"Zappa, his voice pinched in a whine, lamenting about all the time he spent washing and polishing his car,"- "I re-primered the right rear fender!".
Right from the get-go, he was rewriting the rule book for making popular music in America. His diverse stew of musical influences and his ever-ready, caustic, satirical humor would always be apparent in all of his recordings, concerts and composititons- this was just its first flourishing.
Not that it really matters, but that isn't Zappa's voice. I'm pretty sure it's Roy Estrada. And the Hungry Freaks guitar solo is by Elliot Ingber, I believe.
The original Mothers were actually a band, rather than a group of hired hands (as Zappa's subsequent bands increasingly became). Their looseness and technical imperfections provided a necessary balance to Zappa's uptightness, creating that "palatable palette" as you call it. But it couldn't last. It's interesting to compare Cruising with Ruben and the Jets to the first disc of FO. Crusing uses many of the same musicians and similar material -- some of it in fact remakes of FO songs -- and the results are technically quite impressive. But the songs are mannered and uninvolving. Unlike FO, they don't make you want to dance!
Wonderful essay on an album that is as trenchant as it is sardonic. Trouble has always been the standout for me, the song that most feels comtemporary in its concerns, revealing how little has changed. It is even more urgent as things regress.
Robert, I don’t have time to read the post, work is calling but I’m gonna say right now everyone needs to look at the very long list of accomplished musicians who contributed over the years to Zappa’s band. The first one that immediately comes to mind isJohnny “Guitar” Watson! “Mother-in-law makes me wanna hit her in the jaw”. :)
Zappa and Watson were definitely kindred spirits- Watson's 70s funk recordings are close to what the Mothers were doing then in terms of their deft blend of weird humor and solid musicianship (they were both multi-instrumentalists as well).
Zappa’s catalog, or, “Project/Object” as he referred to it, is rich and can be impenetrable for some. But going in with a certain mindset, it can be as endlessly rewarding as it is challenging. There are parts of ‘Freak Out’ that he referenced for the rest of his career, as he did for most of his work.
Love this essay, and hopefully you’ll get the time and opportunity to dig deeper into this singular artist’s universe, as I’d love to hear your takes. It offers a lifetime of unparalleled discovery.
This is one of Jack Bruce’s modes of singing. He takes a similar approach, for example, in “We’re Going Wrong” and “Dance The Night Away” from Disraeli Gears. I don’t think Zappa was parodying Cream here, because “Wrapping Paper” wasn’t even released until the fall of 1966. I haven’t listened to enough Manfred Mann to know if Bruce was doing this before Cream.
Thanks for this, Robert. I've never heard this album and am really taken with Ray Collins' voice. I see that he dropped out of the music business soon after quitting the band, which seems a shame that no band or label picked him up.
'Freak-Out!' is the most extended exposure to his work as a vocalist. He was influenced by Nat Cole and Johnny Mathis which are intriguing frames of reference to bring to the music of Zappa.
I’m not a Zappa expert either, but it would be so cool! I’ve just recently signed up, and maybe you already have, but are you going to do anything on Kris? His 90th birthday was June 22nd.
This is my favorite Zappa album. I knew it word for word as did several of my friends at the time. You Didn't try to Call Me and Go Cry on Somebody Else's Shoulder, qualified IMHO as classic Rock and Roll. I gave you my high school ring at the root beer stand. Ironically, I live in a country that didn't have high school rings or root beer :)
I love 'We're Only In It for the Money' but confess I have not left 'Uncle Meat' unplayed in the stacks for a very long time. I recall it being very overwhelming.
Freak Out! was my third Mothers album, after Absolutely Free (which I first heard during my first acid trip, October 1970), then Ruben and the Jets, which I received as a gift. Absolutely Free kinda prepped me for Freak Out, as much as anything could. I still know every lyric on the first disc of FO, which I’ve listened to many more times than the second. Now I’ll be listening to it beginning to end again.
Is the verse about being a janitor a reference to that Rhodes Scholar, Kris Kristofferson, working as a janitor at Columbia Studios in Nashville? He was there when Bob was recording’Blonde on Blonde.’
I am not a Zappa expert, by any means, but my guess is probably no, especially as the song was written in '65 prior to the recording of 'Blonde on Blonde.' It would be very cool if it were true.
"Zappa, his voice pinched in a whine, lamenting about all the time he spent washing and polishing his car,"- "I re-primered the right rear fender!".
Right from the get-go, he was rewriting the rule book for making popular music in America. His diverse stew of musical influences and his ever-ready, caustic, satirical humor would always be apparent in all of his recordings, concerts and composititons- this was just its first flourishing.
Oh, for sure, and it's not the only time on Freak Out! that there's an extended monologue on automobile upkeep.
Not that it really matters, but that isn't Zappa's voice. I'm pretty sure it's Roy Estrada. And the Hungry Freaks guitar solo is by Elliot Ingber, I believe.
The original Mothers were actually a band, rather than a group of hired hands (as Zappa's subsequent bands increasingly became). Their looseness and technical imperfections provided a necessary balance to Zappa's uptightness, creating that "palatable palette" as you call it. But it couldn't last. It's interesting to compare Cruising with Ruben and the Jets to the first disc of FO. Crusing uses many of the same musicians and similar material -- some of it in fact remakes of FO songs -- and the results are technically quite impressive. But the songs are mannered and uninvolving. Unlike FO, they don't make you want to dance!
I'll double-check on those two things and correct, if needed, and appreciate you pointing these out for me to double-check.
Wonderful essay on an album that is as trenchant as it is sardonic. Trouble has always been the standout for me, the song that most feels comtemporary in its concerns, revealing how little has changed. It is even more urgent as things regress.
Thank you, Emm. 'Trouble Every Day' has a message that is still very relevant. Zappa knew the score!
Robert, I don’t have time to read the post, work is calling but I’m gonna say right now everyone needs to look at the very long list of accomplished musicians who contributed over the years to Zappa’s band. The first one that immediately comes to mind isJohnny “Guitar” Watson! “Mother-in-law makes me wanna hit her in the jaw”. :)
I need to know more about Zappa - I also recall George Duke too!
Yes! And Lowell George from Little Feat.
Zappa and Watson were definitely kindred spirits- Watson's 70s funk recordings are close to what the Mothers were doing then in terms of their deft blend of weird humor and solid musicianship (they were both multi-instrumentalists as well).
How I miss that 70’s funk ;(
Zappa’s catalog, or, “Project/Object” as he referred to it, is rich and can be impenetrable for some. But going in with a certain mindset, it can be as endlessly rewarding as it is challenging. There are parts of ‘Freak Out’ that he referenced for the rest of his career, as he did for most of his work.
Love this essay, and hopefully you’ll get the time and opportunity to dig deeper into this singular artist’s universe, as I’d love to hear your takes. It offers a lifetime of unparalleled discovery.
Thank you, Michael, for the kind words and encouragement here - I appreciate it.
To me, "I Ain’t Got No Heart” sounds like a Cream song where they forgot to add a fuzz-guitar solo and a loping drumming section after the bridge.
I never thought of that but can see what you mean. I hear echoes of ‘Dreaming’ from the debut.
This is one of Jack Bruce’s modes of singing. He takes a similar approach, for example, in “We’re Going Wrong” and “Dance The Night Away” from Disraeli Gears. I don’t think Zappa was parodying Cream here, because “Wrapping Paper” wasn’t even released until the fall of 1966. I haven’t listened to enough Manfred Mann to know if Bruce was doing this before Cream.
I doubt to it was a dig at Jack Bruce. 'Dance the Night Away' is a great Cream recording with Clapton on a 12-string doing things that only he can.
Thanks for this, Robert. I've never heard this album and am really taken with Ray Collins' voice. I see that he dropped out of the music business soon after quitting the band, which seems a shame that no band or label picked him up.
'Freak-Out!' is the most extended exposure to his work as a vocalist. He was influenced by Nat Cole and Johnny Mathis which are intriguing frames of reference to bring to the music of Zappa.
Wonderful singers to be influenced by!
I’m not a Zappa expert either, but it would be so cool! I’ve just recently signed up, and maybe you already have, but are you going to do anything on Kris? His 90th birthday was June 22nd.
I played 'Full Moon,' his duet album with Rita Coolidge on Monday. I wrote an essay on Kris on his passing in 2024. Here's the link: https://www.listeningsessions.ca/p/what-would-kris-kristofferson-do
This is my favorite Zappa album. I knew it word for word as did several of my friends at the time. You Didn't try to Call Me and Go Cry on Somebody Else's Shoulder, qualified IMHO as classic Rock and Roll. I gave you my high school ring at the root beer stand. Ironically, I live in a country that didn't have high school rings or root beer :)
I love it - it really blew me away when I first heard it - still does!
The companion albums to Freak Out are We're Only in It for The Money, and Uncle Meat.
I love 'We're Only In It for the Money' but confess I have not left 'Uncle Meat' unplayed in the stacks for a very long time. I recall it being very overwhelming.
Freak Out! was my third Mothers album, after Absolutely Free (which I first heard during my first acid trip, October 1970), then Ruben and the Jets, which I received as a gift. Absolutely Free kinda prepped me for Freak Out, as much as anything could. I still know every lyric on the first disc of FO, which I’ve listened to many more times than the second. Now I’ll be listening to it beginning to end again.
'Absolutely Free' on acid would be quite a thing, I am sure. Enjoy the re-listen to 'Freak Out!'
Is the verse about being a janitor a reference to that Rhodes Scholar, Kris Kristofferson, working as a janitor at Columbia Studios in Nashville? He was there when Bob was recording’Blonde on Blonde.’
I am not a Zappa expert, by any means, but my guess is probably no, especially as the song was written in '65 prior to the recording of 'Blonde on Blonde.' It would be very cool if it were true.
"Somewhere in Washington D.C."