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Zappa and Jazz Geoff Wills

Zappa and Jazz By Geoff Wills

Zappa and Jazz by Geoff Wills


$11.69
Condition - Very Good
Only 1 left

Summary

Frank Zappa's music has a unique and easily recognisable quality, and is a brilliant synthesis of a wide range of cultural influences. This book focuses on just one of the influences on Zappa's music, namely Jazz.

Zappa and Jazz Summary

Zappa and Jazz: Did it really smell funny, Frank? by Geoff Wills

Although Frank Zappa died over 20 years ago, he continues to be regarded as an iconic figure in 20th century culture. In 1973 he famously said 'Jazz is not dead... it just smells funny,' and in this new book Geoff Wills takes a look at Zappa's widely assumed antipathy for the jazz genre. Along the way, he throws up some very interesting facts. Frank Zappa's music has a unique and easily recognisable quality, and it brilliantly synthesizes a wide range of cultural influences. Zappa and Jazz focuses on the influence of jazz on Zappa in an attempt to clarify the often-confusing nature of his relationship with it. Zappa's early years are examined, from his first foray into a recording studio to the formation and progress of his band The Mothers of Invention. There are exhaustive critiques here of the key jazz-related albums Hot Rats, King Kong, The Grand Wazoo and Waka/Jawaka. Along the way, Wills analyses Zappa's music and the wider influences that were crucial in forming his attitudes, not only to jazz but to society in general. The book concludes with a discussion of Zappa's similarity to more orthodox jazz leaders, his legacy and the influence on jazz-related music. Guaranteed to appeal to all Zappa fans who seek new insights into his music, to open-minded jazz listeners and to anyone with an interest in the melting pot of 20th century music.

Zappa and Jazz Reviews

This book is a precious aide-memoire with which to explore the more-than-abundant Zappa discography through the filter of jazz. -- Frederic Goaty * Jazz Magazine *
Fans of Frank Zappa's music will be intrigued by the many close inspections of the jazz influences that Wills perceives in the various recordings he analyses. -- Jim Burns * Northern Review of Books *
Wills has rooted out plenty of evidence in his insightful tome to suggest that Frank liked the smell of jazz just fine. -- Downbeat Magazine

About Geoff Wills

Geoff Wills is a former professional musician and clinical psychologist. His large-scale study of occupational stress in popular musicians, Pressure Sensitive, was published in 1998 and he has contributed to many magazines and websites, including; International Musician Magazine, Jazz.com, Psychology of Music and the British Journal of Psychiatry.

Additional information

GOR009451130
9781784623913
1784623911
Zappa and Jazz: Did it really smell funny, Frank? by Geoff Wills
Used - Very Good
Paperback
Troubador Publishing
2015-09-28
192
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

Customer Reviews - Zappa and Jazz