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Rating: A lot of people make fun of me. And do you know why? Because I listen to Frank Zappa!!!
Holy moly, but if only they knew who he is. If only they could imagine all that he has done, all those albums that have given a new conception to what was called JUST rock. He is the one who gave life to the perfect fusion of Rock, Jazz, Classical music, and Pop.
"HOT RATS" is the first album that would form an "imaginary" trilogy (that is, it has been defined by Zappa's fans): the other two are "Waka/jawaka" and "The Grand Wazoo". All three are very beautiful, but none reach the level of this first LP.
Even just the first track, "Peaches en Regalia", is a kind of summary of everything that is Frank Zappa's art, even if unfortunately it lasts only 3 minutes and a little more.
Two titanic tracks follow: one is "Willie The Pimp", almost ten minutes - of which at least 8 are guitar solos. Very enjoyable. The other track is "Son of Mr. Green Genes" (the name is due to the fact that the melody is the same as a track from the double LP "Uncle Meat" - which is called "Mr. Green Genes"). A real symphony, wonderful from start to finish.
Now there is a brief interlude, marked by the track "Little Umbrellas", only three minutes long. It is nothing more than an introduction to what is to follow.
"The Gumbo Variations". A track of almost 17 minutes, marked by sax, violin, bass solos and more!!! Gigantic. It's at this point that you truly understand what "Hot Rats" is. The album concludes with "It Must Be A Camel".
Clarifications: the only sung track is "Willie The Pimp", and only for a little over a minute; all the guitar solos are performed by the master Zappa; there are 6 tracks, but the album reaches a considerable length.
If you hated this album, maybe it's better to leave the remaining works of Zappa aside. If you liked it so-so, continue with the other albums of the "Trilogy", and the wonderful (and truly!!!) "Burnt Weeny Sandwich". If you have already consecrated Zappa as an undisputed genius, and you are already looking for posters and t-shirts that highlight your Zappa-dependence, continue relentlessly until you reach the famous quota of 70 (approximately) that makes up Zappa's discography. Happy listening to all!!!
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Peaches en Regalia (03:34)
Jean-Luc Ponty - Violin, Keyboards
Paul Humphrey - Violin, Drums
Shuggie Otis - Bass, Guitar
Lowell George - Guitar
Captain Beefheart - Harmonica, Keyboards, Vocals
Max Bennett - Bass
Frank Zappa - Bass, Guitar, Percussion, Arranger, Composer, Keyboards,
Vocals, Producer, Octave Bass
John Guerin - Drums
Don "Sugarcane" Harris - Violin, Vocals
Jack Hunt - Engineer
Brian Ingoldsby - Engineer
Dick Kunc - Engineer, Director of Engineering
Cal Schenkel - Design, Cover Design
Ron Selico - Drums
Ian Underwood - Organ, Clarinet, Flute, Guitar, Piano, Saxophone
John Williams - Design
Max Bennet - Bass
Cliff Goldstein - Engineer
02 Willie the Pimp (09:16)
Frank Zappa (guitar, octave bass, percussion)
Ian Underwood (piano, organus maximus, clarinet, saxophone)
Captain Beefheart (vocals)
Don "Sugar Cane" Harris (violin)
John Guerin (drums)
Max Bennet (bass)
I'm a little pimp with my hair gassed back
Pair a khaki pants with my shoe shined black
Got a little lady ... walk the street
Tellin' all the boy that she cain't be beat
Twenny dollah bill ( I can set you straight )
Meet me onna corner boy'n don't be late
Man in a suit with a bow-tie neck
Wanna buy a grunt with a third party check
Standin' onna porch of the Lido Hotel
Floozies in the lobby love the way I sell:
HOT MEAT
HOT RATS
HOT CATS
HOT RITZ
HOT ROOTS
HOT SOOTS
HOT ZITZ
HOT MEAT
HOT RATS
HOT CATS
HOT ZITZ
HOT ROOTS
HOT SOOTS
06 It Must Be a Camel (04:23)
We haven't lyrics of this song. Please, add these lyrics for other users. Use "Correct". Thanks to you.
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Other reviews
By puntiniCAZpuntini
The hardest thing to do is to break the rules and silence everyone.
Franco did not care about the opinions of others.
By De-cano
The Zappa jazzrock roars, stands out, is depraved like "Willie the Pimp," is without his Mothers of Invention and thus, free.
Let's remember Zappa, let's not allow "Hot Rats" to be devoured by rats in any filthy attic, insert it into the player and you'll understand!
By Jukan
"Zappa is in itself a micro-universe of sounds, movements, and sensations."
"In this album, all the tracks are equal in perfection, and 'Peaches En Regalia' and 'Son of Mr. Green Genes' are simply first inter pares."
