The Words and Music of Frank Zappa (The Praeger Singer-Songwriter Collection)

This is the first book to move beyond the details of Zappa's biography toward a focused treatment of his songs. Zappa worked in a musical realm unfamiliar to many radio listeners. Today, his music can be appreciated as a whole, emerging as a coherent, thoughtful, innovative—if somewhat daunting—body of work. Lowe has left no aspect of that work unexamined, from Zappa's role as a satirist of the highest order, to his place in the genre of progressive rock, and his importance as one of the foremost critics of American culture and society. Zappa's messages—musical and lyrical—may not always be clear, but they are well worth considering. The volume begins with a discussion of Zappa's role as a satirist and a discussion of his musical style, and then proceeds to a prolonged examination of his albums. Through this extended engagement with Zappa's music, a surprisingly clear perspective on his personal views is also provided, shedding light on his treatment of such topics as the falsified notion of love in popular culture, the compromising influence of money on popular music, and the concept of freedom in a systematized society, among other things. The book also features an official discography and a bibliographic essay that discusses the current state of Zappa scholarship. The Words And Music Of Frank Zappa Moves Beyond The Details Of Zappa's Biography Toward A Focused Treatment Of The Rock And Pop Songs Of This Great American Composer. Today, Zappa's Music Can Be Appreciated As A Whole, Emerging As A Coherent, Thoughtful, And Innovative - If Somewhat Daunting - Body Of Work. Author Kelly Lowe Has Left No Aspect Of That Work Unexamined, From Zappa's Role As A Satirist Of The Highest Order, To His Place In The Genre Of Progressive Rock, And His Importance As One Of The Foremost Critics Of American Culture And Society. The Book Includes An Official Discography And A Bibliographic Essay That Discusses The Current State Of Zappa Scholarship.--jacket. You Call That Music? -- Satire And The Art Of Frank Zappa -- -- The Mothers Of Invention -- Hot Rats, The Last Two Mothers Albums, Flo & Eddie, And The Jazz-rock Albums -- The Duke-brock/progressive Rock Bands, Läther, And The Terry Bozzio Albums -- Politics: 1979-88. Kelly Fisher Lowe. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [241]-246), Discography (p. [209]-213), And Index. Frank Zappa and the art of satire You call that music? : listening to Frank Zappa The Mothers of Invention Freak out!, Absolutely free, We're only in it for the money, Lumpy gravy, Cruising with Ruben & the Jets, Uncle Meat, and Mothermania Hot rats, the last two Mothers albums, Flo & Eddie, and the jazz-rock albums Hot rats, Burnt weeny sandwich, Weasels ripped my flesh, Chungas revenge, Fillmore East, 1971, 200 motels, Just another band from LA, Waka/Jawaka and the Grand Wazoo The Duke-Brock/progressive rock bands Läther, and the Terry Bozzio albums Over-nite sensation, Apostrophe, Roxy& elsewhere, One size fits all, Bongo fury, Zoot allures, Zappa in New York, Studio tan, Sleep dirt, and Sheik Yerbouti Politics, 1979-1988. Joe's garage ; Acts I-III ; Tinsel Town rebellion ; You are what you is ; Ship arriving too late to save a drowning witch ; The man from Utopia ; Them or us ; Thing-fish ; Broadway the hard way. Begins with a discussion of Zappa's role as a satirist and a discussion of his musical style, and then proceeds to an examination of his albums. This book deals with his treatment of topics, such as the falsified notion of love in popular culture, the influence of money on popular music, and the concept of freedom in a systematised society.