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Was Imaginary Diseases - from 1972 a Peak for Frank as a rock Guitarist and a rock composer with the Petite Wazoo Band?

After this we got titties and beer, were we too Dumb all over to appreciate what he was going in 1972 and he had to dumb his music down for most of the rest of the 70's to make a buck?

https://youtu.be/LAkgjMBdA4Y

I don't know if peak is an accurate term. His bands still played stuff that blew everyone else away (except for maybe a few fusion groups). I'm thinking that as good as Imaginary Diseases was, it was not a great money maker.

^No cartoon?

Which parts of Petite Wazoo have the peak Rock guitar? Or, for that matter, "Rock" compositions? Just so I understand the question.

btw, Over-nite Sensation followed the Wazoo. Titties and Beer was 1976. And don't tell me Camarillo Brillo is dumbed down. The arrangement is beautiful.

Sheik Yerbouti might have been his peak - first Grammy nominations, first hit singles in Bobby Brown and Dancin' Fool. Plus it was his best-selling album to date at time of release.

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^ I didn't think eddie meant sales peak. I thought he meant artistic peak. Certainly Bobby Brown and Dancin' Fool are not artistic peaks. Are they??

Watermelon In Easter Hay from 1979 I could accept. Of course, for me, FZ's peak was 1966-1979. A very long peak.

^^Agreed, although think Frank’s genius definitely extends into the ‘80’s. Some of those ‘80’s instrumentals are amongst my favorites.

As a fan though, I can definitely say Bobby Brown and Dancin’ Fool are fan favorites.

^ Yeah, his rock guitar work of the 80s definitely kept evolving and I suppose technically he was continuing to make breakthroughs. Maybe the speed and complexity of the intervals during his solos were advancing. My main problem, of course, is the new material at that time. It just doesn't hit the spot for me for reasons I've expressed enough in the past.

As a huge "fan" I must admit I dislike Bobby Brown, and Dancin' Fool is just okay. I noticed they were favorites of many fans but I am not among those fans. I'd rather hear, say, RDNZL any day of the week. Or, if we're talking specifically SY, Yo Mama and Flakes.

I’m not necessarily thinking guitar solos, but compositions like Moggio, Tink Walks Amok, We Are Not Alone, What’s New in Baltimore, Alien Orifice, Envelopes, SATLTSADW, etc.

I agree the ‘80’s albums are definitely a lot more uneven but there’s still some real jewels in there.

Yep Downer has got my point, Artistic peak- I love his stuff 66 to 70 in particular but I think he reached an artistic peak with Petite and in particular his guitar work on Imaginary Diseases in amazing but it made him no money. Yeah, sure he continued to make amazing music (Ship arriving and his classical efforts etc) throughout his career but although I find Bobby Brown and the like funny- its not what he will be remembered for and be performed by others.........

The work on Petite, Wazoo and Waka/Jawaka is amazing. Although I love the big three Overnite, Apost & One Size they are generally simpler compositions and often follow more standard forms, blues etc.....

Little Dots is awesome!

A peak? Maybe for horn dominated constructions.

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Agreed, a lot of the music from this period is awesome - and would be with or without horns. I suppose at this time using horns in rock/jazz fusion was popular and Zappa wanted to have a crack at it too

Undoubtedly the horn parts were written for horns for the most part. A great period in FZ's musical life but I think stuff like Punky's Whips (1976) is on the same level as the best of the Wazoo material. The lyrics are not dumb. They are silly and very funny. Plus, he hits his target.

You mentioned a couple of my favorites from the '80-'86 period. Witch and Baltimore. Of course, the guitar is prominent in those two. I need to listen to a couple of those on your list again. Been awhile. Thanks!

I'm particularly fond of FZ's 60's-90's work.....

so not the posthumous releases

I quite like the ones containing FZ's compositions.....

Overnite and One Size are around the peak

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Yeah, I've had other Zappa fans say 1975 was his peak

Maybe Roxy it is where is at... Great time to have the Roxy box around...

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"69- "72 (Uncle Meat through Grand Wazoo) was my favorite Zappa era/music/band.

For my money, he peaked in 71/72. just subjective stuff though. . .

That's a long-assed peak!!!!
For me his extended peak would be 69 through 74, with 71/72 being more distilled (kinda')

You're joking, right? Titties and Beer is one track on the Zappa In New York album, which could hardly be described as dumbing down - that album is a monster and the now available anniversary release shows those that couldn't be there, that that tour was a monster.

Anyway, as a composer, FZ didn't live long enough to peak.

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The way I see it Barry, this should be a very dynamite show.