Article on Zappa on NPR

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 20 Aug 17 - 04:30 AM

'My Holy Grail of my personal Zappa Quest remains the SOFA Routine as performed by the Flo & Eddie / 200 Motels band; bits of it have surfaced here and there, and Sofa itself was featured on One Size Fits All (and Live in New York). If anyone could help me in this respect I'd be very grateful.'

A bit late in my response, possibly.

I saw Zappa do the Sofa routine in Rotterdam in 1972-ish. They did part of it in Dutch ('Geef mij wat vloerbedekking onder deze vette zwevende sofa..')

A bootleg lp came out of that occasion, the whole twenty minute or so sofa episode covered on it. Sound was very muddy If I remember correctly. I still have the lp.

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Aug 17 - 10:31 PM

I hear it this morning -it was a rather interesting and bizarre story, refreshing in the current world political climate.

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Aug 17 - 09:12 PM

I heard this PRI story (or something similar) on public radio yesterday, although the date of the story is August 9.

In the former East Germany, Frank Zappa lives on as a beacon of freedom
The World in Words
August 09, 2017 · 3:30 PM EDT
By Patrick Cox

Wolfhard Kutz has lived two lives. One before the Berlin Wall came down. And one after.

While the wall was still in place, he was a citizen of socialist East Germany, where he was spied on a lot.

Soon after East Germany ceased to exist, Wolfhard was allowed to read his Stasi file.

"I read that I have a tape recorder and a turntable and played records," he tells me in the latest episode of the World in Words podcast.

The Stasi, of course, were East Germany's secret police. They enlisted ordinary people to report back about their neighbors, their friends, their family. Most people's files are absurdly mundane. You read a book, you go a café, you listen to a musician.

In Kutz's case, 21 people informed on him and his listening habits. He says his Stasi file branded him a decadent young man influenced by propaganda from the West. Worst of all, he says with a rueful laugh, "I influenced young people with the music of Frank Zappa."

Today, Kutz runs Zappanale, a festival dedicated to the life and rock of Frank Zappa. It takes place every summer in Wolfhard's hometown, Bad Doberan, a couple of miles south of Germany's Baltic coast.

It may seem laughable that Frank Zappa preoccupied the Stasi so much. Zappa was no revolutionary, though he was critical of American politics and culture. But mainly, he was a guitar virtuoso who commissioned orchestras to play his music, and who had a taste for salacious lyrics.

But the Stasi were on to something. Even if they didn't understand Zappa, they understood that people who liked Zappa were trouble.

In the former West Germany, Zappa's records were freely available. He was a star, but no better understood than in the East. One of his more notoriously offensive songs, "Bobby Brown," was a huge hit, but the words were lost on most German listeners.

Enter Jim Cohen, an American Zappa fan living in Germany who delighted in informing his German roommate what the song was about.

"When I told him about the bondage and the discipline and various gender-mixing going on in the song, he was just aghast."

And so began Cohen's career as a cultural interpreter. He was the original rap genius long before rap genius existed. He was just getting going with his day job as a technical translator. It wasn't long until he had an evening gig too — at a seedy Munich bar. There he delivered boozy lectures about Zappa songs.

Cohen's lecture style is casual. Beer in hand, he takes his German audiences line-by-line through cultural tours of Zappa's America. At this year's Zappanale, he explained references to Jerry Lewis telethons, Jack-in-the-Box restaurants, frozen beef pieces from Boney's market, a Dudley Do-Right wrist watch and a Southern California car dealership that leases Cadillacs — all in the name of explaining the meaning of an epic Zappa song called "Billy the Mountain."

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 30 Apr 09 - 07:25 AM

My faith in life & humanity is restored.

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: M.Ted
Date: 30 Apr 09 - 06:53 AM

Sorry, Sedayne--I've been away--I've downloaded the file--though not without peril--and am awaiting an address from you--

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 30 Apr 09 - 04:26 AM

Aw come on...

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 29 Apr 09 - 09:37 AM

I'll repeat that a little louder in case there's any Mudcatter in the USA prepared to help me out on this one:

Problem is - it's only available to US customers. So is anyone prepared to download The Sofa Suit - Track 8 from Swiss Cheese / Fire on Amazon.com - & send it to me via You Send It? It'll cost you $0.99, but you'll have the satisfaction of making me very happy indeed.

I will of course reimburse all costs incurred.


Sinister Supporter (active)

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: GUEST,Sedayne (Astray)
Date: 19 Apr 09 - 04:33 PM

Problem is - it's only available to US customers. So is anyone prepared to download The Sofa Suit - Track 8 from Swiss Cheese / Fire on Amazon.com & send it to me via You Send It? It'll cost you $0.99, but you'll have the satisfaction of making me very happy indeed.


Sinister Supporter (Inactive)

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: M.Ted
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 04:06 PM

I am stunned--that is the performance made famous in "Smoke on the Water"--so I guess it is that easy--yours for only $0.99--what was impossible yesterday is yours today, at rock bottom prices!! Such are the miracles of the internet.

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 03:47 AM

That's certainly a small part of it, M.Ted - especially as it's performed by the 1971 Flo & Eddie line-up! I must check that out. The entire 18 minute Sofa routine is available on the Swiss Cheese / Fire bootleg (see Here) which a quick search reveals is downloadable from Amazon. Can it really be that easy? I've been after this for years!

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: M.Ted
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 11:37 PM

Somewhere, in a box, I have You Can't Do that On Stage Anymore Volume 1, which has Sofa #1 on it--is that what you want, or is there another bit that has actually never been available in it's entirety?

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: meself
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 10:34 AM

I remember reading an interview with the man once, in which he was asked about drug use. He said he tried pot once, and it just made him cough, so he didn't bother with it again. Maybe he was being tongue-in-cheek, but I saw no reason to doubt it, and still don't.

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 05:10 AM

I have always been sceptical about the claim that Zappa was that straight. Can anyone show more testimony from his friends, relatives or band mates?

I think the most important testimony to that is his music. Zappa was a clear genius and a master of his craft - you can't do what he did AND take drugs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBQPkLuwy80

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 04:46 AM

Sinister, 'Flo and Eddie', were really Howard Kaylan, and Mark Volman.

...also that they made their first appearance with Zappa as part of the masterful Chunga's Revenge, on which they are credited as (in capitals) THE PHLORESCENT LEECH AND EDDIE after a couple of roadies - either for Zappa or The Turtles (sources differ on this).

My Holy Grail of my personal Zappa Quest remains the SOFA Routine as performed by the Flo & Eddie / 200 Motels band; bits of it have surfaced here and there, and Sofa itself was featured on One Size Fits All (and Live in New York). If anyone could help me in this respect I'd be very grateful.

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 04:27 AM

Sinister, 'Flo and Eddie', were really Howard Kaylan, and Mark Volman. They used to live down the street from me, in L.A., when I was younger, and were in a group called, 'The Crossfires'..later incarnated into 'The Turtles'('Dylan's 'It Ain't You, Babe'..and 'Happy Together') Frank lived in Tarzana, in the valley. Carl Black goes back a long time, with Frank, during the 'Mother's of Invention' days. Frank recorded virtually, everything they did, and had an entire semi tractor trailer truck, with a recording studio in it, which he ran cables into the places, he did his concerts, and recorded them ALL! Nice to hear from an admirer, of him, and the cynical genius that he was!

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 04:03 AM

I believe Zappa to have been straight drug-wise, apart from the fags of course. There is a story of him being handed a lump of dope by a fan at one of the 60's London concerts and not knowing what it was.

Anyone ever read Ben Watson's book Frank Zappa: The Negative Dialectics of Poodle-play ? Highly recommended.

Mention of Jimmy Carl Black reminds that I once sang Lonesome Cowboy Burt at a folk club many years ago. Here's Jimmy's masterful rendition from 200 Motels - featuring Zappa himself (and Aynsley Dunbar) on drums; George Duke on trombone; Flo & Eddie - sublime harmonies...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eN-ScHMdC0

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 03:57 AM

Frank, was, and has been one of my all time favorite musicians, for a host of reasons. Seen him on several occasions in concert. My brother, years back, also played with him, as a drummer. This interview, which was slightly mentioned above, may be interesting, to those, who were curious about him...especially towards the end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDYzuwG-gOE&feature=related

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 03:39 AM

Zappa was anti-drug and alcohol, but smoked cigarettes. According to his book The Real Frank Zappa Book he had a strict "no drugs" policy for his band, but it's probably true that some of the musicians tried to sneak an illegal smoke or sniff on occasion.

In one of his last interviews before he died, he claimed that tobacco was his favorite vegetable.

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: pdq
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 10:09 PM

I have always been sceptical about the claim that Zappa was that straight. Can anyone show more testimony from his friends, relatives or band mates?

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: Mark Ross
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 09:59 PM

He may not have done drugs, but the rest of the band was a different story. Not to mention those of us who listened to his music.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: pdq
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 09:54 PM

"...a guy that many love for his seemingly drug crazed leading edge rock..."

I have heard that Frank Zappa did not do any drugs, and that includes pot, nicotine and alcohol. Does anyone else consider that true?

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: Nick
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 07:53 PM

"What's the Ugliest Part of Your Body?" would work fine on an Anglo. In fact a goodly portion of that album would work (even Nasal Retentive Calliope Music?)

Jimmy Carl Black signed my mono copy of We're Only in it for the Money when I saw him play in a blues band with Mick Pini some years ago

Have to listen to some tomorrow

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: Mrrzy
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 06:05 PM

Ah, OK.. The cimbalom is different, albeit Hungarian. Thanks.

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 04:34 PM

It's a Citera - a fretted board-zither more akin to the Appalachian Dulcimer. See Here

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: Mrrzy
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 03:33 PM

Do you mean the Cimbalom, Sinister Supporter?

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: GUEST,dulcimerjohn
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 02:21 PM

Zappa crossed all lines and certainly is a 'folk musician' in my mind. Stucco Homes and Canard de Jour! yea.

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 12:59 PM

Although I often run through Uncle Meat as a finger exercise on the Hungarian zither (citera), I've never thought of Zappa as a folk source at all. The closest I've come is Beefheart's Well which used to be my party piece until I discovered McGinties Meal an' Ale, but still might surface in a singaround if I'm drunk enough.

Just found this today which made me smile very much:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXkkcr7ABjo

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: Mrrzy
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 10:49 AM

I wonder what her children think of her trying to change the main idea...

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: matt milton
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 08:16 AM

How bout 'My Guitar Wants to Kill Your Mama'?

You'd have to alter the title, replacing 'Guitar' with 'Squeezebox', of course.

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 07:35 AM

Status Quo, the Beatles, Led Zepplin, Pink Floyd, all work but I've not yet found anything of his that transfers to the Anglo, but I keep trying!

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: matt milton
Date: 14 Apr 09 - 05:24 PM

well it reads from that article as if legally Gail Zappa doesn't have a leg to stand on, with regard to attempting to insist that people playing Zappa covers in public need to get a license. All the lawyers say as long as they're not selling it, that's fine.

I was particularly interested to read that, cos I sometimes play a sort of country-blues acoustic cover of "Your Mouth".

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: M.Ted
Date: 14 Apr 09 - 05:24 PM

Surviving family members of the "Great" often don't have any idea of what to do with their estates.

Often, one or more of the heirs suffer from the "Cats Syndrome"--that being the belief that there is something in the estate like "OLD POSSUM'S BOOK OF PRACTICAL CATS"   that will be turned into a financial gold mine like the musical "Cats", and they grab all the work up and seal it away, rather than allowing access to people who could really keep it alive--

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: catspaw49
Date: 14 Apr 09 - 05:12 PM

Yeah Mrrzzz.....I read that and I dunno what to make of it. I'm sure his wife (Gail) wants to keep as much coming her way as possible from the sound of other things in the article.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: Mrrzy
Date: 14 Apr 09 - 04:53 PM

I actually knew his brother (professionally, that is) - he was a total square, I might add.

Some of the argument is that at his death, Moon Unit recorded something saying Just play my music on his phone, and now the widow is saying Well, he didn't really MEAN it.

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: catspaw49
Date: 14 Apr 09 - 04:06 PM

I think the dichotomy of Frank was his passion for excellence on the one hand...some of the absolute tightest tracks I have ever heard are on his albums....and his belief that people just loved/needed music.....he once said that "Kids today wouldn't know GOOD music if it came up and bit 'em in the ass, so just play it loud."

That always struck me......Here's a guy that many love for his seemingly drug crazed leading edge rock and others for his sheer unbelievable, musicality, talent, and intelligence.

I personally could give a turkey about this "fight" as long as I can still have my Zappa fix as needed.

May the Weasels Rip Your Flesh and May you have a Great Meal at St. Alfonzo's Pancake Breakfast

Spaw

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: gnu
Date: 14 Apr 09 - 02:57 PM

Good question. I would like to think Frank would say, "Play on."

Subject: RE: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: Mrrzy
Date: 14 Apr 09 - 02:52 PM

Not to mention the interesting question of playing other people's songs, with attribution, but without royalties? Is it OK if you're not taking money?

Subject: Article on Zappa on NPR
From: Mrrzy
Date: 14 Apr 09 - 01:02 PM

Surprised nobody posted about this...

Very interesting talk about whether we should be playing Zappa music or not... Zappa and Moon Unit apparently say Yes, while widow says No. Anybody else hear this?