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Is it just me or does it seem like there's a LOT going on in some of the songs, say on Absolutely Free? I enjoy listening to it, but it seems as there is so much going on in all of the songs that it is kind of hard to have a good listen. Am I wrong here, or do I just not get it?

That's part of the fun. There's more to discover with each listen.

jordan, you get it. i've been listening to fz for 37 years and i still hear things i've never noticed before, in pieces that i've listened to hundreds of times.

not only that, over time i continue to hear the music in ways i've not heard it before...evolving toward (hopefully) a better understanding of what's going on in the piece.

most recently, for example, i'm having an epiphany about "jazz from hell". it's been knocking my socks off.

that's the amazing thing about frank's music.

the complexity of the music coupled with the sheer quantity of frank's output can indeed be overwhelming. don't make it a chore. it's a long journey...to be taken slowly...it requires time, patience and active listening...not a quick fix. but it's an incredibly journey and the rewards are immeasurable. just sit back, relax, and have fun.

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I can't tell when you're telling the truth.
>I'm not.
How do I know anything you've said to me is...
>You don't.

Thank you for the advice, much appreciated.

Amen, brother.

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Come visit my Progressive Rock forum at: http://zombyprog.proboards.com/index.cgi? ... its good for your health, national and otherwise!

"Who tortured you and made you listen to Yes?" - Roger Dean

Absolutely Free was recorded cheaply on 4-track tape and there were lots of musical details crammed onto just two or three tracks. The vocals were overdubbed onto one or two tracks with everybody singing at once. The mutli-tracks for this album (along with the "Big Leg Emma" single) were junked by MGM not long after the sessions, making a more detailed remix impossible. So it's just kind of stuck that way, like a million instruments are crammed into a tiny room.

AF was recorded in short sections of often a few bars or even one bar only. So you might have different instrumentations from one moment to another. Frank edited it all together then.

Th.

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Active forum member since 2005 - R E T I R E D from this forum in 2013

Are you fucking kidding? Go listen to Justin Bieber if you can't handle real music!!

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Make your checks payable to QUENTIN ROBERT DeNAMELAND, Greatest Living Philostopher Known to Mankind.

you have just listed all the reasons why I Listen to Zappa...

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http://www.facebook.com/hakantunamusic

Jordan - sleepy is lying. He's a masochist. The rest of us only listen to the parts we like.

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Don't Be Stupid Unless You Want To

hey, give the kid a break!

and besides, justin bieber is a very complex musical personality. just ask any of the young women where i work.

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I can't tell when you're telling the truth.
>I'm not.
How do I know anything you've said to me is...
>You don't.

i thought i asked you not to bring up the m-word. i thought we had an understanding.

_________________
I can't tell when you're telling the truth.
>I'm not.
How do I know anything you've said to me is...
>You don't.

If you think it sounds dense ill defined on the 2012 remaster, the Ryko is FAR WORSE, with a layer or digital reverb and a narrowed stereo spread!

There's too much going on in parts of Absolutely Free. It's ridiculous. He was heading for WOIIFTM.

Is this the general "I've never noticed that before" thread? If not, it should be.

On headphones I noticed acoustic guitar on WPLJ (BWS version) in the left channel for the first time. Must have been "smeared" by all that reverb on the old version (I've never heard the LP).

I thought that was kind of obvious with the strumming sound. (On my LP, at least)

Ha! Just wait until you listen to Uncle Meat. Now that album has density like you've never heard!!