To appreciate Zappa's guitar you have to be able to hear those tight little rhythmic clusters that are essential to his musical personality. Not just triplets and quintuplets, but 7's, 9's, 11's... 23's! Not only could he play them accurately and extemporaneously, but he played them with emotional intensity. And from those fiendish rhythms he'd build melodies that only work if played accurately. The fact that he had the balls to do it live on stage was a gift to the audience I'll never forget.
dude who gives a shit what age you are? i've loved zappa since my dad introduced me to him at age 6 (I'm 15 now), but that doesn't mean anything. it's not a contest. it's still incredible, unique music that is good no matter how old you are. Although i will say... zappa>Lady gaga shit
check out some Zappa Plays Zappa sometime.. ..Dweezil is amazing.. way cleaner than Frank, has a great feel.. he's learning a ton using the palette that is Frank's music.
@iamaheron ..just read the credits to The Man From Utopia. ..in clear print "Steve Vai - impossible guitar parts"
yes. we all know Vai is a technical guitar master, but Franks *feel* was warm and fuzzy and it flowed.. ..besides, he wrote everything Vai played for him.
Vai is a nice technical guitarist, but from what I can hear he has always had trouble with expression in his playing. Zappa's phrasing always sits so nicely over everything he plays on, it just turns me on.
Zappa has pretty much said that he hired Steve Vai because he needed a guitarist who could play the parts he;d composed but which he personally could not play to his satisfaction. Vai , technically, had it all over Zappa as a guitarist. Zappa's genius included the ability to know this and make use of the talent he had available to him.
One of the few albums/cassette/CD/MP3 player playlist that you can start play from the first song and play thru (with a flip for the cassettes and records)Or wherever the tape was when you last stopped it.
Frank Zappa is a freaking genius. I am a guitarist and Frank Zappa is one of my greatest inspirations to pick up the guitar and practice everyday. His music reminds me that (he would disagree) any emotion can be truely expressed by guitar. He truely was a musical genious. When I die and go wherever I may go, I can only wish I can meet Frank on the other side and jam with the god of music himself.
The term "soul" is usually interpreted as individual pain. Mr. Zappa pains me to another level. Feelings brought about by a sincere inflection and dedication brings me to the "right size" and encourages our ownership of the comos.
Omg ... this/was/is my favorite tune by FZ...kinda hard to replicate the stache and soul patch for me...loved everything about the man....Mr. PhD,,,awesome tune....
This is Zappa at his most emotional. Black Napkins has a raw sadness and haunting beauty that is unparalleled. That monsterous bubbling sounds like a beast rising from Satan's lair. Thanks for Sharing.
@Soundbiteuk Zappa would disagree with you. He always said that music didn't express emotion, it couldn't, I wholeheartedly disagree, but, thass what Frank says
"Guitar playing, as currently understood, has more to do with sports than it does to do with music. It's an Olympic challenge type of situation. The challenges are in the realm of speed, redundancy, choreography, and grooming... clouds of educated gnat-notes."
MrBungle82, with all due respect, Frank Zappa certainly did not 'need' Steve Vai. He used Steve like any other of the vast miriad of awesome musicians he worked with. Steve Vai sought Frank out, not the other way around. When it came to improvisational guitar Steve could not touch Frank. Listen to the comparison of solos on "Whipping Post" off the "1984" album. Steve went first and Frank finished it up. Steve was awesome and very technical, yes, but Frank's solo just sizzled with fire.
@MeanderthalPA steve vai said that zappa put him through his paces. during the interview zappa played something that steve couldn't play, and when he said that, zappa said linda ronstadt had an opening in her band
@MeanderthalPA If you care to see just how much Zappa used Steve Vai, Steve Vai himself tells a funny story on how he did ... just do a youtube search for "steve vai on frank zappa" first thing that pops up.. funny as hell.
@wistoncap Also Steve Vai's Audition for Frank Zappa. Steve Vai clearly auditioned for Zappa's band. And had to prove himself worthy. Simple. I dont think Steve Vai would bethe technician guitarist he is now without the days with Zappa.
@wistoncap What the fuck does that have to do with Frank 'using' Steve? They are both great musicians who deeply respected eachother, and somehow here in the Youtube comment section, teenage nerds who have never met either musician are having a pissing contest about which musician 'used' who. Grow the fuck up.
@iamaheron Calm down kid, Frank Zappa (as all composers have to do by the nature of the craft), "used" all the musicians he worked with in order to get out the music he was trying to create.. the video I made reference to was just to show how Frank had fun with him. So go smoke a J (or do whatever it is you kids do these days) and calm down.
Steve Vai puts it out straightforward that he was *like* a tool for Zappa. It's not insulting Vai, Zappa was composing rock Symphony, he used many different talented people for short periods just for certain sounds he was looking for.
@MeanderthalPA thank you so much for finally saying it. I am sick to death of all the Vai fans whining on like pansys that Vai kicks zappa's butt. I mean have you guys actually watched those shows from 83-84? Zappa is just playing with him all the way.
@trilobite3339 That just shows you the type of people Frank's music can attract. Like minded souls meet through mediums such the Frank, a mind unlike any other
Long live Uncle Frank!! Built speakers just to hear him jammin to his music!! Still have them, and still blowout the neighbors. Wonder what they think of me with all this new rap shit??
You don't have to judge Zappa for his virtuosity or his clean touch, he played with a unique style similar to spoken language, very rhythmic, he composed while playing, he didn't follow classic rules of guitar playing, he was ahead of his time.
Well, to be fair, he did need Vai to play some of his more technical riffs. He's not the most talented guitarist ever, but I just can't help but love his style of soloing (which, in my opinion is pretty much unparalleled).
Yeah, he was really good, but I think people like Vai were slightly better in a technical sense. Like, I don't think Zappa would be able to play a rhythmically perfect tapping solo the same way Vai or Bumblefoot can.
@Mordain607 Maybe the point here is Zappas fans and Don Van Vliets fans too; love it when they relay feelings through their music and instrument. Technical is clever but I really believe these men and many of their regular fellow musicians were beyond technical; like all great music you can hear the story the making of it,voices and tears fall in them or a smile cracks, they stretch ,they create space to feel it all. Technicality can be more in regard precision but without so much soul.
To me this is the definitive Black Napkins. I have seen it live, and i have heard other versions but to me this one holds all the emotion and skill. Love it.
@LoveJFrusciante With any ounce of doubt in my heart, the one from Make a Jazz noise here is far, far better. Better arranged, more subtle, more classy. It's just mind-blowing imo
@santanaincubus nice comment my friend I completely agree with you when I discovered zappa I was blown away. This man was a unique genius, he wrote incredible compositions, great lyrics, gave his music attitude and flash, and was an amazing virtuoso on the guitar. This is great stuff!!
@guitarldh19 Thanks man. Im glad you agree on my comment. There are no limits on guitar. Frank is a big inspiration and defenitely a big influence to me.
@santanaincubus As much as that comment is a very "zappa" ish mood to put things, i can't completely agree with that from a theoretical point of view. Part of what you say is true: you can play whatever you want, but you forget one thing: as much as you play "anything", you have to stay within certain barriers to be able to call it music and not noise. Zappa proves to us that you can trow in all the notes in a riff you ever desire, but eventually you have to come back to the chord notes.
...Not entirely sure about that. This great guitarist called Nels Cline. Listen to "Floored" by The Nels Cline singers. Just plays whatever he feels like, coming back to a riff every once and a while. Atonality is also something Zappa loved. All the solos on "Joe's Garage" (excepting Watermelon in Easter Hay and Crew Slut) were cut in from other songs (over the original chord sequence) so they are pretty much completely atonal.
Racky, between Zappa and Scientist your cool man.
TomServo420 1 week ago
1 Of my fave Zappa tunes ! Love it loud!!
davedenisetigg 3 weeks ago
yes that's my ring tone.
postsux08 4 weeks ago
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To appreciate Zappa's guitar you have to be able to hear those tight little rhythmic clusters that are essential to his musical personality. Not just triplets and quintuplets, but 7's, 9's, 11's... 23's! Not only could he play them accurately and extemporaneously, but he played them with emotional intensity. And from those fiendish rhythms he'd build melodies that only work if played accurately. The fact that he had the balls to do it live on stage was a gift to the audience I'll never forget.
SalamaSond 1 month ago
Comment removed
SalamaSond 1 month ago
in 300 years when they look bak it will be Wagner,Bethoven,Mozart and Zappa
gubbenpersson 1 month ago 2
@gubbenpersson Damn right.
FormerlyMrBean667 2 weeks ago
great as always.
perothing 2 months ago
1 asshole prefers white napkins.
zkxb 2 months ago 4
@zkxb What's his address? I want to go over sit on his chest and sing the entire Freak Out album to him.
jmitch623 2 months ago
One of the greatest guitarists ever.
kiekiek 2 months ago in playlist Favorite videos
Ho. Ly. Balls.
AmAY259 2 months ago
dude who gives a shit what age you are? i've loved zappa since my dad introduced me to him at age 6 (I'm 15 now), but that doesn't mean anything. it's not a contest. it's still incredible, unique music that is good no matter how old you are. Although i will say... zappa>Lady gaga shit
coleed00d 3 months ago 13
@coleed00d yea nicely said, but you told everyone your age, pretty contradictory to what you just said, what does it matter
spoon149 2 months ago
check out some Zappa Plays Zappa sometime.. ..Dweezil is amazing.. way cleaner than Frank, has a great feel.. he's learning a ton using the palette that is Frank's music.
Janitor989 3 months ago
@Janitor989 I was lucky enough to see him play. If you get the chance go see Dweezil so worth every cent
xxXXxPagexXXxx 2 months ago
@xxXXxPagexXXxx yeah.. I just suggested Zappa plays Zappa.. ..I've witnessed it twice now..
Janitor989 2 months ago
@xxXXxPagexXXxx saw him twice in sweden.seen all ofdweezils shows in stockholm
good job,god musician...but think best was black napkins in Globe arena with Terri Bozzio
gubbenpersson 1 month ago
@iamaheron ..just read the credits to The Man From Utopia. ..in clear print "Steve Vai - impossible guitar parts"
yes. we all know Vai is a technical guitar master, but Franks *feel* was warm and fuzzy and it flowed.. ..besides, he wrote everything Vai played for him.
Janitor989 3 months ago 3
Vai is a nice technical guitarist, but from what I can hear he has always had trouble with expression in his playing. Zappa's phrasing always sits so nicely over everything he plays on, it just turns me on.
MrPhu3l 4 months ago 2
cut 20 seconds short the way black napkins ends leads into the torture never stops is incredible..genius sadly missed.
ivymercer 4 months ago
When you've said Zappa, you've said guitar.
probrojeffro 4 months ago in playlist More videos from RakyMaky 3
zappa was is guitar GOD!!!!!!
Mrmongo513 4 months ago
Zappa has pretty much said that he hired Steve Vai because he needed a guitarist who could play the parts he;d composed but which he personally could not play to his satisfaction. Vai , technically, had it all over Zappa as a guitarist. Zappa's genius included the ability to know this and make use of the talent he had available to him.
TheoBurke 5 months ago
theres a fire beetwwen us XD
call999itsalice 5 months ago
One of the few albums/cassette/CD/MP3 player playlist that you can start play from the first song and play thru (with a flip for the cassettes and records)Or wherever the tape was when you last stopped it.
bbnflpn 5 months ago
Frank Zappa is a freaking genius. I am a guitarist and Frank Zappa is one of my greatest inspirations to pick up the guitar and practice everyday. His music reminds me that (he would disagree) any emotion can be truely expressed by guitar. He truely was a musical genious. When I die and go wherever I may go, I can only wish I can meet Frank on the other side and jam with the god of music himself.
Mustang5Speed 5 months ago
I forgot how good this is
SuperBoomer48 5 months ago in playlist More videos from RakyMaky
The term "soul" is usually interpreted as individual pain. Mr. Zappa pains me to another level. Feelings brought about by a sincere inflection and dedication brings me to the "right size" and encourages our ownership of the comos.
inmindspace 6 months ago
@Randomjon: I'm 13, and i love zappa too. (;
nik121121 6 months ago
Two chords in the hands of a genius...whatever he felt about his art, I will always be grateful for it...
kurtmanerz1 6 months ago 5
Omg ... this/was/is my favorite tune by FZ...kinda hard to replicate the stache and soul patch for me...loved everything about the man....Mr. PhD,,,awesome tune....
clinteastwoodrocks 6 months ago
he is the man. just looked at the statistics on this video and its a good feeling
elnuracasey 7 months ago
This is Zappa at his most emotional. Black Napkins has a raw sadness and haunting beauty that is unparalleled. That monsterous bubbling sounds like a beast rising from Satan's lair. Thanks for Sharing.
Soundbiteuk 7 months ago 2
@Soundbiteuk Zappa would disagree with you. He always said that music didn't express emotion, it couldn't, I wholeheartedly disagree, but, thass what Frank says
matto902 6 months ago
@RandomJon082 I'm also 14 and love Zappa. Isn't it so depressing how the majority of our generation have never heard of Frank Zappa.
TigerSchmedly 8 months ago
The Wonderful Wizardry of Frank Zappa. That Man was a Genius.
MrKeyboardDK 8 months ago
frank definatly knows his theory, his soloing over the progressions is almost like he sat down and wrote it out
also, does anybody know that effect that starts at around 2:14? it sounds like a wah pedal up and down on a switch from low to high
LedZeppeloyd223 8 months ago
@LedZeppeloyd223 Oberheim VCF-200, also heard on "Ship Ahoy".
devolve42 8 months ago
@LedZeppeloyd223 its wah and pinch harmonics i think
jarbhamilton 3 months ago
Terry Bozzio should have tried out for Dream Theater!!
irwin3036able 9 months ago
looks like franks gutiar sound is almost as big as his dick in those flares man
voicesinmehead 9 months ago
"Guitar playing, as currently understood, has more to do with sports than it does to do with music. It's an Olympic challenge type of situation. The challenges are in the realm of speed, redundancy, choreography, and grooming... clouds of educated gnat-notes."
-Frank Zappa
AnneDominici 10 months ago
gotta love frank man he was a true artist im more of a hendrix fan myself but credit where its due frank was a legend without doubt.
drugfckd 10 months ago
aaaaaaa esta rola como me encanta es una chingoneria zappa
zarakikenpachi241 10 months ago
MrBungle82, with all due respect, Frank Zappa certainly did not 'need' Steve Vai. He used Steve like any other of the vast miriad of awesome musicians he worked with. Steve Vai sought Frank out, not the other way around. When it came to improvisational guitar Steve could not touch Frank. Listen to the comparison of solos on "Whipping Post" off the "1984" album. Steve went first and Frank finished it up. Steve was awesome and very technical, yes, but Frank's solo just sizzled with fire.
MeanderthalPA 10 months ago 41
@MeanderthalPA steve vai said that zappa put him through his paces. during the interview zappa played something that steve couldn't play, and when he said that, zappa said linda ronstadt had an opening in her band
classicrockNo1 9 months ago
@MeanderthalPA If you care to see just how much Zappa used Steve Vai, Steve Vai himself tells a funny story on how he did ... just do a youtube search for "steve vai on frank zappa" first thing that pops up.. funny as hell.
wistoncap 6 months ago
@wistoncap Also Steve Vai's Audition for Frank Zappa. Steve Vai clearly auditioned for Zappa's band. And had to prove himself worthy. Simple. I dont think Steve Vai would bethe technician guitarist he is now without the days with Zappa.
TheMrLusk 5 months ago 2
@wistoncap What the fuck does that have to do with Frank 'using' Steve? They are both great musicians who deeply respected eachother, and somehow here in the Youtube comment section, teenage nerds who have never met either musician are having a pissing contest about which musician 'used' who. Grow the fuck up.
iamaheron 3 months ago
@iamaheron Calm down kid, Frank Zappa (as all composers have to do by the nature of the craft), "used" all the musicians he worked with in order to get out the music he was trying to create.. the video I made reference to was just to show how Frank had fun with him. So go smoke a J (or do whatever it is you kids do these days) and calm down.
wistoncap 3 months ago
@iamaheron I'd say go watch Zappa's A&E bio
Steve Vai puts it out straightforward that he was *like* a tool for Zappa. It's not insulting Vai, Zappa was composing rock Symphony, he used many different talented people for short periods just for certain sounds he was looking for.
Ryomaslade45 3 months ago
@MeanderthalPA thank you so much for finally saying it. I am sick to death of all the Vai fans whining on like pansys that Vai kicks zappa's butt. I mean have you guys actually watched those shows from 83-84? Zappa is just playing with him all the way.
stinkwheel 6 months ago
yussssss zero dislikes
trilobite3339 11 months ago
@trilobite3339 That just shows you the type of people Frank's music can attract. Like minded souls meet through mediums such the Frank, a mind unlike any other
SlashPwnage 10 months ago
brought me back to my youngsters... I can't help but still loving his songs...
muayen 11 months ago
Frank had a P.H.D. in music.
Ricky10106 11 months ago
I play guitar since I was 8 and I am 16 now so I think I have a good experience about music dumbass
racerced 1 year ago
@racerced There is no accounting for taste, eh?
CosmicAlfonzo 1 year ago
@CosmicAlfonzo that's right
racerced 1 year ago
Long live Uncle Frank!! Built speakers just to hear him jammin to his music!! Still have them, and still blowout the neighbors. Wonder what they think of me with all this new rap shit??
markcrooker 1 year ago
If you have any doubts that frank zappa is one of the best guitar players/ improviseres ever listen to this again
Sign213 1 year ago
its me or he plays like beginner
racerced 1 year ago
@racerced It is sooooo you! Obviously you dont' play. Grow an ear.
avantrockman 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@racerced It is sooooo you! Obviously you don't play. Grow an ear.
avantrockman 1 year ago
@racerced: IT IS YOU
You don't have to judge Zappa for his virtuosity or his clean touch, he played with a unique style similar to spoken language, very rhythmic, he composed while playing, he didn't follow classic rules of guitar playing, he was ahead of his time.
MrBungle82 1 year ago
@MrBungle82 ok ok let's just say that i don't understand him
racerced 1 year ago
@MrBungle82
Well, to be fair, he did need Vai to play some of his more technical riffs. He's not the most talented guitarist ever, but I just can't help but love his style of soloing (which, in my opinion is pretty much unparalleled).
Mordain607 11 months ago
@Mordain607 are you fucking high! Zappa was one of the top 10 guitarists ever, he could make it scream or whisper.
inst1g8t0r 10 months ago
@inst1g8t0r
Yeah, he was really good, but I think people like Vai were slightly better in a technical sense. Like, I don't think Zappa would be able to play a rhythmically perfect tapping solo the same way Vai or Bumblefoot can.
Mordain607 10 months ago
@Mordain607 Its not about speed, its about what you play. Frank knew what to play.
MrMakesmoke 10 months ago
@MrMakesmoke
Yeah I know, that's kind of what I was saying. He seriously is one of my favourite guitarists!
Mordain607 10 months ago
@Mordain607 Maybe the point here is Zappas fans and Don Van Vliets fans too; love it when they relay feelings through their music and instrument. Technical is clever but I really believe these men and many of their regular fellow musicians were beyond technical; like all great music you can hear the story the making of it,voices and tears fall in them or a smile cracks, they stretch ,they create space to feel it all. Technicality can be more in regard precision but without so much soul.
Honeysucklebommie 9 months ago
caralho eu tinha este vinil foi meu primeiro vinil
cavalcantievaldo 1 year ago
zappa's "black napkins" and hazel's (funkadelic) "maggot brain" are both impossibly good guitar pieces...
CH3MIS7RY 1 year ago
@CH3MIS7RY Do you like Watermelon in Easterhay?
planet123 1 year ago
@planet123 How could I forget?! Massive solo in 9/4. Shut Up N Play Yer Guitar is also a must.
CH3MIS7RY 1 year ago
@CH3MIS7RY 'Guitar' is a must too, great solos.
naccienac 1 year ago
Comment removed
CH3MIS7RY 1 year ago
To me this is the definitive Black Napkins. I have seen it live, and i have heard other versions but to me this one holds all the emotion and skill. Love it.
precccciousssss 1 year ago
I can't decide which version is better, if this one or the one from "Make a Jazz noise here" .... God help me, it's like sophie's choice....
LoveJFrusciante 1 year ago
@LoveJFrusciante With any ounce of doubt in my heart, the one from Make a Jazz noise here is far, far better. Better arranged, more subtle, more classy. It's just mind-blowing imo
StraTooS 1 year ago
Wee~ee~oooh!
CerebrateHyatt 1 year ago
Ah Wicked. :-)
This seamlessly leads right into The Torture never stops on the album.
The next most wicked track.
Honeysucklebommie 1 year ago
One Of The Greatest Performances EVER IN THIS UNIVERSE!!!
MrKeyboardDK 1 year ago
Hot Rats
Aeolus56 1 year ago
Jimi Who?
hoth260 1 year ago
frank firing on all cylinders.
cosmicrider287 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Noodlefest...Yuck!
nonayou 1 year ago
@nonayou f*** you noob
hotrodius 1 year ago
Anything is possible on guitar. Zappa proved that you can create any sound and play whatever you want on guitar. Its freedom.
santanaincubus 1 year ago 21
@santanaincubus nice comment my friend I completely agree with you when I discovered zappa I was blown away. This man was a unique genius, he wrote incredible compositions, great lyrics, gave his music attitude and flash, and was an amazing virtuoso on the guitar. This is great stuff!!
guitarldh19 1 year ago
@guitarldh19 Thanks man. Im glad you agree on my comment. There are no limits on guitar. Frank is a big inspiration and defenitely a big influence to me.
santanaincubus 1 year ago
@santanaincubus As much as that comment is a very "zappa" ish mood to put things, i can't completely agree with that from a theoretical point of view. Part of what you say is true: you can play whatever you want, but you forget one thing: as much as you play "anything", you have to stay within certain barriers to be able to call it music and not noise. Zappa proves to us that you can trow in all the notes in a riff you ever desire, but eventually you have to come back to the chord notes.
wannabeers 11 months ago
@wannabeers
...Not entirely sure about that. This great guitarist called Nels Cline. Listen to "Floored" by The Nels Cline singers. Just plays whatever he feels like, coming back to a riff every once and a while. Atonality is also something Zappa loved. All the solos on "Joe's Garage" (excepting Watermelon in Easter Hay and Crew Slut) were cut in from other songs (over the original chord sequence) so they are pretty much completely atonal.
Mordain607 11 months ago
frank zappa guitar>shredding
ImSpiFF 1 year ago
thanks for uploading, hasnt been on youtube in awhile
Jensenism 1 year ago
it gives me chills just listening to how in sync the guitar and drums are in the intro... and the rest of the song too for that matter :)
1000bouviers 1 year ago
now that was cool!
sjchundreddays 1 year ago
goosebumps...seriously. this is some intense shit.
phantom5691 1 year ago
Comment removed
phantom5691 1 year ago
Bet lady gaga can't
Mewietisop 1 year ago
Frank was a genius and this is a masterpiece
rejrockmetal 1 year ago
SWEET
duriandecay 1 year ago
great song, great quality!
ericgenocidex2 1 year ago
Rip zappa he was one damn awesome artist...
8LocKDowN8 1 year ago
this is real music
MikeytheEskimoLeader 1 year ago
his playing reaches beyond to other worldly realms . . .
xxBIRDY 1 year ago
lo odio eske lo odio con toda mi alma.
Señor dame paciencia para aguantarlo
calma,para respetarlo
bondad para amarlo,
te pido esto y no fuerzas porke como t pida fuerzas lo desgracio
IkuEngel 1 year ago
@IkuEngel y a este que le pico?
jcast18k 1 year ago
wtf is that football buton in an awesome Frank Zappa video, it makes some stupid vuvuzela sound. Great song btw :D
naccienac 1 year ago
this is quite a tasteful guitar piece. Never was a fan of Zappa till I ran into this.
Panasper 1 year ago
@Panasper Yes..Perhaps the most "soulful" sounding Zappa piece...listen to it 12-15 times, then you'll get it....
georgegrew 1 year ago
thank you Rakymaky
dopeurwhatuuse 1 year ago