Drummer reacts to "The Ocean is the Ultimate Solution" by Frank Zappa

[@imanointedone1]

As Frank once said: "Jazz is not dead; it just smells funny."

[@barbastathisr]

Frank Zappa - guitar, synthesizer Patrick O'Hearn - bass Terry Bozzio - drums

[@larryhelmeczy4320]

Nice of you to do this one. I know I suggested it in my comments. In my old age, this is among the Zappa genres that still appeals to me. A couple background notes to this; It started as a trio jam probably with Zappa, Bozzio, and O'Hearn. Then Zappa applied overdubs. There's sections where Zappa uses an 12 string guitar. with very unusual tunings. Major 7th's, Mixolydian, tuning the 2 side by side strings to different notes, etc. Amazing creativity.

[@cosmokramer9198]

This song was Patrick O’Hearn’s audition for Zappa. Recorded in 1976.

[@garyhernandezediting]

The greatest American composer of our time!!! I've been saying it for decades

[@thescrewfly]

You can leave out the American. I can't think of another candidate on this planet. I mean I appreciate Stockhausen (and a bunch of others) and all, but....

[@TarantuLandoCalcuLingus]

​@@thescrewflyjohn zorn would be my forst choice, but nobody can take franks place

[@AndyMmusic]

As a drummer, you must really appreciate the drumming here. And as a guitarist, I appreciate the guitar!

[@pascalsimon9780]

45 years and still a ultimate music...Viva Zappa

[@mackabeats]

The story I heard was that Patrick O'Hearn was playing with Joe Henderson and was a friend of Terry Bozzio. One night Terry asked him to come over hang out in the studio, so he rocks up with his double bass, Frank asks him if he can play it. Patrick says yes, and they started jamming and this track was the result. Frank then asked him to come back and lay down some electric bass the next night. After that he got the gig with Zappa.

[@frankaviza6362]

Agreed! Some of Frank's very, very best guitar playing!!!! Also at this level of greatness are Frank's solos on RDNZL and Rat Tomago.

[@GoodCorporateRobot]

When listening to Zappa and you don’t know how to categorize it or what to call it, you call it Zappa. He was his own genre.

[@gentle_goy23432]

Полистилистика, причём почти без коллажа как у Шнитке. Скорее под влиянием разных композиторов и музыкантов. Как это обычно бывает у мастеров

[@danu6718]

💯🎉 ZAPPA

[@WelshVegan]

This might be my fave Zappa track of all. Perfection.

[@danu6718]

Stellar reaction ❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉

[@cha0tr0pic]

Love this track... it's such a heartstoppingly powerful & physical piece of music, there's nothing else like it.

[@Royale_with_Cheeze]

The bass parts played on this, both upright and electric bass, were played and recorded upon the first time Frank met Patrick O'Hearn. Terry Bozzio, the monster drummer, was already in the band and Patrick, best friend of Terry, came with him to the studio after Partick played a gig. Not unusual for Frank to be recording all through the night, Patrick brought in his huge upright bass because he didn't want to leave it in the car. Frank asked him to play it over some tracks that he already had laid down on tape. Then Frank decided it could use electric bass and asked Patrick if he played that as well. Patrick said he did, and they laid down more. How cool is it that a guy comes into the studio upon first meeting Frank and gets to lay down some killer playing on something that would be released? Patrick O'Hearn was also immediately hired to be in the band and played with Zappa from Fall tour '76 through October '78 before Arthur Barrow joined. For a short while in Oct. 1978, Frank had what was called the double-double band. Two guitars, two bass players and two keyboard players, as well as a percussionist and of course drummer.

[@L33Reacts]

Patrick killed it! They all did. This was a feast for your ears. And I still have to listen to it a few more times to really understand it! Zappa always makes me think and I love him for that

[@JoFandango]

@@L33Reacts yes you're right, and you have to be in the mood for it. wear some jogger suits and a towel might be safer cause this music is so demanding to the brain ! there are in this track much more music notes than in the whole Madona discography !

[@RonPotter-k9k]

At one point in his career Frank turned in a 4 LP set but his label would not released it as such. They put it out as 4 single albums. They were eventually released during 1978 and 1979 as: Zappa In New York (a two LP set), Studio Tan, Sleep Dirt and Orchestral Favorites.

[@Ferretbomber]

Love this one, Zappa's mid-late 70s instrumental works are pretty amazing.

[@jugogamer2487]

Zappa is a fucking king

[@jazzzman8050]

Electric jazz of the highest order, with that distinctive Zappa touch!

[@JosephDanker-ox7ee]

Legend has it Frank told Patrick O'Hearn. "OK, whip it out" and this audition jam ensued

[@michaelhaertjens3614]

If I'm not mistaken, the first person Frank told to "whip it out" in a musical context was one Ian Underwood, leading to the song "Ian Underwood Whips It Out" on Uncle Meat, IIRC

[@gentle_goy23432]

Another great Zappa composition. Glued together, but I still like it

[@kurtkish6970]

There's no shortage of WTF Zappa tunes. This one is WAY up there.

[@L33Reacts]

Kurt you ain't kidding bro. This was pure zappa WTF lol

[@HakanTunaMuzik]

Even though released in 1979, the album was recorded between 1974-1976.

[@leddygee1896]

Frank is Unclassifiable. He is his own genre. One of a kind, and totally Un-copyable…😁

[@L33Reacts]

Totally bro... this shit really defies explanation in the most crazy of ways... I love it. Zappa is good for the brain!

[@zappafrank1]

AKA the GOAT

[@ripvanwinkle2002]

This is so true. in the hey day of record stores.you go through the bins and there would always be a "Frank Zappa" section all by itself after the letter "Z" ( they were alphabetized) because no one dared put him in any other group for fear of being chewed out by a fan on how he doesnt belong in that section. LOL

[@MrVjjorge]

‘Gettin tired?…. Nah mah fingers got stuck!’

[@misterbonzoid5623]

Isn't that from the track 'Sleep Dirt'?

[@MrVjjorge]

@@misterbonzoid5623 👍🏽👍🏽

[@chitownlee]

This is pure jazz.

[@fredlewis1354]

Love Patrick's vocals on this tune!

[@alldayadventures5418]

Excellent, Excellent Choice. This is a Top 10 (of 60) Zappa Album. Every tune on this one has the same instrumental wizardry. A couple of the tunes were meant to have lyrics, and good thing they did not. I have heard them and I would not enjoy this album as much. Sometimes you just want his intonations instead of his words. SISTER ALBUM to this is the Grand Wazoo recorded about the same time as this one. PS: Front Cover is the SMOG MONSTER (Hiedra) from a 1974 Godzilla Film. Seems it was born from the DREGS in Franks Zappa's Bed. PS PS: Dixie Dregs is an off the hook Band. Features Steve Morse in Guitar when he was at his BEST. Try "I'm Freaking Out", it will Freak You Out...! Dregs were a very unknown Prog Band, probably better than most. Just never got the proper exposure.

[@wowwhywow]

I'm the guy that requested this. It was a hard choice between this, Filthy Habits and the song Sleep Dirt. Sleep Dirt the song would have blown Lee away for a DIFFERENT reason (shhhh, don't ruin the surprise of that song...he'll probably get around to it... so let's let him discover it by himself) and Filthy Habits is a great Hendrix type solo...but Ocean is epic... so I figured... let's give him the BIG one, first.

[@alldayadventures5418]

@@wowwhywow Thank you Muchly for this request. Yes, they are all equally great tunes but all for different reasons. Hard to pick. My top 10 Zappa Albums are actually a top 15... so hard to choose... LOL Would love to see Lee do the Joe's garage, at least Act 1.

[@Royale_with_Cheeze]

Not a sister album to Grand Wazoo as it didn't have that huge band. Most of it was recorded in Dec. '74 at the same studio and time used for the studio tracks on One Size Fits All. This track and Filthy Habits were recorded in '76.

[@gregjones861]

I second the Dregs and their song "I'm Freaking Out". Great Zappa reaction today L33. Thy jaw droppeth yet anew. Your taffy got stretched in the salt water!

[@Royale_with_Cheeze]

​​@@gregjones861 Dixie Dregs did a nice version of Peaches en Regalia with guest Dweezil way back in 2000.

[@tadpoleslamp]

Wow! Thanks! This is the best Zappa tune I've ever heard! BTW: think I'd call it avant garde fusion, maybe throw in as prog fusion for the sake of thoroughness.

[@ruelsmith]

In just 10 secs, I already knew who was playing - BOZZIO! Insane...

[@j.frankparnell]

Ok. Here we go with one of my favorites

[@shyshift]

This is the last track on Sleep Dirt. The version on Lather (Leather) is edited and very frustrating if you already know this version.

[@phillipjensen5201]

But Läther is such an awesome album!

[@madmanasaurusRex]

…the Drums! 😊

[@ShiverHinge]

LOVE THIS - JAZZM

[@L33Reacts]

That's exactly what this is too 🤣🤣

[@Heathsmusic1]

It’s actually studio sessions, that were either incomplete or shelved from 1974-1976. Some tracks had been overdubbed with missing instruments at the live sessions, remixed and then released as “Sleep Dirt” in 1979. After that some tracks were further remastered and appear on the double cd “Lather”

[@L33Reacts]

Awesome thank you for info my friend! Glad to expand my zappa knowledge every Friday:)

[@SpaceCattttt]

The Läther versions are edited, though.

[@Heathsmusic1]

@@SpaceCattttt that’s true, likely in order to squeeze everything into that big album.

[@thescrewfly]

My version of Läther is on three CDs, does that mean they are the unedited versions of the same tracks? I thought the CD release reinstated the original running order of the 4-album set rejected by Reprise.and later chopped up and re-ordered and issued as separate LPs.

[@SpaceCattttt]

@@thescrewfly Every CD version has 3 discs and is edited. However, if you have the 1996 Ryko release, you also get 4 bonus tracks. Three of which are not available elsewhere.

[@briancotter2666]

One reaction guy i have listened to said that Frank is very good at taking all the chaos in his songs and tying it into a pretty red bow with his guitar. Well said I thought.

[@christianevans4449]

Nice choice, nice analysis. Sleep Dirt is a Warner move to split a 4 LP album called Lather that was posthumously release in its original form.

[@aMan-or9ij]

All of the instrumental work is insane; I'll pick out one part to comment on: Terry Bozzio's double bass drum (unless he's doing it all one one foot, which would be ever more insane). It's so subtle, so tasty, so nimble and quick.

[@andreasrosenberg9317]

You been Zapped =)

[@markadriaansen3276]

Love your Fridays ❤

[@madmanasaurusRex]

Jazz-Frank Fusion. 🤔

[@L33Reacts]

Exactly!! I love it!!

[@nicholasmartin297]

Yeah… I knew you’d be surprised.

[@jessem470]

Nice choice You also need to check out the title track Beautiful Zappa solo on Acoustic guitar which is pretty rare for Frank

[@Heathsmusic1]

There’s a great track off “Uncle Meat” 1968 that features a Frank acoustic solo with drums and Glock called “Nine Types of Industrial Pollution”. That album has some out there stuff on it for sure

[@hansvandermeulen5515]

There was a guitar brand named Acoustic, producing electric guitars, including at least one fretless. FZ had a few Acoustic Black Widows, including the fretless one (as can be heard on San Berdino, the studio version of The Torture Never Stops and Down In De Dew).

[@jessem470]

On Sleep Dirt Franks is playing a Martin D-18S He used same guitar on Blessed Relief , he actually got the guitar from Mark Volman

[@jessem470]

@@Heathsmusic1, I love that track , and all of Uncle Meat

[@timfeeley714-25]

​​@@hansvandermeulen5515Frank may have used an Acoustic on a song, but the only acoustic gu itar that Frank was ever known to have owned was a Martin D-18s. There is a video on KZbin of Frank on some obscure British TV show where he plays a shuffle on an Ovation (they were new at the time and I think Frank was checking one out) and the host sang to it.

[@hansvandermeulen5515]

This particular track was edited down from 40+ minutes of jamming between bassplayer Dave Parlato, drummer Terry Bozzio and Zappa during the Zoot Allures sessions. Late in those session bassplayer Patrick O'Hearn went to the studiobto hang with buddy Terry. Zapa being Zappa, seeing Pat carrying his upright bass with him had him overdub bassparts onto this track as well as several others. Then Zappa overdubbed the awesome guitarsolo. I'm not sure if the oddly tuned 12 string guitar was overdubbed or from the initial jam. Amazing how FZ can make even the most spontabeous jams sound like it's all carefully composed.

[@lordofthehornets4739]

Awesome album!

[@leddygee1896]

Everybody Solo!!!🤣🤣🤣

[@garyhernandezediting]

I'm enjoying your ride Lee!! 🎵🎸

[@L33Reacts]

Glad to hear it Gary! I'm happy you're here too. I love zappa 🙏

[@andyshan]

This sounds like Captain Beefheart's Magic Band playing jazz fusion. Enter frank on lead guitar.

[@thescrewfly]

For a palate cleanser, I think you need to go back to 1965 Zappa and listen something from Freak Out. I would recommend "Help I'm a Rock".

[@erikahlander3489]

One more time!

[@Royale_with_Cheeze]

The title of the Album, Sleep Dirt, wasn't intended to be that. It was to be Hot Rats III. Hot Rats itself followed by Waka/Jawaka - Hot Rats and then this. Warner Bros. decided to title it after one of the tracks, which Frank did name Sleep Dirt. The cover art was done with no input by Frank, as happened to the other two unauthorized releases Studio Tan and Orchestral Favorites. They're known as the Zappa uglies. The music is great but could've been even better. Frank gave the tapes for three albums to WB to walk away from the contract, but they didn't get the final Zappa mixing and EQ treatment before going to the test pressing stage. I could only imagine this music with different soundscape panning, etc., that Frank was a wizard at.

[@SpaceCattttt]

Frank went a bit nuts on the guitar here.

[@BreezyandtheBlazers-vd3xw]

Yeeeehaaaaw

[@boostedlss6450]

Damn, I saw the thumbnail and I thought you were doing "Sleep Dirt", hope you can do that one too!!

[@waltercrain2910]

in chemistry, a liquid with a solid dissolved into it is called a "solution". so, tea with sugar mixed in, is a solution. the ocean is the ultimate solution. hahaha

[@jamespuleo3269]

The "alternative mainstream" in1979 was about the punk/new wave, and there was LOTS of (sometimes great) new, creative work out there, --- that still translated well into traditional song form. (And got the radio airplay.} This wasn't aired, & wasn't heard unless you were a fan who sought out each new release. Zappa wrote for himself, so that he could hear in real time what he could hear in his head. *I think of it like* he was ahead of his time, and writing for the 22nd or 23rd century, ~~~ altho obviously I have no way of knowing if this is true.

[@imanointedone1]

PS Did you pick up on the word play? Either: Studio Tan, or The Ocean Is The Ultimate Solution - there are many such to look out for 🙂

[@wowwhywow]

That... my friend... is Zappa taking us to another level. And when I say US...I mean any person that listens to the song,because it goes beyond the capability of any one member of that recording, But the idea is to keep you on the edge of your seat during the entire song. LOL... I think your're almost ready for the "difficult" Zappa. I know you're probably shaking your head and saying "Are you kidding?" And, No, Lee...I am not kidding. You have still only scratched the surface of the Zappa iceberg. There are songs that will blow you away EVEN MORE... than this one. But... this is one of the best.

[@deanmyers5365]

I call it “thrash jazz”

[@wowwhywow]

this is track 7

[@teamorozuk6819]

The Zappa rabbit hole: Lee, as you delve into the music and career of FZ you might want to get familiar with Zappa’s discography and ongoing personnel with this video. It will inform your sense of his career and collaborations. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmibdoyNidypbK8si=MUpHJO5Z3D9TW5cU

[@ChrisAddotta5373]

don't even try to put Frank in a genre man. Zappa's music transcends all genres. The genre would just be ZAPPA.

[@johnnyfrederick01]

So, back then BIG Zappa fans that we were, coming off of the amazing Bongo Fury and Zoot Allures, and Live in New York, we knew he was fighting with Warner Bros. and released Studio Tan and Dirt Sleep as junk/fillers, so he could get out of his contract with them - just, so he could release the phenomenal Sheik Yerbouti - so we didn’t even bother with this album. Guess we were wrong….. (although did listen to Gregory Peccary and pretty much thought it sux)

[@L33Reacts]

This shit was nuts 😳🤣 zappa is the man. I had no idea what to expect (as usual) and I was totally stunned by the end. I didn't know about all the record label nonsense but I wouldn't have skipped a single release from him 😆😆😊

[@Royale_with_Cheeze]

Ugh! Studio Tan and Hot Rats III (titled as Sleep Dirt by WB without Frank's consent) are not "junk/filler" albums. Tell me what tracks on either of them are junk or filler.

[@Looksue]

Jeff Beck / JODY

[@richardwirt3193]

While you are on this album check out the cut (sleep Dirt) it is acoustic If I remember rite it is Frank and Steve Vai

[@SpaceRampage]

Not Vai, it's James "Birdlegs" Youmans

[@richardwirt3193]

@@SpaceRampage Ok I could not remember

[@AndyMmusic]

Steve Via must have been very young when this was recorded!

[@brianvernon249]

You call it music

[@dantean]

Kid, you're too concerned to stuff this piece into a category or genre when it's not that important you do so. Think of it as "Frank Zappa Music" and you'll be 100% correct every time.

[@PaulPadoan]

Heavy jamming. I have never liked the sound on this album, the mixing is unsatifactory. The same goes for Orchestral Favouroites and Studio Tan. A real shame. Still, the title track is stunning.

[@lassekristoffersen5906]

Brainmusic. - Me love.

[@L33Reacts]

Me love too...