Frank Zappa

[Rick and Roll]

you could go broke buying Zappa music. There must be hundreds of actual titles, and many more unofficial ones floating around.

Depends on what you're into...his music can range from silly to incredibly jamming. Most people have Overnite Senasation, Apostrophe, Hot Rats (the 70's period). They seem to have the most straight tunes. The Ike Willis period (Joe's Garage etc late 70's early 80's) also another period well-liked. He's got live, orchestral, guitar records. There really is a lot to choose from.

Zappa not only was prolific, he accomplished more than possibly any other musician. Your sources are short-sighted. The list of people who played with him - Ponty, Vai, O'Hearn, Wackerman, Bozzio, there are SO many more - are like a who's who. And they all say he's the best. Some of his solos like in "Pojama People" and "Black Napkins" are incredible.

I'm in the middle on him. I think he's funny, but I have a higher tolerance for it. Don't play "Broken Hearts Are For Assholes" to you girlfriend for example. But I was innundated with it by a college roommate and now only have a few titles. I have a bunch more recorded on mp3 for me, but time constraints make it hard to catch up.

Hope that helps...there are some rabid Zappa fans around, so hopefully they will chime in.