Zappa, Frank - Zappa Picks - by Jon Fishman of Phish

Year of Release: 2002
Label: Rykodisc
Catalog Number: 1272
Format: CD
Total Time: 71:02:00

[Keith reviewed two Zappa Picks titles in the same review; they're listed separately in the database -ed.]

What do Jon Fishman of Phish and Larry Lalonde of Primus have in common? Well, first, they were nice enough to give of their time and secondly they both feel an inherent bond with Frank Zappa and his music. Rykodisc is just beginning of what will be a series of compilation releases covering the career of the rock legend. These two CDs are the inaugural releases to kick off the program that will offer more of the Zappa catalog through the eyes of other musicians.

Zappa was an original; I think that it is safe to say that there was nobody like him nor will there ever be. His music was just as unique. Bizarre, funny, complex ... those are some of the words that come to mind when describing the way he presented his music live and in the studio. He was undoubtedly one of the world's premier guitar players. He also was an outspoken activist, a father, and a tremendously respected man in and out of music circles. His absence has left a huge void in the music world. He was that special. We still have his music to remember him by and these CDs are quite a devotion to his craftiness.

There is a lot of music to take in on these two discs. Fishman's picks has 17 tracks and Lalonde's 19. The liner notes are terrific, as each artist relates his own personal experiences growing up listening to Zappa. I am completely taken aback as to what I can say about all of this music. It's all great stuff! Most of it is very weird, and that's what makes it so interesting to listen to. Keeping in mind that I have a warped sense of humor ... the sexist and politically satirical nature of some of the songs I thought were funny as hell. I am sure some of the material may offend some folks; if so, just listen to the music, its some of the most amazing music ever made, and most have found it nearly impossible to duplicate.

My favs were "Doreen," "Dog Breath," "I'm The Slime," "five-five-FIVE," and the unforgettable "Camarillo Brillo." Simply put, every song has its own personality and sound. You have to immerse yourself in Zappa's music to understand it, and those that do can find the appreciation for everything he did. Some of his recordings may have sounded out there, and for the most part, they were, but they were all Frank, 100%. Whoever said he did not have any commercial potential? (Reference to a book called No Commercial Potential, Zappa's story). There is more than enough information in each song to stick in your craw, chew, and mull over. Zappa made thinking man's music, and he was the ultimate musician's musician.

These CDs are a wonderful primer to his music. If you are a longtime fan or even if you have not experienced the pleasures and oddities of Zappa's world, it is a great way to get some of his best material on one CD. Any way you look at it, you should try the music, who knows? You may just come back for some more. Keep it real and keep it greasy, the main thing is to get these CDs before you leave this earthly domain.

Tracklisting:
Excentrifugal Forz (1:33) / Apostrophe (') (5:50) / Magdalena (6:24) / Dog Breath (3:35) / Cheepnis (6:33) / Son Of Orange County (6:13) / More Trouble Every Day (5:40) / It Can't Happen Here (3:55) / Keep It Greasy (8:21) / For Calvin (And His Next Two Hitch-Hikers) (6:06) / What Ever Happened To All The Fun In The World (0:33) / Rat Tomago (5:17) / Wait A Minute (0:31) / It Just Might Be A One-Shot Deal (4:16) / I'm The Slime (3:34) / Sofa No. 2 (2:41)

Musicians:
Mike Altschul - woodwind
Arthur Barrow - bass, vocals
Adrian Belew - rhythm guitar, vocals
Jimmy Carl Black - percussion, drums
Dale Bozzio - vocals
Terry Bozzio - percussion, vocals
Napoleon Murphy Brock - flute, saxophone, tenor sax, vocals, background vocals
Jack Bruce - bass
Marginal Chagrin - sax (Baritone)
Vinnie Colaiuta - drums
Ray Collins - guitar, harmonica, cymbals, sound effects, tambourine, vocals, background vocals, finger cymbals
Warren Cuccurullo - rhythm guitar, vocals
George Duke - synthesizer, keyboards, vocals, background vocals
Earl Dumler - woodwind
Aynsley Dunbar - drums, tambourine, washboard
Tony Duran - rhythm guitar, vocals, slide guitar
Alan Estes - percussion
Roy Estrada - bass, vocals, guitarron, soprano vocal
Janet Ferguson - vocals
Bruce Fowler - trombone, dancer
Tom Fowler - bass
Walt Fowler - trumpet
Jim Gordon - drums
John Guerin - drums
Ralph Humphrey - drums
Elliot Ingber - guitar, rhythm guitar
Howard Kaylan - vocals
Sneaky Pete Kleinow - pedal steel, soloist
Ruben Ladron de Guevara - background vocals
Al Malkin - vocals
Ed Mann - percussion, vocals
Sal Marquez - trumpet, vocals
Tommy Mars - keyboards, vocals
Joanne Caldwell McNabb - woodwind
Kerry McNabb - background vocals
Malcolm McNabb - brass
Davey Moire - vocals
Janet Neville-Ferguson - vocals
Patrick O'Hearn - bass, vocals
Jim Pons - bass, vocals
Jean-Luc Ponty - violin, Baritone violin
Don Preston - synthesizer, keyboards, mini moog
John Rotella - woodwind
Kenny Shroyer - brass
Jeff Simmons - rhythm guitar, vocals, Hawaiian guitar
Craig Steward - harmonica
Ernie Tack - brass
Chester Thompson - drums
Ian Underwood - clarinet, flute, keyboards, saxophone, alto and tenor sax, vocals, wind
Ruth Underwood - percussion
Mark Volman - vocals
Denny Walley - vocals, slide guitar
Ike Willis - vocals
Peter Wolf - keyboards
Frank Zappa - bass, guitar, harmonica, tambourine, vocals, orchestra
Robert Zimmitti - percussion
Debbie - background vocals
Erroneous - bass, electric bass, vocals
Stumuk - bass sax

Discography:
Freak Out! (1966)
Absolutely Free (1967)
Lumpy Gravy (1967)
We're Only In It For The Money (1968)
Cruising With Ruben & The Jets (1968)
Uncle Meat (1969)
Mothermania (1969)
Hot Rats (1969)
Burnt Weeny Sandwich (1970)
Weasels Ripped My Flesh (1970)
Chunga's Revenge (1970)
Fillmore East, June 1971 (1971)
200 Motels (1971)
Just Another Band From L.A. (1972)
Waka/Jawaka (1972)
The Grand Wazoo (1972)
Over-Nite Sensation (1973)
Apostrophe (') (1974)
Roxy & Elsewhere (1974)
One Size Fits All (1975)
Bongo Fury (1975)
Zoot Allures (1976)
Zappa In New York (1978)
Studio Tan (1978)
Sleep Dirt (1979)
Sheik Yerbouti (1979)
Orchestral Favorites (1979)
Joe's Garage Act I (1979)
Joe's Garage Acts II & III (1979)
Tinseltown Rebellion (1981)
Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar (1981)
Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar Some More (1981)
Return Of The Son Of Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar (1981)
You Are What You Is (1981)
Ship Arriving Too Late To Save A Drowning Witch (1982)
Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar (Box Set) (1982)
The Man From Utopia (1983)
Baby Snakes (1983)
London Symphony Orchestra, Vol I (1983)
The Perfect Stranger (1984)
Them Or Us (1984)
Thing-Fish (1984)
Francesco Zappa (1984)
The Old Masters, Box I (1985)
Frank Zappa Meets The Mothers Of Prevention (1985)
Does Humour Belong In Music? (1986)
The Old Masters, Box II (1986)
Jazz From Hell (1986)
London Symphony Orchestra, Vol II. (1987)
The Old Masters, Box III (1987)
Guitar (1988)
You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. I (1988)
You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, The Helsinki Tapes, Vol II (1988)
Broadway The Hard Way (1988)
You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. III (1989)
The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life (1981)
You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. IV (1991)
Make A Jazz Noise Here (1991)
Piquantique - Stockholm 1973 (1991)
As An Am (1991)
The Ark (1991)
Freaks & Motherfu*#@%! (1991)
Unmitigated Audacity (1991)
Anyway The Wind Blows (1991)
'Tis The Season To Be Jelly (1991)
Saarbrucken 1978 (1991)
Beat The Boots 1 (1991)
Beat The Boots 2 (1992)
Playground Psychotics (1992)
You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol V. (1992)
You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol VI. (1992)
Ahead Of Their Time (1993)
The Yellow Shark (1993)
Civilization Phaze III (1994)
Strictly Commercial (1995)
The Lost Episodes (1996)
Läther (1996)
Frank Zappa Plays the Music Of Frank Zappa: A Memorial Tribute (1996)
Strictly Genteel (1997)
Have I Offended Someone? (1997)
The Mystery Disc (1998)
Cheap Thrills (1998)
Cucamonga (1962-1964)
EIHN - Everything Is Healing Nicely (1999)
Son Of Cheep Thrills (1999)
FZ:OZ (2002)
Zappa Picks - by Jon Fishman of Phish (2002)
Zappa Picks - by Larry LaLonde of Primus (2002)
Threesome No 1 (2002)
Threesome No 2 (2002)
For Collectors Only (2003)
Halloween (2003)
The Best Of Frank Zappa (2004)
Trance-Fusion (2006)
Imaginary Diseases (2006)
Buffalo (2007)
Wazoo (2007)
Joe's Domage (2004)
QuAUDIOPHILIAc (2004)
Joe's Corsage (2004)
Joe's XMASage (2005)
The Making Of Freak Out! Project/Object (2006)
The Dub Room Special! (2007)
The Lumpy Money Project/Object (2009)

Genre: Rock

Origin US

Added: October 13th 2002
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck
Score:
Artist website: www.zappa.com
Hits: 3285
Language: english