Frank Zappa - Over-Nite Sensation
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Free Music Notes for Over-Nite Sensation
Free Music Review: Zappa 101
Hit: 5 Stars
For nearly as long as I can remember, I have known of Frank Zappa and his trademark facial hair. I had seen his face and heard of him, although nobody ever really reccomended a specific album to start on. One day during college, a friend of mine bought me the "Baby Snakes" DVD, which is focused on "people that do things that aren't normal". I attempted to watch the DVD and after about an hour, turned it off very confused. The DVD would then follow me for two years, with only one more attempted viewing just to show a friend how far out it was.
Two years later and I was a junior in college. I was talking about music with my roomate and mentioned how I had heard great things about Frank Zappa, although was never able to find that album to make me a fan. He mentioned he had one Zappa CD, Overnite Sensation, and that it had "Zombie Woof" on it. (A song we had both heard covered by a band called Pork Tornado, with Phish guitarist Jon Fishman) He put in the CD and I was a fan of two songs. Dinah-Moe Hum and Zombie Woof. I purchased the CD at a used record store, listened to it a few times, and put it into my CD case.
A few more months go by & I continue to occasionally play this CD. Slowly I begin to absorb more of the tracks and realize the complex compositions of each song. Gradually over the course of three years, this became one of my top listened to albums. Soon I fell in love with every track (Especially Montana) & became increasingly interested in Zappa. I have since re-watched Baby Snakes and found it very amusing now that I understand more about Zappa and his humor. (Poodles?)
I am in the process of building up my collection of Zappa albums, and mkany of them take the same approach as Over-Nite Sensation. I will get the album, be confused, like a song or two, and re-listen to it until I can wrap my head around the complex composition of the notes and the trademark Zappa humor.
Zappa has a lot of albums that are all very different. Many of his albums also have songs that are completely different from one another. He can be a difficult artist to "get into". It took me nearly five years to realize "Hey, I'm a huge Zappa fan and need to hear as much of his music as possible!". If you start at the wrong place (like Baby Snakes) you may be turned off by his strangeness. If you start at the right place, you may (eventually) be amazed by his genius.
Buy this album, listen to Zombie Woof & Camarillo, then slowly explore the other tracks on the albums. I'm really glad I took Zappa 101 during my Junior year in college.
Free Music Review: Just Frank doin' his thing
Hit: 5 Stars
I don't believe, as other reviewers have stated, Zappa set out to make a blatenly commercial album with Overnite Sensation. This was the inevitable direction the band had been heading since 1970 (in Zappa terms that can & does mean a 6-8 album span). The songs were still indescribable as anything but Zappa compositions, still retained the fresh originality that he brought to almost everything he touched and contained more wit (and wisdom) than most of Zappa's recordings since the early Mothers of Invention records. At this stage, Zappa could afford to hire better musicians and of course better production facilities were available which tended to give this album a glossy veneer that previous albums didn't have (although Zappa always strived for the best in both production and musicianship). Overnite Sensation is definitely a great jump off point for the uninitiated, as is Sheikyerbouti or Apostrophe, but I don't necessisarily think fans of those albums are going to like Grand Wazoo or Uncle Meat. I have friends who like the unexpurgated Zappa but could care less for his instrumental and compositional recordings and I have friends that are vice versa, and I also know people (myself included)who love and appreciate his work as a whole. What I am trying to say in a wordy way is, commericiality, when applied to Zappa's music is in the eye of the beholder. Most fans of top 40 music are not going think this commercial at all, but Zappa fans may think it so because it has more conventional song structures and such. I tend to think of later recordings such as Joe's Garage and Tinseltown Rebellion as having more commercial potential than this.
To cut this short (forgive my ramblings, I am very passionate about Zappa's music), this is a great album as a starting point for those unfamiliar with Frank Zappa. If it is appealing then by all means explore further, if you like his dirty little ditties head towards Sheikyerbouti, Joe's Garage or Tinseltown Rebellion (and especially the compilation Have I Offended Someone?). If you are impressed by his musical chops, head towards Uncle Meat, Grand Wazoo or The Yellow Shark and if you like his social satire head towards Freak Out, We're Only In It For the Money and Them or Us. It's all great to me!!!!
Free Music Review: The over-nite sensation - accessible...
Hit: 5 Stars
...but that still doesn't say too much, as this still contains traces of Frank Zappa's absurd humor laced with complex, virtuosic and tasteful musicianship, but more succint and balanced. You can find a nice serving of jazz, country, classical and rock on some of these tracks.
"Camarillo Brillo" starts the disc off in a tasteful country-rock fashion. Frank's guitar playing in particular is tasty. Also, in my humble opinion, he does a good job on his vocals. To take it a step further, I think Frank had a decent enough voice to hold a good note, without needing to resort to hiding his vocal insecurities behind the façade of a comedic vocalist. That's just my hunch, but I could be wrong. Many may think I'm crazy for thinking all of that, but, that's fine. "I'm The Slime" many people may know, as it opens with a fabulous guitar solo. Funny, but somewhat accurate lyrics on what effect television can have on the mind. "Dirty Love" is a short, playful number. "50/50" (or Fifty-Fifty) is a hilarious number featuring the screechy and grating vocals of Ricky Lancelotti. Should provide many listeners with an appreciation for absurd humor plenty of laughs. There's also an extended instrumental jam section near the end. Frank in general is playing some accomplished guitar solos. "Zomby Woof" features some bizarre, mind-twisting musicianship. To say it's impressive would be an understatement. "Dinah-Moe Humm" is the controversial track on the album. While funny, it can be considered downright nasty and offensive, as the sexual lyrics are fairly graphic. "Montana" is the number discussing a guy moving to Montana and raising a crop of dental floss. Not sure what the significance of this was, but I do find it funny, as well as enjoying the unpredictable twists and turns, musically speaking.
The thought of something from Zappa being considered accessible may turn some Zappa purists off. However, it's still weird, and Zappa has not lost his knack for virtuosic composition and instrumentation, as they both can be found scattered throughout the album. Absolutely worth having for fans of Zappa's humor and musicianship, as this serves as a perfect balance of both.
Free Music Review: Stripped-down and funky
Hit: 5 Stars
"Overnite Sensation" was the record that set Zappa's direction for the next couple years. A new "Mothers" line-up, stripped-down sound, and a different approach altogether. In many ways, this was his favorite line-up, every musician featured was an accomplished musician in his or her own right, and the material showcases all their talents accordingly.
At this point, it was apparent to FZ that dumbed-down lyrics sell, so that's what he gave the audience. Lyrically, silliness like "Zomby-Woof" and "Montana" don't really pack any punch, but they still come out of your speakers without compromising your integrity too much. But, like the early records, where the magnificent musicianship is offset by casually tossed-off vocal mistakes, here the contrast is silly words, well sung, but silly nonetheless, delivered in front of some incredible sounding music.
There isn't really all that much to say about this work that hasn't been said already, it's just a very slick performance of some vintage early 70's funk/jazz/rock.
Vocalist Ricky Lancelotti was to join the band for the tour they were to soon go on, but injured himself, and didn't make the tour. Here, in "Fifty-Fifty" and "Zomby-Woof," the listener is given a taste. Unbelievable vocal pipes. The whole band as a unit is top-notch, jazz violinist Jean Luc Ponty adds a little elegant touch, as well as some furious soloing, and Ruth Underwood's (nee Komonoff) percussion helped forge the trademark 70's Zappa sound. Plus, listen for Tina Turner's unbilled vocal performance. Ike really was a creep, wasn't he? The "Ikettes" give it a little color with their voices, but weren't allowed by good ol' Ike to receive credit for their work, nor payment for multiple sessions. They were to only be paid for one session. The business is full of these types, but, I guess, so is the whole "civilized" world.
From the beginning notes of "Camarillo Brillo" to the fade-out that ends "Montana," "Overnite Sensation" is one very enjoyable, vintage recording.
Free Music Review: One of Frank's defining pieces
Hit: 5 Stars
Sometime music is popular because it's good. Remember Thriller? Pop trash, yes, but great music, same here, only without the pop trash. Great musicianship from Ponty, and George Duke at his peak. Very tight without being over rehearsed and bland (it always amazed me how Zappa's bands were so tight without loosing freshness. Interesting contrast to the one-take style of recording Dylan used to make those early recordings sound fresh).
I do not understand anyone that would write anything negative about Zappa's creativity. Yes he was idealistic to the point of nausea, and yes his commercial shtick gets tiring, but his music is second to none. Back in my early twenties when I thought Al Dimeola was the greatest guitarist I too thought Frank's guitar was second rate, but in the ensuing 20 years I've done my listening homework. He is one of the most brilliant guitarists that ever lived. I think people have trouble with his guitar playing because it is so original. Listen a little closer, and if you're still not convinced watch the interview with Stevie Vai on the Entertainment Channel special on Franks life. And if that doesn't convince you listen to the Yellow Shark album. Hearing Franks music in a classical setting underscores the pure brilliance.
The core band here was his best, and while we were disappointed with his move to the Ike Willis band of the late '70s and '80s it's clear now that he wanted to move to musicians that could play closer to what he really wanted rather than the improvisational fun of Duke and Murphy-Brock. But I still prefer this band with the raw energy and wild improvisational style.
Thinking back to my introduction to Frank, this was the album that first grabbed me. It's one of his most accessible albums, though some would say Joe's Garage is. Joe's certainly is cleaner, but see above about the different bands. The bottom line, if you are curious about Frank Zappa, get this album.