Amazing clip. Didn't understand him then still not sure

[Al.C]

Well I must say youtubes does give a chance to see music that you otherwise would have no access to.
I remember borrowing a friends Zappa album in the 70's and really not understanding it. I was over on youtubes and decided I would see what I was missing. Check this out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5ORGWfJiTI&mode=related&search=

Amazing player, still not sure I understand where he iwas coming from or where he was going. Oh Steve Vai is not to sloppy himself.

This may take a little more time for me to take in.

 

[SOLO GUITAR STEWIE]

Re: Amazing clip. Didn't understand him then still not sure

sweet clip, lets see july of '82 I wasnt born for another 4 months!!!
The more I listen to zappa the more I enjoy it, I too at first didnt get zappa

chris

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Amazing clip. Didn't understand him then still not sure

That outfit Vai is wearing cracks me up, but his playing more than makes up for it.

 

[daemon barbeque]

Re: Amazing clip. Didn't understand him then still not sure

hehe the camera cracks me up.And yeah Vai looks like a monkey.But they play so damn great!

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Amazing clip. Didn't understand him then still not sure

FZ used to call Vai by the nickname "Whammy Abuse."

Both amazing guitarists. If you ask me, I like FZ's phrasing and tone better.

- Keith

 

[daemon barbeque]

Re: Amazing clip. Didn't understand him then still not sure

. If you ask me, I like FZ's phrasing and tone better.

- Keith

yeah i think the same!He had better control then!

 

[Osensei]

Re: Amazing clip. Didn't understand him then still not sure

What's to understand? The man was an eccentric genius who despised the commercialism of music. As such, much of his material was meant to be satirical. Many of his songs are attempts at lampooning the popular styles that were prevalent at that particular moment in history. It was his way of saying screw the system.

In his mind, he was above it all and the "industry" was guilty of the dumbing down of the masses! Altogether, he was a pretty pissed off dude!

 

[Al.C]

Re: Amazing clip. Didn't understand him then still not sure

What's to understand? The man was an eccentric genius who despised the commercialism of music. As such, much of his material was meant to be satirical. Many of his songs are attempts at lampooning the popular styles that were prevalent at that particular moment in history. It was his way of saying screw the system.

In his mind, he was above it all and the "industry" was guilty of the dumbing down of the masses! Altogether, he was a pretty pissed off dude!

Was he really a musical genius???? If I use a thesoraus and write an essay that no average person can understand does that make me a great writer ? I have heard many people state what a musical genious he was. I listen to his music, the progressions, the harmony and it is so unorthodox that I have nothing to compare it to. Yes he certainly appears technically superb but a "musical genious". Just because it is different doesn't make it great. Now I am open to other peoples perceptions of his music but same as 30 years ago I just don't get it. Hence the reason for the post. What do others really think of his music?

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Amazing clip. Didn't understand him then still not sure

Listen to a whole live album top to bottom and you will hail him as a genius.

"Roxy & Elsewhere (Live)"

 

[Wattage]

Re: Amazing clip. Didn't understand him then still not sure

That's the kind of Steve Vai I really like!

 

[Osensei]

Re: Amazing clip. Didn't understand him then still not sure

Was he really a musical genius????

Yes he was.

I've already stated that most of his music was satire! If you take it seriously then you miss the point. The music was rediculous in order to prove a point. It is the point that he meant for you to take seriously. That is if you were intelligent enough to get the point in the first place.

As for the music ..., you would have to be a musicologist in order to discern all of the idioms that are to be found in a typical Zappa tune. At anytime Zappa might subject you to anything from a Gregorian Chant to a Canon and Fugue, to a Pointalistic tone poem. Which brings me to my point. Zappa was a modern composer ala Philip Glass and not a "pop artist".

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Amazing clip. Didn't understand him then still not sure

And a healthy dose of Java coffee...and a wicked sense of humour is also good for the Zappa thing!
I always laugh when I hear his stuff.....the man was evil
And in that too funny nothing is sacred way!
Genius allright!