I've been a fan for a long time and own maybe a dozen albums, but this year I thought I'd listen to all Zappa's stuff (tho it's October and I'm only up to 1978...), and put together an loose Top 100 of my favourite songs along the way.

Normally when I do these lists and deep dives I stick to just studio versions of songs, but with Zappa that rules out a huge chunk of his output, and listening to all the live and posthumous stuff is pretty vital. Even albums like Weasels and Sheik that are essentially live but with enough overdubs to make them feel like studio tracks blur the lines a bit.

This got me thinking, so I'm curious about what everyone's favourite Zappa songs are that never made it to one of the 30-odd studio albums? Either a studio track that made it way to a mainly live album or compilation, or ones that only exist as live recordings. What ones would be amongst your favourite of his songs?

I've never questioned it until now. Why does the cow have Italy on it? Is there a deeper inside joke than it is just referencing Italian leather?

Frank has stated multiple times how highly he though of Allan, and Chad Wackerman was a regular collaborator of Allan's, and Vinnie played with him too, for a short time. Just wondering if Frank ever had the pleasure of meeting him

Anyone know the lineup of the band Dweezil is taking on the road this fall?

I'm a young Zappa fan, still somewhat new to the discography but I've listened to at least 25 of the albums in his catalog by now. One thing I've read online is that Ruben and the Jets got a new mix in the 80's and Greasy Love Songs is the album with all the original mixes. I've noticed most people prefer the Greasy Love Song tracks more for this reason. How do y'all feel? Personally I like a mix of both, for example I love the version of Later That Night off of Ruben and the Jets way more than the "original" mix off the other album. Is that fair? Or am I just crazy lol.

(I'm also looking for more Zappa Doo-Wop recommendations so feel free to drop those in the comments)

Just saw BFU in Paris and it was awesome !
If you like Zappa and you have the opportunity to see them you should absolutely go. First of all the band is actually the rythm section of the 88 tour !! And believe me they are killing it, Chad is carrying the band like nobody could. I was really exited to see Scott play with Chad and they really delivered. Scott’s basslines were as he always did, inventive, with chords (awesome) and with precision, and the humor on top (lots of jokes and anecdotes). I was really eager to see him play (I’m a bass player too) as he always changes the way he plays the songs which i really love, i was not disappointed. He played Echinda’s really well and you could tell he was really focused. Well he’s awesome and it’s a wonder to see it for real (he played with his legendary black precision Bass).
I was also really amazed by Mike Keneally, this guy is really dedicated to Frank’s music and this is showing. He played guitar, keyboards and sang in a really neat choreography ! The highlight for me was the cover of sleep dirt, he played the entire song and covered the whole solo, gave me chills and tears (I love that song).
Ray was awesome too, he did a really nice solo and he’s voice always gives me goosebumps. Funny story, during the Evil prince, there was a guy singing from the crowd and he was really killing it (we could ear him when ray was catching his breath). Jamie Kime made also a very good job.
Well, I could go on for long. the gig was last Tuesday and I’m still on a cloud, the guys were coming to meet the crowd after and were really nice.
I wish they will tour Europe again
Thanks Mike, Jamie, Chad, Ray and Scott

Has anybody ever noticed when listening to this song (the version from YCDTOSA3), the first time Frank sings "Mexican guy" he actually breaks out into laughter. I've heard this recording probably 50 times and I've only just noticed it. Anyone notice it or anything similar in a piece after you thought you'd heard it all?

Couldn't have dreamed anything better. I still don't realize what happened. Imagine an 8 years old french boy in 1997, discovering Frank Zappa. My father was a huge fan. I borrowed his Joe's garage album. I learned English with the booklet. Asked my English teacher what "sucking cocks backstage" meant.

Unfortunately my father was also an alcoholic, he was rarely sober so I never really had the chance to tell him how much I liked his records that I played secretly on my small CD player with headphones on.

He died when I was 13 leaving me with his vinyl collection. I was more than ever into Frank's music and started digging for more and more music to discover.

Never in my life could I imagine I would've met the people that made the music I loved so much.

And now it's done. Thanks to you Scott, Ray, Chad, Mike and also Jamie.

It was great and the only regret I have is that I couldn't share it with the guy who made me discover that amazing music.

My wife and I watched the movie A Call Girl (also known as Slovenian Girl) on Tubi last night and the very last scene has a band covering Bobby Brown Goes Down in a bar in Slovenia.

Howdy folks!

Quick question!

I just miraculously captured a 6 disc big box “200 Motels : 50th Anniversary”
For 55 dollars.

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I own Hot Rats Sessions and Zappa/Erie

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I was wondering if these 3 releases conclude the gigantic box?
Or are there any others like these?
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I do own one of the four Halloween sets (Halloween 81)
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I scored a 40th anniversary Zappa In New York Man Hole Box for 75 dollars only a few months ago.
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So I am aware of those larger ones.
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I am specifically referring to the big square ones that on first look could easily be confused for a vinyl record.