Zappa Plays Zappa

[reldditmot]

Better than Frank? Now that is just not possible..Dweezil is good, but FZ was THE BEST!!

[essengeebee]

I'll be watching Zappa Plays Zappa in Manchester next month and I cannot wait! Dweezil is doing an amazing job of keeping his father's music alive. It doesn't surprise me at all that Penn is a Zappa fan, them having similar views in regards to a lot of issues, such as censorship and freedom of speech.

[supervanhalen123]

Shit!! It seems imperative I see them live, I really really hope they come back to Australia, every video i've watched of Zappa Plays Zappa just blows me away.

[mu99ins]

In response to "BrainRotMenacer"

Frank was a drug user. Nicotine. He was an addict. It may have killed him in the end, no pun intended. That's not a put down, just the truth. But, I do agree that you don't have to be high to listen to music. I've been a Zappa junky from the 1st time I heard him way back in '68, and see no end to it. I can't quit. Zappa Plays Zappa does great music, although Penn and his crying in his hands thing is not universal. The ZPZ dvd is a necessity.

[SonOfMrGreengenes]

Well said Penn, I recently saw Dweezil and crew in Milwaukee and it was one of the best concerts I have ever seen in my life.

[tony45347]

Zappa is amazing, Penn nows what he's talking about check out ZPZ if you have not already.

[jojokerus]

Great description

[cordedpoodle]

In the future they will have machines to duplicate the past... Oh I guess we have them now. Photographs. Stereos. But it's always impressive to see a human practice really hard in order to duplicate the past almost as well as a machine can do it.

[CakeDestroyer]

"Berkley School of Music type monsters."

[boogster123321]

um sorry dweezil is great dont get me wrong but frank zappa alot of better of a guitar player

[shyven]

Just watched a video of CALL ANY VEGETABLE. Such an awesome song and done so well. I really miss seeing the PENN SAYS videos.

[baronvoncardo]

I agree 100%, Penn. I haven't been able to see them live (yet). The DVDs are incredible, though. I've watched it about 20 times. It's an amazing gift from Dweezil to new generations of Zappa fans. I like what you had to say here.

[chmkla]

Sorry Penn, Frank was playing music.. he wasn't a technician. Dweezil is a great guitar player but he's not as musical as Frank, and that is simply a fact.

[pettrucciisgod]

@chmkla that's not a fact. That's an opinion. He might sound more musical to you, but others might disagree.

[chmkla]

@pettrucciisgod

I bet you Dweezil would agree. 

[pettrucciisgod]

@chmkla Maybe he would. But the point is that what you said isn't a fact. Musicality is subjective.

[chmkla]

@pettrucciisgod

Actually I think you could empirically verify that Frank was a better musician and guitarist by most standards. He wrote hundreds of amazing compositions. Frank described his guitar solos as compositions that are composed in the moment. I haven't listened to Dweezil's recordings but I have seen him now 6 times (4 x in the last 4 days). His solos are repetitive and limited to sort of a Van Halen approach. He's a good guitarist but at the end of the day he's no Frank

[pettrucciisgod]

@chmkla I don't think anybody's arguing that dweezil is a better composer than FZ (which would be riduculous). I'm talking about their guitar playing ability. To me Dweezils, solos are much more focused, and accesible than franks. And technique wise, Dweezil is way beyond Frank which allows him to do more interesting things with the guitar. While they are both good players, I would much rather listen to Dweezil take a solo than Frank. But like I said, it's a matter of opinion to who's better.

[chmkla]

@pettrucciisgod My point in bringing up Frank's compositional skills was that his solos were compositions. Great improvisors are great composers. Mediocre composers are mediocre improvisors. Frank had the deep musical well to draw from that Dweezil lacks by your own admission that Dweezil is not a better composer. I think most musicians would agree and by that standard I reiterate it's simply a fact that Frank was more musical and Penn is wrong. Thanks.

[pennsays]

Hi Penn fans. Penn Says videos have been discontinued, so you won't be seeing any new content on here. You can check out our Profile on our Channel Page for more info. We'll still be checking in, so hope to keep chatting with you all! Thanks!

[zappalaney]

a much , much better guitarist than his father ?

thats insane , but its in his genes so what the fuck ....astonishing yes

[adlez992]

I saw ZPZ I guess last year and it was one of the most phenomenal, awe inspiring things that I have ever seen. I am only 19 and was only 3 when Frank died and so the fact that I could experience a live event sharing his smart and beautiful music presented by his son is just purely fantastic. It is always great to hear you speak of Zappa because it is like two of my Heroes in one event. Like stated before me, Zappa Lives.

[psb2usa]

MUSIC is the BEST (OK Magic is pretty good too!) Great Bit! THANKS! Zappa LIVES!

[pvrdvd123]

I too was stunned by what Dweezil is doing. The DVD is amazing. It will be interesting to see, when he starts to write music as his Dad did. "Conceptual Continuity". Once FZ's music gets in your head, it's there forever. Long live DZ and ZPZ!  btw Mr. Gillette, you are a intelligent voice of reason in a world of fools, as was FZ (but, you already know that). Long live Penn as well. Thank you.

[davethecaveman]

finally I agree with Penn,I say no two guitar players are the same,they are like fingerprints.Frank would be proud of his kid and I think after also seeing dweez twice,once in St Louis,once in Chicago,it is the best thing going at any price. Penn is right on about the tribute,it is flawless,respectful and any zappa fan is fortunate to have this music live on.

[utoad9]

Couldn't have said it better!

[BrutalTruthTv]

Thank you Dweezil for bringing Frank's music to a generation that might have missed out on it.

I will see you soon!

[nothingblue1]

Dweezil has balls for playing all those things arranged for percussion but of course he's gonna be a hell of a player. Steve vai as a guitar teacher?

[wmd1]

Frank arranged to have Dweezil take lessons from Eddie Van Halen so he wouldn't pick up what Frank viewed as his own bad habits. You can really hear Van Halen's influence on Dweez's solo albums. And I'm sure having people like Vai, Cucurillo and Keneally around didn't hurt.

[pennsays]

@wmd1 Hmm, that's an interesting bit of fact. Thanks!

[mpnickisher]

It's thanks to Dweezil and the ZPZ Band that Frank's music lives on and can be presented to those who have not yet heard Frank. What a genius composer he was!

[pjpzappa]

this guy is a big idiot wonder how much they paid him????????? if you guys want the real zappa exsperance go see projest object much better than d weezil!!!!!!!!! only 20 bucks

[drdigital1]

Give me a break... And learn how to spell "Experience & Project " before you trash someone like Dweezil & ZPZ! I don't think it could get more "real" than his own Son. And if your going to comment, slow down and think first. People might take you more serious.

[Fetrey]

Correct me if I'm wrong but most of the ZPZ guys were in Frank's backing band.

[SgtTravisBickle]

You can't criticize FZ's playing at all... he had one of the most unique sounds and playing styles in the history of guitar. Think you need to watch more vids of him playing, Penn. I used to play for years and could never come close to Zappa's style... it was too much a part of him.

[thomashoffman]

All he's saying is that Dweezil is a "technically" better player, in the sense that he plays with better and more flawless technique, not that either is a better or more inventive guitarist.

[nothingblue1]

yeah Frank had a natural aggressive blues rooted sound, Dweezil grew up on metal

[steve3dqe]

Well said, Penn.

Dweezil honors his father.

[WayneJohnJohnWayne]

Just discovered Zappa again in the past few months and fell in love with the attitude, the look, the music and the groove. Wonderful music. I'm glad to know that I can see something like that now. Thanks Penn, you rock too.

[mikepulcinella]

I am a big Zappa fan and will now see this show because of your review. Thanks bro!

[rylandheights]

I love Zappa... Thanks for your expressive review.

[jareth45373]

The best thing about Penn is that though he made a career out of playing with our perceptions when he speaks there is no B.S. (except in the title of his show) so for him to recommend this so highly to someone then it is something I will be on the look out for. I'm already a huge Zappa fan so this is an experience I won't want to miss.

[topangapan]

thanks... ZPZ is a great musical event.

Although Dweezil has yet to match the overall musicianship of his father he may be a better guitar technician, but he is not yet a better guitar soloist. I look forward to his future output.

[KafirAlalazoo]

Thanks for this eloquent review.

With the economy what it is these days, and the fact that I live in the middle of Bumfuck, Nowhere, it's not likely I'll get to see ZPZ live, so I appreciate your insights, and I hope to see the show on DVD one day.

[terramortim]

I never got a chance to see Frank. It was a godsend. Frank was never a "good" guitarist. It was just an extension of him. None of the genius guitarists are "good". :D

Seeing Napoleon Murphy Brock was... astounding, though,

[zappalaney]

terramortim (1 month ago) Show Hide 0I never got a chance to see Frank. It was a godsend. Frank was never a "good" guitarist. It was just an extension of him. None of the genius guitarists are "good"..........dude how can you say Frank wasn't a "good" guitarist ?

NO he was not good , he was the fucking best thing to ever happen to my ears anyway

Frankly speaking, Frank Is God : )

[marniespeaks]

what a nice thing to say

[Synclovier]

Good review, Dweezil is not a better guitarist than Frank he can just play impossible guitar parts. If Frank spent that much time in the tool shed, he would be able to play it as well. He said it in his book, that it takes up way too much time and the idea of going out there and thrilling people in a pissing contest kinda way didn't really mean anything to him. Zappa plays Zappa sounds like the best thing going live performance wise, aside from the lame ppl in the crowd who sing along with solos

[dienlik]

Going to see ZPZ with Dream Theater and Pain of Salvation, whenever Progressive Nation dates are announced.

This makes me even more excited, somehow.

[youvebeenthunderstru]

I don't think Dweezil's "better" than his father, but certainly ZPZ is a very interesting show... I mean, it's better than most of the manufactured crap out there today.

[wackytracky]

I always thought Zappa jumped the shark when he went solo after the Mothers and either wrote songs with an adolescent sense of humor like Dont Eat The Yellow Snow, or Titties and Beer and those double albums of his endless improves brand of jazz always left me cold. But as a social critic I thought he was amazing and solely on the basis of that hes one of my heroes and his bouts with the PMRC were classic.

[Frith10]

I saw it when it came to Vancouver, and it could have been the best concert I've ever seen.

[chimera15]

Who's zappa? Didn't he have a weird game show or something? He's a musician? lol

[PsilocybinNinja]

Zappa Plays Zappa came to my city last year and have a couple times. THE greatest musicianship I have ever seen and I have seen IT ALL. I'm only 23 and I am deep into Zappa's music and loved the show.

[misslipstickvogue]

This sounds awesome, I'll have to check it out.

P.S. it might make some folks laugh to know I named my hamster dweezil... very endearingly, actually.

[ladyboyloadsdotcom]

You sure are a fat barsted

[urbster1]

I think I got the 1,000th view on this video! Anyways, it's great to hear you talk about music, Penn! As a musician myself, I love hearing you talk about it, when you play it, and the music you like. I can tell you have a profound love and appreciation for this form of art. Really enjoyed this video!

[johnaiton]

Dweezil's economy picking is just sweet.

[ZachsMind]

When I was a kid I heard Valley Girl on the Doctor Demento Show. Never knew about Frank Zappa before that. Little did I know how that was barely the tip of the iceberg to his genius. Since then, experiencing Zappa's music is like those animations of the Mandelbrot Set. The deeper you go, the crazier and surreal and more beautiful it gets, but just like those brightly colored Mandelbrot Set animations, I'll probably never be able to fully appreciate Frank Zappa's music, cuz I don't smoke pot.

[BrainRotMenacer]

Zappa wasn't a drug user either. It's not necessary to get stoned to appreciate music fully, I think. Maybe appreciate it differently, but not more than those who are sober.

[TreeRaper]

Yes...on drugs music is way better then when listened to sober. Especially for those of us who aren't musicians or hardcore music enthusiasts.

[CalebMTurberville]

@BrainRotMenacer Well, I think he did smoke. But he completely abstained from alcohol and, except for a few joints, most illicit drugs.

[cordedpoodle]

@BrainRotMenacer Miles Davis disagrees with you. Miles died sober but had the nuts to be honest about creativity and drugs.

[BrainRotMenacer]

@cordedpoodle I don't understand what you mean. I merely said that both users and non-users can appreciate and create music just as well as each other. What are you trying to say? Are you saying what I said is not true?

[Mungholio]

Zappa didn't smoke pot, too. And he wrote all of that...

[mooktank]

Dweezil also took a bunch of non-guitar parts and transcribed them. I saw them play with Ray White last tour in Providence. It was nice to be able to sit.

[SykesMacab]

Awesome :D

[kmi187]

Wish I could go see it. Dweezil is an ace guitar player.

[thereisnopilot]

Right on, Penn. I got the ZPZ dvd set not too long ago and I felt the exact same way, the "cosmik continuity" if you will. Inca roads totally choked me up. Thanks for this great installment and tribute.

[jaudsle]

Great Vid Penn, I wonder who played drums for the show... I have been watching your you tube vids for about 6 months now and always look forward to what you have to say

[Dingboy74]

Joe Travers is the drummer for the ZPZ band. Absolutely insanely good!!!

[Dingboy74]

THANKS PENN!!! I'm a huge fan of Teller and yourself, the Bullshit show and your YouTube videos. You have reintroduced me into the world of truth and to always keep a healthy form of scepticism. You have also introduced me into the great world of James Randi, which I think is more amazing than any religion in the world. However my biggest love in lif is the music of Frank Zappa. I live in Norway and have seen ZPZ play three times here (I'm planning to see them twice this summer as well).....

[Dingboy74]

I have never been able to express the amazing feeling of seeing them play live and the emotions I go through. I'm extremely grateful for the way you put it all into words, and I agree 100%. This is exactly the way I feel about the ZPZ show, the music, the sound, the legacy and the talent. You have once again helped and impressed me by taking five minutes out of your day to tell us how you feel :-)

[rarrmonkey]

Penn for president. Teller Vice president.

[infinity730]

Nah, Teller should be *Speaker* of the House. :)

[doctornoise]

well spoken. Now I wish I would have gone to that when they were here in Vegas. Going back and watching Zappa's old videos is incredible... it's incredible because today's musical world just isn't as patient, or attentive to the incredible music Zappa put together.

[LIBBMW]

What part of Vegas you live in Penn? Looks like maybe....north west? I live in the north and it looks similar.

[oober349]

The Zappa family has been very harsh to anyone else who wants to play Frank's music. I think that with Frank died what was good about the Zappas.

[digitalshark]

Actually, I can understand that. If you read "The Real Frank Zappa Book," Frank himself had a huge issue with others playing his compositions, largely because he did not have any faith that they would be performed accurately, or with significant rehearsal time etc. He had many bad experiences related to this. The one very bad thing I can say about the Zappa family is they have been sitting on Frank's huge, unbelievable archive of material since his death, doing little with it to date.

[ashleytisdiale]

:-D

[digitalshark]

Loved all that you have to say, since I've loved Frank since I was a kid, but I have to take strong exception to your suggestion that Dweezil is a better guitarist than his father. Technique, in my opinion, is a rather SMALL aspect of how one judges a guitarist - originality and creativity are so much more important. Frank created utterly unique "air sculptures" and there will never be another who played like he did. Dweezil is a technician, raised on Van Halen etc. No comparison, in my opinion.

[oober349]

No comparison at all. Even as an individual musician, Frank was a genius.

[chmkla]

@digitalshark

I couldn't agree with you more. Thanks for stating that so well.

[darthbell]

For those who appreciate Zappa's music, put Mats Morgan Band in the search box. Even Zappa himself liked Mats and Morgan.

[XxSTICH666xX]

I saw them in New York on Halloween night and at westbury music hall.

[Industro]

Fantastic. I hope the show comes to the UK sometime!

[Elol22]

I'm seeing Zappa plays Zappa June 8! I was excited now I can barley wait :D

[KALfilms]

Good vid.

[petknitter]

That really is a beautiful thought. Another beautiful thing on this video: the background. The desert is just stunning. The mountains and the sky and the clouds... amazing. Thanks for sharing this with us!

[Deathinmusic]

Great to see Penn appreciate good prog rock. :)

[Arppis]

So what kinda music you listen in general, Penn?

[TheFalseOswalds]

Well said.

[mirosotoz]

AWSOME!!!!

[0Xian0]

Great vid as always. 5*