Mr. Heartbreak

He also rated Sleep Dirt above OSFA. I mean, is that guy kidding or what? W.T.F.

I honestly never heard Big Generator or anything thereafter. We used to refer to that horrible single as Honer of a Lonely Heart ("and honing is a lonely art"...must have been some Zappa influence in there, i.e., "he honed his cone"). I, too, despise all the post-Roger Floyd. That Endless River dreck is the worst offender. Polly Fucking Sampson? Gimme a break.

Yup.Also - BeBop Deluxe - Drastic Plastic David Byrne - Uh Oh Yes - 90215

Oh yeah. I even have a Gentle Giant LP. Captain Beyond is a trip, too. I'll have to look for some of that at work tomorrow.

Been listening to a ton of prog and proggy stuff at work this week, as my new job provides ear buds and access to YouTube. So far, it's been: Genesis - Foxtrot, SEBTP Yes - Tales (which I'd never heard, believe it or not), Relayer, Going for the One U.K. - Phenomenon King Crimson - Islands Wishbone Ash - Argus Gong - Shamal, Live in Sheffield Camel - Moonmadness

Why punish yourself? I listened to most of Over-Nite Sensation on the way to work today. Anyone who doesn't love the first few tracks of that album (or OSFA, for that matter), I don't know what to tell you. We are in different universes.

That's actually true for me, too. My sweet spot for FZ runs from '69-'78, especially the '73-'74 period...though Zappa himself was on fire up through about 1982.

Excellent report, as always. I hope you make a book of these reviews one day.

Thanks, jff. Terrific stuff, some of which even I didn't know. I suspect that some of Barrow's rehearsal tapes have leaked or been sold, as some from that era have surfaced on the web. Too bad he played during my least favorite of the FZ eras.

They had a pretty serviceable Bertha on the Deadicated album. Their Just Another Band title was a tribute to the Zappa disc Just Another Band from L.A. That's all I got.

http://news.yahoo.com/trump-still-tops-republican-field-poll-135911571.html

It's a shame more people don't enjoy his music. The rapid time changes are foreign enough to make it abnormal for most listeners, especially today.

Listened to Apostrophe' in its entirety on my way to work yesterday. Fun way to start the week.

I've got to put in a good word for Weasels Ripped My Flesh, too. The track "My Guitar Wants to Kill Your Mama" is must-have FZ. Chunga's Revenge, though not as well-produced as some of Frank's other records, has some classic tracks. Of course, you have to have Zoot Allures for "Black Napkins." Oh, hell, just get 'em all.

All I can add is "About fucking time." In all seriousness, the above recommendations are all good. I would add a few: Bongo Fury - got to have Muffin Man Imaginary Diseases - for the incredible guitar work Road Tapes Vol. 2. - for the Ponty and the guitar on Big Swifty Wild Card Recommendation: L. Shankar - Touch Me There - trust me on this; on the Zappa label, FZ featured

Son Volt might rock, but yeah, solo Jay not so much.

I've seen him once, in Tampa, and he delivered a very measured but ultimately boring show. I think he's good at what he does, but he was as dull as a box of old hammers. Looked like he really would rather be anywhere else, too. Enjoy the tour, folks! YMMV

Zappa Plays Zappa next month.

Interesting, interesting. I mean, it's not terrible, but it didn't do much for me. I think the things people are loving are the same things that strike me as being overplayed. For contrast, I went back to Winterland '73 afterwards and listened to Weather Report>Eyes, and all was well with the world again.

Comparing Keith to Thelonius Monk? I love Keith, but that one is just Anyone get the new Dave's? Kinda underwhelming. No more sub for me, just single picks (maybe) from now on.

Haha...oops! I meant Donald. Damn, was I tired.

Good old Walter.

I'm a fan of the much-maligned Shakedown Street. There are great live versions of some of the songs, but not many have just-exactly-perfect vocals. I especially love Jerry's icy vocal sound on Fire on the Mountain. Lowell George was the producer, and the reissue has some nice bonus tracks, including Lowell singing lead on Good Lovin', so it's well worth the money.

I saw the Brain Damage > Eclipse on Rolling Stone's site.