The Zappa Thread

[DebraKadabra]

Sounds like she wants to make it a grassroots fan effort, but I'm still looking for the proverbial catch since it sounds a little too good to be true.

[bout to crash]

Well, you have to have some dough. It's $1007 for the master, plus the cost of manufacturing the CDs:

How Do I Manufacture the Physical CDs from the Master CD?  You may secure your own manufacturer to make copies of the Master CD.  Under this approach, you will owe us a mechanical royalty of $1.20 for each CD sold or delivered, payable per the terms of the distribution agreement. In the alternative, you may use the Zappa Family Trust’s authorized third party manufacturer to make copies of the Master CD.  Under this approach, each CD will be provided to you at the wholesale price of eleven dollars plus shipping and handling.  On all such sales, the mechanical royalty of $1.20 will be included in the price to you.  Further, for any sales of the physical CDs made by the Zappa Family Trust through its Barfko-Swill website, we will pay you a royalty based on a percentage of the difference between the retail price and wholesale price as set forth in the terms of the distribution agreement.

Some other points from https://getsome.zappa.com/roxy-by-proxy-the-license/ :

How Do I Make Money?  Each distributor may set the price for the Distribution CD and sell unlimited numbers of complete, physical CDs at the retail level. You will also participate in a royalty pool derived from sales of  ROXY BY PROXY CD on Zappa Records through Barfko-Swill at Zappa.com as described below.  Note:  You can give the CDs away as gifts!  There are no exclusive territories for each Distributor. 

Are There Distribution Restrictions?  Yes.  Distributors may only sell the CD at the retail level, which means you cannot contract with any music distribution company.  The CD or individual tracks may not be uploaded to file sharing sites (of any kind) for sale via digital download or sold via any other digital distribution method.

What Kind Of Marketing Materials Can I Use?  The Zappa Family Trust will provide each distributor with authorized marketing materials for use in advertising and promoting the Zappa CD Master Project.  Any and all marketing materials created by a distributor must be approved by us in writing prior to use by the distributor.

But Seriously, What Does This Really Mean? What it really means is that if we are all successful, the ZFT will have the budget to cover every possible expense necessary to make THE ROXY PERFORMANCES – The Movie, available just in time for each and every one of us to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Original Event.  And it will all be down to you! 

So looks like they're hoping to have the video out in a year if all goes well, Bob.

Also, I didn't realize his birthday was the "end of the world" 

So perfect

[DebraKadabra]

Hm.  Maybe I'm being too paranoid, then.

Also, I didn't realize his birthday was the "end of the world" 

So perfect

Yeah, it is rather fitting.

[bout to crash]

I mean, I don't know if there's any hidden catch, but if you can't sell enough CDs you'll lose some dough. $1007 plus the cost of however many you manufacture ($11 each if you use their people), then being able to sell enough CDs at the right price, etc. etc. You have to be good at marketing or know a lot of Zappa fans... or just be rich and give them all as gifts 

[DebraKadabra]

I'm just too much of a skeptic sometimes.

[bout to crash]

Nah, you should be. This is pretty weird.

[DebraKadabra]

Just a bit, especially since the family has held this back for so long.

[Cyclopssss]

Wish Gail would forgo all the zappa'esque 'lingo' and just give it to us straight. (remember Straight? ha ha).

Also, came across a cd called 'Road Tapes #1, appearantly recordings from '68. Anyone know if this is any good?

 

[Nihil-Morari]

Rrrrrright, I'd suggest to give the masters to distributors so they can well, distribute, and then they give us the cd, so we (consumers) can consume (right?), cause that's what we are here to do.

Apart from that, Road Tapes #1 is cool. A good add to the collection if you like that period (which I do). The quality is not great, but there's a cool bunch of on stage humor and a lot of goofy solo's.

[Nihil-Morari]

And 'Finer Moments' is almost a must-have.
Wow, such a bunch of awesome material. Great Mothers on stage randomness, Zappa's early electronic pieces, a massive Uncle Remus jam, another great great Billy the Mountain jam (way better than the Carnegie Hall one). Wonderful stuff!

[Cyclopssss]

So, where's the 'Roxy soundtrack' we were promised in december? 

[DebraKadabra]

No shit!

[Octavaripolis]

So is there anyone here who's collected all the albums?   

[Cyclopssss]

Yeah well, I've tried...it's a work of a lifetime!

[Octavaripolis]

Yeah well, I've tried...it's a work of a lifetime!

My godfather is really close now.. He's just missing a couple of albums.

[DebraKadabra]

Yeah well, I've tried...it's a work of a lifetime!

This, pretty much.

[Orbert]

So, where's the 'Roxy soundtrack' we were promised in december? 

Gail.

[Nihil-Morari]

So, where's the 'Roxy soundtrack' we were promised in december? 

Gail.

December next year, right? At least, that's what I understood.

And yeah, I'm trying to gather as much albums as I can. But I end up buying special Zappa stuff before buying albums such as Francesco Zappa, or Thing Fish.
As a result I've got 45 of his 94 official releases. But I've got 70 Zappa items (i.e. Cd's/Vinyl/Dvd's)

[DebraKadabra]

So, where's the 'Roxy soundtrack' we were promised in december? 

Gail.

*ding ding ding*

[Man-Erg]

I want to get into Zappa and so far I've heard only Stinkfoot (the song) and I love it. What albums should I get? Probably Apostrophe, Hot Rats, One Size Fits All, but what else?

[Nihil-Morari]

I want to get into Zappa and so far I've heard only Stinkfoot (the song) and I love it. What albums should I get? Probably Apostrophe, Hot Rats, One Size Fits All, but what else?

In New York, Roxy and Elsewhere are two other great albums to start. And then probably start with Freak Out! and work your way slowly through different periods in his catalogue.
Have a great journey! If you have more questions, or need any other recommendations, just ask!

[Cyclopssss]

Don't forget Zoot Alures, Them or Us, You Are What You Is, Hot Rats, The Grand Wazoo.


Just for starters, that'll  do. 

[Nihil-Morari]

Don't forget Zoot Alures, Them or Us, You Are What You Is, Hot Rats, The Grand Wazoo.


Just for starters, that'll  do. 

Maybe Your Are What You Is and Hot Rats. I don't find Them or Us that mandatory and The Grand Wazoo is interchangable with Hot Rats, for starting up. Buuuut, You Are What You Is, ís a good pop album. 

[DebraKadabra]

DEFINITELY Roxy And Elsewhere and Sheik Yerbouti.

[Ultimetalhead]

I've come to the conclusion that Apostrophe is a near-perfect album. I could probably still listen to it several times a day and not get tired of it.

[bout to crash]

It is pretty wonderful 

[Nihil-Morari]

It's really an album that I never get tired of. I just love the sound of it.

BTW, a nice picture of my Zappa collection:

[Orbert]

I love how Sheik Yerbouti seems to jump right out at you.  Or maybe he just jumps out at me.  Sheik Yerbouti was my first Zappa album, and in some ways is still my favorite.

[bout to crash]

 

[DebraKadabra]

I love how Sheik Yerbouti seems to jump right out at you.  Or maybe he just jumps out at me.  Sheik Yerbouti was my first Zappa album, and in some ways is still my favorite.

Sheik Yerbouti is definitely a favorite of mine.  Not only do you have Frank, but you have Adrian Belew too!

[Mosh]

Sheik is one of my favorites too. I think it's my favorite as far as production goes. I love how Frank would mix live and studio tapes.

[darkshade]

That's a nice Zappa collection, Nihil-Morari. I'll post a picture of mine once I get the last couple of 2012 reissues in the mail.

[Orbert]

Yeah, going from live to studio and back again seamlessly is pretty freaking cool.  "City of Tiny Lites" comes out of nowhere, live.  That solo is amazing.  I think my favorite "twofer" from Frank is the amazing one-two punch of "Wild Love" and "Yo' Mama".  Another freakin' amazing solo there.  And ending with a live song, with the "Good nights", like the whole thing was a concert, even if most of it was studio.

And yeah, Sheik Yerbouti was my introduction to the great Adrian Belew.  When he showed up in King Crimson a few years later, I was like

[darkshade]

Sheik YerBouti took a while to sink in for me when I was new to Zappa, I never got into the album as a whole, just certain songs. Over time, after being into Zappa for a while, I decided to put it on and everything clicked. It was hilarious, but just the way the tracks flow made it for an awesome Zappa album that I now say is at least top 10 of his best, if not top 5. There was so much raw energy, probably from Frank being pissed about the Lather situation.

The 2012 reissue sounds phenomenal.

[Cyclopssss]

Sheik Yerboutti was also my first Zappa record and it hooked me instantly. The musicianship is amazing.
Most of the basic tracks of most songs are live recordings, btw. (although heavily overdubbed, obviuously)

'Don't fool yourself girl, it's going right up your poop-shoot' (aiaiiaiaiaiai) I know it's kindergarden level humor, but it left me giggling in stitches for minutes, for some reason....