00:00
Now in podcast format: our 2025 Mother's Day extravaganza, featuring Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention. This year we celebrate the group's 60th anniversary with help from two new archival releases that document the original Mothers lineup performing live in 1968 (at its nine-piece apogee), and the great Roxy-era band touring the Midwest in 1974. We’ve added some contemporaneous studio recordings, plus cameos by Varèse, Captain Beefheart and The Penguins. And as always we emphasize the exploratory, improvisational side of the Mothers, making this an ideal two-hour experience even if you're not a big Zappa fan.
Global chart history
Top position held by this upload
Tracklist
Playing tracks by The Mothers of Invention, Don Preston, Frank Zappa, Mothers of Invention, Frank Zappa, Carlos Hagen and more.
Comments
00:00
Flotation Device 2025-05-11: Annotated playlist by host Michael Schell
Intro and SET 1: The Mothers turn 60 [0:00]
1. [1:30] "In today's program I will explore briefly the early beginnings of Frank Zappa, the leader of the famed Mothers of Invention" (Carlos Hagen, KPFK-FM, 1974)
2. [1:38] Mix of: 1. Brown Shoes Don’t Make It. From Whiskey a Go Go 1968 (Zappa, 2024) with The Mothers of Invention: Frank Zappa (guitar, vocals), Ray Collins (vocals, percussion), Ian Underwood (alto sax), Bunk Gardner (tenor sax, flute), Motorhead Sherwood (baritone sax, percussion), Don Preston (keyboards, gong), Roy Estrada (bass, vocals), Art Tripp (drum set, percussion), Jimmy Carl Black (drum set, percussion), Dick Kunc (recording engineer), Craig Parker Adams, John Polito (restoration engineers). NOTE: Recorded live July 25, 1968 at Whisky a Go Go, West Hollywood; and 2. Brown Shoes Don't Make It [Remix]. From Frank Zappa for President (Zappa, 2016) with Frank Zappa (guitar, vocals), Ray Collins (vocal), Bunk Gardner (sax, woodwinds), Don Preston (keyboards), Roy Estrada (bass, vocal), Jimmy Carl Black (drums, vocal), Billy Mundi (drums), ensemble instruments, Dick Kunc (remix engineer). NOTE: Original mix from Absolutely Free (1967, Verve)
3. [3:31] Brown Shoes Shuffle from Whiskey a Go Go 1968 (credits as above)
4. [10:22] Don Preston: Electronic Music. From Filters, Oscillators & Envelopes 1967–82 (Sub Rosa, 2012). NOTE: Realized 1967
5. [16:26] "I started writing so-called serious music about the time I was 14" (Zappa Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
6. [16:38] Igor's Boogie, Phase One. From Burnt Weeny Sandwich (Bizarre/Reprise, 1970) with The Mothers of Invention: Buzz Gardner (trumpet), Bunk Gardner, Ian Underwood (woodwinds), Art Tripp (drums)
7. [17:14] Theme From Burnt Weeny Sandwich. From Burnt Weeny Sandwich (as above) with The Mothers of Invention: Frank Zappa (guitar), Don Preston (organ), Roy Estrada (bass), Jimmy Carl Black, Billy Mundi (drums), Art Tripp, Ruth Underwood (percussion)
8. [21:47] "He was perhaps the first one to understand the importance—and fully document the phenomenon—of the groupies"
9. [22:13] Holiday In Berlin, Full Blown. From Burnt Weeny Sandwich (as above) with The Mothers of Invention: Frank Zappa (guitar), Bunk Gardner (woodwinds), Ian Underwood (woodwinds, piano), Jim "Motorhead" Sherwood (baritone sax), Don Preston (piano, organ), Roy Estrada (bass), Jimmy Carl Black, Art Tripp (drums). NOTE: Ending guitar solo recorded live July 8, 1969 at The Ark, Boston
10. [27:33] Aybe Sea. From Burnt Weeny Sandwich (as above) with The Mothers of Invention: Frank Zappa (acoustic guitars), Ian Underwood (harpsichord, piano)
⠀
SET 2: The Mothers in 1967–69 [30:23]
1. [34:12] The Little House I Used To Live In. From Burnt Weeny Sandwich (as above) with The Mothers of Invention: Don "Sugarcane" Harris (violin), Frank Zappa (guitar, organ), Buzz Gardner (trumpet), Bunk Gardner, Jim Sherwood (woodwinds), Ian Underwood (piano, keyboards, woodwinds, saxophones), Don Preston (piano, keyboards), Lowell George (guitar), Roy Estrada (bass), Jimmy Carl Black, Art Tripp (drums, percussion)
2. [39:36] Status Back Baby from Whiskey a Go Go 1968 (credits as above)
3. [40:21] "I think it's interesting to recall my first contact with Frank Zappa long before he became what you might call a freak"
4. [40:36] Opus 5 for four orchestras. From The Lost Episodes (Rykodisc, 1996) with Frank Zappa, Pomona Valley Symphony Orchestra. NOTE: Recorded live May 19, 1963 at Mount St. Mary's College, Los Angeles
5. [42:58] King Kong. From Whiskey a Go Go 1968 (credits as above)
6. [44:55] Octandre. From Whiskey a Go Go 1968 (credits as above)
7. [46:10] "I liked Varèse's music from the minute I heard it"
8. [46:47] Edgard Varèse: Octandre - 1. Assez lent. From Complete Works (Decca, 1998) with ASKO Ensemble, Riccardo Chailly (conductor)
9. [49:05] Whisky Improvisation: Episode III and Episode I. From Whiskey a Go Go 1968 (credits as above)
10. [52:46] Meow. From Whiskey a Go Go 1968 (credits as above)
11. [53:34] "No, I’m not trying to be far out, and I'm not trying to be hysterical"
12. [54:04] Return of the Hunch-Back Duke. From You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore Vol. 5 (Rykodisc, 1992) with The Mothers of Invention: Frank Zappa (lead guitar), Ian Underwood (alto saxophone), Bunk Gardner (tenor saxophone), Motorhead Sherwood (baritone saxophone), Buzz Gardner (trumpet), Lowell George (guitar), Don Preston (keyboards), Roy Estrada (bass), Arthur Dyer Tripp III, Jimmy Carl Black (drums), Dick Kunc (recording engineer). NOTE: Recorded live February 13, 1969 at The Factory, Bronx
13. [55:55] Outro with The Little House I Used to Live In (organ solo: Frank Zappa)
14. [58:59] The Penguins: Memories of El Monte. From Memories of El Monte (Original Sound, 1963) with The Penguins featuring Cleve Duncan. NOTE: Recorded 1963, song by Frank Zappa and Ray Collins
⠀
SET 3: The Mothers in 1974 [1:01:42]
1. [1:02:05] Voice break with The Mothers of Invention: Memories of El Monte
2. [1:04:11] Colorado Springs '74 Show Start. From Apostrophe (') 50th Anniversary Edition (Zappa, 2024) with Frank Zappa (guitar, vocals), Ruth Underwood (percussion), Bob Ludwig (recording engineer). NOTE: Recorded live March 21, 1974
3. [1:04:40] Hermitage. From One Shot Deal (Zappa, 2008) with Frank Zappa (guitar), Ralph Grierson, Mike Lang, Ian Underwood (keyboards), Terry Bozzio (drums), The Abnuceals Emuukha Electric Symphony Orchestra, Michael Zearott (conductor). NOTE: Recorded September 18, 1975 at Royce Hall, UCLA
4. [1:06:41] "What instrument is the Ayatollah playing?" (Larry King Live, 1989)
5. [1:06:55] Dupree's Paradise. From Apostrophe (') 50th Anniversary Edition (as above) with Frank Zappa (guitar, vocals), Napoleon Murphy Brock (tenor sax, flute, vocals), Bruce Fowler (trombone, vocals), Jeff Simmons (guitar, vocals), George Duke (keyboards, vocals), Tom Fowler (bass), Ruth Underwood (percussion), Chester Thompson, Ralph Humphrey (drums, percussion), Bob Ludwig (recording engineer). NOTE: Recorded live March 21, 1974 in Colorado Springs
6. [1:24:35] "The lyrics in my opinion were incoherent and unacceptable to the times."
7. [1:24:57] …the poodle bites… From Apostrophe (') 50th Anniversary Edition (as above)
⠀
SET 4: Post-Roxy and Beefheart [1:25:52]
1. [1:28:52] T’Mershi Duween. From Joe's Camouflage (Zappa, 2014) with Frank Zappa (vocals, guitar), Napoleon Murphy Brock (keyboards, sax, vocals), Robert "Frog" Camarena (guitar, vocals), Denny Walley (slide guitar, vocals), Novi Novog (viola, vocals), Roy Estrada (bass, vocals), Terry Bozzio (drums, vocals). NOTE: Recorded summer 1975
2. [1:31:20] “Who Do You Think You Are”. From Joe's Camouflage (credits as above)
3. [1:31:58] Is There Anything Good Inside of You?. From Apostrophe (') 50th Anniversary Edition (as above) with Frank Zappa (guitar, vocals), Napoleon Murphy Brock (tenor sax, flute, vocals), Bruce Fowler (trombone, vocals), Jeff Simmons (guitar, vocals), George Duke (keyboards, vocals), Tom Fowler (bass), Ruth Underwood (percussion), Chester Thompson, Ralph Humphrey (drums, percussion), Bob Ludwig (recording engineer). NOTE: Recorded live March 21, 1974 in Colorado Springs
4. [1:37:02] Where's Our Equipment?. From You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore Vol. 5 (as above) with Frank Zappa
5. [1:39:31.321 "It is true that Frank Zappa has had public acceptance, but mostly I find because of the freakiness of the ensemble"
6. [1:39:54] Twinkle Tits. From Funky Nothingness (Zappa, 2023) with Max Bennett (bass). NOTE: Recorded February or March 1970 at The Record Plant, Los Angeles
7. [1:40:16] The Dog Breath Variations, Uncle Meat, Building a Girl. From Apostrophe (') 50th Anniversary Edition (as above) with Frank Zappa (guitar, vocals), Napoleon Murphy Brock (tenor sax, flute, vocals), George Duke (keyboards, vocals), Tom Fowler (bass), Ruth Underwood (percussion), Chester Thompson (drums), Bob Ludwig (recording engineer). NOTE: Recorded live November 20, 1974 at Hara Arena, Dayton, OH
8. [1:46:22] "I'd be interested to see what toys your kids ever had." (Senator Paula Hawkins)
9. [1:46:42] The Torture Never Stops. From You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore Vol. 4 (Rykodisc, 1991) with Don Van Vliet AKA Captain Beefheart (vocal, harmonica), Frank Zappa (lead guitar), Napoleon Murphy Brock (saxophone), Bruce Fowler (trombone), Denny Walley (slide guitar), George Duke (keyboards), Tom Fowler (bass), Terry Bozzio (drums), Davey Moire (recording engineer). NOTE: Recorded live May 21, 1975 at Armadillo World Headquarters, Austin, TX
10. [1:55:57] Outro with Sofa No. 1 (from One Size Fits All)
Photo credits: The Penguins via Original Sound, Mothers of Invention (top: Jimmy Carl Black, Ray Collins, Art Tripp, Roy Estrada, middle: Ian Underwood, Bunk Gardner, Don Preston, Motorhead Sherwood, bottom: Frank Zappa) at Whiskey a Go Go 1968 by George Rodriguez, Orchestral Favorites cover by Gary Panter, Captain Beefheart and Frank Zappa by John Williams, Frank Zappa with guitar by John Williams, young Frank Zappa, Mothers of Invention in 1974 (Napoleon Murphy Brock, Jeff Simmons, Ruth Underwood, Tom Fowler, Chester Thompson, George Duke, Ralph Humphrey, Frank Zappa, Bruce Fowler), Frank Zappa via Zappa estate, Dupree’s Paradise, Larry Stein and Frank Zappa at US Senate 1985.