Mujitsu and Tairaku's Shakuhachi BBQ

edosan wrote:

Varese looks like he's listening attentively, like a good chap, and I'm not sure the man was totally comfortable with any experience, based on
his music 

[Fun fact: Edgard Varese was Frank Zappa's favorite composer, bar none, and Zappa aspired to be as accomplished as Varese was.]

There are a few great anecdotes in Zappa's autobiography about his efforts to hook up with Varese. To the end of his life one of his prized possessions was a postcard he got from Varese that he kept framed in his studio.

...I can relate, I have a Christmas card I got from Frank Zappa that is one of my most prized posessions!

When I was about 15-16 when he started Barking Pumpkin Records, I read in an interview that he was literally running it out of his house, so I called the number and left a LONG message on his answering machine raving about what I liked about his music (nothing about "funny lyrics"). They basically put me on their mailing list for life, then the next Christmas I got a card from him. 

I guess he liked what I said.

I'm also glad I got to see him perform live when he was still in action.

Ps. one of the first "melodies" I figured out on my own with a shakuhachi was "Sofa #2."

Last edited by ABRAXAS (2010-01-04 14:33:16)

That's very cool, Abraxas.  What did Frank write for Xmas anyways?  My sister-in-law was a teen runaway when she stayed at his cabin in the 70's.  I only heard him perform at that time; memorably "The Illinois Enema Bandit" at the large flying saucer-shaped assembly hall in Urbana, IL, based on the true crime story of some perv who forced enemas on U of I college girls.  Weird, that and Terry Bozzio wearing a devil's mask while drumming, and Frank pointing to several audience members and calling each an asshole.  Great guitar playing.  Don't think he ever used the shakuhachi, though...

Last edited by Tono (2010-01-04 19:31:58)