The Frank Zappa Discography Thread - #39 - 'The Perfect Stranger'

[Mosh]

I think the smaller ensemble works better for Zappa's music. This is probably among the best orchestral album, even though half of it is synclavier stuff. Is it blasphemy to say I almost prefer the synclavier songs? Girl In the Magnesium Dress, Outside Now, and Jonestown are probably the highlights for me. Love the percussive sounds in Girl and the creepy vibe on Jonestown. It is strange that the more haunting style never found its way on to Frank's rock stuff. Almost a shame because this is a new side of him that I have never heard before and between Jonestown and Sad Jane, I can't get enough of that.

[Pragmaticcircus]

Wolf Harbor?
Feeding the Monkies at Ma Maison?


They're also fantastic! 

[Mosh]

I haven't gotten to Monkies yet (you know your Zappa collection is getting out of hand when you have to double check if you have it or not) but I do enjoy Dance Me This. Wolf Harbor is a really strange piece. The first time I heard it I hated it. The second time I heard it, and after reading up on the Wolf Harbor that the piece is based on, it clicked and I understood what he was doing. One of his most atmospheric pieces for sure.

I'm definitely a sucker for the synclavier stuff.

[darkshade]

I love the Synclavier stuff too. This album is definitely a mixed bag, and not one I listen to often, but I like it more than LSO. The orchestral stuff is more accessible IMO than the preceding LSO album. The title track is one of Zappa's great orchestral pieces, yet one of the most unpopular tunes in the Zappa canon. Lots of different moods covered.

The Synclavier side of Zappa would only get better from here on out, but these first experiments with the machine are pretty cool. Zappa's music is becoming increasingly more complex at this point, and the Synclavier helped to speed that process up.

[Mosh]

Any updates coming on this?

[njfirefighter]

Great thread, playing catch up. A good read though. Will try to follow along when it resumes> Huge Zappa fan. I probably own about 30 or so cd releases to go with several official and bootleg dvd's. 

[Nihil-Morari]

Any updates coming on this?

Coming this week. Will be a bit on/off for the coming weeks (holidays), but we're moving on to Then or Us soon.

Great thread, playing catch up. A good read though. Will try to follow along when it resumes> Huge Zappa fan. I probably own about 30 or so cd releases to go with several official and bootleg dvd's. 

Nice, always cool to have some fresh blood!

[darkshade]

I'm hoping this gets revived soon. I've been bitten by the Zappa bug a little recently.

[The Curious Orange]

*Bump*

Dear Nihil-Morari -

Is this thread dead? Some of us are waiting patiently...

[jammindude]

I may not comment much, but this thread is a constant source of reference to me. 

I don't think I picked up Uncle Meat until WEEKS after the review, and I only just recently acquired Cruising with Reuben and the Jets and Live at the Fillmore.   I'm adoring all of it so far.

[Mosh]

This is a great thread and I really hope it continues soon.

[jammindude]

 I'm really hoping we can bring this thread back. Because of this thread, I now own everything up through 200 motels. And I love nearly every note! It's a fantastic reference thread if nothing else.

[jammindude]

I just wanted to bump this thread to say that it has been a HUGE help and valuable resource to me.

With the exception of Mothermania, I now own every album up to Just Another Band From LA, as well as Over-Nite Sensation, Joe's Garage, Bongo Fury, and Lumpy Money.

Loving every note!!!

[Podaar]

jammin,

Get Apostrophe('), One Size Fits All, Sheik Yerbouti, Studio Tan and Zappa in New York! Stat!

[jammindude]

jammin,

Get Apostrophe('), One Size Fits All, Sheik Yerbouti, Studio Tan and Zappa in New York! Stat!

I actually have older copies of Apostrophe and Sheik Yerbouti on vinyl, but I haven't pulled them out since I really "caught the bug"....maybe I can work on digitizing them this weekend.

[RodrigoAltaf]

I interviewed Terry Bozzio the other day, and it was published today. Check it out: https://www.sonicperspectives.com/interviews/interview-with-terry-bozzio/