FRANK ZAPPA "WHAT'S NEW IN BALTIMORE?" (reaction)

Check out Sight After Dark reacting to "What's New In Baltimore?" by Frank Zappa!
Check out our Patreon for exclusive content! Subscribe to get involved in our content decisions! / sightafterdark
This song was suggested by our Patron Malin Harstrom!
Listen to our podcast "Music Maniacs W/ Sight After Dark"! www.youtube.co....
Checkout our debut album "Waves for Daze"
Buy here: sightafterdark....
Stream here: distrokid.com/....
Buy a S.A.D Shirt and we'll love you forever!
www.sightafter....
Social Media:
Twitter: / sightafterdark
Instagram: / sight_after. .
Facebook: / sightafterdark
Website: sightafterdarkonline.com
Business inquiries? Shoot us an email here: [e-mail]
Dan Berg:
Twitter: @dan_makesmusic
Instagram: @dan.themusicman
Sifa Graffiti:
Instagram: @sifa.graffiti
www.movementgraffiti.info
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. No copyright infringement intended. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS

[@SightAfterDark]

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

[@yiasemi]

One of those joyous moments where music, in this case a guitar solo, lifts me, I remember driving the long way round just to listen to this in its entirety and just parking and playing it over. Sublime.

[@mrgreengenes04]

This version is assembled three live versions from : 1. Community Theater, Berkeley, California 12/10/1981 2. Painter's Mill Music Fair, Owings Mills, Maryland, 11/15/1981 3. Assembly Hall, University Of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois, 11/21/1981

[@carlosmarques9468]

What a guitar solo! It is so well crafted it seems composed in advance. It's one of those examples of Frank's ability to create beauty on the spot.

[@johnroberts5637]

Steve Vai has a video where he explains the evolution of this song. Frank gave it to him in bits and pieces over a considerable period of time before it was all assembled into something resembling a song. It's a fascinating look at Zappa's creative process.

[@ulgn1964]

As always, you never get tired of Zappas music, if i have to chose one artist to only listen to for the rest of my life i would chose Frank Zappa.

[@doeshumorbelonginmusic5799]

I agree. While 50 years listening to frank, from time to time there were days, also weeks, I couldn't listen to any other stuff. Exclusivly Zappa for a week, before I came back to others like King Crimson, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin or what ever. This happened again and again.

[@keinKlarname]

Definitely. If allowed to just listen to one artist anymore, there is no other choice than Zappa.

[@nesseq]

@@doeshumorbelonginmusic5799 I listened to Zappa as a youngster. But I didn't understand English and I lost Zappa. 25 years later a friend gave me music cassette. One side Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. A band I liked and the other side was Them or Us. After listening to Zappa C,S,N and Young seemed really shallow. I still like other music but Zappa is unipue.

[@doeshumorbelonginmusic5799]

@@nesseq Hi Max, bist du zufällig Deutscher?

[@myhomeo429]

After 50. Years of considering this question, I wholeheartedly agree.

[@paulfenwick8767]

great choice and great timing. It's Chad Wackerman's 62nd birthday today, Frank's best ever drummer IMHO

[@sergiocarlucci1132]

I can't really say who is the best drummer....but surely i feel Chad as the most sensitive in following FZ in his solos

[@paulfenwick8767]

@Zolar Czakl , good as they were, personally think the '80's were where Frank was able to do everything he wanted due to his bands. I meant no disrespect to Terry. He's excellent and Frank had the luxury of having had excellent drummers. Chester, Vinnie, like you mention. Logeman never let anyone down either. Just think Chad's range is much greater, especially when you look at their history. Chad never got fired by Frank either, unlike Terry.

[@Peter-K]

@Zolar Czakl It's kind of like comparing near flawless diamonds, which do you choose? The one you like best, and it is more subjective than objective. Me, I appreciate all of them and how Frank utilized their talents. He held Terry in pretty high regard, he wrote the Black Page especially for him and his skill set. On the Zappa Drummer round table I have to say Chester made me laugh when he said the first thing Phil Collins asked him when he joined Genesis was how to play the drum riff on More Trouble Every Day!

[@mikedemike5393]

@Zolar Czakl you forgot the bass player who also was born in 1960 and I was born in 1960...So you have 3 year of the rat players...scott thunes jan 1960..chad wackerman march 1960 and I think june 1960 steve vai...So we had 3 21 year olds .

[@mikedemike5393]

@Zolar Czakl i'm feb 1960..so he was born 24 days before me.

[@Oslerian]

Steve Vai has a great story about how Frank developed the opening guitar lines for this song. It happened over the course of many months. It's cool. I'd call the solo "soaring; transporting; and hallelujah-like." Such a great song.

[@AmberPearcy]

So relaxing but yet stimulating at the same time. 💛💛💛

[@dengels1957]

look at the steve vai interview about zappa, frank gave him a lesson on that song b4 it was a thing, I miss this GENIOUS soooooo much 😪😪😪

[@davetothebeard]

That’s a great clip! It shows that Frank and Vai pieced it together over a period of months.

[@Frunobulax74]

@@davetothebeard- Actually Frank gave Vai sections of Baltimore on the fly. Vai said he considered every section a little treasure and took them home and memorized thrm. Weeks later he would then ask Frank what was the next part and Frank would give him the next section. This went on until it was complete. Steve had nothing to do with the composition. Frank dictated it to Steve like he was his musical secretary.

[@marcribe6483]

Frank was born in Baltimore. But that info just scratches the surface. The title has more to do with the album warning labels idea suggested by a few senator wives (The Mothers of Prevention alluded to in the albums title) some of which, if not all, from Baltimore. The composition itself to me is a love song. One can sense a lot of love in that guitar solo. Am glad to see I'm not alone in this. Great reaction guys. As usual.

[@HisboiLRoi]

Zappa was a master at editing disparate elements from various unrelated studio and live recordings together to create a new cohesive whole. My favorite example of this remains "Little House I Used to Live In" from "Burnt Weenie Sandwich".

[@AndyMmusic]

Frank Zappa was born in Baltimore, but grew up in LA. It was great to see you guys enjoying this one!

[@rentoten1820]

i was hearing them singing 'whats new in Baltimore' like they did on the version on 'you cant do that on stage anymore vol 5'

[@simonpepper9721]

Just like that chord Ray played,the newest chord in all of Baltimore.

[@altohippiegabber]

The guitar-solo on the YCDTOSA5 version moves me to tears every time (volume high)

[@Ninang363]

Dweezil stated that Frank would see his music creating musical shapes in the air in front of him when he played solos

[@EmptyGlass99]

Air sculptures.

[@andrewcaelliott]

When we hear Frank we see them too...

[@davehagi9883]

Absolutely brilliant reaction, spot on, Love this piece of music, Thankyou................Peace.

[@jamessharp2626]

There is some great video of Steve Vai explaining how he and Frank composed the first half of this piece. Definitely one of my favorite pieces from Frank as well. I always felt this would make great movie outro music.

[@Frunobulax74]

@James Sharp - Steve Vai had nothing to do with this composition. Frank composed what became Baltimore on the fly. He showed Steve the notes over a period of months. Steve said he treated every segment that Frank gave him as little treasures that he memorized. Frank dictated it to Steve like he was his personal musical secretary.

[@Yourbankaccount]

@@Frunobulax74 that's 100% right

[@chaosmos24]

Maybe Frank's most conventionaly beautiful solo. The back half of this track is 'rock' elevated to high art.

[@GoodCorporateRobot]

Are you guys secretly listening to Zappa on your own? This is the crux of the biscuit for me. To know that you’re there.

[@markdearlove8634]

Ah, that Zappa tone. Great reaction to an awesome tune

[@sonicart1808]

Great perception about Franks guitar style, having so much knowledge of music and composition he was able to push boundaries and fly free with his playing..... this was a really focused solo that indeed uplifts you..... also the ladies comment about how much love you could feel in Franks playing here was on the money too....great reaction guys as always thank you.

[@SightAfterDark]

❤️❤️!

[@TheWingus]

Live on “You Can’t Do That On Stage Anymore” is vastly superior

[@simonpepper9721]

Frank Zappa was only willing to display emotion through his music. Take it or leave it. Some people had the nerve to say Zappa didn't have love in his heart.lol.

[@Frunobulax74]

@Simon Pepper - I think Frank had love in his heart like all of us do but he was extremely guarded with people. Somebody must have done something to damage him early in life.

[@BrandonOrlosky]

If you like this solo, you should check the version of this song from the”does humor belong in music?” Album. My fav solo of ALL. TIME

[@markchristopher9716]

Always sounds so brave and vulnerable

[@thomasvieth578]

I think I never watched this warm hearted reaction before. And, of course, you knew he was born in Baltimore 😊

[@SightAfterDark]

Yes😊; thanks for watching Thomas!

[@SalamaSond]

You're onto something Dan: among the unwritten tenets of American folk culture is the arrogant pretense that freedom comes from ignorance. As though education and disciplined practice are constraints on freedom, rather than offering the wealth of human knowledge, expressive power tools and self-control. It's self-perpetuating "brick in the wall/thought control" thinking that keeps people dumb and diminishes our collective expressive ability. Frank was largely self-taught, because he didn't like the factory model of education and its reduction to producing pushbutton consumers.

[@Frunobulax74]

@Salamadond - Wow, extremely well said!!

[@Frunobulax74]

@Zolar Czakl- I think one of Frank's music teachers (I can't remember which one) became a lifelong friend of Frank. I've read that several teachers said he had to follow certain formulas and rules. Frank of course disagreed.

[@Frunobulax74]

@Zolar Czakl- Thanks for mentioning that guy. He's the guy that remained friends for life with Frank.

[@carlosmarques9468]

One more think. Dan makes a very thoughtful remark on musical freedom. My theory is similar. In order to be creative you either don't know shit about music and you are purely intuitive (e. g. Don van Vliet, a. k..a.Captain Beefheart) or you have to know a lot in the right way, that is, in a way that allows your intuition not to be trapped by the technical stuff you learn (Frank). Both of them were free musical thinkers because they dare to do what their genius told them to do without being afraid of ridiculous prejudices about musical categories. Of course, it helped the fact they where both musical geniuses. But I have no doubt that Don was limited in various ways. For example, it was never easy for him to communicate his musical ideas to other musicians. And perhaps he could have reach higher levels of musical expression if he knew more about musical theory and so forth. Who knows? So there's nothing wrong in knowing about music (per se). But no doubt the process of learning the technical stuff could get in the way of creative expression. Besides, schools tend to tell you to follow and not just to be inspired by great artists (Zappa learned a lot but mostly by himself). Beefheart said: "If you want to be a different fish, jump out of school". Frank was also dismissive about schools. I don't go that far. I think learning by ourselves has its dangers too, because the odds of missing important stuff are high. But schools should not be too strict on rules. Rules are orientations, tools you can use if they suit your musical goals, not laws written in stone. Let me give you some examples to illustrate my ideas about music. Sometimes technical oriented guys tell me: - You like this guy (referring to rough blues masters like John Lee Hooker, Blind Willie Johnson, Son House, Junior Kimbrough, Cedell Davis, etc.)? They can´t play, It's all so simple and sloppy. I say to them: - They are not for sure like Steve Vai, Satriani, and all those so-called 'guitar gods' or any impeccable technical machines one sees in some contemporary jazz or in classical music. But thank god they are not like that!' And if they ask me: - So you are just about simple stuff? I answer: - I just like music, simple or complex, I don't care. I like Keith Jarrett, Bartok or Hillary Hahn, but I like Professor Longhair as much (or Marvin Gaye, or Dionne Warwick, or the Rolling Stones, or Chet Baker, or Archie Sheep). I do care abou fresh ideas, style, inspiration, authenticity, creativity, uniqueness, expression, gorgeous tone, personality, and the ability to select the appropriate musical vocabulary and resources for whatever artistic goal the musician is aiming at. This and other things musical, not circus-like prowess. And that´s why I like Frank the most. Because he was everything I like in music.

[@thomasvieth6063]

Frank was born in Baltimore

[@markofrontz1343]

There are versions of this with lyrics floating around. Granted, it consists of them singing the title a few times, but that be lyrics.

[@ludofuzz3012]

Hi from france to all zappa fans.

[@ludofuzz3012]

@Zolar Czakl we also can piss in the streets or anywhere we can. No matter the name .

[@RichieG]

This piece had least two or three names before they settled on what's new in Baltimore. Of course there are longer versions as well.

[@RichieG]

@Zolar Czakl Yes. You are correct. Thanks for straightening me out.

[@gabrieldelarosa7693]

One of my favourite Zappa pieces of music.

[@Intaberna986]

In that very album there's my favorite Zappa piece, which is also one of the most stunning pieces of music I've ever heard. It's called "One Man One Vote"

[@stretchgilbert]

I love his tone here and I agree that his solo was probably taken from a live performance and inserted into this track

[@davetothebeard]

One of my favorite FZ tunes. A sweet melody and yet another ripping guitar solo. I bet this solo was from a live performance and inserted into the studio version, which he did quite often. There’s also a version with minimal lyrics and a cool solo. It’s on one of the Shut Up and Play Your Guitar albums. That is likely Ed Mann on marimba.

[@mrgreengenes04]

This version is assembled three live versions from : 1. Community Theater, Berkeley, California 12/10/1981 2. Painter's Mill Music Fair, Owings Mills, Maryland, 11/15/1981 3. Assembly Hall, University Of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois, 11/21/1981

[@Frunobulax74]

@Zolar Czakl- One of Frank's most beautiful songs and a top 10 solo for me. More evidence that the '81 performances were as good and very often better than '82.

[@Frunobulax74]

@Zolar Czakl - I can't stand those one note cunts!! Hahaha, a Porn Wars request? What a killer track. Hahaha

[@Frunobulax74]

@Zolar Czakl - The only Pain solo I really like is on Broadway. Very weird to hold that gorgeous melody for 12 years. That was Frank. A backlog of great stuff that often took years to be released.

[@Frunobulax74]

@Zolar Czakl- Great points. Definitely a teenage boy favorite just like Fillmore, Fillmore, Fillmore....

[@robertallen6593]

FRANK ZAPPA IS THE BEST!!

[@ludofuzz3012]

And you know what ? Chester thompson is also from baltimore. Amazing isn' it

[@trumbaron]

There is a video on youtube where Steve Vai tells a story about when this music was created.

[@johnmanning4339]

Zappa was always considered zany or abstract musicly, but I always connected to the deeper side of Frank's guitar solos...

[@bikingfencer]

an amazing composition, the umpteenth time I've seen it posted, I never skip it. The eagle flies at 2:45. The saddest moment in my concert going was when I stepped out of a Zappa Plays Zappa concert for a smoke, and, upon returning, learning that they'd played it. It could replace Watermelon in Easter Hay at my funeral (you don't want to miss my funeral).

[@eliotmccann2589]

Oh I love this piece!! Great pick, guys!

[@colincoho]

Another pure genius song , with a guitar solo no "shredder" would know where or how to start !

[@nibunion]

This and five five five, my favorites.

[@richardarmstrong-finnerty3140]

Widely acknowledged as Zappa's most "felt" guitar track is St. Etienne. All the more amazing, as it was live solo improvisation (sort of): kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5eXk514rrKWrKc

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks so much Richard!

[@ashokart1]

This one’s a real beaut. Along with Holiday in Berlin Full Blown and Get a little onya this is the most mood Zappa instrumental track for me. Not getting into a battle with all the other afficionados. Just brilliant in its beauty and feels of romancing of the woman you love on a verandah with the setting sun turning the skies all pink and red

[@nesseq]

Zappa was a closet romantic, IMHO.

[@nickdanger4568]

COOL! More Frank!

[@trumbaron]

I'm not sure Zappa knew that much music theory. He never studied music int the traditional sense. He said things like "If it sounds good to you, then it's good. If it sounds bad to you, then it's shitty.". About his guitar playing, in an interview when someone asks him about how he build his solos, like how he think, he answered "I just make the guitar talk". I have seen a LOT of Zappa videos, documentarys, and loads of intervies. He never talks about music theory, scales, chords, or anything like that. But he did talk about rhythms. He was really into the more complex way of building rythms. "I believe you can create melodies out of rythms", he said. Which is completely true. Zappa rythms are often things like quintuplets inside a quarter triplet, and that goes in to a septuplet with rests in in. Love that stuff.

[@chaosmos24]

Zappa absolutely knew theory. You don't write such complex pieces without knowing it, and I don't think you could improvise the way he does without knowing it.

[@trumbaron]

@@chaosmos24 My point is exactly the opposite. You can very well write complex and complicated music without knowing anything about theory. If you have a good ear, the lack of theoretic knowledge could result in very unique sounding music. But that of course doesn't mean that knowledge about theory necessarily prevents that. If course Frank knew basic music theory, and he learned about it over the years. In one late interview he was talking about jazz, and he said that in the beginning, he thought jazz sounded like they were just noodling around, but now he understands why they're noodling and where they're noodling.

[@jonasolsson2256]

Not(?) that I think it has anything to do with the title of the song, but Mr. Zappa was born in Baltimore and there is a bust of him there. About his guitar playing, when is it coming something from any of his three guitar albums? There is 68 solos there for you to chew and ponder on!🤪As always👍👍up for you guys!

[@stevedotwood]

I always loved the first (composed) part

[@outernothingness1177]

One of those rare through-and-through beautiful tracks that Frank wrote once in a rare while. But hey, of course he had to give it a silly title, to try and convince you that he wasn't too serious about it. (Along the same-but-not-quite-the-same line, do check out his "Jonestown".)

[@shakypuddin9857]

Look. When you write the arrangements for all instruments and tempo plus timing your a composer. The thing with Frank’s guitar playing is he would play his guitar in the notes that maybe the bassoon player is doing or any other instrument. Which to some people it sounds off key. But.. when he wants he can melt you with some of the best guitar playing ever.

[@jimhardiman3836]

Hey, what's new in Baltimore? The newest chord in all of Baltimore. You need to hear the vocal version.

[@reidwhitton6248]

There a couple vocal versions on Does Humor Belong In Music, and You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore Vol. 5.

[@davetothebeard]

Sifa if you love the Muffin Man solo, give a listen to the same song on the Bongo Fury album, with a different solo. Just as good. Maybe better.

[@SightAfterDark]

Ooh wow, thanks David!

[@ChromeDestiny]

I believe this was considered for the You Are What You Is double album but then it was decided to make that a really lyric centered album.

[@wowwhywow]

"2ND favorite guitatr solo..." famous last words... you haven't even heard "Shut up and play yer guitar (I II and III)"... so prepare to change that list... A BUNCH OF TIMES...lol. You will probably really like Stocco Homes. It's on the last album side of the last album in the Shut up series.

[@christianugolini8493]

In this Video Steve Vai explain the birth of "What's new in Baltimore" Zappa is a genius ! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZmYmHaYZtmbb5I

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks Christian!

[@bryanhale5254]

Oh yeah this is great stuff you know the reason the song is titled what's new in Baltimore is because of the fact that he went to Washington for this hearing for the pmrc it was Al Gore's wife Lesley Gore who started this thing called the parents music Resource Center and they started putting tags on records if they deem them to have obscenities or material that could be controversial he had his own label it was something warning guarantee and it was pretty funny I can't remember the rest of it you'd have to do some research and find a label anyhow see he was from Baltimore when he was just a baby and they probe course moved to California when he was quite Young so when you go to Washington d.c. Baltimore's right next door so he probably you know checked it out yeah it sounds like he's doing the sink Lavere stuff which is pretty awesome that was the new technology for that time. Back in the early 80s he had an album that was pretty much all sing clavier related material which is really excellent I think it's an album called Jazz from hell one of the peculiar things about this song is it really sounds a lot like happy the man there's some really cool Progressive group from the 70s I think they were from somewhere like Virginia or North Carolina I don't know someplace where it's so unlikely that you would have music of that sort from that area but there you go I remember I wanted to replace one of the CDs of theirs and I went on eBay and it was like oh God you have to pay an arm and a leg to get that alright kids you take care out there

[@jamessharp2626]

Umm, Al Gore's wife was named Tipper. Lesley Gore has several hits in the early '60's with songs like It's My Party and Judy's Turn To Cry.

[@mikedemike5393]

THERE ARE LYRICS TO Baltimore and what is new is ''nothing''is the resolution....

[@larryharrell5092]

Yet another great example of Frank's ability to slash with his guitar razor. One of the great 'intros' in his catalog, too. I do prefer this fiery version over the ones with lyrics.

[@tommccafferty5591]

Different guitar tone from a "normal" Zappa solo. Very interesting.

[@Breitreif]

He was born in Baltimore.

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks Andreas!

[@TyeDyeGuyRV]

My all-time favorite Frank solo, THIS is the song I want played at my funeral! The solo comes in like the sun, after the storm of music that precedes it. There is a live version with lyrics, which starts off with Frank ripping Ray White for playing the wrong chord! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGTUgXyYaK5lq80 And another one where Steve Vai explains Frank showing him the various parts of the song, as the song evolved. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZmYmHaYZtmbb5I

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks so much Russ!

[@Ninang363]

Oh Please do Porn Wars from this album

[@davidgale7384]

Thanks for the "new" Zappa! Hadn't heard it before... Made for an excellent walk with my 🐶 in the Portuguese sunrise.

[@SightAfterDark]

🥰!

[@MrRemcoLamberts]

Yes, love this one. There is a nice story from the great Steve Vai as how he got to learn this song in parts (kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnrLYZadeddgjZY). There are also some great live versions with vocal ('what's new in Baltimo-hooooore) on YCDTOSA vol.5 and Does Humor Belong in Music?. (I'm gradually getting used to your L/R switch on screen hahaha)

[@SightAfterDark]

Haha thanks Remco!

[@SightAfterDark]

Haha thanks Remco!

[@paulfenwick8767]

This is one of my favourite Frank guitar solo's too Sifa, Some people prefer silly dittys about anally raping women etc but this is the Frank I love the best. Great music laying foundation to one of his air sculptures, Frank went up a gear or two in the 80's with the skill of his bands. Here you have Chad, Vai who needs no introduction, Ed Mann, who in my opinion is better than Ruth, to name but a few. Great selection Malin!

[@bikingfencer]

"Comparisons are odious." Socrates

[@paulfenwick8767]

@@bikingfencer without them we'd still be in caves!

[@bikingfencer]

@@paulfenwick8767 Plato's cave?

[@paulfenwick8767]

@@bikingfencer guess you follow useless relics, lol. This is all a bit current for you so drag your knuckles and get back in your tree.

[@KutayCoskun]

Wish someone requests Porn Wars Deluxe

[@DukeofPrunes11]

卄乇乚乚 丫乇卂卄 乃尺口丅卄乇尺

[@gubbenpersson]

Zappa would say ..thut up and play your guitar love you but if this is a money thing..yerk of and play ere clubs.