Zappa Recommendations ?

@tvad:

I can appreciate the unique capacity for comedy to unearth truths.

@tuberist: 

"Hot Rats which is a terrific intro to Zappa's world"

In fact, I began listening to "Hot Rats" last night. I enjoyed the instrumental portions but the vocals in "Willie The Pimp", no. It's a perfect example of the "cartoonish" aspect that I find so unappealing. 

@edgewear:

"Does Humor Belong in Music? You bet"

I can't possible make a case against this.

All I can say is that I prefer a more straightforward, sober point of view. You sound like a very well-read person so I'll mention that my favorite author is Wendell Berry. His novels are certainly not without humor but either do they consist of a series of jokes, which is how Zappa's lyrics strike me. And once I've heard a joke, why would I want to hear it over and over? 

It's entirely possible I'm simply too literal-minded and unsophisticated to appreciate Zappa and that's OK.  

I meant to type:

"... but NEITHER do they consist of a series of jokes..."

"How can you exclude "Don't eat The Yellow Snow" Hello Hello.. Don't go where the huskies go, don't be eatin' that yellow snow.. Hello Hello.."



Is that a real parka or is that a Sears parka?

If you want to hear more "traditional" style vocals coming from Frank Zappa, then you should consider The Mothers "Fillmore East, 1971" or even "Cruising With Ruben and the Jets".  Fillmore is a truly fun to listen to album that features Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman, aka Flo & Eddie, who were the lead singers with the pop band The Turtles.  Ruben is a carefully crafted recreation of a 50's Do-Wop band sound that actually fooled people into thinking it was a real band.  On both albums the vocals are somewhat stylized, but what elements of Zappa aren't?

BTW,  "Willie the Pimp" is a great vocal done by Capt. Beefheart.  If you think Zappa is out there, then Beefheart is from another solar system.

@middlemass:

"How can you exclude "Don't eat The Yellow Snow" Hello Hello.. Don't go where the huskies go, don't be eatin' that yellow snow.. Hello Hello.."

Yeah-- when that came out I was in HS. . . we used to listen to that one often when we were high. I haven't done either for decades, now. . . 


@onhwy61:

Thanks for the recommendations. I'm not a fan of Doo Wop but I'll check out the Filmore recording.