This was the first album by frank zappa and the mothers of invention. Released 50 years ago on may 26, 1967 on verve records, absolutely free was the mothers of invention s followup to their landmark debut album, freak out. Verve released the mothers of inventions debut double album freak out. The mothers of invention live in london 1968 youtube. My generation and murmur both set fire to different musical areas of their time. Their performance at the royal festival hall in london on october 25, 1968, was released in 1991 as the album ahead of their time. Frank zappamothers of invention on verve records steve. Very well done for the limited run time of the program which is just over an hour. The albums title is a reference to the lobby group, the pmrc, who were campaigning to require record companies to put warning stickers on albums they considered offensive, and to zappas former band, the mothers of invention. Features song lyrics for the mothers of invention s freak out. Dec 28, 2009 any mono frank zappamothers of invention lp is rare. Then, it got even stranger when i listened to the th floor elevators, out of austin, but thats another story. My guess is that this was a bright recording to start with it has a very tinny, jangly sound and i think this mastering has attempted to relieve that somewhat by giving the bass a boost, which it probably needs.
Often cited as one of rock musics first concept albums, the album is a satirical expression of frontman frank zappas perception of american pop culture. The debut album by american experimental rock composer frank zappas mothers of invention followed in 1966, and in the next two years caravan, jethro tull, the moody blues, the nice, pink floyd, the pretty things, procol harum, and soft machine released artrocktype albums. His performances in person with the group are rare. Frank zappa and his band of misfits took full advantage of having four album sides at their disposal. At first there may not have been a lot of listeners, but most certainly the right people were tuning into frank zappa and the mothers of invention s freaky vibe from the start. Doing a search in the forum and cant find information about the 1985 lp reissue of freak out. Frank wrote very different songs for the latter day mothers.
A mix of psychedelic rock, doowop, kazoo solos, and avantgarde soundscapes, freak out is not an easy album to process. Had to listen to the stereo freak out on the 15 inch woofers to hear suttle echoes in some of the tracks. Help, im a rock by mothers of invention top psychedelic song. Absolutely free is the second studio album by american rock band the mothers of invention, released on may 26, 1967 by verve records. I was initially skeptical about buying mofo making of freak out as i had purchased freak out the year before. I much prefer what the mothers of invention did, compared to the later mothers lineups. Frank zappa the dawn of the mothers special feature duration. There are some debut albums that truly stand out in music. I listened to most of side 2 today freak out and still think its scarily bright. All albums of the mothers of invention at least up until in it for the money have the letter x added on their catalogue numbers. Review frank zappa the mothers of invention freak out.
A large number of superior sounding releases for this bunch, ranging from wakajawaka1972 to sheik yerbouti 1979. The label was intended to record not only the mothers of invention, but also acts zappa discovered. The mothers of invention biography, albums, streaming. Any mono frank zappamothers of invention lp is rare. Freak out 1966 the debut album by the mothers of invention remains a classic, with zappa the social critic recoiling in horror at his stint in a sunset strip bar band youre probably. Nicelly done bio flick of frank zappa and his mothers band. Vinyl, lp, album, reissue, stereo, hot spot ad, 180g. Early in the summer, ray collins quit the mothers of invention, who continued to tour. The mothers of invention played in new york in late 1966 and were offered a contract at the garrick theater during easter 1967. Were only in it for th frank zappa the mothe uncle meat. This proved successful and herb cohen extended the booking, which eventually lasted half a year. It was also one of the first double albums in rock music second. It was just a thing that spewed out, zappa said a decade later.
They were playing in a theater in a bad part of town and i could get a ride there, but not back home. Mono yes indeed, here we are, another mono release from 1966. One week later, zappa announced that he was breaking up the band, although, as it turned out, this did not mean that he would not use the name the mothers of invention for groups he led in the future. This reissue cd has different timings, per cd face. Just curious if anybody in the hoffman forum bought this reissued vinyl and your feelings on the sound if this slab of thickness. Multiinstrumentalist ian underwood is the only member of the mothers to appear on the album and was the primary musical. Much of the album is surprisingly accessible, yet there is still that touch of strangeness that makes it distinctly zappa. The hippieflower power culture was just getting under way, but the mothers debut album found them already taking great delight in turning aquarian imagery inside out. The recording debut of the frank zappa and the mothers of invention is a brilliantly wicked counterstrike to the flower power sensibilities prevalent at the time of its release in 1966. While the mono were only in it for the money and excerpts from the mono freak out. Formed in 1964, their work is marked by the use of sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Find the mothers of invention discography, albums and singles on allmusic. It goes from franks beginings and moves through the rise and demise of the mothers of invention. Frank zappa meets the mothers of prevention wikipedia.
Zappas verve debut with his group the mothers of invention, 1966s freak out. It is good to note up front that mofo has the entire freak out album on it in its original form. According to mastering engineer chris bellman, freak out. Af is a must own for zappa fans, but like freak out. The mothers of invention, frank zappa on allmusic 1966 one of the. As a result, zappa and his wife, along with the mothers of invention. Frank zappa and the mothers of inventions mothermania. In 2003, rolling stone asked a panel of 271 artists, producers, industry executives and journalists to pick the greatest albums of all time. The song, about the watts riots, is angry, driving, and surprisingly still prescient. Nov 10, 2017 right out of the gate, with 1966s doublelp freak out. I was quicker and caught him before he could escape.
On august 19, the mothers of invention gave their final performance in their original form, playing on canadian tv at the end of a tour. His personality is so repellent that its best he stay awayfor the sake of impressionable young minds who might not be prepared to cope with him. A pomona native and claremont resident, collins was admitted to. Side three track 01 written by frank zappa freak out. Browse 257 lyrics and 59 the mothers of invention albums. Arguably rock musics first true concept album, zappas. Alternative rock, musique concrete, avantgarde, psychedelic rock, experimental, parody. The mothers of invention trouble every day youtube. Mothers of invention excerpt from the freak out sessions. A true musical genius, zappa made it okay to write weird rock music. Get the best deals on frank zappa rock near mint nm or m sleeve vinyl records when you shop the largest online selection at. Freak out has some of zappas strongest work, and songs hed.
Ray collins, singer and mothers of invention cofounder. Free shipping on many items browse your favorite brands affordable prices. Frank zappa meets the mothers of prevention is a 1985 album by frank zappa. Within one year i was a leftwing pacifist, opposed to the war, and marching for integration. Freak out is an outstanding debut for the mothers of invention.
The mothers of invention released the double lp, freak out in 1966. Absolutely free 50th anniversary expanded 2lp edition. The mothers of invention, frank zappa on allmusic 1966 one of the most ambitious debuts in rock history. In 1966, when even the doors and the grateful dead were still at a garage band level, frank zappas mothers of invention took great pride in being the ambassadors of freakdom. I think the original stereo mix you hear more a psychedelic vibe than the mono. Very rare genuine record label manufactured printed cd. Zappathe mothers freak out france 19661985 re zappa records gatefold 2lp nm see more like this.
He combines doowop, psychedelia, and straightup rock and roll into an amazing musical statement. Timing on inlay and on back covers are the same, but not matching to the real tracks in some cases. Overnight sensation was cut directly from the original analog tapes. Ray collins, the singer who hired frank zappa to join the pomona band that became the mothers of invention, died monday at age 75. The mothers of invention album discography allmusic. Opening with the nonconformist call to arms hungry freaks, daddy, freak out. I heard from vaultmeister joe travers, who told me that fz made the transfer using the sony dash pcm 3324 at 44. The back cover of freak out, albeit with the ryko logo from the 1995 rykodisc reissue. Anytime i was hesitant to buy the new reissue, took a chance and love the sound.
But, lets do a show of hands out there in the studio audience. The album was originally released in two slightly different versions in the us and europe. I could get a gig driving that bus that pick the freaks up. Has a driving rhythm and some zany vocals, the deep raspy type that zappa loves to. Brash, challenging and exhilarating, the record was revolutionary as it pushed the limits of what an album could be. All albums of the mothers of invention at least up until in it for the money have the letter x.