Conceptual Continuity Clues

[Fanoga Farm]

As we all know, Frank Zappa had an enourmous grasp of popular music, often subtly embroidering his compositions with the most arcane references. For example, did anyone notice that "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow," besides being influenced in structure by Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf," also has a source the R&B song "Stranded in the Jungle" by the Cadets? If you give a listen, you'll even discover where he acquired the GREAT-GOOGLY-MOOGLY reference. Also, in "Find Her Finer," it's pretty clear that FZ heard (don't laugh) Herman's Hermits' little known ditty, "A Must to Avoid." Just compare the lyrics and you'll hear how Zappa comically re-did the song's non-sequiters. Finally, how about "Crew Slut." There's no question that FZ gave a quick listen to Eddie Holland's Motown hit, "Leaving Here." Someday someone will compile an interesting source guide for FZ's brilliantly extensive repertoire.    

[Chris]

If you listen very closely, you'll realize that Frank also had a flair for making up his own stuff...

[sharleena]

As we all know, Frank Zappa had an enourmous grasp of popular music, often subtly embroidering his compositions with the most arcane references.

Is it me, or can someone else listen to the rhythm base of "Baby Elephant Walk" by Lawrence Welk (!) on Zappa's version of the "Bolero" by Ravel? I mean the one in The Best Band...

My dad used to play this old Lawrence Welk record when i was a girl, and that's why i'm so familiar with the song; first time i listened to the Bolero i thought: but that's Baby Elephant Walk!
Here's a midi version for those of you who don't know the song:
http://www.gsm-multifund.de/midis/Baby%20Elephant%20Walk.mid

Could this be or is it just my impression?

[Fanoga Farm]

Hey Chris! It goes without saying that FZ made up his own stuff -- every great artist does. Yet every great artist, who wishes to comment on, or parody, the culture he was part of, also perfumes their work with the basic elements that make up that culture. Why do you think FZ was so sharp in his use of '50s American teenage slang? I think it would be wrong to relegate Zappa to some artistic vacuum. You can't have the Rolling Stones without Muddy Waters -- and they'd be the first to admit it. Which is why Zappa didn't quote Varese, Stravinsky, or the Penguins, by accident. In fact, discovering the source music that helps inform the work of a great composer also enlarges our pleasure of it -- as it obviously has for Sharleena. Which reminds me, I have to go check out that Lawrence Welk reference.

[Lonesome Cowboy Squirt]

Yes, indeed.

That version of "Bolero" has a bunch of musical quotes.  Another one is a blatant blurt of "My Sharona" from the Knack.

I'm sure FZ had lots of good laughs with Lawrence Welk's charming AM radio schlock.  By the way, I think "Baby Elephant Walk" was composed by Henry Mancini.  I don't think Welk wrote anything himself, not that it matters; I'm just being pedantic.  Forgive my pompous ass.