Not sure which I am more inspired by at the moment, the journey you took me on unwrapping and smelling new vinyl, or the character of Frank Zappa, who I really knew very little about. Going to watch that documentary. The bit about Zappa saying it's not important to be remembered communicates instantly the heart of someone who is living completely and fully in his now and the rest be damned. So fricking awesome.
Ok--I'm sold! Where do I start understanding / appreciating Zappa?
I only remember him from Sheik Yerbouti and because I hate puns I had no respect for him--thought he was a dummy--and never sought out any of his music. The same is true of Eataly, which is also in NYC--a great emporium but I despise the name because of my pun phobia.
I’m going to think about this essay for a really long time. Beautiful, inspiring and so emotionally charged. I felt the passion, going to research on zappa now!!!💗💗💗
Silvio, what a great and personal intro to Zappa! I always wanted someone to guide my way into this intimidating musician. Will use this as my entry point and tell you how it goes ;)
Also, you highlighting his "freedom of thought" is so accurate. It makes me think of the thing I most like about Radiohead: their capacity to reinvent themselves record after record, leaving behind the burden of fame and conformity that most bands and musicians fall into.
Zappa really seems like that and your fun facts about it him make it clear he kept reinventing himself every time.
Feb 4, 2023·edited Feb 4, 2023Liked by Silvio Castelletti
Silvio -- Can we be best buddies?! I absolutely love Zappa! His album Perfect Stranger (conducted by Pierre Boulez, the most judicious and discerning of all conductors, and in his own right one of the most eminent composers of the 20th century, no less) was absolutely perfect. And he's such a serious artist that whatever he did or said, no matter how goofy or non-sensical it was, deserves some attention.
Not sure which I am more inspired by at the moment, the journey you took me on unwrapping and smelling new vinyl, or the character of Frank Zappa, who I really knew very little about. Going to watch that documentary. The bit about Zappa saying it's not important to be remembered communicates instantly the heart of someone who is living completely and fully in his now and the rest be damned. So fricking awesome.
Silvio, this was incredible. I wish I had my own Zappa moments as a child. It’s never too late to start.
Your story really captivated me back to a childhood where we could appreciate and experience awe.
Great work
If only I could travel back in time to visit New Horizons. Thank you for transporting us to that moment when you entered Zappaland.
Listening to Hot Rats for the first time this week evoked the same feeling I got when I listened to Far East Suite. "What *is* this?!"
When do we get to have a call together? I love your writing.
Ok--I'm sold! Where do I start understanding / appreciating Zappa?
I only remember him from Sheik Yerbouti and because I hate puns I had no respect for him--thought he was a dummy--and never sought out any of his music. The same is true of Eataly, which is also in NYC--a great emporium but I despise the name because of my pun phobia.
Another great post!
...i don't think there is a better autobiography on earth than Frank Zappa's...so jealous you got to see him live...what a legend...
I’m going to think about this essay for a really long time. Beautiful, inspiring and so emotionally charged. I felt the passion, going to research on zappa now!!!💗💗💗
Silvio, what a great and personal intro to Zappa! I always wanted someone to guide my way into this intimidating musician. Will use this as my entry point and tell you how it goes ;)
Also, you highlighting his "freedom of thought" is so accurate. It makes me think of the thing I most like about Radiohead: their capacity to reinvent themselves record after record, leaving behind the burden of fame and conformity that most bands and musicians fall into.
Zappa really seems like that and your fun facts about it him make it clear he kept reinventing himself every time.
Silvio -- Can we be best buddies?! I absolutely love Zappa! His album Perfect Stranger (conducted by Pierre Boulez, the most judicious and discerning of all conductors, and in his own right one of the most eminent composers of the 20th century, no less) was absolutely perfect. And he's such a serious artist that whatever he did or said, no matter how goofy or non-sensical it was, deserves some attention.