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LINKS
"If you own something, you will fight to protect it."
-- FZ |
Zappography
thoughts on Frank Zappa
The astonishing richness of the discography
listed above reflects the breadth and depth of the work of Frank
Zappa. I describe Zappa's work as "meta-music", or
music about music: Although there was certainly much truly original
content in his work, one common theme was commentary on musical
(and other) ideas he found elsewhere, from his life-long biting
critique of pop music and pop culture generally, to his "outsider's"
contribution to "serious" orchestral music and jazz.
Along the way he brought his satirical wit to bear on the banality
of mainstream middle class American culture, New Age nonsense,
sexual obsession and even 19th century German metaphysics, to
name just a few of his targets. Because of the power of his lyrics,
he became an outspoken advocate for free speech and, of necessity
(which is, after all, the Mother of Invention), a successful
entrepreneur. All the while Zappa continued to develop as an
instrumentalist, creating a unique virtuoso style of electric
guitar improvisation that belongs in the pantheon of guitar greats.
To say that he was one of the musical giants of the 20th century
is no exercise in hyperbole; it is the simple truth about a complex
and engaging genius.
- Greg
Burch
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Zappa on Zappa:
The
Real Frank Zappa Book, Frank Zappa
(Introduction), Peter Occhiofrosso (Contributor). The maestro
in his own words. This book was constructed from many hours of
taped monologues in the late 1980s. Zappa reminisces about his
childhood, his early musical influences, the Mothers and his
adventures and misadventures on the road and in his quest to
produce and distribute his own music. The last half of the book
contains Zappa's account of his transformation into a free
speech advocate and political activist, exploring in at least
a little depth the thoughtful and irreverent social philosophy
and criticism expressed in his music. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
to Zappa fans. |
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in my collection)
