First German pressing with "A Discreet Recording...By WEA MUSIK" on the record label, DIS 59 201 (Y) printed on the top right hand corner of the album back cover, "A Warner Communications Company" printed at the bottom of the back cover
Well, buckle up, kiddies, because we're about to embark on a wild ride through the sonic landscape of Frank Zappa's *Apostrophe(')*, a 1974 musical oddity that defies categorization and blasts through genre boundaries like a rogue comet.
Zappa in the 70s: A Renegade in the Mainstream
Picture this: It's the post-hippie, pre-disco era. Nixon's resigned, the Vietnam War is winding down, and the musical landscape is a strange brew of prog rock, funk, glam, and singer-songwriter introspection. Frank Zappa, the ever-iconoclastic composer, guitarist, and satirist, is at the height of his creative powers, having already unleashed a barrage of avant-garde masterpieces and irreverent rock operas upon the world.
Zappa's music was always a challenge to the status quo, a gleeful middle finger to the establishment, and a relentless exploration of the outer limits of musical expression. With *Apostrophe(')*, he somehow manages to distill his eclectic genius into a surprisingly accessible, yet still utterly bizarre, 34-minute sonic rollercoaster.
Music Genre: A Glorious Frankenstein's Monster
Forget about neat little genre labels. *Apostrophe(')* is a glorious Frankenstein's monster of a record, stitching together bits and pieces of rock, jazz, funk, blues, classical, and avant-garde into a cohesive, if completely bonkers, whole. It's like a musical fever dream where Captain Beefheart jams with the Mothers of Invention while Stravinsky conducts a symphony orchestra on acid.
From the opening strains of "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow," a cautionary tale about the perils of ingesting frozen precipitation, to the closing lunacy of "Stink-Foot," a funk-infused ode to a malodorous appendage, Zappa's music is a whirlwind of virtuosic musicianship, absurdist humor, and razor-sharp social commentary.
Controversies: Tickling the Censors
Zappa's lyrics were always a source of controversy, and *Apostrophe(')* is no exception. His penchant for scatological humor, sexual innuendo, and scathing critiques of American culture often landed him in hot water with the censors. But Zappa, ever the provocateur, reveled in the outrage, viewing it as a testament to his effectiveness as a social critic.
The Production Team: A Motley Crew of Virtuosos
Zappa assembled a motley crew of musical virtuosos to bring his vision to life. From the thunderous drumming of Chester Thompson and Ralph Humphrey to the scorching guitar solos of Zappa himself, the musicianship on *Apostrophe(')* is nothing short of astounding.
The album also features guest appearances by legendary bassist Jack Bruce (of Cream fame) and the inimitable Napoleon Murphy Brock, whose soulful vocals and theatrical delivery add another layer of depth to Zappa's sonic tapestry.
The Recording Studio: A Laboratory of Madness
Recorded at the Record Plant in Los Angeles, *Apostrophe(')* is a testament to Zappa's meticulous attention to detail and his relentless pursuit of sonic perfection. The album's production is pristine, capturing every nuance of the band's performance and Zappa's intricate arrangements.
In the hands of a lesser artist, this eclectic mix of styles and sounds could have been a chaotic mess. But Zappa, the mad scientist of music, somehow manages to create a cohesive, if utterly bizarre, listening experience that is both challenging and rewarding.
Collector Notes:Title on Cover: apostrophe (') Title on Labels: A'POS! TRO'PHE(!) Cat# on Cover and Spine: DIS 59 201 (DS 2175) Cat# on Labels: DIS 59 201 Label Code: LC 3152 Rights Society: GEMA Matrix / Runout, etched; (A-Side WEA Label Matrix): 31.690 Matrix / Runout, etched: (B-Side WEA Label Matrix): 31.691 This album "FRANK ZAPPA - Apostrophe" is the album by Frank Zappa, his eighteenth, released on March 22, 1974 |
Music Genre:Rock, Jazz Fusion Rock |
Album Production Information:The album: "FRANK ZAPPA - Apostrophe" was produced by: Frank Zappa Sound/Recording Engineer(s): Steve Desper, Terry Dunavan, Barry Keene, Bib Hughes, Kerry McNabb This album was recorded at: Electric Ladyland New York City, Bolic, Inglewood, Paramount, Hollywood Album cover design: Cal Schenkel Album cover photography: Emerson-Loew, Mark Aalyson |
Label & Catalognr Information:DISCREET DIS 59201 |
Media Format:12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram |
Year & Country:1974 Made in Germany |
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: FRANK ZAPPA - Apostrophe |
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Complete Track-listing of the album "FRANK ZAPPA - Apostrophe" |
The detailed tracklist of this record "FRANK ZAPPA - Apostrophe" is:
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Yellow Coloured DISCREET DIS 59 201 ( 31.690 ) Record Label Details: Made In Germany ( GVMEA )
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United Artists Records UAS 29 218 XD , 1971 , Germany
"200 Motels" is the 1971 American-British musical surrealist film cowritten and directed by Frank Zappa and Tony Palmer and starring The Mothers of Invention, Theodore Bikel and Ringo Starr.
200 Motels (1971, Germany) 12" Vinyl LPTMOQ TradeMark Of Quality , 1971 , USA
Bootleg recording capturing a live performance from the iconic rock band. Released on green vinyl, this collector's gem is alternatively known as "Contempo '70" among enthusiasts, distinguishing it from the official 200 Motels album
200 Motels TMOQ Green Vinyl (1971, USA) 12" Vinyl LPDISCREET DIS 59201 , 1974 , Germany
Frank Zappa's 1974 cult classic "Apostrophe" on 12" vinyl. Features Zappa staples like "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow" & a stellar band with Jean-Luc Ponty & Napoleon Murphy Brock.
Apostrophe (1974, Germany) 12" Vinyl LPFOO-EEE RI-70537
"As an Am" features recordings from three separate shows. Track 1 is from May 19, 1981 at Rockline, KLOS-FM, Los Angeles, California; tracks 2 and 3 are from May 21, 1982 at Sporthalle, Cologne, Germany and tracks 4-6 are from October 31, 1981 at The Palladium, New York City.
As An Am 12" Vinyl LPCBS S 8216 , 1979 , Germany
"Bobby Brown" is a satirical and humorous song that explores the life of the titular character, touching on themes of narcissism and societal expectations.
Bobby Brown b/w Stick it Out 7" Vinyl SingleLaDISCREET DS 2234 / 31,936 bel , 1975 , USA
This is the album released by Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart in 1975. The live portions were recorded on 20 & 21 May 1975 at the Armadillo World Headquarters in Austin, Texas. Studio tracks were recorded in January 1975
Bongo Fury (1975, USA) 12" Vinyl LPZappa's first effort of the 1970s marks the first appearance of former Turtles members Flo & Eddie on a Zappa record, and signals the dawn of a controversial epoch in Zappa's history
Chunga's Revenge (1970, Canada) Chunga's Revenge 1st German Release Chunga's Revenge (1970, Germany)FOO-EEE RI 70539
"Freaks and Motherfu*#@%! 12" Vinyl LP Album" captures a memorable live performance at Fillmore East, New York City, on 13 November 1 1970. The album features a blend of Zappa's unique musicality and humor, with tracks like "Call Any Vegetable" and "Wino Man" showcasing his avant-garde style. This LP offers a glimpse into Zappa's experimental genius during that era
Freaks And Motherfu*#@%! 12" LPREPRISE 44209 , 1972 , Germany
This is the 1972 jazz fusion album by Frank Zappa. Composed and recorded during Zappa's period of convalescence following his assault in London, the album, along with its "twin brother" Waka/Jawaka (July 1972), represent Zappa's foray into big band fusion, the logical progression from Hot Rats (1969), which used a much smaller lineup.
Grand Wazoo (1972, Germany) 12" LPBarking Pumpkin Records D1-74212 , 1988 , USA
Guitar is the 1988 album by Frank Zappa. It is the follow-up to 1981's Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar; like that album it features Zappa's guitar solos excerpted from live performances, recorded between 1979 and 1984. It garnered Zappa his 6th Grammy nomination for "Best Rock Instrumental Performance".
Guitar (1988, USA) 12" 2LPThis was released in October 1969. Five of the six songs are instrumental ("Willie the Pimp" features a short vocal by Captain Beefheart). It was Zappa's first recording project after the dissolution of the original Mothers of Invention.
Hot Rats - Germany Manufactured by TELDEC Hot Rats - German Reprise RecordsWORLDWHITE Hi-Fi Concert Serie WWA 13 , 1971 , Holland
Recorded in 1971 at Ahoy Hallen in Rotterdam. This collector's gem showcases the eclectic genius of Frank Zappa and his band. Side One features tracks like "Peaches En Regalia" and "Tears Began To Fall,"
In Europe / Inspiration WorldWhite (1971, Holland)CBS 86101 , 1979 , Holland
This album "Joe's Garage Act I" is the 1979 rock opera by Frank Zappa. Zappa self-deprecatingly describes the album as a stupid little story about how the government is going to do away with music
Joe's Garage Act I (1979, Holland) 12" LPVERVE 2317 046 , 1968 , UK (United Kingdom)
"Lumpy Gravy "is the debut solo album by Frank Zappa, recorded with a group of session players he dubbed the Abnuceals Emuukha Electric Symphony Orchestra.
Lumpy Gravy (1968, GB) 12" LPCBS 25251 , 1983 , Holland
The album is named after a 1950s song, written by Donald and Doris Woods, which Zappa covers as part of "The Man from Utopia Meets Mary Lou".
The Man From Utopia (1983, Holland) 12" LPBarking Pumpkin Records ST-74203 , 1985 , USA
The album's title is a reference to the lobby group, the PMRC, who were campaigning to require record companies to put warning stickers on albums they considered offensive, and to Zappa's former band, The Mothers of Invention.
Meets the Mothers of Prevention (1985, USA) 12" LPDiscReet Records DIS 59207 (Z) , 1975 , Germany
" One Size Fits All FOC" is the 1975 rock album by Frank Zappa The album features the final version of The Mothers of Invention, with George Duke, Chester Thompson, Ruth Underwood, Tom Fowler and Napoleon Murphy Brock.
One Size Fits All (1975, Germany) 12" LPDiscreet Records DSK 2294 , 1979 , USA
"Orchestral Favorites 12" is the original release capturing live recordings of the "Abnuceals Emuukha Electric Symphony Orchestra" at Royce Hall, UCLA in 1975
Orchestral Favorites 12" LPFOO-EEE RI 60544
Piquantique a recording capturing Zappa's performance at Solliden, Skansen, Stockholm, on 21 August 1973, with one track from the Roxy in December 1973.
Piquantique Stockholm 1973 12" LPAMAZING KORNYFONE (aka KORNYPHONE) , 1971
"Poot Face Booogie" is a captivating 12" LP vinyl that combines live recordings from Frank Zappa's 1971 performance at Ahoy Rotterdam with studio recordings from 1968. Notably, Zappa sings "Geef Mij Wat Vloer Bedekking Onder Deze Vette Zwevende Sofa"
Poot Face Booogie 12" LPDISCREET 2DS 2202 31,792 , 1974 , USA
Most of the songs were recorded at The Roxy Theatre in Hollywood, California on December 8, 9 and 10, 1973. The material taken from the Roxy concerts was later amended with some overdubs in the studio
Roxy & Elsewhere (1974, USA) 12" 2LPFOO-EEE RI-70543
This is an unofficial 2LP vinyl album that captures Frank Zappa's live performance at Ludwigparkstadion, Saarbrücken, Germany, on 3 September 1978.
Saarbrücken 1978 12" 2LPKnown for its satirical lyrics and complex compositions, "Sheik Yerbouti" offers a unique blend of rock, jazz, and humor that has made it a classic in Zappa's discography.
Sheik Yerbouti - England Release Sheik Yerbouti - Holland ReleaseCBS 85804 , 1982 , Holland
This album features five tracks composed by Zappa, and one song, "Valley Girl", co-written with Moon Unit Zappa, his daughter, who provided the spoken monologue mocking some of the Valley girls at her school
Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch (1982, Holland) 12" Vinyl LPCBS 66368 , 1981 , Holland
"Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar" highlighting Zappa's virtuosity on the electric guitar. This album is a collection of instrumental compositions and improvised solos, emphasizing Zappa's exceptional guitar skills
Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar Box-set (1981, Holland) 12" Vinyl 3LPThe album opens with "The Closer You Are", a soulful cover that showcases Zappa's versatility. His rendition of this classic by The Channels brings a new dimension to the song, setting the tone for the auditory adventure that follows.
Them Or Use - European Edition Them Or Us - French EditionCBS 88516 , 1981 , Holland
"Tinsel Town Rebellion" was conceived by Zappa after he scrapped the planned albums "Warts and All" and "Crush All Boxes", and it contains tracks that were intended for those albums.
Tinsel Town Rebellion DLP FOC (1981, Holland) 12" Vinyl LPFOO-EEE RI 70542 , 1967 , Stockholm
The hilarious album front cover of Frank Zappa's unofficial album "'Tis the season to be jelly" is an illustration of Frank Zappa wearing an Oxygen tank and showing off his green smelly sock.
Tis The Season To Be Jelly , Live in Sweden 1967 (Unofficial / Bootleg) 12" Vinyl LPFOO-EEE RI-70540
Unmitigated Audacity 12" Vinyl LP Album captures the energy of Frank Zappa's live performance at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, on 12 May 1974. This album features an eclectic mix of Zappa's iconic tracks,
Unmitigated Audacity (Unofficial / Bootleg) 12" Vinyl LPREPRISE 44209 , 1972 , Germany
"Waka Jawaka" is the jazz-influenced precursor to The Grand Wazoo (November 1972), and as the front cover indicates, sequel of sorts to 1969's Hot Rats. According to Zappa, the title "is something that showed up on a Ouija board at one time."
Waka / Jawaka - Hot Rats (1972, USA) 12" Vinyl LPCBS 88560 , 1981 , Holland
"You Are What You Is" is a captivating double LP gatefold vinyl album that showcases Zappa's musical and artistic prowess. Inside the gatefold cover, you'll find stunning artwork and photos.
You Are What You Is (1981, Holland) 12" Vinyl LP"Zoot Allures" was Zappa's only release on the Warner Bros. Records label. Due to a lawsuit with his former manager Herb Cohen Frank Zappa's recording contract was temporarily re-assigned from DiscReet Records to Warner Bros.
Zoot Allures - German Release Zoot Allures - Netherlands Release