FRANK ZAPPA | The Masterpiece That Never Happened

[@dragonlotion1789]

Sleep Dirt is phenomenal. The composition of the cover with Godzillas The Smog Monster I think is brilliant.

[@sealisa1398]

It’s my favorite…I agree.

[@horstbaur7797]

Thank you so much for this. Exploring Zappa's music is a lifetime project and so worthwhile. I am so grateful to Dweezil for continuing his father's legacy in his brilliant fashion.

[@Guitar6ty]

Not forgetting The Furious Bongoes.

[@RDNZLarf17]

Just saw Dweezil in August. Still killing it on tour!

[@simonsimon325]

Even though they weren't the first things I heard from Zappa, it was songs like lemme take you to the beach, dog breath, and take your clothes off that made me want to hear everything he'd done. It's like he drew me in with the silly but brilliant stuff as a young lad, and then you get all this other incredible stuff growing on you too. Kind of sad that no one will ever make music like that again. He's truly unique and irreplaceable. Great vid. Gonna have to give Studio Tan a listen again soon. Been a long time.

[@warrenwightman4413]

Just a further comment , it's great that we all love and appreciate this album , but the Orchestral Favs 40TH is an insane listen . The birth of Black Napkins , and an instrumental version of Gregory Peckory plus Duke o Prunes plus plus plus is the best thing to come out of the vault since NY Anniversary . Good on ya Andy .

[@DoctorInsomnia-qw7us]

The 3 are good for casual listening, but for a serious deep dive commitment to ultimate musical exploration without any mundane time restraints, the way Zappa originally intended, the posthumously released CD LeATHER is what I truly prefer for those adventurous moments....

[@richardronco494]

I was obsessed with Sleep Dirt in 82/83 when I was in high school. Sleep Dirt>the Ocean is the Ultimate Solution is one of the best pieces FZ ever composed.

[@Tacotac64]

You said it for me - "Ocean is the ultimate solution" might be my favorite work by Zappa.

[@jonnaah9683]

Except Ocean does go on a bit, the last stretch is rather repetitious.

[@Tacotac64]

@@jonnaah9683 Repetition is probably why I love this peace so much : for once, Zappa doesn’t seem as obsessed with permanent changes and sudden breaks - here the music flows, more freely (but not in a free-jazz way) : always thought that it fitted perfectly to the idea of « ocean »…

[@Abyss60]

Good evening, for two years a box set has been released from the archives with orchestral favorites with additional elements and a live version.

[@andreasrosenberg9317]

Zappa was on WIOQ were he played Läther (a 8 side album) In war with Warner he said: "Don´t buy it - Tape it!"

[@jimsalman7257]

Yes, how about that soaring fuzz guitar solo in RDNZL (on Studio Tan)? The depth of emotion Zappa conveys in that solo is astounding. It's one of my favorites. A lot went on inside not only the head, but also inside the heart, of that great man.

[@kevincampbell2032]

In the 70s record stores had a bin called "cut outs " that usually had loss leaders and obsolete stuff. So I'm checking it and these 3 albums were distributed as cut outs from release. I know this because I was always following zappa, and when I found them in the cut out bin as new zappa I was confused but happy they cost $3.

[@whycantiremainanonymous8091]

Those four "out of contract" albums include Zappa's absolute greatest masterpiece, The Adventures of Greggary Peccary. [Edit: I wrote that comment two minutes into the video; apparently we agree 🙂]

[@briannemeth9417]

Love Gregory ❤️

[@heresthething41]

Sleep Dirt is my personal favorite Zappa album.

[@Grithron2]

Factual errors - The bassist on Orchestral Favorites is Dave Parlato, and George Duke is not present on The Ocean... (where the other featured soloist is Patrick O'Hearn). Detail missing - Comparing Lather to the individual albums, there are a number of tracks present in different edits, e.g including pieces of alternate takes, or different mixes (e.g amount of ADT on the horn solos in Purple Lagoon). And this is just the original vinyl releases, never mind Frank's CDs which add some more complications for the collector.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Thanks for that, I will add your comment to the video description.

[@huzzism]

Your unbridled enthusiasm for FZ comes across loud and clear. Cheers, from another drummer

[@furuaas]

I didn’t hear you mention that Orchestral favorites have instrumental versions of tunes from 200 Motels. It’s very interesting to compare the two. Magnificent talk through these albums. I’ve got them all. Bought them at vinyl when they came out, but now I just have a cd player and sold the LPs. My collection of original Zappa albums gave me a lot of money to buy a better equipment to play music when I moved to a smaller home 😢 I started with 200 Motel’s when that first came out and have followed him since. Very interesting to dig into a big artist like him. It’s been over 50 years! We have some of the same favorites 😊.

[@garlooroztox]

Thanks for the great review of those wonderful LPs. I became a Zappa fan before I heard the Mothers, from only the Freak Out LP cover, at the local drug store record bin, and once I got the things in hand I was, and remain, a dedicated Zappa/Mothers/Cal Schenkel fan. I bumbled into doing those covers as a newcomer in LA dragging my portfolio around to record companies and meeting art directors. I was honored to do them but very humiliated to find out, as I was in the middle of doing Orchestral Favorites, that they were unauthorized. They were done in a big rush and the agency changed after Studio Tan, which was odd and estranged me from the first agency. Sleep Dirt was done in about 24 hours and not finished. It should have been airbrushed back to a very dark room with glowing eyes of the monster, but there was no time given to complete the artwork. I had wondered at not meeting Zappa and not having more information, but only the names of the records and the hand lettered info you can see there, to work from. Like my work or not, Zappa fans, I did my best. I looked up Cal when I got to LA in 76. Cal was leaving town and was very gracious to me and we are still friends. He is a very important artist. Zappa continued to use those covers and told Matt Groening that he didn't mind them, but that he didn't like the skull on the back of Orchestral Favorites, as it seemed negative. My favorite LPs by the Mothers are everything up to Apostrophe, where a lot of fans enter Zappa fandom. I love all the music but not every single infantilism and inflection. For what it is worth my favorites are Lumpy Gravy, Weasels, and Uncle Meat among so many great records. I never met Zappa and would not have known what to say to him, before, or especially after doing these covers. I am eternally grateful to him and his idea music for helping my mind heal from the Church of Christ. I listen to Zappa very very often and still thrill when I hear it. Peace to all the Zappaphiles in the world. And yourself.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

I loved the skull on Orchestral Favourites!!! You did the imposible, and these covers should be hated by Zappa fans but I think you will find they loved them. Studio Tan is one of the greatest covers on any album ever! Thenk you so much for this comment. All the best to you.

[@garlooroztox]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Thanks! And you are right about Gregory Peccary being a total masterpiece..

[@joeydanielski962]

Studio Tan and Sleep Dirt are two of my very favourite Zappa albums that I own. The covers definitely factor into that! Thanks so much for making them and contributing to some of my favourite records.

[@garlooroztox]

@@joeydanielski962 Thank you very much.

[@jwc3o2]

whoa! hello Gary! for what it's worth, i think that little trio of album covers complements the Schenkel covers beautifully & add distinction to that particular set of albums. yr sleepdirtcreature is wonderful! & as an addend, i have yr "Jimbo" (the "Raw One-Shot" in corrugated cardbard covers), which i've derived great pleasure from since it came out backwhen. "I don't want my brain warshed" has been a favourite catchphrase i use in conversation relatvely consistently. thanks VERY much for what you do!

[@heftyjay1]

Love your takes on Frank….🇨🇦🌀💪🏼

[@bzbzob]

I have said that Studio Tan is my favorite, a hard to conclusion to come to, but it is just so so good! One of my most cherished listens and I expose all my friends to it. Genius music, and with humor... Thanks Andy.

[@Theineluctable_SOME_CANT]

I like Weasels, too....

[@johncleary6126]

The note that is hit on '...so you'll probably sneak out ow ow ow ow ow ow owao!' is utterly sublime.My favourite Zappa moment amongst many.

[@stopolis]

Hi Andy, I have both Lather and the 4 separate albums. I think it's worth having both because the versions are a little different. The live material has been totally remixed and sounds more intimate. This is some of my favorite music. Thanks highlighting these!!

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Totally agree...you really need both

[@brads4606]

Zappa is a genre unto himself.

[@seanbrennan5192]

This video is great man

[@ye8488]

Love these song analysis, great video!

[@ingomeyer4153]

Awwh...memories...I have sleep dirt,Orchestral favourites and studio tan...is it possible that sleep dirt,the title track,is missing on Läther?beautiful tune....

[@ricobonifacio1095]

I'm glad to have gotten the copy with the cow. It was used but good condition and price. Great stuff on it.

[@MrGreggerypeccary]

Absolute masterpieces. I could not agree more.

[@frankeec]

The controlled feedback on the solo in Duke of Prunes is a thing of wonder.

[@tallismaryward]

The live album came out in 3 versions. The Punky Whips version, with the text on the sleeve. The same sleeve (indicating Punky) but not on the record, and then the final version with no recording or mention of the track.

[@aindriubradleymarshall6226]

I was blown away by Sheik Yerbouti, outrageous in every way ! I love the three guitar solos. I then bought Studio Tan and Sleep Dirt on their original release, I didn't really appreciate them at the time. It's only in the last few years I've returned to them, having stupidly sold the LPs. You're right The Adventures of Greggery Peccary is monumental. Great video I'll check out Orchestral Favorites ........

[@danu6718]

I love Sheik Yerbouti. Such a great album. City Of Tiny Lights 💪 Yo Mama 😊

[@lukameah853]

Rat Tomago could be his greatest guitar solo.

[@danu6718]

@@lukameah853 He has so many, there is something about OITUS that takes me on a trip every time single time I hear it, It sounds so complicated and yet it flows. Re listening to Zappa these days is a treat. The recording and sound quality/production is top notch too. Last night I was listening to music from Burnt Weeny Sandwich, Uncle Meat and Weazels was amazing. The percussion on some of the tracks is the best I know.

[@aindriubradleymarshall6226]

@@lukameah853 Agreed; the pacing and tone are stunning ..........

[@warrenwightman4413]

Sheik is an all time fav , side 4 is my dessert island album

[@dannyblaustein7352]

Hi Andy, great video! You ought to get the Orchestral Favorites 40th anniversary set if you want even more!

[@RemcoLamberts]

Hey Andy, don't always agree or share your opinion, but truly enjoyed this video. Also share jour sentiment on those 3 albums, Zappa' final obligation to his record company. There are so many great era's and corresponding albums it is a near impossible task to do any top 5/10 etc. I'd say from these my nr 1 is actually Sleep Dirt (opening track, title track, The ocean is..). Nr 2 Orchestra Favourites (Duke of Prunes!) and Studio Tan (Lemme take you.., RDNZL) on 3. I discovered these albums the beginning of my Zappa exploration when I was around 13, leading into a life long 'Zappadiction'. Also want to mention the fairly recent handover of the Zappa (music) estate to UMG has brought some interesting releases too, and it looks like they are dedicated to keep up the stream of new work (probably more budget then the self managed family trust). Cheers

[@Emlizardo]

Thank you for this - your enthusiasm is infectious! The only one of these I presently have is the Ryko CD issue of Sleep Dirt, and it's long been one of my favorites.

[@JohnLloydDavis]

Sleep Dirt is my favourite Zappa album, it's almost a partner to Grand Wazoo.

[@sealisa1398]

Likewise… luv it.

[@danu6718]

Excellent show, again, thanks Andy.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@danu6718]

The Ocean Is The Ultimate Solution is just spectacular to me. It is one of his best jams. Bozzio on drums, mind-blowing drumming, O Hearn playing a 300 year old upright bass, mind-blowing and one of Zappa's most amazing guitar solos on top of that. What a tune that is and not to forget the intro to this classic Zappa jam is the title acoustic solo Sleep Dirt by Zappa and James Birdlags Youman. Zappa burned James"s fingers off 😂 FZ - " getting tired?" JBY - " no, my fingers got stuck" Lather (Leather) is excellent and Sleep Dirt has some of the best tunes from that album.

[@globextradingsystemsllc1740]

Zappa prime - mid 75 - early 78.The Bozzio era.

[@briannemeth9417]

I wouldn't call it a jam, it's a spectacular composition with great editing. I think it's 2 separate guitar songs from 2 live performances spliced end to end

[@danu6718]

@@briannemeth9417 Yes I'd agree. Electric bass and upright bass are used too.

[@danu6718]

@@briannemeth9417 I think Zappa had just met O' Hearn, they were introduced by O'Hearns friend Bozzio, it was all composed and recorded in one short weekend.

[@danu6718]

@@globextradingsystemsllc1740 Chester Thompson was on some of his best albums too.

[@davidmontgomery5047]

Those were Glory Days for Zappa Fans ..So much Material coming Out .

[@Abyss60]

good evening on this box there are 3 unreleased ones. which will not be on the reissue. and the durations may be different from the 3 vinyls…

[@juansecar2]

You know I got my Sleep Dirt copy, back in 97, and when I bought it, it came with the vocals of Thana Harris. Many years later I learned that the original was all instrumental... hehe, and ofcourse got my original Sleep Dirt which also kicks ass. However, the one with Thana's vocals, is awesome and different, and not easy to find at all... cheers

[@mattdowie92]

Nice one, Andy. Love Zappa!

[@johannhauffman323]

Great Video Andy

[@timfeeley714-25]

My friend bought the bootleg album Leatherette in 80 or 81 it was a double album on clear gold vinyl and was out of Australia I believe.

[@whycantiremainanonymous8091]

My favourite track on Orchestral Favourites, which you actually forgot to mention, is the very short but absolutely brilliant "Naval Aviation in Art?"

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Very beautiful...much better than the Yellow Shark version IMO

[@warrenwightman4413]

I agree again , the 3rd disc is outrageous listening

[@jwc3o2]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer that was on "The Perfect Stranger", not "The Yellow Shark", & i agree: the Boulez version is much more "jagged", where the "Orchestral Favorites" version is much more evocative of a somewhat static view of motion out a porthole.

[@abbydigital]

Thanks so much for that explanation of a very confusing set of circumstances. There is an additional aspect that you did not cover, and I would like to suggest that you consider an addendum to the story. Why is there an alternate version of SLEEP DIRT with lyrics?

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Those vocal tracks on that album come from a musical that Zappa wrote in the early seventies called Hoochentoot. When the Sleep Dirt tracks were recorded in the seventies Zappa did not have access to a singer who could do them justice. When he was preparing these albums for CD release much later he got a singer called Thana Harris to overdub the vocal parts. There are those who like these veresions and those who prefer the original instrumentals.

[@briannemeth9417]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer OMG those opera vocals were God awful

[@jwc3o2]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer "Hunchentoot", some of which is incorporated into "The Or Us (The Book)" from Barking Pumpkin Press backwhen

[@johannhauffman323]

Thank you for all you do Andy. I might be one of the guilty of complaining of the omission of Hendrix from your all time list and Zappa from your Fusion list. But, I get it. I think both passed through those places and then went beyond. Thing is, for the lists influence is important. If I am at a party and someone is playing Romantic Warrior I might ask if they know The Inner Mounting Flame If they are playing Apostrophe, I might ask if they know The Grand Wazoo. DeMeola might open the door to other Fusion, while Zappa normalerweise opens the door to more Zappa. When I was young all my friends were also musicians. Between them, the Radio and live shows we found new music. Now I have google Algorithms and You, Andy. I had Studio Tan and will check out Sleep Dirt. I hope so much your Chanel blows up big. You deserve it. I also love your Dad’s advice to check out King Crimson and Hendrix. What an amazing Dad !

[@carlharvey6461]

I really enjoyed your treatment of this period of Zappa's career. It is one that has been misunderstood for a long time. I'm speaking not simply of the biographical facts, but more in terms of the quality of the albums in question. For some the albums you feature -"the Gary Panter albums"- are almost like 'non-canonical' albums in the Zappa oeuvre. However, I agree with you that these offer some of the greatest FZ moments ever caught on record. I have long held 'Sleep Dirt' to be Zappa's single most underrated album. For me, the vocals of Thana Harris add to the three tracks on which she features-- she even emulates -at Frank's direction, no doubt- some of Zappa's signature vocal inflections. (I'll grant that my opinion may be coloured by the fact that these were the versions I first heard.) For my money, 'The Ocean is the Ultimate Solution' is a criminally underrated instrumental, which really needs to be heard in its 13+ minute version on 'Sleep Dirt'. It contains perhaps my favourite FZ guitar solo; what I love about it is that there are several times when it seems to plateau, only to be taken to an even higher peak (it then concludes with the light plinking of those two gentle, almost-tentative, chords). A great ending to an excellent album.

[@theodery2712]

Live in new york is Frank and his band at there finest, classic Zappa black page, etc... and when I introduce people to him this is what I suggest.

[@horowizard]

Zappa's statement on Läther was to get out of his contract with Warners, but it didn't work. I don't think Punky's Whips appears on any commercial release of Zappa In New York, but it was on test pressings of the album. Let Me Take You To The Beach was left over from the Hot Rats sessions. Sleep Dirt was originally going to be titled Hot Rats III. I believe the actual track of Sleep Dirt was Patrick O'Hearn's audition.

[@psicodrummer7658]

Sleep Dirt is worth buying, mainly because it contains a longer version of The Ocean is the Ultimate Solution, 13 minutes instead of 8 in Läther. And also the track Sleep Dirt (nice acoustic guitar duo, by the way), is not included in Läther. I first listened the Sleep Dirt CD, and the one I own contains Thana Harris vocals, so I´m pretty used to it. So for people asking, is better to buy Läther boxed set, but if you want to complete, then get Sleep Dirt

[@reidwhitton6248]

Sleep Dirt also contains the full version of Flambay, or Flambe. It's in truncated form on Läther.

[@psicodrummer7658]

@@reidwhitton6248 Yes, I forgot that one. And Strictly Genteel form Orchestral Favorites is another one not included on Läther.

[@reidwhitton6248]

@@psicodrummer7658 I picked up the expanded 3 disc set of Orchestral Favorites which includes the improved sounding studio album and live concert from 1975.

[@MatChew75]

Need to get orchestral favorites & studio tan, but I got sleep dirt & live in new york, minus punkys whip. But went ahead & bought manhole cover boxset.😂 studio tan, sleep dirt and O.Favorites songs were live staples on tour. I thought Discreet records was a branch of warner brothers, that was herb Cohen label.😢 there was FOO-EEE records( saarsbruken 78) which i think is rhino records, originally. FZ came with Barking Pumpkin 🎃 Records.

[@grahamnunn8998]

I always wondered if they were conceived as individual album before Lather as they work so well as albums. If that was the case, it shows his genius in both versions. I love the sequencing on Lather, possibly a forerunner of Them or Us?

[@philipbenner]

Growing up listening to new music my friends and I heard Apostrophe Overnight Sensation, Onesize Fits All, Studio Tan , Sleep Dirt and Orchestral Favorites then didn’t bother with the rest of his catalog

[@dbarker7794]

Thanks for the history behind these albums. Zappa's orchestral stuff makes me wonder if any movie directors/studios ever considered hiring him to do scores. Could he have been a low-budget Danny Elfman?

[@andreasghb8074]

The 40th anniversary 3 CD version of "Orchestral Favorites" is great.

[@-SYB-61]

Hi Andy, I only come round to see this now. Really enjoy it. I bought Läther when it came out and although I never was really really into Zappa (the fact that I only own Apostrophe apart form this one is a testament to that I'm afraid) I did really really like all three discs of Läther. I think one reason I didn't get into the individual albums you discussed today was I think because of the cover art that you so love. There you go, people differ. That's it for now back to your whatsapp group. And ow one more thing, don't you thing the cover is a snip to Atom Heart Mother?

[@SalamaSond]

Thanks for fleshing out the story behind the art. Someday I'll get another turntable, because I have all of Frank's original albums. I've also got a brown, boxed set of unpolished albums (12) made of nuggets that, I believe, were dumped onto the market in response to all the bootlegs; the set was gifted to me around '82, and I was told there were only 100 pressings. The material contained on it, e.g., "Lost in a Whirlpool", seems like it could only have come from Frank, and included a complex libretto of commentary about the songs. Anybody out there know about this boxed set?

[@jwc3o2]

what's the cover look like? & are you sure there're 12 discs in there? i've a few different monstrobox bootlegs & the only one i have that included a book is "The History and Collected Improvisations of Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention" (which did not accompany all pressings of the set). the only 12-record set i know of is "20 Years of Frank Zappa" & it's not brown cardboard - or, not on the outside, which is glossy white printed black offset only, some pressings of which include a book but not the pressing i have. check Discogs for a confusion of information about this ganged bootlegs reïssue.

[@crisdeco6106]

So Greggery Peccary is 20:33 minutes long, At 2:33 slow down the play speed to half and you'll hear, yes it's great to take good a^#@. Have fun!!!

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

If you reverse Ya Hozna there are backwards messages there. From memory Sofa or maybe even Greggary Peccary!

[@crisdeco6106]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Same with Won Ton On/No Not Now

[@crisdeco6106]

@Zolar Czakl Yeah it could be as you hear it, I just laugh thinking about all the times Frank reined it { dropping acid } because ultimately who cares .._..

[@GlenKellawayfromthebasement]

Hey Andy..I have the induvidual albums on CD ..would love a Lather box set👍❤awesome video…glen

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Hi Glen...What I didn't say in the video is that Lather actually contains a lot of stuff not on those four albums, and some of the stuff that is on those four albums is different on the box set. It's well worth getting

[@irvingskyzanitzy3081]

can anybody tell me about a test pressing of "In New York"?

[@glenncivale6824]

1978 I found Studio Tan in a cut-out bargain bin for like 2 bucks. One of the greatest, maybe top 3 albums ever by Frank!

[@dimitri2576]

Frank Zappa is a Universe

[@gregtapevideo1464]

I love all three. I listen to Sleep Dirt maybe four or five times a year!

[@themuffinman3135]

I was fortunate enough to see Zappa live four times. Each one was different. Zappa is in a category of his own. Completely undefinable.

[@iansimpson2333]

i was lucky enough to get at the time and still have an original of Zappa in new with punky whips on it, a prized possesion

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

I thinbk there are only a few thousand copies...must be worth something!

[@iansimpson2333]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer i think it was about 500 odd copies managed to stay out there, i couldn't find it anywhere at the time and of all places i went into this little record shop in hampton that only opened friday and saturdays and was all about 50s & 60 rock 'n' roll & he had it in a box mark others and was priced at £2.99!, i know they kept some of the same covers with the re-release, a mate had one but with the new vinyl, i thought it must be one of them until i pulled out the vinyl, looked at the label and there was punky whips, i put 3 quid down and walked out quickly lol

[@RobertVeasquez]

A GREAT video Andy. …I miss my mother!

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

I sometimes miss mine too, but my aim is getting better

[@RobertVeasquez]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer 🤣😂

[@zeuhl5840]

A little hint concerning"Sleep Dirt" : There are two different versions. One instrumental recording and one with vocals (Thana Harris).

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

The original vinyls like the ones shown in the video were instrumentals. Zappa wrote those tunes as part of an opera called Hoochentoot but could not find a singer who could sing the parts. When he reissued the CD he got Thana Harris to overdub the original composed vocals.

[@jwc3o2]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer "Hunchentoot", not "Hoochentoot"

[@lukameah853]

Duke of Prunes: Greatest use of guitar feedback I've ever heard.

[@jwc3o2]

what about the song "Zoot Allures"?

[@herbbartleby2817]

Did I notice a Gustav Holst pastiche of the Planet Suite in Duke of prunes?

[@guillaumechabason3165]

Absolute masterpieces Have you heard the 200 motels orchestral suites CD conducted by Esa Pekka Salonen ?

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

I did not know they existed. 200 Motels is another strange album,,,the masterpiece by my least favourite line up.

[@narosgmbh5916]

here 200Motels conducted by Leo Warynski kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3XVZ41om52nhpY FZ is not forgotten

[@recordcollectornews]

Well said

[@mindjob]

My favorite!

[@devereauxclandestine1272]

I had heard all of these before the release of 'Lather' and that had the effect of making the box set sound like a compilation album rather than a one off artistic statement. All great albums though. I would suggest to anybody new to this material that if you are into jazzy Zappa then 'Sleep Dirt' should be your first port of call. But don't forget the other ones!

[@wirralnomad]

Jeezus, those shelves are bowing lol.

[@narosgmbh5916]

Great Video! Only For Läther i bought a German keyboard Läther is a good choice to introduce someone to Zappa's work. Orchestral the best choice to introduce someone to his orchestral work. But it should be the 2019 edition. Here you have bonusmaterial and sure a booklet with all the necessary informations.

[@Abyss60]

I believe that your version of Zappa in New York on vinyl is rare having only been distributed by a few French and German sellers… and the rest is withdrawn from the market so plus the expanded reissue of 2017 there are several originals..

[@BlackWhirlies]

Totally agree.

[@dennismason3740]

Gary Panter designed most of Pee Wee's Playhouse.

[@jkljkl1945]

Studio Tan is amazing

[@hansvandermeulen5515]

I think the separate albums came first. He wanted to complete his contract quickly so he put what unreleased stuff he had lying adound and compiled into the albums. OrchestralFavorites had as working title SixLieces by Frank Zappa and was to includs Rollo, So, after ZINY was not released straight away (ir was realeased in '78 with Punky's Whips removed) so as he was required to deliver another three albums he walked in with the masters of the separate albums. When Warner Bros refused to pay him (S reauired by FZs recording contract), he sued them for breach of contract. Only THEN, he compiled the Lather box set and went shopping to have it released by any record company other than WB.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

In December 1977 Zappa appeared on the Pasadena, California, radio station KROQ-FM and played the entire test pressing of Läther urging people to record it. ZINY came out march 78, Studio Tan sept 78, Sllep Dirt Jan 79 and Orchestral favourites May 79

[@hansvandermeulen5515]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer the separate albums were delivered to WB early 77. That WB sat on the albums, not paying FZ for the tapes that''s pretty irrelevant. Some of the live material is unique for Lather but the only you can make out of Lather is Studio Tan. I think the timeline is: ZINY was delivered to WB in May/early June (pdobably) 77, WB objected to Punky's Whips, angering FZ as the contracts stated that he de,ivered his albums and WB released no questions asked. FZ thus wanted out of his contract and delivered the remaining three albums. WB were puzzled as no artist had delivered three albums at once, thinking thd albhms must be crap, noodling etc and refused to pay for them, breaching contract. FZ fhen compiled Lather from thosexalbums, adding more stuff as WB didn't own the rights to the recording because they failed to hjm the $6p 000 per album as per the contract. So, jn December 77 FZ plays the new box set as the courtcase of FZ v WB aas ongoing. WB stops Phonogram from pressing and distributing the set. Sometime in 78 the folks at WB realize the 4 unreleased albums that FZ delivered weren't so bad acter all and released them over 78/79. The only source for all those recordings can only be FZ. I can't imagine that he would assemble a box set, rant at length about WB on the radio and then compile all that stuff into separate albums as a favor to WB.

[@stevedotwood]

I agree, Studio Tan is one of his best.

[@Ed-Topo-108]

I think that period was his best. Studio Tan, Sleep Dirt/Orchestral Favorites Bozzio makes it.

[@Guitar6ty]

Personally I think Frank Zappas master piece was in fact "Freak Out" as at the time it was recorded there was nothing else like it on the entire planet. Freak out still sounds fresh and Zappa went back to it many times. Still an excellent presentation.

[@petertrotman7708]

If I'm not mistaken, didn't Zappa do these albums while recovering from a broken leg when he was pushed of stage in London? Studio Tan is an equal number one with at least 4 or 5 other albums he did. I like the song sequence of Lather. Another good one Andy.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

No that was Waka Jawaka and Grand Wazoo

[@petertrotman7708]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Right you are.

[@briannemeth9417]

Zappa was pushed off the stage long before that.

[@grandwazooX]

Läther is imho the best album he ever composed and played. i heard it completely through some days ago, an outrageous experience

[@solarwave]

I listened to it too in one sitting when I was in a certain mood. A stunning experience.

[@nathan63411]

I agree with you. With every word you said. You took the words out of my mouth as we say in heberw..

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

I think Meatloaf also said something similar....

[@nathan63411]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer ?

[@normanmacfarlane6724]

Lather is simply brilliant.

[@stevecompton1867]

I had a four LP bootleg of Läther in the early 80s before having any of the other albums. For me the first side of the first LP is the best LP side Zappa ever made. It’s Re-Gyptian Strut through For The Young Sophisticate. It has representative pieces of everything Zappa except social commentary and humous songs. Down in De Dew is my favorite Zappa guitar solo. If you buy the three albums you get tracks on Orchestral Favorites and Sleep Dirt that aren’t on here. Your missing a bunch of songs spread over a bunch of other albums plus two songs that are only on the current release of Läther or four tracks on the original release.

[@RobertDaria1]

Thanks for this video. I totally agree with you. The cd's with the vocals added are terrible. Not sure why frank did that. Btw. Frank said if you want to be a cool guy pronounce the letter z on Boulez. That is howPierre pronounced it. Anyway thanks for bringing these albums to the forefront. Theyare gems. Also LATHER cd have some different versions of the songs that are on the albums. Thanks again. Bob D.

[@michaelbenz8092]

Perhaps one of those situations where not getting your way is actually better in the long run.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Yes....no matter how much you try and control your art it has it's own life

[@grooveyerbouti]

I don't have any of those albums so would it be better to get lather Or all 5? Given it would be over extended period not a huge amount of disposable income. I realise you ended by saying separately is your preference but as I haven't heard in any form I don't have a history with previous incarnations.

[@reidwhitton6248]

At the least, get the 2012 CD edition of Sleep Dirt. It sounds fantastic and includes the full version of the beautiful tune, Flambay. It's truncated on Lather. Studio Tan is impossible to find on CD. I'm not sure about vinyl. But it's the only album included in full on Lather.

[@grooveyerbouti]

@@reidwhitton6248 thanks much appreciated, I did wonder about differences in tracks.

[@Civilizashum]

FZ himself disclaimed ‘progressive rock’ as a label. or that he was even a rock artist. BTW, Filthy Habits is in 5/4.

[@gergsar]

yet FZ really liked Gary Panter's work...

[@BrianNeil]

Nice one Andy. Greggery Peccary, truly one of his greatest works, I love the nod to Herbie.

[@billkeon880]

In a classification by himself

[@MatChew75]

Hell With Herb And discreet records.

[@MatChew75]

❤️ sleep dirt with t. Bozzio an chester, but cd remix overdubs r C. Wakerman

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Yes...horrible...

[@ericarmstrong6540]

I have always liked "Sleep Dirt" the best of the Lather albums.

[@AndyMmusic]

You can't fit Zappa into any genre, because he invented his own genre.

[@alanchappell4526]

Greggery Peccary was originally played by the first Mothers band and called “ Some Ballet Music”. It can be found on the Mothers Bootleg called “The Ark”. Dave Parlato plays bass on Orchestral Favorites.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Thanks for that knowledge...i don't do any research for my videos, I rely on what I can recall just by loving the music for so long. And sometimes I can't always recall stuff.

[@douglasanderson8636]

I lived in a stoners' flat in Edinburgh in 1985 with three mates. We listened to Gregory Peccarry endlessly..a mind-boggling piece of music. For what it,s worth, I adore most of Zappa,s work but that Sheik Yerbouti is awful, to me that is.

[@aymericleroy8500]

Sorry, Andy, but you fell victim to the "Läther" myth, that was a re-writing of history on Zappa's part. "Läther" was NOT FZ's original idea - he wouldn't have delivered "Zappa In New York" in its finished form with artwork to Warners if it had been. The "Läther" concept came about between the album's delivery and release, which he was trying to prevent because of contractual disagreements. He had also delivered the tapes, but no artwork, for the other albums, which is why the original LP releases had no credits and non-FZ approved artwork, much to your puzzlement. Anyway, FZ's original intention WAS those four thematic albums, and he only came up with "Läther" as an alternative to having this music released by Warners, which in the end he failed in preventing. Otherwise it's impossible to explain how Warners got hold of the masters, and more critically, FZ's own artwork and credits. Sorry to say, the whole premise of your presentation is false. Still, I enjoyed the video, so thanks.

[@aymericleroy8500]

For those in doubt, read the Zappa bible by Charles Ulrich, including Michael P. Dawson's rationale of why the "Läther"' is, well, a myth.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Before doing this video I had a quick read through the Zappa; Electric Don Quixote by Neil Slaven and the Ben Watson album guide. In their it said it was Zappa's intention to release this music as Lather but Warner Bros would not go for it and so he delivered the four albums instead, but with on In New York with any liner notes or artwork. Warners then did not pay him for those albums. But you may be correct. But the point is here is if Lather had been released it would be the monumental crown of Zappa's huge discography, instead we get at least three albums that contain some of Zappa's greatest music released in quite dubious forms. As I said in the video Zappa endorsed these released when he prepared these albums for CD. My intention was to throw some light on the Panter albums which I hope I did.

[@aymericleroy8500]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer I'm certainly not disputing the fact that "Läther"', ultimately, is a proper FZ project, I'm just disturbed by the demonstrable rewriting of history when he subsequently claimed that the separate LPs were not his original intention. It took a while for serious, non-biased historians to determine that the chronology of facts disproved FZ's claim (Slaven and Watson's books were, iirc, written prior to that - this or they wouldn't dispute any statement by FZ). The "Läther" concept was FZ's attempt at regaining ownership of the material, but it was too late - Warners had all of the tapes and some of the artwork (Live In NY), so he was unable to prevent it, even after he played the whole thing on radio and encouraged listeners to tape it.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

@@aymericleroy8500 I agree that these four albums were created by FZ and delivered to Warners. The problem he had with Warners was that he did not get paid. But Lather came about after his disagreement with Herb Cohen/Discreet, and there is evidence that Lather was intended for another label. So In New York is Zappa's artistic vision, with the other three it is the packaging and artwork that Zappa did not control, but he endorsed these releases later. But this is not the point I am tring to make here. The George Duke band, especially Overnite Sensation had been very successful for FZ. And in 79 Sheik Yerbouti became his biggest seller. And so Zappa was at his artistic and commercial peak at this point. And yet none of these albums got a proper release. Only In New York came out in the form Zappa intended and that was pulled from the shelves because of the Punky Meadows issue. This video explores that, and asks the question, is this Zappa's greatest material? But I do agree with you, these four albums are Zappa albums, and as I have said in the video, he endorsed them by re releasing them in these formats on CD .

[@narosgmbh5916]

If there were still 4 LPs to be delivered under the contract with Warner, he tried at the end of 1976 to fulfill his delivery obligation with the 4 LPs mentioned above in one fell swoop. This speaks against the fact that the "Project Lether" existed at this time. And there is much to suggest that up until the time of publication in 1978/1979 there was plenty of time to discuss the affair to the point, as is usual among merchants. The idea of lä​​ther may have arisen during this period. In general: If I were a judge, I would not be able to give a verdict on the basis of the testimonies alone.

[@finylvinyl66]

Brilliant analysis (as usual) but Lemme Take you to the Beach is not doo wop. I recently got Lather but now I will keep those three LPs.