Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention: In the 1960's

In 1967 and 1968 (when I was "losing status at the high school") I first heard the Mothers on their brilliant albums "Absolutely Free" and "We'reOnly In It for the Money." The words and music of Frank Zappa influenced the way I think more than the Beatles, Bob Dylan or over 18 years ofeducation (?) So when I read about the release of this DVD, I had to get it immediately! The only thing disappointing about it (though it is not surprising) is that there are only snippets of the MOI onstage. (What I would give for a complete '67 Mothers performance at NY's Garrick Theatre!) But the good news is that those who tell the story of the original Mothers do a very good job, with the contributions of formerMothers Bunk Gardner, Jimmy Carl Black, Artie Tripp and Don Preston being particularly valuable (too bad they couldn't have gotten Roy Estrada, Ian Underwood, Billy Mundi or Ray Collins.) An in-depth analysis of the Mothers' mid to late-Sixties albums from "Freak Out" to "Uncle Meat" isvery well done, with lots of newly revealed information and anecdotes.One of the music critics states that this was the best group of musicians that Zappa ever assembled. Well J.C. Black was no Terry Bozzio and Don Preston was no George Duke or Tommy Mars, but, in spirit, maybe they were after all. To this day, I feel that Zappa's most memorable andiconoclastic music was done with the original Mothers - one critic even suggests that Zappa's music since the late-Sixties was basically a recycling of the ideas he expressed on those great records. That may be going a bit too far, but those first five or six Mothers albums will always be the ones I go back to first. And the members of Frank's band were important components in making the albums and performaces so groundbreaking. These guys were real characters and added so much to the Mothers' output. Especially touching are the words of Jimmy Carl Black (particularly since he passed away recently.) Jimmy Carl clearly loved Frank Zappa and his creativity. But he also makes clear that Zappa was often very demanding and difficult to work with. And after some 35 years,he is still very hurt that Frank broke up the band at a time when the members interviewed say that the band was peaking. But he also says that he is still buzzed about playing with the "best rock and roll band there ever was." And about that, he just might be correct. I would recommend this to all Zappa fans, especially the ones whose first exposure to Frank Zappa was "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow" or "Dinah-Moe Humm." This DVD offers an excellent history lesson into the first years of a musical genius.

Jimmy Carl Black (R.I.P.) states in his opinion the '60s MoI were the best band in the world, period. Every night they played a different show, with a repertoire of over 300 songs and no set list. In between the regular songs they'd perform skits and lampoon the news of the day, then spontaneously burst into a song without planning. Playing together constantly -- six days per week, up to three shows per day -- then rehearsing excessively when they weren't on stage -- made this 8-to-10-piece ensemble preternaturally tight. Bunk, Ray, Roy, Ian, Motorhead, Don, Artie, Billy, Jim and Frank WERE one hell of a live band (1964-1969), no matter how much Frank slagged them in later years.This disc of contemporary interviews (with surviving members) and period clips of the band performing make Jimmy's point abundantly clear. For many of us the "classic lineup" was the best lineup, because for us the MoI were much more than just "Frank's band," they were characters and geniuses in their own right. As proven by the subsequent reunions as "The Grandmothers" (without Frank) they could tear up a stage long after Frank unceremoniously dumped them."This film is not authorised by the estate or family of Frank Zappa" which is why it is the true story, warts and all, instead of one of the bowdlerized histories being peddled by Gail. Fans of  The Real Frank Zappa  will find great pleasure in finally seeing the Mothers get their due.

Having just watched this, I want to add my 2 cents. I really enjoyed the presentation overall, especially the commentary from Jimmy Carl Black, Don Preston and Bunk Gardner. They added some insight into the recording sessions and early history that I, as a long time Zappa fan, was not aware of. There are also some video clips I have never seen before. However, it should be said this is done in the style of the dreaded DVD album review, but this doesn't detract much from the overall quality of the film. The comentators are all knowledgable and add value to the story of the orginal Mothers. For a young person wanting to learn about Frank Zappa and his music, I would not suggest this as the place to start; it would most certainly appeal to old timers who want to relive some history and their youth.

Nicelly done bio flick of Frank Zappa and his Mothers band. It goes from Frank's beginings and moves through the rise and demise of the Mothers of Invention. Featuring former members and critics alike. Very well done for the limited run time of the program which is just over an hour. Even having read most of the books available on the subject this was still fun with the stories from those there and the actual footage that was shown. My only real complaint was not enough of the "best live band ever" playing was included. No doubt in large part to this not being an "offical" Zappa Estate product. If there is more complete tape of film of the group in its glory I would love to see it!

You need not agree with everything that is said on this DVD (that the last tracks of Freak Out and We're Only In It For The Money really were not all that important, as suggested, as everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion), but I can't imagine a more entertaining and revealing look into the early M.O.I. Ok, so maybe there are no earthshattering news here, but just to hear these guys tell the story in their own words, bitterness and all (yes, they are still pissed off that Frank killed the band as they were just starting to make serious money) is wonderful. And I do agree with one reviewer, that each incarnation of Frank's band should benefit from an in-depth look like this one, especially the one featuring Ruth & Ian Underwood, Nappy Brown etc etc.

The biographical material is familiar to those who've read several of FZ's biographies (Real FZ book, Miles, Wally, Slaven,etc.) but also goes into Zappa's musical background and the formation of the M.O.I. & also gives good insights into the material on the Freak Out/Absolutely Free/We're Only In It For the Money/Lumpy Gravy/Reuben/Uncle Meat albums.The narrators/interviewees are known by FZ fans: Ben Watson (author of Negative Dialectics of Poodle Play), Billy James (Necessity Is...), Richie Unterberger (from Mojo magazine) as well as ex-Mothers Jimmy Carl Black (RIP), Don Preston and Bunk Gardner.Certainly worth the purchase for the devoted FZ fan.

I first came across the Mothers of Invention as a teenager in the late 60's with a purchase of a compilation called `Mothermania', chiefly I think because the band looked so freakish on the cover that I was sure that the inside contents would mirror this. But this wasn't psychedelic music and at first the strange mixture of satirical jibes at America. Spoken word and, for the time, unusual musical styles didn't make sense and tracks like `Who are the Brain police' were creepy and unnerving. Not the sort of Blues based rock that was the staple at the time. By the third listen though, I was totally hooked and by the end of the week was quoting whole chunks of `Brown Shoes don't make it' and `It can't happen here'.I was lucky enough to see this line up when the Mothers played the UK in 1969 and have a real affection for those early Mothers albums. So this DVD has particular significance for me as this is the period of Zappa is by far my favourite. DVDs of long disbanded bands often only feature the questionable pronouncements of Journalists and their particular take on proceedings but this time we do get interviews some of the people who were there as well including the recently deceased Jimmy Carl Black and its good to see Bunk Gardener Don Preston and Artie Tripp all looking well and offering tit bits on their tenure with Zappa, surprising in a way, if the way the band was dumped to by leader is anything to go by. Strangely there is no mention of Ian Underwood who was an intrigal part of the Line up at the time.There is interesting footage of some of the less well known `freaks' of the time such as Karl Franzoni and a fascinating glimpse of an early clean cut Zappa on the Steve Allan shoe Playing the Bicycle. The albums are discussed at length and with genuine insights by people who obviously enjoy them and there is also time given to some of the albums put out on Zappa's Straight label such as those by Wild Man Fischer and Capt BeefheartRecommended to those who love the early Mothers and those who are looking for an insight into a revolutionary time when music was genuinely challenging

Some great footage of early Mothers, especially what I reckon was their best period - between 1967 and 1969, although this is a matter of taste. Can do without the peripheral humour - it's the extended instrumentals that are of more interest and the underrated and largely overlooked Art Tripp and Bunk Gardner. Also good to have some insight into the relationship Zappa had with his band, especially the comments from the late Jimmy Carl Black.If you like early Mothers, thoroughly recommended.

There is a lot of original Mothers stuff out there in bootleg land. Here we get a taster in fragmented form, but not the full meal. The best bits are the interwiews with ex mothers; the late Jimmy Carl Black & the wonderfully preserved Bunk Gardner. But, hey! at 2 hours, you can't complain. Hotcha!

The trouble with non authorised documentaries (and this is one of them) is that they don't interview the people that matter, and they interview people that don't matter too much!There's some nice interviews with Jimmy Carl Black (who died recently, RIP), Don Preston, Bunk Gardner (looking very good for his age!) andArtie Tripp who toured with the mothers as a second drummer. Unfortunately these interviews are too short and we have to suffer from (and I quote) "scenesters like LA wildman Kim Fowley, biographer Billy James, Zappa academic Ben Watson, music journalist Richie Unterberger and English writer and musician Alan Clayson" who, are frankly boring in my opinion and if you're already a Frank fan, already know everything they have to tell you.There's hardly any live footage or interviews with the great man himself (yes I know he's dead!) - overall it's ok - but not a definitve article.One of the most interesting parts was where the band explain when Zappa "fired" the mothers and then told them they owed him $20,000 as they'd been making a loss when touring.Shame there's no interviews with the other members (Ian Underwood, Ray Collins, Roy Estrada, Euclid James "Motorhead" Sherwood).My opinion - buy it second hand - watch it once and flog it on ebay.