A Place So Beautifully Sad, It Makes Me Want To Paint Nov 17, 2009
In order to abolish traditional commie drabness, they had hired Frank Zappa, an American of Czech descent, to change their image, and he had recommended changing its name to Okay Airlines, repainted the planes in Basic Garish, and, in order to keep passengers from noticing they were flying on Ilyushin planes, not notable for safety or comfort, he suggested having the stewardesses go up and down the aisles carrying -- you guessed it -- large buckets of Prazdroj. Well, we did Russia for a couple... (Slate)
Spreading the word Nov 15, 2009
"We feel it fills a niche." Coming up with a name for the magazine, Larry Noonan said he was inspired by the Frank Zappa tune, "Stink-Foot," from the 1974 album "Apostrophe." Part of the song includes a man talking to his dog, which then begins to talk back. The dog talks, it says, despite all apostrophes: can't, won't, don't, hasn't, shouldn't and couldn't. (Montana Standard, MT)
Music: the week ahead Nov 12, 2009
JAZZ, BLUES & CABARET THE JOHN FUNKHOUSER TRIO The virtuosic trio celebrates its new CD Time, showcasing melodic and accessible investigations of unusual time signatures, influenced by such jazz pathfinders as Max Roach and Dave Brubeck as well as progressive rockers like Yes and Frank Zappa. 7 p.m. Nov. 13. (Boston Globe)
Cartoon Network’s Dethklok thrashes off the screen Oct 25, 2009
Cartoon Network s Dethklok thrashes off the screen - The Boston Globe. Local Search Site Search. (Boston Globe)
Nov 14: David Anderle, Elizabeth McGrath, Gail Potocky, Charlie Immer at BSFA Oct 21, 2009
He worked with such well-known artists as Brian Wilson, Frank Zappa, The Doors, Leon Russell and Sheryl Crowe and produced albums for Judy Collins, Rita Coolidge, Kris Kristofferson, Chris DeBurgh, The Circle Jerks plus many others. Anderle also music supervised and produced the soundtracks for "The Breakfast Club" and "Pretty in Pink." In 2007 his passion for painting was fully realized with his first gallery show and monograph, "David Anderle: Better Late Than Never" for Billy Shire Fine Arts. (AbsoluteArts.com)
Biography tells story of local music hero Oct 15, 2009
Mr. Gray has authored or co-authored books about musicians Frank Zappa, Elvis Presley and Mr. Dylan, including The Bob Dylan Encyclopedia (2006). It was while researching Mr. Dylan that Mr. Gray came across Mr. Dylan's song Blind Willie McTell. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Amy presents... Oct 10, 2009
" Winehouse's next album will come out on Lioness and she may also sign artists from outside her clique, if they fit in with her "vision". Big stars setting up their own labels is nothing new. The Beatles had Apple, Sir Elton John had Rocket, Prince had Paisley Park, U2 had Mother and Frank Zappa had Barking Pumpkin. Madonna's Maverick was one of the biggest successes, signing Alanis Morrissette and The Deftones. Frank Sinatra founded Reprise to release records by his Rat Pack pals and Led... (BBC News -- Entertainment)
Aerosmith's Joe Perry Rocks Solo Oct 9, 2009
Perry: I forget if it was Martin Mull quoting Frank Zappa, or - it sounds like a Frank Zappa line, where he said, "Talking about music is like dancing about architecture." And that's why I named my first solo record, "Let the Music Do the Talking.". AP: Where did you discover your new lead singer, Hagen. (CBS News -- Entertainment)
Tombstone tours: Check out these famous boneyards Oct 6, 2009
At Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery (1218 Glendon Ave.), you can pay your respects to Marilyn Monroe, Burt Lancaster, Natalie Wood, Jack Lemmon, Dean Martin, Billy Wilder, Frank Zappa, Rodney Dangerfield and Truman Capote. Those spending eternity at the Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills cemetery (6300 Forest Lawn Drive) include Bette Davis, Lucille Ball, Buster Keaton, Liberace, Stan Laurel, Gene Autry and David Carradine. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Travel)
Singer Joe Bagale draws on eclectic influences Oct 5, 2009
The Michael Jackson single "Another Part of Me" lays on the bed alongside the LP of Miles Davis' "Live Evil." A little picture of Frank Zappa, from the cover of his orchestral CD "The Yellow Shark," hangs on one wall, a framed image of the Beatles' "Abbey Road" on another. Stravinsky's "Firebird" shares shelf space with CDs by Tower of Power and King Crimson. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Recording Artist Steve Vai Receives Honorary Doctor of Music Degree from Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA Sep 30, 2009
Vai began his career as music transcriber for Frank Zappa and went on to achieve international renown for his recordings and tours with Zappa, Alcatrazz, David Lee Roth and Whitesnake as well as his innovative solo work. Vais latest concert DVD, Where the Wild Things Are, which he premiered in August 2009 exclusively for MI students and staff, was released on September 29 (hear samples at ). (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Weird celeb baby names Sep 14, 2009
Frank Zappa was famous for his eclectic and experimental take on music and he reflected his enthusiasm for the different through the naming of his children. Obviously used to pushing the bar in the studio, Zappa pulled names like Moon Unit, Diva Muffin and Dweezil out the bag for his kids. (iAfrica.com)
MI Awards Honorary Degree to Guitar Legend Steve Vai Sep 3, 2009
After first achieving prominence as guitarist for the late Frank Zappa, Vai has gone on to win multiple Grammys, repeatedly top critics and readers polls, and earn gold and platinum records while becoming the personification of contemporary guitar virtuosity. His latest concert DVD, Where the Wild Things Are, is set for release at the end of the month. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Wayne Coyne’s iPod shuffle Aug 28, 2009
Don t Eat the Yellow Snow, Frank Zappa. 4. (Boston Globe)
Original spin Aug 20, 2009
"They always do a cover of Frank Zappa," Schrecengost said. "That's fine.". (Erie Times-News, PA)
Minister in twilight zone Aug 2, 2009
HITLER, Frank Zappa and an apparently drunk surfer dude have something in common with NSW Planning Minister Kristina Keneally ... There was a choice of several clips on late musician Frank Zappa, the late musician. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
George Russell, 86; composer, theoretician led giants of jazz to fertile new lands Jul 29, 2009
While Davis may have put Mr. Russell s modal jazz on the musical map, the use of modals subsequently was expanded by musicians such as pianist Herbie Hancock and can be heard in settings as diverse as the theme to The Simpsons television show, songs by U2, and extended solos by Frank Zappa. Mr. Russell took his own work into other musical arenas, such as electronica and ethnic traditions. (Boston Globe)
Tuesday Trivia: Rock 'N' Roll Urb... Jul 14, 2009
Frank Zappa ate Captain Beefheart s sh*t onstage ... Mr. Greenjeans from Captain Kangaroo was Frank Zappa s father. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Sonic Spotlight: Markus Favors Jun 18, 2009
FAVORITE ALBUM: Joe's Garage: Acts I, II by Frank Zappa. From the Thursday, June 18, 2009 edition of the Augusta Chronicle Reader Comments Note: Comments are not edited and don't represent the views of The Augusta Chronicle. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Jazz by the lake Jun 18, 2009
Brecker s trumpet and flugelhorn playing have graced hundreds of albums by musicians from James Taylor and Bruce Springsteen to David Sanborn, Steely Dan, Horace Silver and Frank Zappa. Half of the critically-acclaimed Brecker Brothers, he has shaped the sound of jazz, R&B and rock for four decades. (Racine Journal Times, WI)
Links to other featured weather-related tunes Jun 17, 2009
by Frank Zappa 2/7/07. by Joni Mitchell 1/31/07. (USA Today -- Weather)
Big Ideas Need Small Places Jun 1, 2009
2009 The American Conservative. Micronations: The Lonely Planet Guide to Home-Made Nations, John Ryan, George Dunford, and Simon Sellars, Lonely Planet, 156 pages. (The American Conservative)
Matisyahu & Claypool Jun 1, 2009
These days Claypool is about as close to playing the role Frank Zappa once played part genius, part comic, all musician as anyone in music. And his band Mike Dillon on vibraphone (playing the coolest since Lionel Hampton), Paolo Baldi on drums and Sam Bass on distorted cello keeps up with all sides of Claypool. (The Palm Beach Post)
Kevin Frisch: Another old-time radio voice fades away May 15, 2009
Even that radio rarity Frank Zappa made the doctor s playlist ... Jimmy Durante, P.D.Q. Bach, Allan Sherman, Tom Lehrer, even an occasional Frank Zappa composition would fill the airwaves. (Belmont Citizen Herald, MA)
10 free things to do in Europe this summer May 12, 2009
A monument to Frank Zappa, creator of the 1960s band the Mothers of Invention, can be found in Vilnius, Lithuania. Zappa is of Lithuanian descent, and the monument is located in an area known as Uzupis, known for its countercultural leanings, cafes, galleries and other artists' hangouts. (Yahoo News)
5 nuggets of knowledge about inventions Apr 29, 2009
They are all album titles from the late 1960s and early 1970s recorded by the delightfully twisted and subversive imagination of composer and guitarist Frank Zappa, frontman of the band the Mothers of Invention. The Mothers of Invention s first album, the 1966 two-record disc Freak Out, satirized middle-class America and conformity with song titles Hungry Freaks, Daddy, Who are the Brain Police. (Gaylord Herald Times, MI)
Fever called spring Apr 16, 2009
"Blue Sky Mission Club is zydeco. Rick Magee is rock. Jim Froman's Hot Rhythm Club is normally jazz, but can play pretty much anything. Emil and the Palookas, I've heard play anything and everything. I've heard them do [material] from the '30s to Frank Zappa.". The festival is a homecoming of sorts for Magee, a Cambridge Springs native. (Erie Times-News, PA)
Lewis' 'Acid Tongue' to go on display at Belly Up Apr 9, 2009
In fact, Lewis is associated with another corner of L.A.: Laurel Canyon, a woodsy neighborhood synonymous with the likes of Jackson Browne, Frank Zappa, Joni Mitchell and Crosby, Stills, Nash. In December, Rolling Stone magazine highlighted a modern-day Laurel Canyon scene, one not just inspired by that '60s-'70s West Coast sound, but also its spirit of collaboration. (North County Times)
Jazz Guitarist Clinco Creates a Multicolor Impression with Neon Apr 5, 2009
Stellar sidemen on this project include saxophonist Bob Sheppard, who toured with Chick Corea's "Origin" for two years, and is featured on Chick Corea's Grammy nominated CD "Change." Walt Fowler's (flugelhorn) credits include working with Billy Childs, James Taylor and Frank Zappa ... Trumpeter Walt Fowler, a veteran of Frank Zappa, Billy Cobham, Ray Charles, and George Duke, lends his skillful lips and respected experience. (Yahoo News -- Press Releases)
Pojama People to play Squirrel’s Tavern Mar 26, 2009
CORVALLIS Frank Zappa tribute band Pojama People, which has members hailing from Portland and Eugene, will import the talents of former Portlander Ike Willis for a show at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 27, at Squirrel s Tavern, 100 S.W. Second St. ... WHO: Pojama People with Ike Willis (Frank Zappa tribute). (Corvallis Gazette Times, OR)
Truthiness joins up for USO tour Mar 20, 2009
BALTIMORE Baltimore's public art commission hopes to erect a bust of eccentric rocker Frank Zappa in a neighborhood known for its bohemian vibe. Yesterday, the commission formally endorsed placing the bust in the quirky Fells Point community. (Honolulu Advertiser)
Thank you, Pete Hartt Mar 9, 2009
My desk just happened to be next to Pete's, and one afternoon that summer he was talking with someone and somehow the conversation led him to start singing "Montana" by Frank Zappa. Now, my father gave me one helluva head of seemingly useless knowledge, especially when it comes to music. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
* Rock n roll dombra Mar 6, 2009
Although he started learning the dombra, a traditional stringed instrument common in Central Asia, at the age of 5, Ahmethan says he also spent his youth listening to the likes of Frank Zappa, AC/DC and all kinds of rock n roll. He finds it hard to communicate at length in Mandarin, so during a phone interview earlier this week his manager and close friend, Tu Fei (), helped answer questions. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
* [SOCIETY] Blast from the stache Feb 27, 2009
C harlie Chaplin, Martin Luther King, Tom Selleck, Frank Zappa and Salvador Dali provide a different kind of inspiration than usual this month, along with fictional characters like Ron Burgundy (played by Will Ferrell in Anchorman). Its not comedy, human rights activism, manliness, music or art that needs to be emulated though: its the ability to grow facial hair X more specifically, a mustache X that is required. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
A Passage to India Feb 23, 2009
He studied Baroque recorder for two years, then switched to alto saxophone at the age of eleven, coming under the influence of a teacher who exposed him to everything from Sidney Bechet to Frank Zappa. By ninth grade, Mahanthappa was fronting a band that, by his own account, tortured tunes by Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, and others he admired. (New Yorker)
Herbie, Dee Dee perform with amazing grace Feb 20, 2009
Giving Hancock company was major jazz pianist and producer George Duke, who has performed with every musical great from Dizzy Gillespie to Frank Zappa and Zakir Hussain. One of the most spirited musicians was drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, who played some rousing sets. (Times of India)
Doo-wop-guided band to hit Bar Bleu Feb 18, 2009
Kim Fowley has had No. 1 singles in multiple countries, performed with Frank Zappa and exposed The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds to Paul McCartney and John Lennon. The legendary producer also compared this week's Roustabout. (Daily Collegian, PA)
Meat the music Feb 16, 2009
Firebird Ensemble's repertoire stretches from the mid-1900s to today, and tonight you'll be served Frank Zappa tunes arranged by Liam Wade, "The Glam Seduction" by DJ Sparr, a special appearance by Boston songstress Sarah Brindell, and other works by Eric Moe, Weird Al, Aaron Trant, Curtis Hughes, and Nick Papador. 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. $15 for concert standing room. (Boston Globe)
Critic's picks Feb 13, 2009
This year's program includes a set of Frank Zappa tunes as well as music by Curtis Hughes, percussionist Aaron Trant, and Weird Al. There will also be a piece by DJ Sparr called "The Glam Seduction." Feb. 16 at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. $20-$33 (includes dinner). Redbones, 55 Chester Street, Somerville. (Boston Globe)
My Bloody Valentine Feb 13, 2009
Dirty Love Frank Zappa. Only a handful of love songs celebrate the sensual possibilities of poodle ownership. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Entertainer Spotlight on Reallyshooo Feb 13, 2009
Their fans have described them as Frank Zappa meets Gracie Allen or Peter, Paul and Mary on Acid. Ellen Makuta describes their antics as a funky mix of Zydeco, jazz, Polka and cabaret with a world beat bend. (Desert Entertainer, CA)
'That One Guy' to perform at Nicolet Feb 10, 2009
"A classically trained upright bassist who won several jazz scholarships and competitions, Silverman became one of the most original and in-demand upright bass players in the 90's progressive jazz scene. At the peak of his powers, Silverman was developing and utilizing techniques that were previously thought impossible on the upright bass. Often getting hired as a one-man-rhythm-section, he would function as a bassist, drummer, and entire mini orchestra simultaneously.Silverman's self-taught... (Forest Republican, WI)
Great Composers, Lousy Reviews Feb 8, 2009
In his 90s, he was squired by Frank Zappa. But Slonimsky's most enduring achievement is the Lexicon, his encyclopedia of umbrage. (Slate)
