The indispensible consumers' guide to the music of Frank Zappa. A thorough analysis of every officially released album by Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention, from the groundbreaking albums of the Sixties through Zappa's experimental, avant-garde work to the most recent posthumous releases. Information on where the music was recorded, a Zappa bibliography, a special section of compilation, archive and posthumous releases.
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Frank Zappa
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About the Author
Ben Watson has written extensively on Frank Zappa. In 1993 he read his work - his 'demented scholarship' to his dying hero.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By N. Hirst
Format:Paperback
What's with all the reviewers on this page? Ben Watson's guide to the music of Frank Zappa is, like its subject, highly engaging and, yes, provocative. It is also thoroughly researched (and has some great photos!). Some might think that Watson is reading far too much into Zappa's music and lyrics, and indeed the author himself hints at as much, but anyone with a genuine love for Zappa's music, and even the faintest interest in exploring ideas as to where exactly FZ fits in the context of 20th Century music and culture, should find this a hugely enjoyable read. It's erudite, informative, enlightening and often thoroughly absurd - and a definite 'must-have'!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By mike daly
Format:Paperback
Watson's book, to my mind at least is a welcome antidote to the work of the supposedly "great" serious rock journalists of the last 30 years - marcus, christgau et al. if he is guilty of making too much of his many connections between zappa's conceptual continuities and high/low culture of the 20th century, so what. all of what he writes is passionate, provocative and stunningly erudite. Watson may infuriate at times with his petty and unfortunately typical left wing put-downs of his peers but this is a very minor quibble within a book that covers such a vast swathe of cultural and political ideas.
Music is not made in a vacuum and it is not just notes on a page. if you are a zappa fan who wants a biography or a technical musical analysis - look elsewhere. but if you have any interest in the media, modern art/literature, non conformity and the music of rebellion - check this out. one of a kind
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This book does act as a very useful guide for any collecter of Zappa's work, it contains interesting notes on the production and recording of his many albums as well as notes on the 'conceptual continuity'. However, as in Watson's other book, 'The Negative Dialects of Poodle Play', he seems to have been preoccupied with, as he put it, "Putting Zappa up there with Shakespeare". Zappa's reputation doesn't need to be toyed with, he was a genius in his own right and the last thing he needs now is Pseudo intellectuals like Watson making him appear to be something he was not. This book can also add a certain pretention to not only the author but also to his subject, if you buy this book I urge you not to pay any attention to the re-writing of Zappa's personality which Watson seems to have devoted his career to.
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3.6 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not the advertised book
Sadly this kindle book is not the Negative Dialectic of Poodle Play as advertised but rather Ben Watsons shorter guide to the music of Frank Zappa. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Allan Mcfadyen
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must for true fans/ obsessives.
Having had to yawn my way through a number of books 'about' Zappa's music, that tend to be much more about what and why he named his children and the usual chitter chatter of music... Read more
Published 20 months ago by B. J. Singleton
3.0 out of 5 stars
Too complicated
Although this book is obviously a useful text for those interested in Zappa's music, I think Ben Watson has lost a huge audience by making his sentences too convoluted. Read more
Published on 12 July 2009 by P. Bird
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing,one-of-a-kind book.
Anyone who can write a Trotskyist analysis of Frank Zappa is well worth paying attention to,in my opinion. Read more
Published on 25 Nov 2007 by Put Down The Duckie
4.0 out of 5 stars
Gonzo academia
Worth four stars just for the sheer fun of it all. Unfortunately the Gonzo syle of writing gets in the way of some of the more serious points Watson wants to make. Read more
Published on 28 Jun 2005 by Eric Stuart Longley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Is this the greatest book ever written?
Yes. This is a book that defies rational responses from readers who bring to it a narrow and short-sighted expectation of what a book can or cannot be about. It is preposterous. Read more
Published on 6 May 2003 by Martin Jacks
1.0 out of 5 stars
Psuedo-intellectual tripe
This book is more about Mr. Watson showing off his psuedo-intellectual prowess than it is about Frank Zappa. Mr. Read more
Published on 24 Jan 2003 by Keith Thompson
4.0 out of 5 stars
one size fits it
This book is published in the right size to fit in with your Frank Zappa CD collection. and is written with love & understanding of the ouevre of Franks work - i would love to see... Read more
Published on 30 Oct 2002 by "gammadelta9"
1.0 out of 5 stars
A child's first Frank Zappa book
A lot of Zappa fans have a big problem with Watson's writing. This is a vaguely useful guide to those who are interested in collecting Zappa's recorded work, but who on earth can... Read more
Published on 11 Nov 2001 by mike.procter@btinternet.com
1.0 out of 5 stars
How can an author misunderstand his subject in such a way ?
Jeeezus, this one was such a disappointment! A vast and pretentious attempt to theorize FZ's work... Read more
Published on 26 Oct 2001 by J.-M. Juilland
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