Frank Zappa was never a main rock influence to me in my early formative years as a musician with the exception of the Mothers Live at the Fillmore and “The Adventures of Greggery Peccary”. His sardonic approach to pop music was occasionally amusing but anything beyond sarcasm and derisiveness left me somewhat cold. My appreciation for Mr. Z was more for his political interviews and 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… ZAPPA” that I gained a real appreciation who Zappa was. I started to look into the used vinyl sections of selected music stores to find other music episodes of this composer in strange pop star clothing. I picked up a copy of “Weasels Ripped My Flesh”, an avant garde masterwork with rock overtones.
This Zappa resonated with me. The use of orchestral instruments with classic rock drums and electric guitars influenced by Edgard Varesse and is ilk. It is here I present these works in the shadow of Frank Zappa. Thanks 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.
Joseph Armetta MM 