Frank Zappa: Cosmik Debris REACTION/ANALYSIS | The Daily Doug (Episode 313)

#FrankZappa #Zappa #ZappaReaction #CosmikDebris

In this episode of #TheDailyDoug, I'm listening to Cosmik Debris by Frank Zappa. This is a #WeirdWednesday offering, although, the chord structure isn't all that weird (blues progression). But, the witty story, eclectic instrumentation, and expert musicianship had me dancing in my chair. Come along for the ride!

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[MrX-jwyw]

I once saw a documentary on Zappa. In the context of a recording session, one of the (studio) musicians, a cello or viola player was amazed at the proficiency of the score Zappa had written. He asked Frank where he had learned to compose music. Frank's reply was classic..."I went to the library."

How could anyone not love this guy?

[arloroan]

I love Zappa's guitar work. Watermelon in Easter Hay off of Joe's Garage is a favorite. Hell Joe's Garage is a favorite!

[memelordmark]

The "It'll cure your asthma too" is a reference to the fact that Zappa had very bad asthma as a child growing up in the Baltimore area.
He spent most of his time indoors. As a result he became an avid classical music fan. He read everything he could get access to (public and school libraries) regarding classical music composition and theory. He is pretty much self-taught. He moved to California for health reasons in his teen years and his health improved quickly. The rest you know. 😎

[Grummash]

I’ve loved this song for many years... but two things need to be said ...1) it was cool seeing you twiddle along on the keyboard ... it makes your explanations more understandable for us who have little musical 2) if you’re going to have a violinist in the band, then Jean-Luc Ponty is a top choice!

[gwmatteson]

For Weird Wednesday consideration: From Zappa's 1973 album "Overnight Sensation" the song "Montana." The lyrics tell the story of a guy whose ambition is to move to Montana to start a Dental Floss ranch, where he will grow dental floss (apparently it grows from a dental floss bush), then pluck it, wax it down, pack it in a little white box and then sell it. Thereby becoming a "Dental Floss Tycoon." Musically outstanding, lyrically bizarre, what more could you ask for a Weird Wednesday?

[mekr]

Jean Luc Ponty has an awesome solo career too. I recommend you to check the 'Imaginary Voyage' piece. Beautiful music.

[bon]

Frank is a legend the music he composed is absolutely brilliant and the band are always top of the line. God bless Mr Zappa

[richpeltier]

Time for Billy the Mountain. Probably Frank's most famous story-song. Featuring Flo and Eddie and the whole gang!

Rich the Ancient Metal Beast

[larryshorter]

Started listening to Frank when I was 13. First album ( or eight track) was We’re Only In It For The Money.
By the time he passed I had 42 of his albums.
His musical range gave me a huge appreciation for many types of music. I always believed he was highly underrated as a guitarist and composer. I always believed that he would be recognized long after his death as a truly gifted musician.
Did you know that he was awarded an ambassadorship by Czechoslovakia back in the 90’s?
Anyway I’m glad you are coming on board.

[mosesbacke]

This recording is from a Swedish TV and radio programme called Oppoppa in 1973. The song wasn't actually released on an album yet. At the time Swedish only hade public service broadcasting an The Swedish Television Company had an interesting take on popular music. They didn't really understand it, but they broadcasted concerts with major pop and rock acts that came to Sweden anyway. That's why there are concerts by Otis Redding, Zappa and early Patti Smith Group and many others in existence while they weren't given air time in the US.
Zappa was in Stockholm in Sweden with The Mothers as early as 67' or 68' and then again in 1970. He liked the Swedish audience because in Sweden he was really treated as an major act which wasn't necessarily the case in the US. He didn't always like the venues, cause it was often ice hockey halls and his fingers got so cold he had a hard time to play the guitar.
It's hard to see during Cosmic Debris, but at that concert that was recorded at a very famous Swedish stage called Solliden at an outdoor museum called Skansen, he actually had a audience of 20 000 people. There was a bit of a chaos with the audience, but not while the band played, cause no one wanted to miss a note when a big act for once was in Sweden. This was really a big event in Sweden. At the time we had a lot of progressive bands who got much inspiration from the music of Zappa. In 1973 he had also released Overnite Sensation whose lyrics may have offended parts of the audience in the US and Britain, but in Sweden we didn't understand american good enough to get just how dirty it was (further proof is the later success of "Bobby Brown" in Scandinavia).
Zappa and the band actually plays a lot of music that at the time (august 1973) wasn't released on any album, some of it coming during 1974 on the Apostrophe and Roxy albums, but Duprees Paradise wasn't put on an album until the 80's.
"Cosmic Debris" is Zappa at his most accessible, bluesy and with sharp lyrics as in "Trouble Every day" but you can still not mistake him for somebody else. It's one of the best pieces if you want to introduce someone to Zappas music, but i think Doug should try The Yellow Shark. Or why not The Perfect Stranger to hear what Pierre Boulez does with the music of Zappa?

[joebalusikiii]

I've always thought if Frank having this awesome, all-encompassing R&B coloring book; it's just that he uses every color in the box and colors *WAY* outside the lines.

[moonwind]

FZ is such a weird guitarist. Weird in a good way, mind you. There is no guitarist that play like he did. A whole different universe. I get so inspired by listening to him.

[ChrisDidGood]

This song always puts a smile on my face. The line "the price of meat has just gone up, and your old lady has just gone down" is just FIRE!

[mattjohn]

Yeah!! Apostrophe was one of his commercial peaks and it's so good. I really like his '67 to '69 period as he evolved from experimental rock to experimental jazz. The '69 Mothers album Uncle Meat is very adventurous 🎷🎸🎺🥁🎹🥩🔥

[peterz]

Keep in mind that Frank was self taught in the guitar, makes what he does even more amazing! the Man IS a genius!

[patrickmurphy]

back in mid seventies early eighties, FZ would always be at or near the top of polls as a guitarist. Steve Vai was part of the Mothers, . he has some interviews talking about those days... awfully good.

[PurpleBulbous]

Thanks for doing

Frank Zappa: "Music is the Best"

[mateuszmattias]

Great reaction, I happen to listen to it as well as this particular live clip today since it was recorded exactly 50 years ago, August 21st 1973 in Stockholm, Sweden. I have no idea how many times I've listened to it, but it never gets old to me.

[Swingtools]

I would love to see "RDNZL" or "Revised Music for Guitar & Low-Budget Orchestra". Something that shows off his composition a bit more. Just sayin'. :)

Thanks,

[paullowe]

I am. So glad that people are still getting into Zappa's music I first got zapped in 1979 and couldn't get enough I'm 58 now and still play all his albums everyday