Frank Zappa - Willie The Pimp (REACTION)

‪@AirplayBeats‬ reacts to Frank Zappa - Willie The Pimp
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[@stevedotwood]

Jimi Hendrix visited Zappa at his temporary appartment in New York city and Frank introduced him to the wahwah pedal. Vocals are by Captain Beefheart who was an interesting musician in his own right. He took inspiration from Howlin' Wolf and took those blues and turned it into something special. Definitely someone to check out.

[@glenminnick3724]

I saw zappa and beefheart live in 1975 performing this song.

[@elisaabolafia9542]

I love Captain Beefheart. Unique. I can see why those 2 hooked up. Thanks for that info ❗

[@BritIronRebel]

​@@elisaabolafia9542The Captain and Frank were highschool friends. They hung out in the desert and listened to music together since there was nothing else to do except kick sand....

[@owenhershey13]

Man ...no one wrote music or played like Zappa, and no one had his sense of humor, and whimsy, and just plain strangeness. What a combination. Totally unique and brilliant artist. Great stuff gentlemen!

[@hklinker]

And no one made it sound this good, not in 1969, or whenever this was.

[@t.j.payeur5331]

​@hklinker Ever hear of Jimi Hendrix...?

[@hklinker]

Multi track audio is what I’m talking about.

[@Royale_with_Cheeze]

@@t.j.payeur5331 Jimi was great, of course, but he didn't have the musical range that Zappa did. Zappa combined elements of rock, doo-wop, jazz, funk, classical, avant-garde and whatever else he found interesting and fused it all together to become ZAPPA music.

[@kimn9802]

I'd argue Captain Beefheart is even more of all of the aforementioned.

[@gracedv]

Catch Dweezil, his son, Zappa Plays Zappa. He is the real thing.

[@tonic8945]

This album was my introduction to the wonderful world of Frank in the late 60s. Peaches en regalia is a cool instrumental 😎

[@BritIronRebel]

Peaches is a masterpiece! Likewise is Sofa #1 or #2 from a later LP.

[@ReneAlexisPenalozaMunoz]

Same here. Life was never the same.

[@parshakamarsh]

Me too, it changed the way I thought about music forever

[@chipsawdust5816]

Hot Rats and Weasels were my two top FZ albums for a long time. But there's so much to choose from...

[@chipsawdust5816]

@@BritIronRebel Inca Roads is right at the top of my favorite Zappa tunes. Live or studio.

[@barneymiller6204]

Oh, it IS written out. Every single note of Franks music was a note on sheet music. He never let the boys go at it as they pleased! That is not FZ!

[@inexplicablyleft2729]

Captain Beefheart's voice is unmistakable in this. There must have been something in the air or the water where they went to high school together to create two such musical geniuses.

[@ianscarlett6884]

Maybe they were just bad influences on each other lol

[@raleighsmalls4653]

Lancaster, CA....Ain't nothing going on. Empty canvas.

[@tago69mago671]

The guitar solo on this is pretty freakin incredible. The mental stamina it took to execute this would be beyond most players in my opinion. And to answer your speculation about how loose it was, it was incredibly structured. Frank notated every part of every piece and drilled his band like a sergeant major! But the fact that it sounds like a jam is genius.

[@eirikasbjrnberg8753]

In Norway Zappa was a superstar among the students in the seventies . Then came Bobby Brown which was nummer one in Norway. I love his early 70s stuff . Funk and Jazz. His son Dweezel deserves credit for keeping his art alive !

[@martinroland]

Haha Bobby Brown......

[@user-bk9lm5id1s]

I was ten or eleven years young when I found this album In a garbage dump . Someone had written the word shit Across the face of the cover. I was knocked out by the art On the jacket. I took it home and played it on my tiny record player. That day all the bands I loved died. There was nothing to compare with this sound especially the guitar work. Then I asked my father . What's a pimp?

[@danielmoskowitz3060]

Lol

[@ReneAlexisPenalozaMunoz]

Hahahaha, amazing story. What did your dad tell you?

[@mrnobody9104]

Frank was way ahead of the curve always had the musicians he needed to pull off. Genius

[@mrb532]

I'm pretty sure Frank wrote every note of this album

[@romacassel9636]

Zappa fan for years, saw them numerous times. My personal favorite album Weasels ripped my flesh. Many great artists work with him, George Duke, Jean Luc Ponty and Don Sugarcane Harris to name a few. Keep Listening, Peace

[@AManIsNoOne67]

Yes! Captain Beefheart on vocals. They have a collab album called Bongo Fury. Anyways my favorite track on this album is Gumbo Variations. Spoiler alert, it's three solos. Frank is just one of them. I'm going to listen to it now.

[@realbser1956]

That was great. I dismissed Zappa earlier on in my life and that’s obviously a mistake. Glad to catch up to him now as I’ve gotten older. Another great reaction. 🔥

[@klasseact6663]

I got into him more when I was about 37, I'm almost 54 now, it takes time to get there for some of us🤔😎

[@888jimm]

I did as well.... Some of my younger friends were into him and I kinda got into him ...then more and more

[@t.j.payeur5331]

I don't believe it..f*cking awesome..good on you! I was lucky enough to see him perform this, 1971 maybe?

[@-R.Gray-]

If you haven't seen it, check out the video " The Drummers of Frank Zappa ", where a number of them get together to talk about what it was like to be in his band. Ruth Underwood, his marimba player is there too.

[@jaquestraw1]

I'll have to check that out!

[@jameswilson-vd5qc]

Ruth Underwood is an amazing percussionist, if hit with stick or mallet, she plays it.

[@daveman_50]

Y'all surprised me with this one! A deep cut. May I suggest you check out 'Peaches En Regalia' from this album. Very different.

[@arizrich]

Well, well, I didn't expect to see a reaction to this song, usually people just react or listen to his 70s stuff. This came out right after I turned 16 and I had been listening to Frank for 3 years already by then but this was so different from what I had heard before. And it was the first time I ever heard fusion jazz, which led me down a new rabbit hole. if you want to try any of his very early stuff I'd suggest trying the song "Trouble Every Day." He wrote it after the Watts riots and it opened my eyes in a way that they hadn't been. Anyway, good choice and peace!

[@CliffordLake]

Always get your Frank on.

[@Aridzonan13]

Zappa was a classical composer stuck in the 60's. At the end of his life, he transposed a lot of his rock arrangements into classical ones. Zappa was probably the most prolific composer of the last century. He tackled, Rock, Jazz and Classical with amazing ease.. He could produce the most amazing melodies followed by the most down and dirty lyrics ever written, a la "The way she do me boy, she gonna do you too!" AND from the same song, "1/2 an hour later she had Frenched his fry".. And these are the tame ones. See, Zombie Woof by the Asphalt Orchestra kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWeomah3icZngsk&pp=ygUaWm9tYmllIHdvb2YgYXNwaGFsdCBvcmNoZXM%3D and Peaches en Regalia kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWTcia2Impp2nKs

[@chipsawdust5816]

Zappa has been one of my favorites for decades. I used to have this album on 8-track if that tells you anything. Beefheart and Zappa went to high school together. They did this one album together and Beefheart showed up on a couple others but was never a constant figure in the group.

[@emilymartinez6961]

One of my husband's favorites and he wears that Hot Rats T-shirt all of the time. Can't wait to show him this, you've made his morning for sure 👍🏼🥰🎶

[@John_Chu]

Genius. Pure genius. The late, great Captain Beefheart (Don Van Vliet) on vocal, Sugarcane Harris on violin. This was Zappa's first solo album (his first albums were under the Mothers of Invention moniker). You should listen to "Son of Mr. Green Genes" on this album as well as some Captain Beefheart selections. I'd look at some of Beefheart's "straighter" stuff from his Clear Spot album. But that's my particular taste. A lot of Beefheart fans prefer his more way-out pieces.

[@SpaceRampage]

I always thought Lumpy Gravy was his first solo album?

[@Alix777.]

I hate this album.

[@stevewebster973]

I thought that was Jean-Luc Ponty on violin

[@Royale_with_Cheeze]

@@SpaceRampage Lumpy Gravy technically was his first solo album, although he doesn't perform on it. He wrote the music and conducted it, but contractual obligations didn't allow him to perform.

[@Royale_with_Cheeze]

@@Alix777. OK. Do you like other Zappa music but not this or do you hate all Zappa?

[@asdfqwer1234zxcv]

There's a song on Frank's album Weasels Ripped My Flesh called "Directly From My Heart To You" Don Sugarcane Harris on lead violin and lead vocal. It's a Little Richard cover.

[@neilmartin99]

Lol I just posted the same thing. Good call. 😊

[@cheesesteak59]

Thanks for this. I'd never paid attention to Frank Zappa before but this cut just cost me $9.99 on iTunes to buy the album. Yes, I bought it. I'm old. I don't Spotify or any of the young folks music apps. I like having my music in my possession.

[@chrisross-fd3fo]

Is it physically in your possession? And im serious btw..i still buy Cds

[@arttursh8324]

The entire album is at the Willie The Pimp level. Check it out. Arguably Frank Zappa's best record.

[@cazkain]

You guys ok been 4 days miss you lol!!!

[@lilacfiddler1]

The best album of the 1960s

[@danmayberry1185]

The central solo - so expressive and dynamic .. coupla pedals and a big brain.

[@GoodCorporateRobot]

I also would like to see you react to Peaches en Regalia, a beautiful composition. It’s highly composed, highly orchestral with no improv. One of Zappa’s best pieces imo, practically at the beginning of his career.

[@stevenperry4466]

Great reaction! Suggestions: "Uncle Remus", "Peaches en Regalia" "Little Umbrellas" and others stated below. This title always reminds me of my brother. In 1969 I saw Frank Z. with the Mothers of Invention. They were opening for the Vanilla Fudge at The Durfee Theater in Fall River Mass. When the crowd yelled for Vanilla Fudge, Frank said this to the crowd; "Quiet you country bumpkins." Both bands were excellent!

[@Alix777.]

Stop and request songs from Burnt Weeny Sandwich or Absolutely Free.

[@user-tt1eh4fz1v]

I saw him play this live in the 70s.

[@glentaylor4238]

“The best band you never heard” recording was interesting with Frank covering some songs like Sunshine of your love and Stairway to heaven as only he could.

[@ONISIMOSTALAS]

Even Frank hated playing this tune live!It is a pain in the ass masterpiece......

[@user-wb5rk5ox8q]

Just made a coffee and lit my first cigarette, and you guys are playing Zappa? Made my day!

[@Mike-rk8px]

Frank lived on cigarettes and black coffee, he started his days the same way as you.

[@woke2woke153]

Ah ha. You've got to Captain Beefheart. Now please dive in.

[@jamesbuckley8917]

Frank shreds for like 10 minutes straight here, and he was still learning guitar at this time. Zappa was a percussionist by training.

[@bjwnashe5589]

That's John Guerin on drums, a renowned LA session guy. He played on several Joni Mitchell albums and toured with her. Also played with many artists in the jazz-rock scene. A truly great player.

[@BritIronRebel]

John was a cousin of mine! 👍 He knew people, so he got my Brother and I into the Whiskey A Go Go telling us we had to see this band. It turned out to be The Doors and The Turtles playing, both before they had a recording contract. The parents disapproved of us hanging out with John, but we did anyhow.

[@chrisross-fd3fo]

Just so people know those 2 might have been great musicians but they were pieces of Sh*t as humans...While in their early 20s and married they had a daughter..and used all the humanity they coukd muster up and came to the conclusion that their careers were much morr important than their newborn daughter and gave it up for adoption.. pure unadulterared class right there

[@chrisross-fd3fo]

John and Joni were married actually..they were in their early 20s...then they had a burden on their careers ..a newborn daughter...si whats revered Joni to do to save her career,selfishly..of course in an incredible display of inhumanity .. give her up for adoption

[@RubenMartinez-gy5ey]

You guys need to listen to the entire album! You will be Suprised.

[@cazkain]

Moving to Montanna soon lol

[@neilmartin99]

As far as I'm concerned, this was the best era for Frank Zappa. Check out his cover of Little Richard's, "Directly From My Heart To You" from the Weasels Ripped My Flesh album.

[@stephenmichael8837]

One of my prized possessions is this album. Love Capt. Beefheart. This album is great from first note to the last. Great players all around as usual with FZ. Keep them coming.

[@boosingh]

I remember when this album came out. It was like Holy Shit Zappa can play guitar! Before that with the Mothers it was mostly satire and weirdness.

[@kenlawless7247]

Zappa started out as a drummer. Only the best play with him.

[@jamessullivan5860]

First heard this album in 1970 and it’s my favorite Zappa album. Still on my playlist and it’s fire.

[@stepomuk9783]

Yeahhhhh ❤

[@ML-un1oi]

Pure dope. Excellent reaction fellas!

[@richdiana3663]

His children were bright and looked to enjoy their lives.

[@tjmasson1013]

That groove is nasty. This album got me into him more back in day. Frank a wild cat

[@johncagnettajr344]

Such a nice groove, sometimes Frank just likes to groove, doesn’t matter what the lyrics of the songs about it’s all about the groove. Groovy

[@steddie4514]

Yes, I read he felt the lyrics came a very poor second to the music 👍

[@pascalsimon9780]

Viva Zappa !

[@steddie4514]

Wow, it's FRANK! Best ever to come out of Murica!! 🤪👍🇬🇧

[@hamburgersandfuriousanger6820]

Now y’all gotta do captain beefheart - her eyes are a blue million miles

[@80shitsInsidetheB-side-lq3ct]

Joe's Garage is also great. But that WATCHING THE DETECTIVES... the drums.... the bass.... the lyrics.... the VIBE!

[@tonytony5380]

The rest of this album is instrumental and absolutely brilliant You guy's ll love it

[@chicklets4ever51]

Great stuff, guys. Glad you're digging Zappa so much. He was one of my go-to artists in my younger days. Never a dull moment.

[@Ninang363]

"Minimal Art (Eat That Question - Version 1, Take 2)" Is a song found on a 2023 release called Waka/Wazoo. It was a version that did not make the record. Lucky for us Frank saved everything in his vault. This is the best version of this song I have ever heard. This is a drum clinic that'll blow your mind. I highly recommend it

[@painless465]

The legendary Captain Beefheart on vocals, this track cooks, as does all of Hot Rats!

[@CliffordLake]

The real jam session on this album is The Gumbo Variations. Look for the 16 minute version.

[@Royale_with_Cheeze]

I beg to differ. I prefer the original 13-minute version. It's tighter and shows (by comparison) Zappa's editing skills. If you really want the long version, go with Big Legs from the Hot Rats Sessions box set. It runs just under 33 minutes. Yow!

[@fenderchamp8241]

Frank and band do an incredible send up of Stairway to Heaven and Whipping Post. Its great!

[@n.afonso7171]

This song is slowly becoming one of my favourite EVER. Simply awesome.

[@mamaflush9945]

This is such a masterpiece of an album. This whole album "Hot Rats" features five instrumental tracks and one track with vocals by Captain Beefheart, which you just heard from this song "Willie the Pimp" and Frank's fantastic guitar solo. lol The music on this album is mostly instrumental, jazz-influenced compositions, with extensive soloing, which is different from Zappa's earlier stuff. here's another song from the same album, if interested. "Frank Zappa - The Gumbo Variations (Visualizer)" (by the channel: Frank Zappa) This was fun, thanks guys. peace out~

[@darrenmaxwell1085]

2 artists that I have grown to love and just didn’t get when I was younger is Frank Zappa and Gentle Giant. Now they’re two of my favs!!! Zappa was so good, interesting, unique and an overall badass! Great pick La & Chi and great reaction!

[@RmarkGillmer]

Was just thinking about this song earlier today watching Kat Williams. Shout out to Sugarcane Harris on electric violin. Love your reactions, guys, Keep it up.

[@stuarthastie6374]

nice royalty ernor for captain Beefheart to stay aflote by providing the lyrics. Great guitar solo.

[@danielmoskowitz3060]

Joe's Garage! It's time.

[@garse70]

Zappa is the deep end of the pool. If you’re not ready for it, you better wear some floaties.

[@daveg3917]

Zappa is a different taste. Love it!

[@Jan-xn3kz]

Frank and Don were childhood friends ( you got to find your tribe) 😂and this track is such a groove.

[@heliotropezzz333]

Great album. It sounds like it may have been remastered though. In my old copy the instruments blend together more. Here they sound very distinct.

[@asdfqwer1234zxcv]

true this one is fading in and out a lot

[@78zappaf]

Its the remastered original LP mix. There was the Rykodisc remastered (really, remixed) version Frank did in the late 80s. You can tell by the beginning of the track. Ryko version has violin/drums only beginning, and the violin was mixed louder, with less in/out guitar solo. You need both versions on CD, some tracks are really different mixes, or extended on the late 80s version.

[@heliotropezzz333]

@@78zappaf My album is from the 1970s. That's the one I'm used to and prefer. Messing with a classic is a bit of a crime in my view but at the same time the artist has a right to do it.

[@neilmartin99]

Don't you hate all the remastered bullcrap? I watched a KZbin reaction to the Beatles, "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" recently and literally stopped the video halfway through. It was pure garbage. Who the f thought it would be a good idea to screw with the classics?

[@Royale_with_Cheeze]

@@neilmartin99 I had an older workplace buddy who, when it came to releasing his favorite blues artists on CD, said, "I prefer the un-fk'd with version." Couldn't have said it better.

[@danclark745]

Uh oh, the door is open, is it time for 'Big Eyed Beans From Venus', 'I Love You, You Big Dummy', 'Hot Head'...what a treat to hear Frank and his Wah-wah, hard to believe how coherent and listenable this jam is, some of this had to written out...lets do Capt. Beefheart, Clear Spot lp, engineered by the guys that did some of Van Halen's hits, Frank's work is priceless, but it maybe time for some Zoot Horn Rollo and some Lunar notes. You guys would dig the beat on 'Low Yo Yo Stuff'...cool to hear this along side of the big hits that you do.

[@aksulameller8098]

Don't forget to check out Rat Tomago!

[@stillstanding8286]

This album was released in the fall of 1969 and it’s been one of my favorites since then. Nice choice, fellas!!!

[@LuckyXinRu]

Aw man... As you enter this field you guys are one step to reach Captain Beefheart (the singer of this song) that's something I really would love to see you guys react hahah you are walking a weird path, my dudes hahah.

[@boettcher66]

❤

[@stumblinharris2219]

All hail the cap'n!

[@KennyCamaro2364]

Two verses and Frank playing his guitar. Great stuff..

[@vrankholland8113]

Jimmy and Frank recording together, It would have been the best album never made

[@mikeanderson163]

Gentlemen, great choice. This song like all of his are incredible! Thanks again. Keep em coming

[@lancecornell9978]

Great to see and hear this gem.

[@MarionJInce]

Try Zappa's "Roxy and Elsewhere" album, it's one of my favorites!

[@monabonejakon2797]

Hot Rats is my favorite album in the whole wide world.

[@bigcat4376]

Just beautiful ❤

[@rockerman4791]

Live at Fillmore East THE version.

[@zootzallures7044]

Frank could write beautiful emotion evoking music also,check out Watermelon In Easter Hay from Joe's Garage

[@liamg337]

Sick guitar, funk

[@randyallaben9900]

Frank, Gunky, Stank, Funky.

[@vicprovost2561]

Hot Rats was my go to Zappa album back in the day, mostly Instrumental and oh so good. Do Peaches En Regalia for more goodness from an eclectic genius. Enjoy! 🎵🎸🎤🎹🎷🎶

[@rc1564]

I had two Zappa albums in my teens. Didn't listen to them often, had to be in the mood, and usually by my self. Ya might like the album ' Chungas Revenge "

[@stevesuttie2644]

Awesome as usual! Could you guys react to the live version of Muffin Man 1977 so you can see the genius and madness. He has Adrian Belew from King Crimson on guitar Bozzio on drums Peter Wolf from J Giles band on keys, it’s insane good. Thx good stuff!

[@Royale_with_Cheeze]

That's not THE Peter Wolf of J. Geils. THE Peter Wolf was playing in Washington state at the very same time that Zappa and his Peter Wolf were playing the Halloween NYC gigs.

[@Nite37]

Try "Dynamo Hum" by Frank

[@Friend_Of_The_Muse]

😎My band use to cover "Dirty Love" off the "Overnight Sensation" album. That was always a fun one to do. It tended to piss off some of the ladies in the club. LOL Fun times. Check it out if you care to know why. "Dinah-Moe Humm " is another wild track.

[@tommathews3964]

The great Captain Beefheart on vocals! If this reaction should lead you to the Captain and His Magic Band, especially the “Clear Spot” album, that would be a fine thing! Just listen to the whole album! 😉

[@jeffsmock-yg7of]

Please look up “COSMIC DEBRIS” live. He’s wearing checkered pants. You guys will love it. Check the lyrics.

[@esdel1955]

Wow, memories…

[@chipsawdust5816]

By the way - all of Frank's music was written down. This album wasn't a jam session. He was a composer and he wrote down everything. Very detailed. Check out one of his books you'll see samples of what he did.

[@danielmoskowitz3060]

Watermelon In Easter Hay. Get it done

[@garyrausch1184]

La you should check out Zappas composition Black Page, just for drums, interesting to get your opinion

[@WIRCinc]

Beefheart on vocals. You got to check out beefhearts stuff. Somebody in my home, zig zag wanderer and electricity are some good ones

[@theStacyJames]

Fun song