Summer of Zappa VII

The Final Installment

Let’s put this thing to bed. Summer is gathering its things, creeping away, and this project doesn’t have the energy to sustain itself any longer.

I’ve been singing the praises of the mighty Frank all summer and revisiting some of my favorites (though, a proper revisiting would take several summers — the catalogue is voluminous). I think Zappa was a musical genius who pushed the boundaries of art and socio-political commentary in brilliant and provocative ways. But — ugly truth — I also think Frank could be a tedious navel-gazer, musically, and an unapologetic arrogant misogynist, personally. There, I said it. Artistic genius is often found lying about with complicated and unsavory qualities, yes?

So, while I love so much of Frank’s oeuvre I’m also rankled by some of it. It’s important, I suppose, to untangle the beauty from the beast. Pound was an anti-semite, Poe was an addict, Pollock may have just been an asshole. Does this negate the art? I’ll say no, but it’s an interesting conversation for another time.

So, I’ll leave this homage to the great (but not perfect — who among us is?) Frank Zappa with some tunes. As it should be.

How about some epic covers —

“Purple Haze”

“Ring of Fire”

“Stairway to Heaven” — a brilliant re-imagining with a horn section crushing Jimmy Page’s guitar solo.

And, finally, to close this largely ignored and possibly ridiculous summer project, I give you this gorgeous instrumental in which Frank redeems himself (to the extent that he can) with his guitar.

Thanks again, to both of you, for joining me.