A Great Compilation of Some of Frank Zappa's Best Guitar Work
Frank Zappa is finally getting his due as one of the greatest guitarists, composers and band leaders of the 60's up until his death in 1993. His music is serious heavy-duty stuff, and was never targeted for the casual pop listener despite the occasional forays into the comedic and sarcastic tongue-in-cheek social commentary.
My first Zappa album was the mostly instrumental Burnt Weenie Sandwich, released in 1970. I was a young impressionable music student in my mid- teens and this music literally stopped me in my tracks. The compositions were a marvel, there was really nothing out there quite like it and his guitar work even back then was unprecedented. I followed his career closely from then on as for me his work as a contemporary composer and instrumentalist was on a par with Miles Davis (I always imagined them playing together someday - wouldn't that have been something to hear?). I had the opportunity to see him live twice in the mid-70's - early 80's and both performances were superb - I can still see and hear him onstage running it down on his signature SG.
These 3 disks contain some fine examples of Frank's work and I can highly recommend this set. The bands he assembled for these recordings (and indeed - through his entire career) are master musicians all.
Yes - this is heavy-duty stuff....from one of the most prolific contemporary musical geniuses of the 20th century. From rock to jazz to orchestral and everywhere in between Frank Zappa left us a treasure to explore and marvel at. Enjoy!