Essential Zappa: what's missing from my collectio

'Weasels Rip My Flesh' & 'Live At The Fillmore', both Mothers albums, were released around the 'Hot Rats' & 'Chungas Revenge' period, and while not being totally instrumental (although there are some amazing instrumental cuts on both!), they totally fit in the sound amd mindset of FZ at that point in time. He was on fire at this point of his career! These records are must-haves for any FZ fan.

Joe's Garage

You can't do that on stage anymore vol 2 +6; Uncle Meat ;200 Motels,for the awesome classical music performed by the Royal Philharmonic orchestra ;and FZ plays FZ. Uncle Meat is about my top fav.I couldn't live without any of the above.I saw him live every year starting in 1970 at the fillmore east when his grayhair mother walked down the isle to introduce him and band.Awesome.

Somewhat redundant to previous posts...
Uncle Meat
Burnt Weeny Sandwich
Shut Up and Play Your Guitar

Absolutely, get "Chunga's Revenge".
"Orange County Lumber Truck" on Weasels is fantastic.

I love the stuff on Hot Rats.

(Good recordings on Rycodisc)

Zappa was so musical that even his stuff that has vocals could arguably be considered in this list. That said, I would recommend some that have not yet been mentioned: On Sheik Yerbouti, Wild Love and Yo Mama are some phenomenal instrumental pieces with Terry Bozzio on drums and the Brecker Brothers on horns. Same with Zappa Live in NY, check out Purple Lagoon, same band as Sheik. I didn't see Sleep Dirt mentioned. This was another Terry Bozzio era album that has some rare acoustic guitar playing by Frank. Simply awesome. I tried listening to that LP the other night and just couldn't get through it because of all the pops. I just wore that album out. Gotta replace it. And to finish it off, Cruising with Ruben and the Jets, We're Only In It For The Money, Absolutely Free. I just ordered Trans-Fusion and I see the family just released Philly '76 (more Bozzio). As you can see I am a former drummer so I would say anything with Terry Bozzio, Ralph Humphrey, Chester Thompson, Ansley Dunbar and of course the greatest - Vinnie Colaiuta and you can't go wrong. Sorry for rambling and going off topic but .......