"I'm sure you already know it, but this is just the beginning of your new future in this country.
And I hope that your new future will be very perfect, very perfect."
-- Frank Zappa
"I'm sure you already know it, but this is just the beginning of your new future in this country.
And I hope that your new future will be very perfect, very perfect."
-- Frank Zappa
Posted by litbrit at 02:34 PM in Music | Permalink | Comments (1)
. . . because I'm still older than he is and can still kick his ass.
Posted by Lisa Simeone at 09:12 AM in Music | Permalink | Comments (8)
This is a dark, fuzzy video of Frank Zappa and his crew playing at the Mudd Club in New York. At the end, there's a bit of fanboy melee going on in the dressing room.
Frank's guitar work alone makes the clip worth watching, however, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Ah...summer is almost over, meaning parents everywhere are looking at the calendar, dreaming of tidy houses and actually being able to get some work done. Dreaming, I said! Dreaming.
Bon Weekend, everyone. And to Florida readers: stay dry, and be thankful for these heat-quelling clouds.
XX
D.
Posted by litbrit at 03:13 PM in Music | Permalink | Comments (0)
This is a wonderful Very Vintage Frank music/film compilation. The piece has a witty, art-film quality thanks to its black-and-white footage, not to mention the unintentional special effects caused by the technological shortcomings of the era. Musicians featured herein:
FZ--guitar, piano, vocals
Don Preston--keyboards, electronics, vocals
Ian Underwood--alto sax, clarinet
Bunk Gardner--tenor sax, soprano sax
Motorhead Sherwood--tambourine, percussion, snorks
Roy Estrada--bass, vocals, gas mask
Jimmy Carl Black--drums
Arthur Dyer Tripp III--drums
Bon Weekend, everyone!
(H/T and thanks to bongolampo, who consistently uploads great Zappa videos.)
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Posted by litbrit at 03:11 PM in Music | Permalink | Comments (0)
With Adrian Belew, Patrick O'Hearn, Terry Bozzio, Ed Mann, Tommy Mars, and Peter Wolf.
And lotsa great guitar.
Stay cool, and have a very Bon Weekend, everyone!
Posted by litbrit at 03:40 PM in Music | Permalink | Comments (1)
Adrienne So is a young freelance writer living in the San Francisco Bay area. Like any good 21st century curiosity-seeker, you can do what I did and Google her, where you'll find that some of her pieces, such as this one, are available on AlterNet -- coincidentally appropriate, since it addresses the power of cartoons in general and the purpose of satire in particular. But I digress.
My real reason for introducing her is a cheeky, hilarious, yet scientifically minded article she wrote for The Independent of London. Titled by some clever copywriter, Bionic Bra: Victoria's circuit, it details her search for a bra that can power her iPod. Don't laugh. (Okay, laugh.) But nanotechnology is showing up everywhere, including in clothes (whaddya think all those new stain-resistant fabrics are?). So her quest is perhaps not so quixotic after all.
But I still say: Bounce Is Bad. And despite the impressive mathematical calculations in this article, I just don't believe you can create enough bounce to get the power you need without ultimately harming the girls. (And don't even get me started on the self-cleaning underwear! Do we really need to encourage the worst habits of our male counterparts even more??)
Posted by Lisa Simeone at 01:57 PM in Music, Science, Sports | Permalink | Comments (16)
Terrific vintage footage of Frank with Napoleon Murphy Brock, George Duke, and Ruth Underwood.
Wow, but 1974 seems like several lifetimes ago. That year, I was in the ninth grade and we lived in Tegucicalpa, Honduras. The city's only rock station--Radio Mil--never broadcast any Zappa creations (I think I'd remember); mainly the dj's played the odd Rolling Stones hit and plenty of pop. When they weren't playing military marching music in honor of the latest coup, that is.
Bon Weekend A Bit Late, everyone.
(H/T bongolampo)
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Posted by litbrit at 02:10 PM in Music | Permalink | Comments (0)
Darkblack recently sent me the link to this great Frank Zappa/Ensemble Modern performance; I'd posted it before--one day short of a year ago, in fact!--and felt it was due for a re-run. In addition to the energetic piece itself, this clip offers terrific (and to my weekend-warrior's aching limbs, kind of terrifying) high-octane interpretive dancing and several shots of one very bemused Zappa at the conductor's helm.
I'm going to be in and out of the 'Tubes for the next several weeks; please forgive my lightweight posting--not that I've ever been much of a heavyweight blogger at any point, but anyway...how much longer until school resumes?! *Enormous Sigh*
Happy Fireworks Weekend, everyone.
*I'm not 100% certain, and the YouTube poster doesn't say, but I seem to remember this concert as being held in Berlin?
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Posted by litbrit at 12:36 PM in Music | Permalink | Comments (0)
Darkblack recommends this gorgeous footage of Frank Zappa rehearsing with Ensemble Modern, and so do I (thank you, DB). The music's slightly hypnotic, profoundly memory-evoking quality is one that floats through all of FZ's Yellow Shark compositions.
(Consider yourselves warned, softies.)
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Posted by litbrit at 04:09 PM in Music | Permalink | Comments (0)
As Czechoslovakia celebrated its new freedoms, Frank picked up the guitar and joined the fun before a crowd of thousands. There are a few minutes of preamble in English and Czech, but hang in there and enjoy Frank's solos. (This film is a rare pleasure; I don't recall seeing any clips of FZ playing guitar onstage this late in his life--readers?)
I know George Carlin didn't believe in Heaven, but I have to say, I am profoundly comforted, on this rainy, gray Friday, by the imagined notion of his spirit somehow hooking up with Frank's over black coffee and politically-incorrect, roll-your-own cigarettes.
Bon Weekend, everyone.
(H/T tapesinthemail)
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Posted by litbrit at 09:45 AM in Music | Permalink | Comments (0)
The title says it all, I'm afraid. But thankfully, it's Friday. Yeah.
(And by the way, does Bobby Martin have an amazing voice, or what?)
Bon Weekend, everyone.
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Posted by litbrit at 08:46 AM in Music | Permalink | Comments (2)
Posted by Lisa Simeone at 09:03 AM in Current Affairs, Film, Music, Television | Permalink | Comments (2)
When most of us fiddle around with guitars and keyboards and sticks, it tends to sound...well, like we're fiddling around.
When Frank Zappa, Tommy Mars, Terry Bozzio and company came out to play, though, it produced something I want to hear over and over (and indeed have played three times already, despite it being 8:30am here).
I'm actually pretty thrilled with YouTube today, since there were several fresh Zappa videos from which to choose. But this one! It seemed so appropriate, so weekend-wild and pitch-perfect for the kind of attitude one should have on a steamy summer Friday. And since the morning is moving along, I, too, should probably get busy: sitting in an ice-packed cooler in the garage is a nice fat watermelon that's just crying out for someone to puncture its rind with an ice pick or switchblade and upend a bottle of good vodka into it.
Summertime heat may suck, but summertime improvisation can rock in all the best ways if you know what you're doing.
Happy Friday the 13th and Bon Weekend, everyone!
XX
D.
(H/T andreabubus)
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Posted by litbrit at 08:59 AM in Music | Permalink | Comments (3)
Ooh, but there are some great guitar solos in this one. I was never fortunate enough to see Frank Zappa in concert before he left our earthly plane--where I lived, he rarely played; where he played, I rarely traveled. *Sigh.*
I did, however, thoroughly enjoy Steve Vai's Tampa Theatre show a few years ago. He looks exactly the same, but his hair is longer and his wardrobe is less...leopardy than it was during his Zappa days. And for those who appreciate his style of playing, Vai is a joy to watch live--if you get the chance, go see him.
Bon Weekend, everyone!
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Posted by litbrit at 01:58 PM in Music | Permalink | Comments (9)
In honor of their upcoming primary, I present Maestro Zappa's fantastic Montana. And may I suggest to the residents of that fine and beautiful state that Barack Obama, with his famously sparkling and healthy all-American smile, is clearly in favor of dental floss. Meaning, you've simply gotta show him some love on June 3rd.
(I've said this before, but this particular FZ ensemble--the 1973 one--is among my favorites, due in no small part to Jean-Luc Ponty's contributions.)
Bon Weekend, everyone!
XXX
D.
(H/T BognarRegis)
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Posted by litbrit at 08:49 AM in Music | Permalink | Comments (8)
I've posted Cosmik Debris before, but as with most Frank Zappa performances, each version is different. And this one, unearthed this morning, features a brilliant guitar solo by Maestro himself--just what the doctor ordered to mark the transition from hellish week to hellacious weekend (one hopes, one always hopes...)
So, on that note--and with these blistering notes--allow me to wish everyone a sunny and spectacular
Bon Weekend!
XXX
D.
(H/T HungryFreakDaddy)
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Posted by litbrit at 02:27 PM in Music | Permalink | Comments (5)
Maestro Zappa, ahead of his time--again--musing out loud about that which has been troubling many of us these days.
Me, I'm swamped with all manner of, uh, stuff right now, but I do have some projects in the works and I'll be back soon (hoping...always hoping.)
In the meantime, let me wish everyone Happy Spring and a very Bon Weekend.
XXX
D.
(Terrific lyrics after the jump.)
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Posted by litbrit at 12:43 PM in Music | Permalink | Comments (0)
Sometimes (okay, much of the time), Maestro Zappa says it all for me. This song--originally recorded by FZ with the Mothers and performed here with Napoleon Murphy Brock, George Duke, and Ruth Underwood--pretty much sums up my view of cable news these days.
(The rest of the lyrics are after the jump.)
Continue reading "Friday Frank: More Trouble Every Day; 1974" »
Posted by litbrit at 04:16 PM in Music | Permalink | Comments (1)
Frank Zappa originally wrote this beautiful neoclassical piece, entitled Outrage at Valdez, for the Cousteau Society's documentary Alaska: Outrage at Valdez, which appeared on TBS in 1990. Performed by Zappa and the Ensemble Modern, it is also featured on Zappa's album The Yellow Shark. Notice the wide variety of instruments Zappa employs for this composition, which includes a lute, a bassoon, and a harp.
In case anyone is paying attention to what the judiciary branch of our government is up to these days, Exxon has been arguing--forcefully arguing--against paying a $2.5 billion punitive award to Alaskans. The corporation have spent $3.4 billion in cleanup costs over the past 18+ years; however, the environmental and economic damage to Alaska were, and remain, catastrophic. At this point, though, Exxon do not feel they owe, or should have to pay, any punitive damages, long-respected tenets of maritime law notwithstanding. The case is now before the Supreme Court and a decision is not expected until July of this year.
I therefore dedicate this piece to the animals and citizens of Prince William Sound, Alaska.
(H/T bongolampo)
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Posted by litbrit at 12:49 PM in Music | Permalink | Comments (0)
I'll let the gentleman who posted this awesome piece of music history clue you in:
This three minute film was created by Frank Zappa and Me in the late 60's to illustrate the art of UNDERGROUND MERCHANDISING of his album FREAK OUT! It was the begining of our filming relationship that lasted two years and became the initial shooting for UNCLE MEAT. This opening was shot at the Garrick Theater in Greenwich Village.
I did all the shooting for the next two years with a silent camera so that Frank could score it himself. To read the whole story check out my Zappa web site at www.edseeman.com/zappa
Enjoy! Bon Weekend, everyone.
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Posted by litbrit at 09:04 PM in Music | Permalink | Comments (0)
The video quality here is...well, it's pretty bloody terrible, to be honest. But this Montana is such a great version of a fantastic song, I'm posting it anyway. I know you'll forgive the flickering old analog stuff of yesteryear, since Mr. Zappa's signature word-absurdity, combined with yet another virtuoso guitar solo, make it well worth setting aside the shiny-happy video standards by which we measure pretty much everything in 2008. Quick and dirty can be good!
Bon Weekend, everyone.
(H/T jorgehserra)
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Posted by litbrit at 08:35 AM in Music | Permalink | Comments (0)
From the venerable A&E network, here's a lovely two-part FZ primer for your Saturday morning enjoyment and edification (hey, if Stephen can get away with doing Monday Miscellany on Tuesday, you'll cut me a little slack this week, right? I've got a sick eight-year-old--again!--and more laundry awaiting than I care to describe.)
Wishing you good health and a very Bon Weekend, everyone.
(H/T BobbyK99)
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Posted by litbrit at 10:54 AM in Music | Permalink | Comments (0)
So, do you fancy hearing an absolutely stunning FZ guitar solo on this gloomy gray February day?
Thought so. Enjoy!
Bon Weekend, everyone.
(H/T justanotherbrick)
Posted by litbrit at 10:59 AM in Music | Permalink | Comments (1)
Happy Valentine's Day, all you shiny, happy people holding hands and heading off to sparkling mountaintops and sunny beaches with your beloved this weekend.
Don't worry about the rest of us, the workaholics and mortgage-payers and family-obligated of the world; we'll just sit here pulling out our hair, chewing our nails to the quick, and toiling alone in the dark. The anarchy will still be going full-tilt when you get back.
(Grrr...somebody give me a large brick of dark chocolate, please. Quickly. I promise not to throw it at anything glassy or Chris Matthews-like.)
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Posted by litbrit at 09:07 AM in Music | Permalink | Comments (7)
Looks like it's 80's week at the Cogblog. Hey, after nearly eight years of Brussels sprouts, Lima beans, and liver, I Want Candy.
By our favorite political videomeister Lee Stranahan.
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Posted by litbrit at 08:02 PM in Music | Permalink | Comments (1)
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