| Frank Zappa: Apostrophe / Over-Nite Sensation | 
| Actor: Frank Zappa
Studio: Eagle Rock Ent
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.98
Buy New: $9.39
You Save: $5.59 (37%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:   (24 reviews)
Sales Rank: 7510
Format: Best Of, Color, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: DVD
Running Time: 97 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: EV30123-9
UPC: 801213012398
EAN: 0801213012398
ASIN: B000OCXM0O
Release Date: May 1, 2007
Theatrical Release Date: May 1, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Description
"This is where you go to find every aspect of Frank's music squeezed into two perfectly formed records."Dweezil Zappa. This new addition to Eagle Vision's acclaimed Classic Albums series focuses on Frank Zappa's early seventies albums "Overnite Sensation" (1973) and "Apostrophe(`)" (1974). Together they encapsulate Zappa's extraordinary musical diversity and were also the two most commercially successful albums that he released in his prolific career. As ever the program uses interviews, musical demonstrations, rare archive and home movie footage plus live performances to tell the story behind the conception and recording of these groundbreaking albums. TRACKLISTING: Features excerpts from: -Dinah-Moe Humm -I'm The Slime -Montana -St Alfonzo's Pancake Breakfast -Dirty Love -Cosmic Debris -Stink-Foot & more.
Amazon.com
History will show that Frank Zappa (1940-1993) was one of the greatest American composers of the 20th century in any musical form, and this superb episode of the Classic Albums series offers ample proof of Zappa's genius. As Zappa's reverent son and musical heir Dweezil Zappa rightly points out, Over-Nite Sensation (1973) and Apostrophe (') (1974) are the albums that epitomize Zappa's masterful jazz/rock fusion, virtually defining a unique musical genre that can only be called "Zappa." The recording of both albums is chronicled here not simply because they best represent the dazzling complexity of Zappa's music, but also because they were recorded simultaneously in a burst of creativity, proving beyond any doubt that Zappa was more than simply a mischievous provocateur. While the world may know Zappa from his mainstream novelty hit "Valley Girl" (with daughter Moon on vocals), any devoted Zappaphile will tell you that this is the real Zappa, in full musical bloom, working miracles in the studio with The Mothers of Invention and a stellar variety of topnotch musicians who cite their time with Zappa as the most rewarding period of their careers. The Classic Albums series strives to be definitive, and this must-have DVD is fully authorized in the scope of its coverage. With complete cooperation and participation from the remaining Zappa family (sons Dweezil and Ahmet, daughter Moon, and widow Gail are all extensively interviewed) and additional interviews with Billy Bob Thornton, Alice Cooper, guitarist Steve Vai, veteran Rolling Stone critic David Fricke, and many of Zappa's closest associates and collaborators, this 97-minute documentary is packed with highlights and fascinating revelations, like the pristine precision of Zappa's hand-written compositions, Zappa's childhood fascination with the compositions of Edgard Varese, and his diligent, prolific, and disciplined, drug-free approach to recording and touring. Zappa's studio process is amazingly revealed when Dweezil and Zappa "Vaultmeister" Joe Travers sit down at a mixing table to analyze the master tapes of classic Zappa tracks like the hilariously controversial "Dyna-Moe Humm." In addition to vintage archival clips of Zappa discussing his music and career, and home movies of Zappa's band on tour during the mid-1970s, this DVD also includes the complete video of Zappa performing "I'm the Slime" on Saturday Night Live in 1976, live footage of a 1973 performance of "Montana," and a new performance of "Camarillo Brillo" by Dweezil's tribute band, Zappa Plays Zappa (with Dweezil playing one of his father's favorite Gibson guitars). Bonus features also include a Travers-hosted trip into the massive Zappa archives, and further deconstruction of Zappa tracks "Dirty Love" and "Nanook Rubs It." If you're a casual Zappa fan, this DVD will turn you into a passionate convert. For those who've loved Zappa all along, it's a little bit of heaven here on Earth. --Jeff Shannon
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| Customer Reviews: Read 19 more reviews...
 The perfect inside in Zappa's universe December 31, 2008
Frank Zappa was, in fact still is, the most acomplished musician I've heard in my life......and believe me I have heard a lot in my life (from Miles to Coltrane, from Zepellin to Steely Dan, from Azymuth to Bob Marley). As a teenager I simply couldn't grasp how and why he did what he did. After watching the DVD Apostrophe and Over-nite sensation a tip of that veil was lifted and it was, to say the least..........a REVELATION! Frank was a pioneer, this is one of the conclusions you can take after watching this DVD, a brilliant guitar player too, a humorist and a story teller. All that is missing in "other" music you can find in Frank's music. Many thanks to all that have contributed to this marvelous DVD. Dank u wel, merci beaucoup, danke schoen, abrigado!
And do yourself a favour, buy the ZPZ DVD as well.....it's the main gate into Frank's music and once you are in, returning to our world seems so dull!
The crux of the biscuit is the Apostrophe(') !
Exceptional DVD for those interested in the bigger FZ picture July 25, 2008
Let me preface my remarks by saying that most of the negative reviews here were written by people who were expecting lots of concert footage. I read the label and online description and received exactly what I expected. Some people will give blue a bad review for failing to be red, but Frank Zappa: Apostrophe / Over-Nite Sensation is just what it claims to be.
I got into Zappa while in high school in the late 70's and early 80's. I studied music and still play, but as much as I drifted through various styles and interests, FZs music always stuck and held a special place in my music library. I recall seeing him in concert in 1982 - mind-blowing.
Zappa's music and the reasons we love it are often misunderstood. As Frank says in the video, everything he's done is part of the much larger body of his complete works. Albums like Apostrophe and Overnight Sensation were perhaps the most accessible of his recordings and while they have plenty of virtuosity and compositional brilliance, those who don't listen profoundly may simply hear the silly humor, and never grasp the larger context of the attitude behind that humor.
This documentary provides plenty of music candy for people who appreciate Zappa's music on any level, but really zooms in on the people, processes and history that were part of his compositions and musical standards. Comments from bandmates like Ruth Underwood, Napoleon Murphy Brock, Steve Vai and others provide an inside look at what it was like to be part of FZ's musical odyssey.
Special mention here is offered for the contribution of the very talented Dweezil Zappa who deserves an honorary doctorate as a musicologist. Rather than being the idiot bastard son (sorry, couldn't resist), Dweezil has mastered his father's guitar style, and has clearly developed a very sophisticated grasp of the instrument that Frank gets little credit for being a true pioneer with - the multitrack recording console. Dweezil has clearly paid his dues going through the old master tapes one track at a time and with the skill of a great musical archaeologist, has exhumed extraordinary treasures, artifacts and clues to the bigger picture of what happened in the musical life of Frank Zappa. In the video, he sits at the mixing console and solos tracks hidden in back of the mix that reveal nuances of Frank's orchestrating genius. Few people could muster the drive and talent to take advantage of this kind of inheritance. Bravo! As Dweezil is one of the few people who can grasp the musical sophistication of FZ's music, I'll be watching to see where he evolves it to next. There's no reason not to expect greatness.
Extras on the DVD include a visit to the "vaults." Y'know how whenever some company wants to re-release some old crap, they tell you they're digging it out of "the vaults?" Well, there really is a Zappa vault and the archivist there offers a short tour of the miles of tape, film and video that comprise the Zappa legacy. This material is all being preserved, cataloged, digitized and cared for by some very talented people. I find that comforting.
If "Dinah-mo-humm" is the extent of your Zappa palette, this video will either give you a new appreciation of the bigger picture that was Frank Zappa's music or you'll find it too focussed on details that don't matter to you. If you appreciate the whole Zappa ethos, from the cynical, raunchy humor to the extended guitar solos to the masterful engineering to the brilliant composition to the extended family of virtuoso musicians who performed these wonders, then this DVD is a must-have.
Zappa at his best July 5, 2008
This is a fabulous overview of two of Frank Zappa's best albums. It offers interesting insights into the songs. There are interviews with family members and band members that detail Zappa's time and effort that he put into the music as a composer, arranger, performer and producer. All dedicated fans will enjoy this dvd. It also shows Dweezil's deep love for his father(he is always shown playing his dad's guitar)and this makes it a fine tribute to his dad. I like Dweezil's comments on each track of the albums, very insightful. Who knew Tina Turner sang backing vocals on some of the songs? Excellant DVD.
Zappa is, like the king, alive!!! May 30, 2008
Well, of course the sound is less than average. But let's make it clear and short: just listen the magnificent guitar solo of "no more trouble every day"... Pure genius. Then who cares about this bootleg type of sound. It is a time trip to 1974... For those who love FZ, go for it!
What a solo!!!
Old Stuff is Great April 6, 2008
The highlight of the DVD is the 'I Am The Slime" performance from 1976 SNL. Frankly, there are some vids from FZ's son version of some of the tunes of Apostrophe that fell flat for me. FZ is a legend. I'll watch it once in a while.
It is worth it.
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