Zappa's earliest influences were 1950s pop and rock (such as doo-wop and rhythm and blues), and 20th-century classical composers including Igor Stravinsky and Edgard Varèse. His output was divided between adventurous instrumental compositions and succinct, catchy rock songs with ribald, satirical, or comically absurd lyrics. On stage he demanded virtuosity and spontaneity from his musicians, and employed many performers who would later go on to achieve fame in their own rights. He directed and released a number of films featuring himself, his musicians and entourage, including 200 Motels and Baby Snakes.
His career started in 1955. His earliest recordings date from the mid-1960s, and include collaborations with his school friend Captain Beefheart. In 1965 he joined a bar-band called The Soul Giants, quickly dominating its musical direction and rechristening it The Mothers. Their first release (as The Mothers of Invention; the name alteration requested by their record company) was the 1966 double album Freak Out!. The line-up of the Mothers gradually expanded to accommodate Zappa's increasingly ambitious and avant-garde music, but by 1969 he decided to work outside the band structure, focusing on his solo career, and effectively disbanding the Mothers in 1971.
The beginnings of his solo career in the late sixties and early seventies was characterised by a strong free jazz influence, with albums containing little, if any, lyrical content, such as Hot Rats, Waka/Jawaka and The Grand Wazoo. Towards the mid-seventies his albums became more rock-orientated, with a combination of Jazz Fusion instrumentation and Rock song structures. This more accessible sound bore reasonable mainstream appeal, especially with the release of the well-advertised albums Over-Nite Sensation and Apostrophe (') (which both went Gold), but Zappa's unpredictably eclectic output never led to solid mainstream recognition. He received uniformly lukewarm reviews from popular music publications such as Rolling Stone throughout his career. In his late seventies' output, the gulf between his humorous songs and more lengthy, complex instrumental music widened, and albums, such as Zappa in New York, Joe's Garage: Acts I, II & III, and Sleep Dirt displayed, by track, both sides firmly segregated.
Zappa saw a second run of success in the early eighties with the release of many albums with predominantly comedic rock songs, but later continued to experiment with virtually every style of music through the eighties, and was productive as ever until his death. His output in this later-career period included two albums of strikingly original classical music with the London Symphony Orchestra, an electronic take on 18th-century chamber music (written by the obscure Italian composer 'Francesco Zappa', no relation), an album of Synclavier compositions (misleadingly titled Jazz From Hell which garnered a Grammy award), a double-CD release of electric guitar instrumental music (the laconically titled Guitar) and a plenitude of official live releases, revisiting fan-favourites as well as showcasing Zappa's talent for reinventing the music of others; his version of Stairway to Heaven becoming a word-of-mouth favourite.
Zappa produced almost all of his own albums, spending many hours in the studio recording and manipulating tracks, and was always at the forefront of emerging technologies; from tape editing, collage, multitrack and overdubbing in the sixties to digital recording, electronic instruments and sampling in the eighties. Conversely, Zappa was also a obsessive self-archivist, recording virtually every one of his live performances, and often using live recordings of new material without needing to enter the studio. The archive of tapes at his family home in Los Angeles continues to be a source of posthumous releases for the Zappa Family Trust. He was also noted as a spotter of talent and his shifting line-up of musicians included Lowell George, Jean-Luc Ponty, Terry Bozzio, Chad Wackerman, George Duke, Mike Keneally, Adrian Belew and Steve Vai, as well as giving Alice Cooper his first break in music and working again with his old collaborator Captain Beefheart when his career was in decline.
In the late 1980s he became active in politics, campaigning against the PMRC's music censorship scheme and acting as culture and trade representative for Czechoslovakia in 1989; and considered running as an independent candidate for president of the US.
His death in Los Angeles, California, on 4th December 1993 came three years after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
A Few Moments With Brother A. West
Frank Zappa Lyrics
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Ike Willis (rhythm guitar, synthesizer, vocals)
Mike Keneally (rhythm guitar, synthesizer, vocals)
Bobby Martin (keyboards, vocals)
Ed Mann (vibes, marimba, electronic percussion)
Walt Fowler (trumpet, flugel horn, synthesizer)
Bruce Fowler (trombone)
Paul Carman (alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, baritone saxophone)
Kurt McGettrick (baritone saxophone, bass saxophone, contrabass clarinet)
Scott Thunes (electric bass, mini-moog)
Chad Wackerman (drums, electronic percussion)
[This is spoken with the style and accent of an evangelist preacher from the southern United States.]
Thank you very much, Mr. Zappa.
Ah, I'm very pleased to be here on behalf of the Administration-- the most powerful government in the world. And, uh, Mr. Fitzwater invited me to come here tonight to create some balance, because there has been some things done by Mr. Zappa that I think are unfair to our country.
I think, from the beginning, to say that this is going to be balanced, when he has this *lingerie* up here, and makin' fun of *children's toys*, as a beginning, if this is what he has in mind, I think he's wrong.
It's people like Mr. Frank Zappa that kept the Senate from being able to send arms to the democratic freedom fighters in Nicaragua! And I, for one, am headin' down there myself, as soon as I finish up here tonight.
And I want the elected official, Mr. Charlie Sanders the Democrat, to remember that "Democrat" begins with a "D", just like DEMON! And we'll remember you, friend, when it comes votin' time. And Margaret Boyd[?] and Carmen Belacord[?], despite ...[?] habit, did some help to back things up.
Friends, these forms cost money. And this money could be going towards a more powerful military; this money could be going towards driving out the illegal aliens. Instead, Mr. Zappa wants to have a bunch of young, uninformed 18 to 21-year-olds votin' here, and spendin' your money.
And I just want you to know that tonight, I *love* him anyway. Because I've got love in my heart, and I'm not afraid of the fact that he turned this into some kind of zoo up here.
Sunday--that's not fair, Mr. Zappa--Sunday night used to be a night in which Americans would get together. They'd go to their place of worship, and they would share. And I don't know why, on this night which is supposed to be Valentine's night, there aren't more people that have a heart that have a love affair with America. But instead, they're here on Sunday night, worshipping this man who's demon-possessed!
I ask you, Mr. Frank Zappa, what kind of man can name a child Moon Unit? What kind of man can name a child Weasel? What kind of man can name a child Ohman? To me, it defies the logic.
And I'm comin' here tonight because I want to share with him, just the same way we're going to give spirit power to the democratic freedom fighters down there, our brothers that wanna have the freedom to be able to have a man like Pat Robertson. To have a man like Mr. Dole. Restore, America!
And I'm gonna ask the power and the joy and the power of the living king of kings, and a lot of you here, you smut-minded, musical people say, "King of kings, that must be Elvis". No, I'm gonna ask for the power and ask for the glory. I'm gonna now, I'm gonna tell you a story. I'm gonna drive out the demons, friends. I'm gonna ask you to help this badness end. Come on Frank, let's have a story. Come on now share the glory. Do you feel the power? Come on, put out the negativity...
The lyrics of Frank Zappa's song A Few Moments With Brother A. West are a satirical commentary on the hypocrisy and narrow-mindedness of certain branches of American politics and religion. The song opens with the voice of a southern evangelical preacher named Brother A. West, who has been invited by the government to "create some balance" on the show. West immediately launches into a rant against Zappa, accusing him of disrespecting America by making fun of children's toys and lingerie.
West goes on to blame Zappa for the Senate's inability to send arms to democratic freedom fighters in Nicaragua and castigates him for advocating for young people to vote and spend money. He accuses Zappa of demon possession and questions the artist's parenting choices in naming his children Moon Unit, Weasel, and Ohman. Throughout the song, West invokes the language of religion and patriotism to attack Zappa and his ideas, claiming to represent the righteous majority and implying that those who disagree with him are smut-minded, unpatriotic, or even demonic.
But Zappa's response to Brother A. West's preaching is not one of fear or aggression. Instead, he invites the preacher to share his story and the power of the living king of kings, asking him to put aside his negativity and join in the glory. By juxtaposing West's narrow-mindedness and Zappa's openness and inclusivity, the song suggests that there is more to America and its people than the divisive language of politics and religion.
Line by Line Meaning
Thank you very much, Mr. Zappa.
The singer is sarcastically thanking Zappa for the opportunity to speak and criticize him on behalf of the government.
Ah, I'm very pleased to be here on behalf of the Administration-- the most powerful government in the world. And, uh, Mr. Fitzwater invited me to come here tonight to create some balance, because there has been some things done by Mr. Zappa that I think are unfair to our country.
The singer claims to represent the powerful government and is here to create 'balance' to Zappa's supposed unfairness towards the nation.
I think, from the beginning, to say that this is going to be balanced, when he has this lingerie up here, and makin' fun of children's toys, as a beginning, if this is what he has in mind, I think he's wrong.
The singer takes issue with Zappa's use of lingerie and children's toys in his performance, which he sees as inappropriate and wrong.
It's people like Mr. Frank Zappa that kept the Senate from being able to send arms to the democratic freedom fighters in Nicaragua! And I, for one, am headin' down there myself, as soon as I finish up here tonight.
The artist blames Zappa for preventing the Senate from sending weapons to democratic fighters in Nicaragua and pledges to go there himself after the event.
And I want the elected official, Mr. Charlie Sanders the Democrat, to remember that 'Democrat' begins with a 'D', just like DEMON! And we'll remember you, friend, when it comes votin' time. And Margaret Boyd[?] and Carmen Belacord[?], despite ...[?] habit, did some help to back things up.
The artist insults a Democrat official and threatens to remember him during voting time while also mentioning two women who supposedly backed him up.
Friends, these forms cost money. And this money could be going towards a more powerful military; this money could be going towards driving out the illegal aliens. Instead, Mr. Zappa wants to have a bunch of young, uninformed 18 to 21-year-olds votin' here, and spendin' your money.
The singer argues that the money spent on forms could be used for more important things like a stronger military and attacking illegal immigrants, while also attacking Zappa for trying to get young and uninformed voters to spend their money.
And I just want you to know that tonight, I love him anyway. Because I've got love in my heart, and I'm not afraid of the fact that he turned this into some kind of zoo up here.
The singer sarcastically claims to love Zappa despite their criticisms and accuses him of turning the event into a zoo.
Sunday--that's not fair, Mr. Zappa--Sunday night used to be a night in which Americans would get together. They'd go to their place of worship, and they would share. And I don't know why, on this night which is supposed to be Valentine's night, there aren't more people that have a heart that have a love affair with America. But instead, they're here on Sunday night, worshipping this man who's demon-possessed!
The artist laments the supposed lack of patriotism on Valentine's Day and accuses Zappa of being demon-possessed while criticizing people for attending the event instead of going to their place of worship.
I ask you, Mr. Frank Zappa, what kind of man can name a child Moon Unit? What kind of man can name a child Weasel? What kind of man can name a child Ohman? To me, it defies the logic.
The artist ridicules Zappa for naming his children unusual names which he sees as illogical and questionable.
And I'm comin' here tonight because I want to share with him, just the same way we're going to give spirit power to the democratic freedom fighters down there, our brothers that wanna have the freedom to be able to have a man like Pat Robertson. To have a man like Mr. Dole. Restore, America!
The artist mentions wanting to 'share' with Zappa and compares it to giving spirit power to democratic freedom fighters in Nicaragua while also mentioning conservative figures like Pat Robertson and Bob Dole to 'restore' America.
And I'm gonna ask the power and the joy and the power of the living king of kings, and a lot of you here, you smut-minded, musical people say, 'King of kings, that must be Elvis'. No, I'm gonna ask for the power and ask for the glory. I'm gonna now, I'm gonna tell you a story. I'm gonna drive out the demons, friends. I'm gonna ask you to help this badness end. Come on Frank, let's have a story. Come on now share the glory. Do you feel the power? Come on, put out the negativity...
The singer claims to invoke the power of the 'king of kings' and accuses the crowd of being 'smut-minded', before asking Zappa to share a story and help them drive out the supposed demons and negativity at the event.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Brother A West, Frank Vincent Zappa
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind