Series Foreword Acknowledgments Introduction Frank Zappa and the Art of Satire You Call That Music? Listening to Frank Zappa The Mothers of Invention Hot Rats, the Last Two Mothers Albums, Flo & Eddie, and the "Jazz-Rock" Albums The Duke-Brock/Progressive Rock Bands, Läther, and the Terry Bozzio Albums Politics: 1979-1988 Conclusions Critical Bibliography Bibliography and Works Cited Discography Index
"Kelly Lowe's The Words and Music of Frank Zappa is a smart and engaging examination of one of America's most original and confounding composers. Lowe bravely enters the labyrinth of Zappa's world with a clear head and a breezy conversational style that brings all the rich paradoxes of Zappa's work to life." -- Kevin Courrier, author of Dangerous Kitchen: The Subversive World of Zappa
Kelly Fisher Lowe is the Director of the Learning Resource Networks at The University of Wyoming. He was previously Associate Professor of English and Director of the American Studies program at Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio. He is the author of 100 Years of Caring: The Centennial History of Alliance Community Hospital, as well as numerous articles and papers on rhetorical theory, writing program administration, and American cultural studies.
In examining the songs of American composer Frank Zappa, Lowe
offers introductory essays that examine Zappa's unique place in
American music; his compositions in relation to other forms of
popular music, most notably progressive rock; and his special brand
of caustic social criticism in the tradition of satirists like
Jonathan Swift and Lenny Bruce. The author then examines Zappa's
songs by looking at his albums in four groups/chapters: The Mothers
of Invention; Hot Rats, the Last Two Mothers Albums, Flo & Eddie,
and The 'Jazz-Rock' Albums; The Duke-Brock/Progressive Rock Bands,
Lather (Lather), and the Terry Bozzio Albums; and Politics:
1979-88. One of the strengths of Lowe's treatment is his
contextualization of pop-culture references in the lyrics,
explications that result in a clearer reading of Zappa's texts.
Also useful are the discography of Zappa recordings and a critical
bibliographic essay on the major contributions on the life and
works of Frank Zappa. Students of popular or American music will
appreciate this title. Recommended. Lower-/upper-division
undergraduates; general readers.
*Choice*
The book is organized chronologically and divided by the artistic
periods, beginning with The Mothers Of Invention (Zappa's first
influential group) and ending with the Terry Bozzio albums an era
identified by the presence of Zappa's greatest percussionist. Each
of Zappa's albums is analyzed within these larger divisions, often
scrutinized for entities as detailed as specific phrases, both
musical and verbal. Sections on satire and politics bookend the
sequential chapters, creating an excellent in-and-out to the
chronological sections. To be sure, Lowe knows his Zappa, and he
writes with an obvious affection for the subject, the artist, and
the man. Frank Zappa is already important and respected part of
music history. His reputation, influence, and contributions will
continue to be more widely recognized, and ^IThe Words and Music of
Frank Zappa^R is a publication sure to foster that growth.
*Maximum Ink*
Ever wonder about the significance of the kazoo in ^IFreak Out!'^Rs
Hungry Freaks, Daddy? Kelly Fisher Lowe will tell you his theory.
In examining Frank Zappa, the author does everything short of
having his subject turn to the side and cough, addressing album
after album and song after song in Da Vinci Code detail. Sure, the
readings are occasionally questionable, but this is exactly what
makes the book--and Zappa himself--so interesting.
*chart*
As part of a series on the work of singer-songwriters, this volume
studies the music of Frank Zappa, looking at his songs as well as
how he was a satirist. Lowe offers a reading of his rock and
classical music from the 1960s to the 1980s, explores how Zappa was
a satirist through his critique of pop culture, and analyzes his
albums with the Mothers of Invention, as well as his jazz-rock and
solo music, and political statements in the music on ^IJoe's
Garage^R.
*Reference & Research Book News*
Author Kelly Lowe has left no aspect of Zappa's work unexamined,
from his role as a satirist of the highest order, to his place
within the genre of progressive rock and his importance as one of
the foremost critics of American culture and society….[a]
surprisingly clear perspective of his personal views is also
provided, shedding light on his treatment of such topics as the
falsified notion of love in popular culture, the compromising
influence of money on popular music, and the concept of freedom in
a systematized society.
*Free Bird Times*
[T]he first book to move beyond the details of Zappa's biography
toward a focused treatment of his rock and pop songs. Author Kelly
Lowe has left no aspect of Zappa's work unexamined, from his role
as a satarist, to his place within the genre of progressive rock
and his importance as one of the foremost critics of American
culture and society. This title also features a bibliographic essay
that discusses the current state of Zappa scholarship.
*Library Media Collection*
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