Frank Zappa - Absolutely Free
Ladies and Gentlemen, The President of the United States, he’s been sick.
The first time I heard Frank Z was 1966. I was at a teenage house party. Someone had the first Mothers of Invention record. This gathering was not chaperoned by adults, alcohol was the drug of choice. Although there was some glue sniffing and mention of smoking banana peels.
Everyone recognized this record called “Freak Out” was rebellious and different. I liked it for those things and the music content, lyrics and arrangements. As a kid growing up in the 50s, I was aware of Spike Jones, Zappa’s music was similar in my opinion. The album jacket was odd and who was Verve Records?
My next experience to hear Frank and The Mothers was March 1968. I notated this in my book, Notes of a Young Drummer 1966-1969.
The album is Frank’s record called “Absolutely Free” again on Verve Records.
I was in Key West, playing a 4-week club gig. After gig A. M, hookah parties featured this album, along with Jimi Hendrix and The Doors.
I won’t critique each track of this album, its one of my favorites. Several title names of the record are, Brown Shoes Don’t Make It, Plastic People, America Drinks and Goes Home, Duke of Prunes, Call any Vegetable, Son of Suzy Creamcheese.
I knew zero about classical music at the time. Frank quotes various composers including Stravinsky (The Rite of Spring) Petrouchka and Gustav Holst’s, The Planets. (Jupiter)
Tom Wilson is the documented producer for this record. Mr. Wilson produced Bob Dylan’s albums: The Times They Are Changin, Another Side of Bob Dylan, Bringing it All Back Home and the 1965 single, Like A Rolling Stone.
Wilson also produced The Velvet Underground.
Tom Wilson can be seen in my favorite music documentary “Don’t Look Back” with Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Donovan, Alan Price, Albert Grossman, Marianne Faithful, John Mayall, Bob Neuwirth, Allen Ginsberg.
D.A. Pennebaker traveled with Bob during his 1965 concert tour in England to create this great documentary. I’ve written about it here on Substack.
(But, back to Frank)
“Absolutely Free” is full of political and social satire. My revisit to this record has been educational and entertaining. In 1968, it was more about entertainment. In 2024, I’m even more impressed with Frank’s genius talent. Check it out for yourself.
Thanks for posting this..... I was playing drums also in 68.... I had a little bit of natural talent but I didn't know what I was doing and I never got anyone to show me what to do. Took me 50 years later to get started seriously oh well....... tgis seriously is an important record that I have to go back and listen to. One of my first influences was Frank's Peaches In Regalia -and lead me 50 years later to a very important lesson from Ralph Humphrey (who just passed away) but went on to teach in California. This led me to Joe Morello who was the source of a lot of these ideas and eventually came to visit me in a dream.... I've been on the Joe thing ever since-- especially 10/8 time. So old or young it doesn't really matter It happens when it happens.... Frank sense of time was absolutely crazy and a lot of fun.
This ages well..