Search - Frank Zappa :: Classic Interviews

Don't waste your money !

greggoryP | trendy usa | 03/03/2006

(1 out of 5 stars)

"The interviewer who made this CD - Steven Rosen - has attempted to exacted a strange sort of revenge on Frank Zappa. That is - to profit from Frank Zappa ( with the sale of this CD) and discredit Frank Zappa simultaniously. It appears Steven Rosen did not like Frank Zappa and attempts (in the "16 PAGE COLOUR BOOKLET" included in the CD - which is all black and white except for the title), to explain why Frank Zappa was a monster - "...I was now chatting with Hyde's Dr. Jekyll..". But it is obvious from the interviews contained on the CD that it is Steven Rosen's absence of skill as an interviewer that has caused Frank Zappas lack of enthusiasm in the interviews. For the Zappa fan there is no new information gained through these interviews that is not already in print. The poor quality of the recordings and Zappa's flat, bored tone, adds nothing to the facts of the interview that are already in print in Guitar Player and other magazines. I wish I had'nt bought this CD - it kills me to think I have sponsord Steven Rosen's efforts."

5 Stars for content, 0 Stars for recording quality

S. M Marson | Lumberton, NC | 05/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I own and have listened to two other interview CDs with Frank Zappa (these include FRANK ZAPPA: LIMITED EDITION PICTURE DISC and FRANK ZAPPA: THE INTERVIEWS VOLUME 2) and greatly enjoyed both of them. Although I do not have the words to describe my meaning, I can say that there is something different about hearing historical content on a recording when compared to reading the same content within the pages of a biography. As a result, I was delighted to receive this CD as a gift when I was visiting Ohio. I listened to it on the 11-hour drive home. I can say two things about this CD.



First, I learned a number of technical details regarding Zappa's guitar playing that I had not heard elsewhere. He comments on many behind the scenes events which cannot be found in other sources. In addition, he provides insight into his family life with focus on his children and Gail's last pregnancy. I found Zappa's tone utterly fascinating.



Second, Zappa would be absolutely outraged with the quality of the reproduction. The CD includes (at least mine does) a great deal of hissing. At times the hissing was so bad; it was difficult to hear the conversation. The interviewer was inept and quite clumsy. At one time, he seemed to have lost sight in the interview and there was a surprising amount of silence (or hissing). At that point, Zappa jumps in and starts talking on this own. Other times, the interview seemed very stilted - like the interviewer was doing a poor job of reading the questions to Zappa. My hypothesis? The interviewer had to be doing drugs.



I think Zappa fans would enjoy the interview, but hate the hissing. I'm glad I own it.

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