With Understanding Comes Appreciation
One of the most prolific careers in music history, is the career of one-of-a-kind genius, Frank Zappa —multi-instrumentalist, uncompromising talent and creativity, self-taught, American composer, virtuoso guitarist, film maker, arranger, producer, orchestral conductor, demanding recruiter, perfectionist bandleader, successful business man, and not the least, uncensored articulated speaker— and despite of his premature passing away of prostate cancer in 1993 at 52 years old.
His legacy is not only written by his massive number of compositions (over 3,000), or the large number of official recordings and box sets released thus far (01.2024; 127), but also by the ridiculous amount of high-caliber musicians who paraded in his always tight and extremely rehearsed bands, the endless boundary-pushing experimentations, and the vast ground —at times sterile or unexplored— of music styles the master covered, stretched, redefined and even invented, which still is influencing all kind of musicians.
Sum to the equation all the technical details which wrap the latter to decorate his catalog (superb productions, the usage of then/today ultimate technologies, unique innovation, etc.), and it won’t make it any easier to newbies, casual and even some demanding fans to get into his endless catalog —not to mention his colossal personal vault which was left to his family, who recently sold it to UM for 30 M or so, to keep publishing unreleased material.
So since getting into his endless universe is not an easy task, I thought that would be helpful (specially for newbies and casual fans) to make an accessible and graphic (even funny), yet comprehensive and detailed guide, which works like a treasure-map of the discography of the master.
I made it, and It includes all the official albums and box sets released up to date (01/24), and arranged strategically by several criteria like year, music styles, projects, bands, series, etc. In other words, it attempts to visualize the whole project/object, as Frank baptized his conceptual continuity work, in one single page.
It's worth to mention that I gave to each album as well, cool distinctive patches (like Boy Scouts do) in order to identify rapidly some key and interesting information —the official numbering, iconic drummers and musicians who played in a specific album, digital and audiophile information (online streaming and lossless hi-res resolution availability, sound quality, etc.), my strict scrutiny & in-depth personal takes (my top & favorite albums), and much more. It also includes funny quotes, anecdotes, and stinging and sarcastic commentary (ala Zappa) to make it more appealing, catching and interactive.
Having said that, It took me years of countless listenings, digesting and research (the identifying and classification of the musicians, who played in each song, specially in compilations alone, is an uphill task) to put this artisanal yet state-of-the-art work finally together graphically in one single page, so hopefully all the passion, effort and enthusiasm put here, be of your liking. Do not hesitate to give me any suggestion or ask me any doubt. I’m all ears.
I'm sharing a link where you can download the PDF file.
Music is the best. Enjoy!