' smile'' 2:27 - ''It lacks guts. I don't mind a record that sets out not to have guts, but I lose interest when it pretends to have some.'' 3:55 🤣🤣🤣 Thanks, YP. 👌👌

[@suds5214]

Kind of ironic since Frank's music was unique and impressive but his lyrics and voice were kinda crap.

[@katbela3971]

@@suds5214 Totally agree! 🤣👍😇

[@TheRudySchwartzProject]

@@suds5214 His lyrics were okay in the earlier years, but they definitely took a steep quality dive in the later years. I don't think that he believed he had a great voice, because he kept hiring people who were much better singers than he was. I'd still have preferred that he had put more emphasis on the instrumental material.

[@ari1234a]

The drummer was Hal Blaine it was the usual Wrecking Crew backing on 5th Dimension.

[@knutz7]

I’m guessing he didn’t know Charlie was a jazz drummer ? Or knew and still wasn’t impressed.!

[@willieluncheonette5843]

Well, this was quite enjoyable and unpredictable. His comments on Diana Ross were a hoot (still like a lot of her songs though) Wish he had named a few of the Motown songs he thought were detestable...lol. He does like that Elvin Jones Trio album (thank heaven) Jones is a MONSTER!! drummer. On a personal note, I had a small encounter with Zappa when he was with The Mothers of Invention. We were all hanging out on St Marks here in NYC one afternoon and Zappa walked by. He stopped and asked us if we could think of a logo for the MOI to put in ads, on records, etc. He said he couldn't think of anything. We all thought for a minute or two but none of us (and there were about 8 kids milling around) could come up with anything. Oh well, we tried. Thanks as always YP.

[@YesterdaysPapers]

That's a cool story! Judging by Zappa's tastes, I'm guessing he liked the very early Motown acts like the Countours but he probably disliked most of the mid to late 60s stuff.

[@pcno2832]

I don't think the record at 1:02 actually had Buddy Holly on it; the Crickets kept recording without Holly long after his death and had a number of minor UK hits (though almost no U.S. ones) during that time. Their version of "I fought the law." was a flip side from 1961 before being made popular by the Bobby Fuller Four and The Clash.

[@willieluncheonette5843]

@@pcno2832 You're probably right, although there were Buddy Holly songs with just his solo guitar recorded in hotels I think, that were released after his death with the Fireballs adding a backing. Some of them are quit good such as Crying, Waiting, Hoping. And that was The Hollies, not Buddy Holly who had the #1 record. My bad. I need more sleep. I changed my comment at the top.

[@timscarrow9151]

@@YesterdaysPapers We know Frank loved his Doo Wop And When he had his studio early 60's in Cucamonga? his guitar work and recordings were that surf and R&B styles and novelty (that's another story, why we can't be drafted.)

[@justjeph6927]

My friend's mom gave us jobs catering. So, she got a contract with David Forest, a big rock promoter in LA. The highlight was always Zappa's new year's eve shows @ Pauley pavilion (UCLA). When Terry Bozzio was with him, and Dale was there too.

[@NondescriptMammal]

Good old Frank. There's really no denying that he was one of the most musically competent composers of his time.

[@bddrex]

Great video as always. Thanks so much for posting.

[@MarkMikelVideos]

I was looking at the charts at the end and this is the first that I learned that Cream's Wheels Of Fire was both a double album and a single album and that they both made the top 20. Thank you for your great videos!

[@BigSky1]

In the UK It was a double album or 2 single albums. One studio and 1 live.

[@ExplodingPsyche]

Yes, I was shocked to see this!

[@johnkeating4084]

Those We're the Days

[@BigSky1]

@@johnkeating4084 🤣 clever Reply.

[@Cream1968]

Yes they were……🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@colewoodard8920]

Was happily surprised to see the Elvin record here. My favorite drummer, reviewed by my favorite musician.

[@musamusashi]

Saddly your favourite musician could not recognise Elvin who is also my favourite drummer. This means that he never paid attention to Coltrane's music, which is a capital offence for ANY musician, let alone such an highly rated one. Big disappointment.

[@p_e_t_e]

@@musamusashi lol

[@darrylmars]

Fun post. Zappa was the best composer of the 20th century & always interesting. Can't have too much of the Bonzos

[@MrMjp58]

Another great video. I didn't enjoy much of this selection of tracks, but it was very interesting to get Frank's take on them. His sardonic comments show that he was quite a bit ahead of his time.

[@lupcokotevski2907]

The Fifth Dimension had most of their hits with Laura Nyro songs - they covered 10 Nyro tunes.

[@racketman2u]

but only in the USA, overseas it was the Jimmy Web Hit "Up Up and Away" and the Hair song "Aquarius" that were their hits.

[@radiomindchatter7994]

Very astute review from Frank!

[@joeydanielski962]

love Zappa very much, thanks for this.

[@akkor6835]

nro 14-Friends. me alegra saber que había gente disfrutando ese album maravilloso.

[@f.w.2054]

Frank was very intelligent and a great musician, but I think his ultra opinionated takes were sometimes intentionally more clever than accurate.

[@brianthomas2434]

How is an opinion accurate? You can agree or disagree but... The most you can say is an opinion is uninformed or based on a bad premise, I suppose.

[@KariKauree]

@@brianthomas2434 Saying in 1968 that "James Brown used to be funky" would be one example

[@f.w.2054]

Brian...everybody has an opinion. everybody has a right to their opinion, but some opinions are by the general consensus flat out inaccurate. (Flat earth theory is a prime example of an inaccurate opinion). I don't believe in telling people they can't believe whatever they want, but just because they do, doesn't make it accurate. You can nitpick over semantics all you want, but most people know what I mean. By the way, I think Frank Zappas opinions were generally accurate, but he certainly loved grandstanding and being outrageous!

[@IAMDRREMULAKK]

I agree with you, f.w.. I love to listen to frank zappa speak his mind, more than I like his music. I've read his book from cover to cover, multiple times. But like a lot of people, I think he answered in funny or interesting ways, rather than giving an accurate answer. Sometimes reality is boring, - one thing he never wanted to be.

[@suds5214]

I agree.

[@shyphyre]

This is the first time realizing that the 5D's Good News was released as a single outside of the states. How did fare on the charts in Europe?

[@YesterdaysPapers]

It never charted.

[@Gizzlefitz]

That's Frank..My man !! This has to be the most articulate review I've heard yet.

[@samuelrodrigues361]

can't get better than this.

[@dynjarren8355]

Good old Frank Zappa! I miss his personality and brutal honesty. He did not mince words or hold back anything. I think he liked innovative music and hated anything that was run of the mill or ordinary sounding. He respected musicianship as well. I wish he was still alive to criticize today’s music and culture. He would be shocked at how bad it is now.

[@tomripsin730]

Although, knowing Frank, he might just defy expectations, and like something you wouldn't expect. As when he commented favorably on disco music in the '70's.

[@dynjarren8355]

@@tomripsin730 You’re right! But I didn’t say he was predictable, just that he didn’t hold back and had a unique perspective. He was irrepressible.

[@tomripsin730]

@@dynjarren8355 Understood. And I agree.

[@dynjarren8355]

@@tomripsin730 He was also very funny! I miss that guy.

[@dynjarren8355]

@@tomripsin730 Heck, Lennon said he liked Disco, too! I guess he liked to see people dancing like they used to with Rock n Roll. Before it became cerebral music you sit down and listen to. And I still like Whatever Gets you thru the Night by Lennon and Elton. It’s almost a Disco song and I still like Fame with Bowie. Great Tune! I liked some Disco except when they played Violins and went Classical. Disco Beethoven was terrible! The Violins drove me nuts! 👎🏻🦨 Good Disco was The Bee Gees, Donna Summer (I Feel Love) the Moroder classic and Chic! 👏🏻 And Lippsinc-Funkytown! That’s the best Disco song ever! In my opinion! The production sound on that song blew my mind! It’s so great with Headphones! 🎧 There are only two kinds of music! Good songs or Bad songs. Don’t you agree? The following opinion was my own and feel free to disagree or agree. Your choice! 👏🏻😎

[@pegna7404]

That ceickets song was written by the same guy who wrote and sang the Mary Tyler Moore theme. He's on the crickets' record too.

[@johnsain]

'Hey Jude' (released September 28) was number one at this time in the USA.... where it would be until December (when I bought the single) nearly 3 consecutive months at #1.....Biggest hit of the entire 1960's.....Would've liked to hear his evaluation of that song.

[@paulgentile1024]

I'm sure he liked The drifters " Ruby Ruby" much better.. I know I did

[@jibsmokestack1]

Love the Tony Williams shout out!

[@grokeffer6226]

Mr. Zappa always had an interesting point of view. This interview would have been after Absolutely Free and before Hot Rats. I'm not sure if The Mothers of Invention were officially broken up at this point, but there would have been huge cracks starting, and they would have been on the verge of breaking up. It seems like I've heard that story about Mose Allison before. People interested in Frank at about this point in time might check out the book Freak Out! My Life with FRANK ZAPPA, written by Pauline Butcher. She was hired by Frank as a typist/secretary and spent a lot of time around The Mothers and Frank at about this point in time.

[@YesterdaysPapers]

I guess this Blind Date was done before or after the Mothers filmed this 30-minute show at BBC studios: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnO0pIGtbLOcqbc Most of these Blind Dates were done that way. The people from the Melody Maker would meet up with the artists at BBC studios before or after they filmed appearances for shows like Top of The Tops, etc...

[@grokeffer6226]

@@YesterdaysPapers Good stuff!!

[@grokeffer6226]

The first incarnation of The Mothers of Invention broke up about a year after this.

[@anAeijingBuffoon]

@@YesterdaysPapers I always liked King Kong. I can never understand why Peter Jackson didn’t use it in his version of the movie, especially a version I heard where Frank introduced it talking about King Kong like he was a real great ape in the archives of human history-can’t remember where that one was recorded.

[@sharonsnail2954]

@@YesterdaysPapers I saw them at the Festival Hall on this UK visit (end Oct 1968). It's the "Uncle Meat " period (recording, not release). IIRC the MOI did some crap sketch and "King Kong" (a la BBC recording) with other bits and pieces from "We're Only In It For The Money". The sound was great.

[@stevew2724]

"This lacks guts . . . . I'm not a judge . . . I'm too old, but this is liable to get thousands of teenagers into screaming ecstasy." This reminds me of a Zappa article I read decades ago, "The Oracle Has It All Psyched Out." Classic Zappa social commentary.

[@jaredcress4328]

Never heard of this article so I went and checked it out, very insightful stuff as to Frank's view of the music business and social morays of his day. Especially liked the last paragraph, definitely could see his brain planting the seeds that would eventually become 200 Motels

[@TeamLuka]

My Little Girl (featuring Jerry Naylor on vocals) was a single by the Crickets from 1963, not 1968... so no idea why that's on this list.

[@YesterdaysPapers]

It was reissued in 1968: www.discogs.com/release/3797132-The-Crickets-My-Little-Girl

[@traceya9615]

Honest, direct and mature as ever. Zappa was a blast of fresh air in the music business.Thanks for posting this.

[@vladdrakul7851]

Direct yes! Honest? Perhaps! Mature? NEVER! He never grew up and was always like a teenager with his dick jokes and misogyny always craving and needing attention and being provocative for it's own sake, like the annoying kid at school ('Look at me I'm a genius and everyone else is crap') never crediting any of his contemporaries for anything. Frank was the very epitome of the spoiled Baby boomer. Arrogant, cocksuure all while being an insecure (thus lashing out at others) asshole! The hypocritical moralist who put down pot smoking and then died from smoking commercially produced cancer sticks. Yeah real smart" NOT!!

[@atlasking6110]

Diana Ross's smile gives me the creeps too LOL

[@eargasm1072]

What a time and year to be alive on this planet 1968...and to think this singles review w/Frank is soon after he (and the Mothers) recorded and released "Lumpy Gravy" & "Money", two of the best things he ever did. Knowing he loved 50s doo-wop, blues and r&B I knew he would approve of that re-release of the Drifters song. What a brilliant curmudgeon!

[@GrandFunker]

I'd love to know what Frank would think of modern music. It's blowing my mind looking at this chart and comparing it to the absolute non-musical soulless garbage we get nowadays. The auto tune nonsense and the beat that sounds like a sprinkler system that's reused ad nauseam.

[@glennhecker4422]

Rick Beato has a cute name for that "sprinkler system" rhythm figure you're referring to: he calls it the "cicada."

[@Philtration]

Frank was an intelligent guy and knew a great deal about music. He was also not shy about voicing his opinions and some people are put off by that but I respect honesty over sugar coating and fake smiles. He was truly the expert in the room when he was battling the stiffs that were trying to censor music and brand them with warning labels.

[@thingfish000]

Did he say "finger poppin' spades"? Lol

[@planetzebulon21]

Check out Zappa’s ‘Packard Goose’ if you want know how he felt about the rock press.

[@KariKauree]

Saying "James Brown used to be funky" in 1968 is just... so ridiculous 😂 I very much agree with the comment below saying that "his ultra opinionated takes were sometimes intentionally more clever than accurate".

[@andrewparkin8497]

I think his point is that he preferred JB when he was focused on music more than wealth and self promotion. Frank was a genius totally focused on music and never had to try hard to appear intelligent.

[@BCThunderthud]

@@andrewparkin8497 But that's equally wrong-headed. I think he liked James Brown in the 50s when he was doing doo wop and R&B that was more familiar and that he simply hadn't been paying attention because this period, from about 66-69 is when he was really his creative peak. You can't blame Zappa because he was deep into his own idiosyncratic bag, but it illustrates the danger of spouting off with first impressions because while I'm sure he didn't mind sounding snobbish and arrogant he wouldn't have wanted to sound stupid.

[@KariKauree]

@@andrewparkin8497 And my point is that that comment ignores or even belittles the supreme funkiness that James was inventing/innovating in 1968 and would continue to invent/innovate over the next few years. Focused more on wealth and self promotion than on music? Give me a break... (pun not intended)

[@robertmccauley754]

@@BCThunderthud Yeah, Zappa admits to not being plugged into the current scene. If you combined to that the reality he was only doing this rundown because he was getting paid, you’re asking for bad judgement. That’s without mentioning the obvious attachment you have to an artist’s era from the time you first discovered them.

[@BCThunderthud]

@@robertmccauley754 I feel a little dumb for taking it so seriously, it's really neat that they even asked him to do this way back in Mothers days, and he probably spent 15 minutes on it. It just hasn't aged that well.

[@nodiggity9472]

2:24 "One of the ugliest things I have ever seen is Diana Ross' smile. It gives me the creeps. Its like she's got props at the side of her mouth, and a button that Berry Gordy presses". 💥 No, tell us how you *really* feel Frank. 🤣🤣🤣

[@nezb01]

The month my family moved from Jamaica to Toronto. Now that’s a bummer.

[@agingmillennialmainer]

Diana Ross bit made me cackle. Zappa was a treasure.

[@64north20west]

He was a man with one of the highest musical I.Q.s of his generation speaking his mind, whether you like it or not. How can you not like it? It would also be interesting to listen exclusively to the songs and albums on those charts for a few days to vicariously transport to October 1968. Yesterday's Paper's struck again!

[@Cream1968]

What he said about Diana Ross was frightlyly true! The man knew his stuff! Great channel is always love it!

[@racketman2u]

I don't know about "musical IQs" but it was an opinion from someone who's music was a taste not many people acquired.

[@64north20west]

@@racketman2u You may be right, but it is difficult for me not to like a bloke who warned us all not to eat the yellow snow!

[@johnmegaritis6446]

Zappa was a genius but because the music industry is what it is, they hated him so not many people listened to him. People are starting to listen to him now, but the ones who have for years, decades love all his music which is quite difficult to listen to .

[@stepheng8779]

Blimey Leapy Lee Little Arrows, remember that from Junior Choice when I was very little myself. I'm going to look for it now and it'll probably be in my head for weeks 😂😂

[@richardsinger01]

Cream’s Wheels of Fire simultaneously at no 6 and also at no 20 in the album charts with single and double album versions. Interesting.

[@tonywright8302]

Don't hold back Frank like you never did, great, sadly missed, someone who knew what he was taking abo

[@pardyhardly]

Opinions are like assholes, and Frank Zappa is God.

[@bobleglob162]

the year and month I was born. He rips on EVERYBODY!

[@paule1983]

Damn, I miss Frank Zappa RIP brother

[@vampolascott36]

That top ten list is just amazing. It was a renaissance era for pop and rock.

[@justinspivey8728]

I thought this was gonna be a blood bath! He was so thoughtful!

[@pcno2832]

0:27 "It's the true test of a record if it sounds good on a crappy record player." ... take that, Melody Maker! He is right though, as least as far as pop music goes. Car radios sounded pretty bad back then and even worse over the sound of an engine, portable listening devices have generally been pretty bad and a lot of kids with record players in 1968 still had "kid's record players".

[@PotrzebieConolly]

Or if a record sounds good on a cheap transistor radio. Whenever I read complaints about the sound quality of CDs or MP3s, I can't help remembering how great the 60's music sounded on my primitive radios and record players.

[@augustarpg8035]

Reminds me of the scene in the movie 'Once' where they go do the car test. Stating something along the lines of "weve been listening to it on these expensive studio speakers, now to see if it sounds good thru crappy car speakers."

[@bryandawkins]

Frank Zappa was the most serious musician I know, he made it look easy but what he did was really hard

[@bagofnails6692]

I agree with that but still find almost all of his music unlistenable.

[@bryandawkins]

@@bagofnails6692 music like King Kong played on a demented ice cream truck or his opera Thing Fish were aquired tastes

[@gweedomurray9923]

@@bryandawkins ~ King Kong has "serious" music that finishes with hilarity via the ice cream truck. LOL !

[@bagofnails6692]

@@bryandawkins I don't want to imagine a world where Zappa had never existed, but that doesn't mean that I ever want to sit down and listen to the music that he produced. :)

[@terrymiller1582]

Tell us what you listen to that you think is better than Zappa

[@stephendavis5530]

Enjoyed this, though some of his epithets regarding race would be a bit tricky now......for good reason. Never really heard much from Zappa but heard a lot about him.

[@stephendavis5530]

@Victor Alexander Sorry...no idea what you're banging on about!

[@elspencer6334]

Yeah, middle-class, Italian-American Zappa banging on about "spades" and heaven forfend that black music should be sophisticated. He was always a jerk.

[@peteraleksandrovich5923]

Zappa was so grouchy!!! I don't think Beefheart hugged him enough.

[@historicradiotelevision-bi2861]

I could listen to FZ dissect records for hours.

[@chrisbacos]

Frank Zappa not only was his own man but here he shows he was a rocker for thinking people. Had a great grasp of not only the technical aspects of music but was up to date on trends at the time. I personally hate most jazz. So we were in the same boat. One last thing about Frank away from music. It's too bad he died so long ago at such a young age because as a public figure he would have had a field day with what happened in the States and the rest of the world for that matter.

[@heinrichvon]

Obviously, Zappa didn't hate all jazz since he gives his highest praise among this group of records to the Elvin Jones Trio. Also, he praises the great jazz drummer Tony Williams of Miles' band. He just expresses scorn for the "easy listening" jazz he hears on the radio, which I suppose was prescient.

[@ShannonLee1956]

Frank only told the truth about hippies. To most all of them it was nothing but a fad! The one's who didn't od ended up being yuppies, very few stayed true.

[@markschroeder5559]

He's just giving his opinions, not telling you these should be your opinions.

[@charleswinokoor6023]

“Finger-popping spades.” Hey, don’t blame me - Frank said it!

[@thediamonddog95]

Now THIS is something i wish there was a whole series with it. And i didn't even start watching. 😁 Already know it will be great.

[@caryheuchert]

I thought he would’ve guessed drummer, Elvin Jones. Regardless, “Puttin’ it Together” is a fine album!

[@musamusashi]

That means he wasn't at all familiar with Coltrane's music, which is kind of depressing from someone with such high aims as a musician and composer.

[@thewoodys_surf_instrumental]

Frank Zappa ... even his name looks super cool.

[@chrisbacos]

On October 8, 1968 I turned eight years old.

[@2wayplebney]

Frank is always interesting.

[@waycnf7229]

I wonder if they have these from the mid-late 70s as well. Would love to see them review DEVO in one of these

[@mikewilson3581]

You would think they would give Frank some experimental choices instead of all the watered down tracks. And he was right about Diana Ross. Plus she's never been the nicest person in the music business. Sure the business can be cutthroat, but she was a bit sinister.

[@Cincinnatus1869]

these were the newest singles at the time.

[@YesterdaysPapers]

@@Cincinnatus1869 These singles that Zappa reviewed here were singles that had been released that week. Only the Bonzo Dog Band song charted.

[@mikewilson3581]

@@Cincinnatus1869 A bad time then for music. There had to have been at least a couple songs that would have been better choices available.

[@deirdre108]

@@YesterdaysPapers Yes, that Elvin Jones single came out of nowhere! I was wondering if that actually charted in the UK.

[@Cincinnatus1869]

@@mikewilson3581 1967 ? A bad time for music ? hardly

[@lthompson7625]

Did a double take when l saw The Dave Clark Five in the British charts with ‘ The Red Balloon’. Surely the lads wouldn’t have recorded Tim Hardin’s song about heroin use? After a quick search found out their chart hit is a totally different song . There is no ‘The’ in the title of Tim’s song.. For anyone who hasn’t heard this great track ‘ Red Balloon’ is worth a listen. The Small Faces recorded a great version as well.

[@erichall7068]

Nice to hear from Zappa with the context of him being in the music business, and a lover - critic of music. He doesn't come across as so cynical/vinegar

[@neilkanatt8244]

Wheels of fire on charts both as single and double album🙄

[@johnroberts1141]

"finger popping spades." Lol.

[@RockyRoader]

Notable that at least 30% of the music in those charts still gets airplay and works well these days

[@wehaveasituation]

Wow..no surprise, I suppose, but Frank went way beyond even the surprisingly astute observations of the others, like Brian Jones or Entwhistle..

[@iwaisman]

Thanks

[@simonsimon325]

He was right... the jazz track stuck out a mile as having real quality. Not even a jazz fan, but it was a class apart from the crap we'd heard up til then.

[@paulgentile1024]

lots of great jazz up until then... and after

[@simonsimon325]

@@paulgentile1024 I meant within this selection of tracks, not all of music.

[@johnparadise3134]

2:34 Elvin Jones with Joe Farrell and Jimmy Garrison

[@VultureClone]

I saw the thumbnail for this and thought Frank would ruthlessly pick apart every song. I think he probably held back a bit lol

[@PointyTailofSatan]

#28 America by The Nice! Compared to the other music on that list, America is like from another planet!

[@televinv8062]

1968, I wonder if this was before or after his album, 'We're Only in it for the Money'? That did well in the UK charts.

[@MikeSmith74653]

Right after that album

[@televinv8062]

@@MikeSmith74653 thanks for letting me know! 👍🙏

[@HettiedeKorteDiplomaat]

I would like to hear his opinion about today’s music.

[@basswars7060]

We need more honesty like this in our world.

[@ustheserfs]

Zappa as authentic as they came. Man didn't possess a contrived bone in his wiry frame.

[@donniemoder1466]

Backhanded slam of Charlie Watts, Zappa was not afraid to tell it like it is.

[@paulgentile1024]

Charlie Watts was a great drummer

[@jordil6152]

I think they were picking records to provoke some snide caustic remarks. Hotcha!

[@Dethfeast]

Shame this didn't have him commenting on some of the timeless hits released that month, like Hey Jude, I say a little Prayer, Hello I love you, The Weight, or any of the other songs I actually know.

[@maurogajardo620]

I agree in one thing:Four Tops "Greatest Hits"is EASILY the Best Motown LP of the 60's

[@mick5137]

Yes, but only because Marvin Gaye's Super Hits was released in 1970 ;)

[@MonotoneTim]

Nobody’s opinion I value more!

[@Secretbeachborder]

This contains evidence Zappa" loved jazz" despite the confusion around the subject

[@JellyMonster1]

Bonus to see the chart listing at the end. Still like Jesamine.

[@justjeph6927]

I prefer to hear Frank's voice when he's talking. Did you notice Classical Gas on the chart?😎