Frank Zappa: Apostrophe / Over-Nite Sensation
List Price:
Our Price: $13.99
You Save: $0.99 (7%)
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy Used: from $8.34 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD details
Actor: Frank ZappaBrand: RED DISTRIBUTION
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Best of, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 97 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-05-01
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Eagle Rock Ent
DVD Reviews of Frank Zappa: Apostrophe / Over-Nite Sensation
DVD Review: There's a spot that makes me hot...but they didn't quite get to it.
Summary: 4 Stars
Owning the Classic Albums DVDs for Lou Reed, Sex Pistols, Cream, Deep Purple, Doors and Zappa; I have to say this is worthy, but ain't a classic within the series. Only a handful of songs from Overnite Sensation and Apostrophe are covered here, and only fleetingly in most cases. There are plenty of people interviewed, but it ranges from the half sentence blurbs of the shortest Alice Cooper interview ever done and the chuckling "I don't really have anything to say about that" style of George Duke to the episode stealing interviews with Ruth Underwood and Billy Bob Thornton. Steve Via and Dweezil are insightful and gracious, but few seem to know how to talk about this complicated guy. Though Moon Unit's basic comment that he was a "musical monk...who liked groupies" gives another angle, it reeks a bit of her personal issues more than something helpful to understanding the guy's music. When you've finished the Machine Head Classic Albums DVD, you feel you've learned something new about every song and the circumstance of the recording (hell, they even go further in depth with the Zappa origins of the Smoke On The Water story than most anything here). Never Mind The Bollocks Classic Album is chock full of info and depth. The Fleetwood Mac episode of this series goes so far, for so long it's overwhelming! But this one just doesn't feel complete. It's undoubtedly worth getting for the rare footage (including Halloween Zappa on SNL), but if you own these albums you'll get more about the songs from putting on your headphones than watching this. The "Vaultmeister" as he's introduced, seems to have just gotten the keys to the vault, as all he knows is the location of said album, and the history of the format it's recorded on. Both he and Dweezil seem genuinely surprised when they encounter an interesting bit on the master tapes, as if they'd never thought of sitting down and examining what was there. At least they could've done a dry run before the cameras got there, so they'd appear to know SOMETHING! There's plenty of talk about Tina, but she's not on here. At least Gail gets some camera time and knows how to use it. Maybe it's because Frank is so very different and dead, that they were unable to completely capture the essence of what these recording sessions were all about. But it seems like they didn't do enough research into the original studio, or engineer or enough of the musicians involved to give a concise statement about these truly Classic Albums. Sadly; three and a half stars out of five.DVD Review: A lot seems to be missing
Summary: 3 Stars
This is the unedited version of the program shown on VH1 Classic. The only material omitted from the version aired on TV was a more in-depth discussion on "Dinah Moe Hum," for obvious reasons, but it is the same program, nonetheless.
It would be, one would expect, a track-by-track discussion of these two pivotal LPs in Zappa's career, and where there is some discussion of them, it is more a cast of characters telling the viewer what a cut-up Frank was. His wife Gail speaks briefly on his work habits and the burden of doing certain songs he didn't prefer doing over and over and over... while Moon Unit speaks briefly on being embarassed by a lot of his music's toilet humor. But Dweezil, it seems can never tire of talking about, or listening to, his late father's music. He really loved the man, without a doubt. Steve Vai talks about Frank's sensibilities as a composer and performer, Elliot Ingber, guitarist with the original Mothers Of Invention, talks about the music of his time in the band not just being another guitar jam band, and Warren Cucurullo just says what it was like to live in that world.
As for the sessions themselves, several band members from the time give their own thoughts about what it was like making these records, but the final product is far from complete. A lot of the material isn't even mentioned, but as a saving grace, Ruth Underwood (phenomenal percussionist, by the way) uses her marimba to give a brief tutorial about chord structure, and Zappa's approach to it, as well as an impromptu performance of the percussion solo from Apostrophe's "Father Oblivion." She claims afterward to have made a mistake playing it, but it isn't apparent. It's an amazing thing to see, such a complicated line, done with what looks like very little effort, but that's the kind of talent Frank demanded from his musicians.
But, apart from Dweezil toying with the sound board showing how the various arrangements in certain pieces change the piece when accentuated or deleted, there is very little in the way of the music itself. As I said earlier, it's just a bunch of people waxing about how much they liked playing Frank Zappa's music. I'm not sure why, but these interviews include Billy Bob Thornton's thoughts. While what he says is true and obviously heartfelt, I just can't figure why he's even in there. He wasn't on the record, nor was he in the band. Whatever, I just don't get it. At least Alice Cooper, also on this video, got his start because of Frank's efforts.
But, for the real gems, go to "Features," and look for his 1976 appearance on "Saturday Night Live," when the show was worth something, to see him play "I'm The Slime." Also, watch the clip of "Montana," from the show recorded for "Roxy And Elsewhere." It wasn't on the record for some reason, but it couldn't be for lack of good performance. Excellent band. But I got a little sad watching Dweezil's band playing "Camarillo Brillo." They played it well, but something seemed to be missing. Of course, Frank is missing, but it just felt like something was wrong. I can't really explain it, it was like something needed to happen. Whatever it was, they played it well, so maybe it's just me.
The whole thing has some good stuff, it's just not essential.
DVD Review: A must have for Zappa fans
Summary: 4 Stars
Been a Zappa fan since the first Mothers of Invention but, I agree, you either love him or you don't like him. If you love him you must have this DVD. If you don't like him, pass this by and get something you like, this will just be more slime from the videoDVD Review: I wish I would have known it was not the music discs
Summary: 4 Stars
While I have enjoyed the DVD, for some reason, it never occured to me that this DVD was not just two albums on one disc. That is what I thought I was getting, so imagine my suprise when I plugged it in and had video clips, snippets of tunes and interviews.
Glad I got it, just would have ordered the music discs as well.
DVD Review: The perfect inside in Zappa's universe
Summary: 5 Stars
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 sch?n, 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(') !
Description of Frank Zappa: Apostrophe / Over-Nite Sensation
"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.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 Var?se, 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
General DVDs
DVD Video
- Action & Adventure
- African American Cinema
- Animation
- Anime & Manga
- Art House & International
- Classics
- Comedy
- Cult Movies
- Documentary
- Drama
- Educational
- Fitness & Yoga
- Gay & Lesbian
- Horror
- Kids & Family
- Military & War
- Music Video & Concerts
- Musicals & Performing Arts
- Mystery & Suspense
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Special Interests
- Sports
- Television
- Westerns
Bestsellers in General DVDs
Yentl (Two-Disc Directors Cut)Release date: 2009-02-03; DVD
Best price: $15.88
Price in other shops:
Live In Chicago DVDRelease date: 2009-03-31; DVD
Best price: $12.40
Price in other shops:
![Chris Botti in Boston [Blu-ray] Image](/images/Chris-Botti-in-Boston-Blu-ray-B001R60ESE-X.jpg)
Chris Botti in Boston [Blu-ray]Sony; Release date: 2009-03-31; DVD
Best price: $17.50
Price in other shops:
Live from Madison Square GardenRelease date: 2009-05-19; DVD
Best price: $16.99
Price in other shops:
![Performing This Week: Live at Ronnie Scott's [Blu-ray] Image](/images/Performing-This-Week-Live-at-Ronnie-Scott-Blu-ray-B001NP8PRG-X.jpg)
Performing This Week: Live at Ronnie Scott's [Blu-ray]Release date: 2009-03-31; DVD
Best price: $11.75
Price in other shops:
![Hit Man: David Foster And Friends (Amazon Exclusive) [Blu-ray] Image](/images/Hit-Man-David-Foster-And-Friends-Amazon-Exclusive-Blu-ray-B001U9BRNE-X.jpg)
Hit Man: David Foster And Friends (Amazon Exclusive) [Blu-ray]Release date: 2009-03-17; DVD
Best price: $16.99
Price in other shops:
Ashes of American FlagsRelease date: 2009-04-28; DVD
Best price: $11.99
Price in other shops:
Les Miserables: The 10th Anniversary Dream Cast in Concert at London's Royal Albert HallWarner Brothers; Release date: 2008-02-19; DVD
Best price: $24.24
Price in other shops:
Live In LondonSony; Release date: 2009-03-31; DVD
Best price: $12.14
Price in other shops:
Performing This Week: Live at Ronnie Scott'sRelease date: 2009-03-31; DVD
Best price: $8.93
Price in other shops:
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
Frank Zappa - Apostrophe (')Release date: 1995-04-18; Music CD
Best price: $8.99
Price in other shops:
Zappa Plays Zappa (Brilliant Box)Release date: 2008-04-29; DVD
Best price: $13.80
Price in other shops:
Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention: In the 1960'sRelease date: 2009-01-20; DVD
Best price: $11.86
Price in other shops:
Zappa Plays Zappa (Fan Pak)Release date: 2008-04-29; DVD
Best price: $25.88
Price in other shops:
Frank Zappa & the Mothers - Over-Nite SensationRelease date: 1995-04-18; Music CD
Best price: $8.86
Price in other shops:
Does Humor Belong in Music? Frank Zappa LiveEMI; Release date: 2004-01-13; DVD
Best price: $10.59
Price in other shops:
Frank Zappa - Trance-FusionRelease date: 2006-11-07; Music CD
Best price: $9.30
Price in other shops:
Frank Zappa: Dub Room SpecialRelease date: 2005-10-18; DVD
Best price: $8.29
Price in other shops:
Frank Zappa - Baby SnakesRelease date: 2003-12-09; DVD
Best price: $10.06
Price in other shops:
Frank Zappa - Imaginary DiseasesRelease date: 2007-01-30; Music CD
Best price: $11.02
Price in other shops: