Frank Zappa - Absolutely Free (CD 1999)

By far the best recording by the 60's Mothers. The first side is a kind of rock opera about vegetables prunes are not vegetables, but I will not tell if you don't. Some fantastic melody's underpin the work. On the surface its a chaotic mess but you quickly get over than impression and are wowed by the skill of the composer and performers. Of course as with most of Franks stuff his tongue is firmly in his cheek. We even get a short appearance from captain beef heart on side one and he reappears on side 2. Side two is way more political and may be the most blatant attack that frank ever made on the establishment. The sound will not be to everyone's liking. This is not as polished a recording as say "we are only in it for the money" but I have always loved this set for its mixture of lunacy free-jazz, rock and classical sounds...not to mention do-whopp. This is one of those records that you should have if you are serious about collecting the 60's or progressive rock or just about any other excuse you could think of (try getting to know vegetables without it) impossible). Frank Zappa was a genius and this is one of the records that established him as one of the most important musicians of an era of important musicians. So buy this recording it will help to keep you regular..