Homage to FZ

Frank Zappa was never a major musical influence during my formative years as a musician, with the exceptions of The Mothers Live at the Fillmore East and “The Adventures of Greggery Peccary.” His sardonic approach to popular music was occasionally amusing, but beyond the sarcasm and derision I often found myself unmoved. My appreciation for Zappa was rooted more in his political interviews and observations, particularly quotes such as, “Politics is the entertainment division of the military-industrial complex.”

It wasn’t until I picked up a copy of London Symphony Orchestra, Vol. I & II that I began to appreciate who Frank Zappa truly was as a composer. From there, I found myself digging through used vinyl bins in search of other chapters in the musical output of this composer disguised as a rock star. One of the discoveries was Weasels Ripped My Flesh, an avant-garde masterwork with rock overtones.

This was the Zappa that resonated with me: the fusion of orchestral textures, electric guitars, and rock drums; music shaped as much by Edgard Varèse as by rhythm and blues. It is in the shadow of this Zappa that I present these works.

Thanks, Frank.

The works presented here owe something to that vision.

Thank you, Frank.

This is a short purely abstract piece. This music is just about the music itself.

This is a pocket ballet about what the title says. The music is attempting to tell a story.

“Politics is the entertainment division of the military industrial complex.” You were so right Frank.