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.
Black Napkins
Frank Zappa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Davey moire (vocals)
Andre lewis (organ, vocals)
Roy estrada (bass, vocals)
Dave parlato (bass)
Napoleon murphy brock (saxophone, vocals)
Ruth underwood (synthesizer, marimba)
Donnie vliet (harmonica)
Ruben ladron de guevara (background vocals)
Sharkie barker (background vocals)
(instrumental)
The song Black Napkins by Frank Zappa is an instrumental piece that takes the listener on an emotional journey. The piece opens with a slow, melancholic guitar solo which sets the tone for the piece. As the other instruments gradually join in, the pace and intensity of the piece increase, with each instrument adding its own unique voice to the mix. The piece reaches its climax halfway through, with a frenzied guitar solo that bursts forth from the otherwise somber atmosphere. This solo is followed by a series of solos from the other instruments, each taking its turn in the spotlight. Finally, the piece ends with a wistful guitar solo that brings the listener back down to earth.
In terms of interpretation, Black Napkins can be seen as a reflection on life and its ups and downs. The piece starts off slowly, reflecting the melancholy and sadness that we experience at various points in our lives. However, as the piece progresses, it becomes more frenzied and chaotic, reflecting the excitement and chaos that we sometimes experience. The various solos throughout the piece can be seen as representing the different voices and experiences that we encounter in our lives, each with its own unique perspective.
Overall, Black Napkins is a highly emotional and evocative piece of music that speaks to the human experience in a powerful way. It is a testament to Frank Zappa’s incredible skill as a musician and composer, as well as his ability to connect with his audience on a deeply emotional level.
Line by Line Meaning
(instrumental)
There are no lyrics for this part of the song.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Frank Vincent Zappa
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Doug
1982 was 16 my brother Introduced me to frank
There was this buy and sell shop in town. had this album on display.
3 pounds
Spent most of me money on hash and jamaca green
Anyways.
Zoot allures album
Disco boy
Wino man
One track, that change my understanding of instrumental sound
Black napkins
Frank Pants
One of the best Zappa songs. Never played it the same way twice. Each one superb. I miss going to FZ concerts.
Jerald M. Yates
Long Live Uncle Frank !
Mike V O
Me too. I saw him 8 times. I once saw him twice on weekend, different playlist each night.
Music is the Best
steve montanya
Dejavu
Heinz Rieger
👍
Philip Gibbs
I remember buying this when it first came out. Still sends shivers down my spine. Stunning solo.
Antonio Gonzales
I love a guitar solo with backup singers, don't you? Great stuff.
Antonio Gonzales
Of course they disappear when Frank really gets going Lol
Bruce Karen
An absolute masterpiece of a rock album.
Dr. Leslie Orgelpfeifersyndrommaschine
One of the greatest Guitar Solo!