Guitar Player Listens to Zoot Allures for the First Time (Frank Zappa)

[@bernardsalvatore1929]

I've been a fan of Zappa since the mid-70s! Some very good comments before mine that explain Frank's solos but not too many people know that Frank actually wrote the music for every single instrument, including the drums, in his bands!! Imagine writing the sheet music for drums??? Well, Frank started out as a drummer, but switched to guitar when he was about 14 or 15 years old I believe and was self taught!!!! Frank Zappa was a composer at his core!! REST IN PEACE TO THE G.O.A.T.!!

[@acemodez3169]

He's said in an interview that he intentionally played solos differently at live shows so that each show was unique

[@teedub9295]

Saw him 5 times in a week. LA, Santa Barbara, Berkeley, Sacramento and Reno. He did Inca Roads. Each guitar solo was different.

[@hansvandermeulen5515]

On the Shut Up 'n' Play Your Guitar 2cd album there are 4 solos from Inca Roads performances, all from three consecutive days (he would 2 shows on the same day sometimes), all solos are very differrent. His band is encouraged to improvise underneath him, more or less, a basic chord progression or basic bass riff and take it from there.

[@NickDanger214]

The drummer's name is Chad wackerman. Frank Zappa had the best drummers and percussionists in the business

[@rattomego]

The aptly named Chad Wackerman!

[@salsalzman2325]

I'd say Chad is about the 5th best Zappa drummer which would put him near the top 50 drummers in history of Rock...

[@huntermushero9362]

@@salsalzman2325 who’s number 1

[@salsalzman2325]

@@huntermushero9362 probably Terry Bozio. With Chester Thompson, Chad Wackerman, Aynsley Dunbar, Ralph Humphrey, and all purpose percussionists Ed Mann and Ruth Underwood all very good. In fact Ruthie was perhaps the finest percussionist of her generation.

[@salsalzman2325]

@@huntermushero9362 tough choice, technically Bozzio and Vinnie were as good as it gets, stylistically Chester and Chad. Any Zappa drummer (except maybe Jimmy Carl Black, simply because it was a totally different era) must be considered as top of their class. Ralph and Ansley were top notch.

[@joshb23]

I was 16 at this show, the NYC "Concerts On The Pier" were awesome! Right in the shadow of The Intrepid (I wish the Intrepid was gone and the concerts were still there!) I caught Jethro Tull, Crosby Stills and Nash, The Band - many great shows there! This was the first of two times I saw Frank Zappa, he was just a monster musician and composer, and his band was always equal to the task. His relationship to his fans felt genuine and easy, never forced. He was an almost impossible combination of complete irreverence for "serious music people" on one hand, and possession of stunning other-worldly musical talent on the other. Give the move Baby Snakes a watch for a window into the skilled artistry and craziness of his unique world (all without ANY drug use, which he strictly forbid in his band - just lots of coffee and cigarettes.) "Music is the best." - FZ

[@acemodez3169]

One of my favorite Frank songs is City Of Tiny Lights

[@CKrogh-mh4ev]

Many good versions of it too. And a good video of it from Baby Snakes.

[@talknrock9005]

Thanks I'll put it on the list

[@TheAxel65]

Adrian Belew is doing vocals and guitar along with Frank on this track. Belew joined shortly thereafter the legendary band *King Crimson* which is also worth checking out if you're into guitars

[@ChuckyChives]

Frank always improvised his solos. He referred to his solos as “air sculptures”. On a side note, I was at that show. If you are able to, try reacting to the song “Black Napkins” from his movie Baby Snakes.

[@talknrock9005]

Thanks I already have a video of me reacting to black napkins but I'm not sure if its from Baby Snakes or not.

[@jeffmartin1026]

FZ concerts were always excellent. The band could have a songbook of over 120 for the tour that they needed to be able to stop-drop and roll into at the drop of a hat. I have seen Frank introduce a song and then turn to the band and designate who would take which solo and what key/tempo to play in. I have been a fan for over 50 years now and his music never wears out.

[@kentclark6420]

Even Steely Dan couldn't compete with the complexity and memorization of Zappa's gang that went into live performance

[@talknrock9005]

Wow that's incredible

[@Peter-K]

He plucks the string, an upward twist upward, which gives the guitar the unique Zappa sound, rarely does he strum the strings. Also, every live show guitar jam, is an improvisational jam, you call it dirty, it is in reality, instant composition... Chad Wakkerman drums

[@talknrock9005]

Thanks for the info 👍

[@michaelparykaza8744]

Welcome to the wonderful world of FRANK ZAPPA!!! I was AT this concert. He was very heavily influenced by the blues early on. He covered Allman Brothers "Whipping Post", that was pretty blues-y. He had an extremely unique soloing style. By the '80s, the solos were less a part of the song and more of their own musical event. Tempo change, feel change...he loved soloing over a reggae beat.

[@joshb23]

Me too, man! Miss those concerts on the pier!

[@gmork9279]

Maybe "Frank Zappa: Son of Orange County + More Trouble Every Day- live" ? Or something more bluesy "Frank Zappa, Cosmik debris 1974- live"

[@talknrock9005]

Thanks alot for all the recommendations 🙂👍

[@TheAxel65]

All of Frank's Bands consisted of awesome musicians who had to work their asses of to meet Frank's expectations. If you couldn't play it you were out. On tours he came up with a new tracklist for every show: changed the order, removed and added tracks and even changed the way the songs should be played: one night he presented a blues/rock version, next night same song was played in reggae style. He did it that way with two goals in his mind: In some locations he performed two or three days in a row, so there were many hardcore fans, who watched all shows and each time they saw a different show, which is awesome. But mostly he did it for his band as a challenge and to avoid falling into a routine on long tours. But man, what a hell of a player you have to be, to keep up on this level!

[@kentclark6420]

Inca Roads is one you should try, if you haven't already. My favorite. Either the live or the studio version. They each have their advantages.

[@dantean]

Serves me right watching a video in which the guy goes: "I don't know much about drumming, but he seems like he's doing a pretty good job." A musical insight on a par with "Boy, but they sure got purty hair, them fellas."

[@marcribe6483]

If you want to hear Zappa tackle the blues, listen to The Illinois Enema Bandit from the album Zappa Live In New York. Ray White on vocals.

[@kellywann3794]

Don’t mistake Zappa as a songwriter, he was a composer. Big difference.

[@zapazap]

"Why no both?"

[@timfeeley714-25]

In the late 50 s the Zoot suit was all the rage !!!!

[@Peter-K]

Here is another video you should check out, the Black Page 1&2, which is considered one of the most complicated pieces of rock music ever written. The name comes from what Frank Zappa's musicians used to call the sheet music he gave them, it was so dense with notes that it looked like a 'black page'...the band playing it is Frank's son Dweezil's, with Terry Bozzio on drums (the musician Frank originally wrote the tune for) and one of your favorites, Steve Vai... kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3W0dmtoetGsgMk

[@talknrock9005]

Thanks I'll definitely check this one out 👍

[@DWHarper62]

Frank has called his technique a Chicken and a Spider... Every guitar solo in every one of his songs in every concert is completely different and what you term "sloppy" is actually very sophisticated melody, harmony and rhythm, far surpassing mear fast 16th notes of perfect scales... The tuned feedback you hear from his custom butterscotch Strat is through the use of parametric equalizers which can tune in the feedback frequencies when combined with a nice loud stage volume... Frank would love to move towards the very front of the stage so that he could hear the guitar throught the main stacks and get feed back through that system too...

[@alimo1611]

I can only imagine how Frank would react to your reaction.

[@johnwick5674]

Drummer is Chad Wackerman

[@johnwick5674]

Try the album hot rats

[@talknrock9005]

Thanks for the recommendation 🙂

[@gj8683]

The "Illinois Enema Bandit" by Frank (Live in New York) is a blues song and it's funny and it has an amazing guitar solo: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYPUnYSdhNOEl6M

[@dungbeetle0137]

Maybe do FZ- Uncle Remus. Frank was great about attracting the absolute best top notch musicians in the industry. That’s how you get Chad Wackerman, Terry Bozzio, Vinnie Colaiuta etc. playing drums. He pioneered so many things in the recording studio, that’s why Deep Purple sang about the heartbreak of his recording studio being burned down with a flare.

[@Ed-yu9xe]

I enjoyed your reaction and wanted you to know that when I googled Frank Zappa IQ it comes up with 'In contrast, consider Einstein was 160, Katy Perry is 107, Da Vinci was 220, John F. Kennedy was 119, George Washington was 118, Rush Limbaugh is 137, Oprah Winfrey is 150, Bill Gates is 160, Madonna is 140, Frank Zappa is 172, Britney Spears is 92 and Obama is 130.'

[@becuzitsthere4484]

Yuk! Sorry, young dude, Zappa will not I think, give you a "blues" experience, as opposed to a "jazz" experience. Gonna have to put your brain on a different channel. It's there, if you'll look.

[@Peter-K]

Kid, just listen, watching detracts from hearing, but you grew up in the era of video music...FZ hated that.

[@ClichéGuevara-2814]

The title is derived from the French "Zut alors..." which would roughly translate as "Well, damn..."

[@duster71]

If you don't know Frank's music Zoot Allures is not the place to start.Get Overnight Sensation and start with Camarillo Brillo.

[@jay_vero]

frank was also involved with stopping censorship and spoke in the senate alongside the likes of dee snyder. you gotta see muffin man or dont you ever wash that thing. zappa also has a sweet reggae cover of stairway to heaven

[@drheadjog6333]

Try 'Inca Roads' (A Token Of His Extreme) for more LIVE Zappa, you'll love it, it's a way of life 😎

[@rogerhennie8939]

Check out Clap by Yes. There is a demonstration video made by Steve Howe.

[@creamcheesedrz]

Vai was his band before this was shot at the pier in N.Y. Do some research, there are tons of FZ videos, books, and even movies. Watch the recent documentary.

[@duster71]

There's live versions all over the place on KZbin,damn use the search function.

[@philiphinsberger3716]

There's a really good live Version of Inca Roads from the one size fits all album in 1974 on youtube

[@seanjockel43]

This brings back memories. I was at this show It was hot as hell and so was the band I saw Frank many times and this was one of the best shoes I saw

[@michaelthomas8592]

Sometimes LESS words are MORE to say...

[@duster71]

Young people have no idea of the greatness of Frank Zappa,what a shame

[@notadri11]

Every show was meant to be different and never to be repeated.

[@Sortirai]

the first remark of young people is .. the cigarette.

[@mcleodkirk1]

Pretty much every Zappa solo is improvised.

[@acemodez3169]

Obviously he was a musical genius but not everyone knows he was actually a literal genius with an iq of I believe around 174

[@rickwhear4016]

Franks goal is never play the song the same way twice

[@tomkitchen9457]

I know you are primarily interested in guitar, but I would suggest an orchestral version of gspot tornado.

[@talknrock9005]

Ok thank I'll look into it 👍

[@edgardousarbarrena867]

Frank, lo mejor del siglo 20 , desde Buenos Aires

[@elpwahpo6649]

'Road Ladies' for Zappa blues.

[@NickDanger214]

If you want a bluesy Frank Zappa song try his version of Whipping Post live in Barcelona

[@JCNydick]

Frank didn't have fixed solos. He improvised each solo or as the band would say, he composed on the spot.

[@ulgn1964]

Have this consert on VHS and dvd.

[@stonail665]

Frank Zappa - Nanook rubs it

[@toda304]

Illinois enema bandit blues

[@eximusic]

Allure is a common word

[@acemodez3169]

I think Frank's music is basically blues, jazz, and classical all mixed and played in the style of rock

[@acemodez3169]

And oh, obviously comedy

[@rickwhear4016]

drummer chad wackerman

[@outernothingness1177]

As for the bluesier stuff, do check out Advance Romance.

[@salsalzman2325]

So much to say here... Frank's bands were perhaps the most practiced bands in the history of rock they would work several hours a day for months before going on tour and they were touring almost constantly. They were doing a great deal of jamming on stage mostly led by Frank but he would signal to the musicians when he wanted them to improvise or when he wanted them to follow and he would conduct the band with his hands or his eyebrows (!) Which is why almost every concert was unique and they had I think a 400 song repertoire before they went out on tour. Yes, 400 songs.

[@nesseq]

Look up A Token of his Extreme it's the Roxy and Elsewhere concerts at the Roxy nightclub. There are a ton of live clips. Try some live performances by other groups covering Zappa. You like Blues? Listen to In France and Suicide Chump. Suicide Chump is live.

[@robertgraf-waczenski1213]

You should react to this one here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5eXk514rrKWrKc Apparently the audio and video were in parts that much out of sync that FZ decided to put some video extravaganza in there at some locations. But this solo brings tears to the eyes of most Zappa enthusiasts, it is arguably closest to FZ's concept of an "air sculpture". Enjoy!

[@davidbonner4556]

Zappa was one of the first to use digitally sampled sound synths... He just created his own sounds instead of stealing samples from other songs. Contrary to popular opinion, people from the 60s - 80s who smoked outnumbered those who didn't, at least it seemed that way to us nonsmokers :)

[@ImpressionismFTW]

If you like blues you NEED to hear Been to Kansas City in A Minor by Frank, its pure live blues and has some amazing solos!

[@vorisha]

The whole movie "Does humor belongs in Music?" is great. Just like the whole Frank Zappa

[@cheyneallen7186]

Try 'Been to Kansas City in A Minor' to hear Frank constrained to a blues scale. Great solos throughout.

[@andreasrosenberg9317]

Every solo is different =) Improvised "building airsculpturs"

[@timcardona9962]

Zappa was a composer who played the guitar, which is why you're noticing lots of little dramatic musical flourishes throughout the song. The solos were all improvised but unlike jazz he usually only played over 1-2 chords, often mixing blues with eastern modalities, polyscales, thematic development, etc. Bluesey Jams: Chunga's Revenge, Black Napkins, Pink Napkins, Willie the Pimp, Montreal, Transylvania Boogie

[@blackfuel1]

another great bluesy one is King Kong. Zomby Woof.

[@drheadjog6333]

The next track is 'Tell Me You Love Me' and ALL the band shines ✌🤙👏

[@antidote7]

His solos are improvised, but the clean head if the song is written. Zappa has hoards of densely composed music. And yes, he has improvisational pieces also. For a really written piece, check out Inca Roads from the album One Size Fits All.

[@talknrock9005]

Thanks 👍🙂

[@aliamonroe5113]

Hablas mucho, calla, escucha, y luego comentas, hablando tanto te pierdes lo mejor 😘

[@cacafuego4207]

You really need to listen to friendly little finger from this album

[@matthewshaud1741]

By the time this was recorded, Steve Vai had moved on.

[@gregtapevideo1464]

You make the solos up as you go along for the most part.

[@dromadrosis]

Love your videos! If you would like to hear "the mother of all Blues" (sorry, I am a fan :-) then listen to Get a Little from the album Weasels Ripped My Flesh. Enjoy!!!! :-)

[@talknrock9005]

Thanks, I'll check them out 🙂

[@zeus-bx9xw]

ZAPPA IS KING.....whos elvis nz

[@timkaufhold6163]

Can't hear the song the your non stop babbling.