December 26, 2007 Playlist

Ho Ho Ho!
Hairy Crimble !!!
    
"Absolutely Free" by The Mothers of Invention (1967)
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
The Mothers of Invention  "Absolutely Free"  1967 (USA)
Happy Frank Zappa Day (Dec 21) and also Merry Christmas!  Frank Zappa was a uniquely important force in 60's music, and arguably the most forward-thinking and influential album he produced with his band The Mothers Of Invention was this, their second release.  Each side is comprised of a multi-sectioned suite (the first rock record to do so, released exactly one week before the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper LP, but actually much more musically complex than that record.)  Zappa achieved long form conceptual continuity through a combination of tight musicianship and arrangements, as well as judicious tape editing.  (Zappa was quoted at the time as saying his goal was for the band to "sound edited" even when performing live.)  The lyrics and subject matter are also some of the most biting satire of Zappa's career, including the classics "Plastic People", "Call Any Vegetable" and "Brown Shoes Don't Make It."
   
(N) = New Release
Artist Song Album Year (label) Country
The Beatles 1968 Christmas Record The Beatles Christmas Album
(compilation of Christmas flexi-disc singles
recorded for the Beatles fanclub 1963 - 1969)		 1968 UK
Sonic Youth Santa Doesn't Cop Out On Dope (Martin Mull) Just Say Noel
(various artists compilation)		 1996 USA
Captain Beefheart There Ain't No Santa Claus On The Evenin' Stage The Spotlight Kid 1972 USA
Mott The Hoople Death May Be Your Santa Claus Brain Capers 1971 UK
Rufus Thomas I'll Be Your Santa Baby The Complete Stax-Volt Singles Vol. 3
(various artists compilation)		 rec. 1973 USA
James Brown
(G.F.O.S. - R.I.P. Dec 25, 2006)		 Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto James Brown's Funky Christmas
(CD compilation)		 rec. 1968 USA
 
 
James Brown I Can't Stand Myself (When You Touch Me)
Parts 1 & 2		 Foundations Of Funk
(CD compilation)		 1968 USA
The Guess Who
(Burton Cummings b. Dec 31, 1947)		 When You Touch Me Wheatfield Soul 1968 Canada
The Guess Who Runnin' Back To Saskatoon
(Live / single version)		 A-side 7" single
(Anthology CD compilation)		 1972 Canada
The Guess Who 6 A.M. Or Nearer Canned Wheat Packed By The Guess Who 1969 Canada
Frank Zappa
(with Jack Bruce)		 Apostrophe Apostrophe 1974 USA
   
 
The Mothers of Invention
(Frank Zappa b. Dec 21, 1940)		 "Absolutely Free"
  Plastic People -->
  The Duke Of Prunes -->
  Call Any Vegetable		 Absolutely Free
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		 1967 USA
Love Live And Let Live Forever Changes 1967 USA
   
 
Amon Duul 2 C.I.D. In Uruk Carnival In Babylon 1972 Germany
Faust Party 5 71 Minutes Of Faust
(CD compilation)		 c. 1972? Germany
Spirit It Shall Be / Poor Richard The Family That Plays Together 1968 USA
The Free Design Bubbles Star Time Bubbles Love 1970 USA
Stereolab The Incredible He-Woman Aluminum Tunes rec. 1997 UK
Eric Dolphy Hypochristmutreefuzz Last Date rec. 1964 USA
   
 
The Little Cotton Woolies A Christmas Surprise The Little Cotton Woolies (N)
 2007
(self release)		 USA
Lunar Dunes Rowing Boat From Above (N) 2007
(Lunar Dunes)		 UK
Velvet Underground The Gift White Light / White Heat 1968 USA
Kraftwerk Pocket Calculator Computer World 1981 Germany
Sly Stone Crossword Puzzle High On You 1975 USA
   
 
Jean Luc Ponty Music For Electric Violin & Low Budget Orchestra
(composed & arranged by Frank Zappa,
conducted by Ian Underwood)		 King Kong 1970 France/USA
Karlheinz Stockhausen
(R.I.P. Dec 5, 2007)		 Kreuzspiel Stockhausen Complete Edition #1 CD 1951 Germany
   
 
Two And A Half Christmas Will Be 'Round Again A-side 7" single
(Pop Cycles Vol. 1 - various artists compilation)		 1968 UK
          
   
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