Mothers of Invention on Vinyl – Are You Experienced?

When I came across these posts on YouTube, I could not help but share them here at KUR. Not because of the individual tracks themselves (which have been digitalized) – “Aybe Sea” (above) which closes side one of Burnt Weenie Sandwich and Uncle Meat‘s “Nine Types of Industrial Pollution” (below) – but because as these videos illustrate so well, a way of experiencing music which newer technologies have so hurriedly bypassed. I’m speaking of the whole tactile experience of listening to the vinyl record, itself: from how you held it in your hands, set the vinyl on the turntable, adjusted the amplifier and equalizer, then sitting before your stereo system, examined the album cover in your hands while the music filled the room.
Continue reading “Mothers of Invention on Vinyl – Are You Experienced?”

Best FZ Covers: Battle of the YouTube Muffins, Or, Some People Like Cupcakes Better…

I’m really not certain which of these groups belongs in a compilation of best FZ covers – each has something different and unique in their version of Frank Zappa‘s Muffin Man that the other two groups do not. Give them a hearing and decide for yourself. MazMyth at LMCS Auditorium on January 9, 2009; Zappa Plays Zappa at Villa Arconati, July 15, 2008; or Pappa Plays Zappa at The Upperfloor (known as Stalloftet) in Hamar, Norway, August 3, 2008:
Continue reading “Best FZ Covers: Battle of the YouTube Muffins, Or, Some People Like Cupcakes Better…”

Zappa, YouTube, Censorship

The above video was posted by flowerpunkchip on YouTube April 15, 2008. Along with the video he posted the following statement:

CENSORED. Music replaced.

Gee thanks Gail, if i ever do make money from your husband’s genius, I’ll let you know and I’ll send you double. Censoring Zappa’s music on awful mono sound youtube is not a good idea.

Frank Zappa interview + I’m so happy I could cry, early version of “Take your clothes off when you dance” (thanks for the correction StereoM)+ Get a little + Orange County Lumber Truck + oh no, lumpy gravy version (the songs/tunes are not in that order)

well, i hope this video doesn’t get taken off by the Zappa Family Trust, or should I say Gail?

Frank Zappa ~ “I resent encroachment on the 1st amendment because I’m a constitution fundamentalist”

Everyone knows my position and opinion in regards to a lot of what the ZFT does, so I am usually not the one to leap to their defense. Yet, in this case, I certainly do.

The Frank Zappa music being muted of late on YouTube is not a result of the actions of the ZFT (though it might seem to be). These are the actions of WBG (Warner Brothers Group of Companies). Because Warner Brothers and YouTube do not have a contract, they have demanded that the music of all their artists be muted. As you recall, when Warner Brothers bought Rykodisc, Frank Zappa’s catalog once again became property of Warner Brothers.

It seems like it was only a matter of time before YouTube succumbed to corporate pressures (as has much of the internet). Though it does make one question crystal clear: if Zappa’s music isn’t being played on the radio, or on YouTube, then where? How do these actions effectively promote this artist if the avenues for promotion are so limited?

Eric Clapton — Cocaine

I have always dug this Eric Clapton song*, especially when performed “live” as in this video. Sit back. Enjoy. A great way to start one’s week.

*Cocaine was originally a song written and recorded by J.J. Cale in 1975 and most widely known as a cover version recorded by Eric Clapton.