Frank Zappa: The Freak Out List
Frank Zappa: The Freak Out List
| 19 April 2010 (USA)
Frank Zappa: The Freak Out List Trailers

On the liner notes to Freak Out!, the 1967 debut album by Zappa's original band the Mothers of Invention, Zappa listed some seventy-two names on the liner notes and cited them as influences. The Freak Out List intends to explore who these artists are and what influence they had on Zappa's music. This listing encompasses all sorts of music, from classical composer Edgar Varese to R&B star Johnny "Guitar" Watson to jazzman Eric Dolphy to flamenco guitarist Sabicas. You can hear for instance, how the esoteric classical influence of Varese shaped Zappa's long-form epics like "Lumpy Gravy" or how Dolphy's instrumental prowess led Zappa to incorporate jazz-fusion on albums like Weasels Ripped My Flesh! (1970), which even included a song titled "The Eric Dolphy Memorial Barbecue." Interviews with various Zappa biographers and music historians as well as musicians George Duke, Ian Underwood, and Don Preston, all of whom played in the Mothers at one time or another, help add additional context.

Reviews
Actuakers

One of my all time favorites.

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CrawlerChunky

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

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Grimossfer

Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%

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Erica Derrick

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

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