Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #117392 in Books
• Published on: 2003-02-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 438 pages

Synopsis
The b format paperback edition of this popular title. Music historian Neil Slaven has brilliantly chronicled the complex strands of Zappa's life and work in a book that will please not just Zappa fans but anyone interested in the history of rock music.

Customer Reviews

The present day composer
This is a compelling account of the work and life of Frank Zappa, in that order.

Throughout this book it is the music of Frank Zappa and it's creation which is always to the fore. To be fair this makes it a little unbalanced in reading it because of the cast of characters with whom he worked about whom we would like to know a little more. Given that it's main concern is his work then this is one defect I am prepared to overlook.

This is a story of an individual for whom compromise is a dirty word. The emphasis is on the individual here because what Frank Zappa produced is an idiosyncratic view of the world which he was not afraid to bring to public attention regardless of the pressures not to do so.

Frank Zappa, as portrayed here is someone who knows what he wants to do in his mind then does whatever he has to do to convert that vision into reality. This clarity of vision is borne out in this depiction as a workaholic and a perfectionist in the persuit of an ideal. His clarity of vision too extended into the social realm where he understood the reality of living in Amerika and how the system established by the founding fathers had been subverted by the politicians and corporations who had benefitted so much for it.

In this fascinating account people move like shadows throughout the pages like extras in a movie that was Frank Zappa's work. His search, nay quest for perfection led him to the extensive rehearsals for his bands and his demands for the highest standards for them. Similarly his intolerance for audiences who cheered him while not understanding his music became bemusement with his growing popularity as the music became more complex.

In a latter section where he was proppelled into the political arena to fight against censorship, he broke the mould of rock stars as imbecililes with eloquent and humorus defences against the forces of darkness massed against him and became a spokesman for a generation. This can be compared with his popularity as almost a samizdat artist in communist countries prior to that system's collapse where he was seen as a staunch defender of liberal (in the European sense) ideals.

His death robbed the twentieth century of one of it's greatest figures in music and in the fight for freedom for individuals. I think that this book is a marvellous tales of single minded persuit of excellence and fighting against adversity. Five stars.

Essential reading for Hungry Freaks
This is a detailed, well researched, fascinating and affectionate account of the life and works of the justly legendary Frank Zappa.

Highly readable and occasionally deeply poignant, this really is a must for all those who grew to love the music of this astonishing polymath.

It's 10 years since his untimely death and for those who believe his work has not been truly celebrated then this just may be the book for you.

Those who enjoyed Charles Shaar Murray's recent masterful documentary series will particularly appreciate this fine document.

And Frankly, it's a goddamn bargain.

Buy it right now.