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.
Thank you so much, Rick! As always, 100% spot on. I do miss the man a lot and found the documentary very well made -- highly recommended. I like to think he was on a mission on this earth: to open our eyes to the nonsense of the world we live in through unique music. Real glad you like the piece and got intrigued. Thanks again! :)
Rachael! If you ever find that time machine, please let me know. I'd love to travel back there myself! Such an amazing period of discovery in many respects. Zappa is hard, I know. But worth the hardness. Thank you so much!
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.
Thank you, Chris! Where do you start? Well for one I'd start with Alex Winter's documentary "Zappa", and then the music, which is really a lot of stuff. It's hard to give a list of my favorite records, as you can imagine. I'd start with Hot Rats, Joe's Garage, Over-Nite Sensations, One Size Fits All, Apostrophe. But I'm sure I'm leaving out some notable recordings. Also, there's a nice little book called "The Real Frank Zappa Book" that's called that because it's the only one he wrote himself -- nice easy read full of stories and anecdotes. In terms of the puns, I'm afraid you'll have to put up with a lot should you decide to embark on the journey lol. And Eataly: so glad you despise the name, I 100% agree. The ate my favorite theater!
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.
Thank you, Oscar. Zappa is not easy, and may be intimidating, as you rightly pointed out. But his unique music and ideas and philosophy have to be approached in a holistic way. It’s hard to understand and enjoy his art without knowing the man and his thinking. And this is something that you wouldn’t normally do with other musicians. Radiohead are one of my favorite bands and I dig the genius of Thom Yorke but that, for me, is confined within the realm of music. Zappa is something on its own, a different planet, a panoply of compositions and ideas that have no equal and that you cannot divide. You can’t “just” listen to his music, you have to study the character to really understand it. At least that’s my position. Glad I got you interested! :)
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.
Helen! That’s such an extraordinary piece of music, thanks for reminding me of it. And I agree with you on Boulez. We’re best buddies now! Thank you so much. :)
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.
Thank you so much, Rick! As always, 100% spot on. I do miss the man a lot and found the documentary very well made -- highly recommended. I like to think he was on a mission on this earth: to open our eyes to the nonsense of the world we live in through unique music. Real glad you like the piece and got intrigued. Thanks again! :)
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
Thank you so much, Latham! You said it right there: it’s never too late to start. That’s my life motto. :)
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?!"
Rachael! If you ever find that time machine, please let me know. I'd love to travel back there myself! Such an amazing period of discovery in many respects. Zappa is hard, I know. But worth the hardness. Thank you so much!
When do we get to have a call together? I love your writing.
Thank you, Karena! Anytime. I'd love to.
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!
Thank you, Chris! Where do you start? Well for one I'd start with Alex Winter's documentary "Zappa", and then the music, which is really a lot of stuff. It's hard to give a list of my favorite records, as you can imagine. I'd start with Hot Rats, Joe's Garage, Over-Nite Sensations, One Size Fits All, Apostrophe. But I'm sure I'm leaving out some notable recordings. Also, there's a nice little book called "The Real Frank Zappa Book" that's called that because it's the only one he wrote himself -- nice easy read full of stories and anecdotes. In terms of the puns, I'm afraid you'll have to put up with a lot should you decide to embark on the journey lol. And Eataly: so glad you despise the name, I 100% agree. The ate my favorite theater!
Thank you Silvio!
...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...
100% CansaFis! I would have loved to see him with the Mothers, but I was too little back then. :)
...absolutely free such a great great record...
Outstanding!
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!!!💗💗💗
Thank you so much, Chiamaka!
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.
Thank you, Oscar. Zappa is not easy, and may be intimidating, as you rightly pointed out. But his unique music and ideas and philosophy have to be approached in a holistic way. It’s hard to understand and enjoy his art without knowing the man and his thinking. And this is something that you wouldn’t normally do with other musicians. Radiohead are one of my favorite bands and I dig the genius of Thom Yorke but that, for me, is confined within the realm of music. Zappa is something on its own, a different planet, a panoply of compositions and ideas that have no equal and that you cannot divide. You can’t “just” listen to his music, you have to study the character to really understand it. At least that’s my position. Glad I got you interested! :)
Great point! Completely get it and, from what I now know, completely agree. will be making a deep dive on him soon :)
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.
Helen! That’s such an extraordinary piece of music, thanks for reminding me of it. And I agree with you on Boulez. We’re best buddies now! Thank you so much. :)