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

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

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

Actor: Frank Zappa
Brand: MUSIC VIDEO DISTRIBUTORS
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Original Language), Stereo
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 134 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2009-01-20
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: A Sexy Intellectual Production
Product features:
  • This film reviews the true story of The Mothers of Invention and the music they made during the first incarnation of the band. With group members Jimmy Carl Black, Bunk Gardner, Don Preston and Art Tripp taking up the tale and revealing - often for the first time - what the real Frank Zappa was all about; and with contributions from 'scenesters 'like LA wildman Kim Fowley, biographer Billy

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

DVD Review: ... it is absolutely not guilty.
Summary: 5 Stars

The back of the package on this DVD reads "Not authorized by the estate or family of Frank Zappa," so it would be completely understandable for Zappa fans to steer clear of this DVD as fast as possible. Usually, "unauthorized" means that the DVD has no music by the profiled artist but does have plenty of useless interviews with fourth-rate press hacks and other nobodies cobbled together into a tedious and incoherent mess. In this case, however, fans should reconsider. Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention in the 1960s is astoundingly good, with contributions from several important members and collaborators from Zappa's original band, the Mothers of Invention. Even more amazingly, the DVD's producers have managed to license many crucial songs from both Zappa and his contemporaries. That this DVD is unauthorized only means there are no interviews with members of Zappa's family, but otherwise, it's of high enough quality to sit comfortably alongside any of Zappa's authorized DVDs.

The high quality of this DVD is matched only by the importance of the story it tells; ...in the 1960s chronicles the early days of Zappa's career and the formation and breakup of his first major band, the Mothers (later known, at their record label's insistence, as the Mothers of Invention). It details the recording of their first six albums: Freak Out! (1966), Absolutely Free, We're Only In It for the Money (both 1967), Lumpy Gravy, Cruising With Ruben & the Jets (both 1968), and Uncle Meat (1969).

Technically, the DVD is decent. The 4:3 full-screen transfer and PCM stereo mix are both decent, getting the job done adequately, even if some of the archival footage is less than great. The main feature is so comprehensive that it's hard to imagine what could be missing.

Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention in the 1960s is an absolute must for anyone, newcomer or longtime fan, who has any interest in Zappa's music. It's not absolutely free, but it is absolutely not guilty.

DVD Review: zappa and the mothers in the 60's
Summary: 4 Stars

Well not gonna go off at great lengths but I truly enjoyed this video only because I am a huge Zappa fan. It was informative and would have given it 5 stars had it had more video history. Perfomances to be exact ... but all that aside I would recommend it for any diehard.

DVD Review: Explore early Zappa-land
Summary: 5 Stars

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.

DVD Review: Enough with the Blowhards Already
Summary: 2 Stars

I knew we were off to a bad start when the first words uttered in this documentary (by some guy in a green-star spangled sweater that I'd never heard of) were "Music wouldn't be what it is today without Frank Zappa." First off, most modern music is crap and it's not nice to blame Frank, secondly this is the most overused cliche in music critique. Especially when dealing with rock. So, the film plods on with some quasi-academic, English "experts" seemingly forever until Jimmy Carl Black finally appears. I must admit that the interviews with J.C.B. , Bunk Gardner, Don Preston and Kim Fowley are interesting enough. However, the bulk of this DVD is endless chatter from self-important know-it alls and very little footage of The Mothers. It would be much nicer to see actual footage than listen to these talking heads for 2 + hours. The Mothers deserve better than this. Save your money!!

DVD Review: Great Stuff
Summary: 5 Stars

This documentary is awesome, plain and simple. Though I sorta get tired of listening to the nobodies giving their useless two cents - hearing it come from a few of the original members from the Mothers of Invention is is what makes this worth buying. If you loved the M.O.I then you won't get enough of Jimmy Carl Black, who perhaps had the closest ties to the original band as well as Frank himself. Him and the rest of the band are just great to listen to. This is one documentary that you'll most definately find yourself watching more than once. Along with the Zappa story you get some of his early music synced up to amazing visual sequences that really convey the essence of the 60s - The one Zappa helped create.

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

Studio: Music Video Dist Release Date: 01/20/2009 Run time: 134 minutes

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