ARTS p 27 | FILM p 27 | 8 DAYS p 28 | MUSIC p 31 | SPORTS p 32
Zappa Is As Zappa Does by Genevieve Legacy
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guitar-meister who fronts Zappa Plays Zappa, was sitting down and finally learning his dad’s music. “I actually had to abandon everything I knew up to that point and start over,” Zappa says. “Learning all new techniques—it was like getting a lobotomy then training for the Olympics.” It took three years of intense study and practice to learn Frank’s music and technique. During that time, Dweezil retooled his entire approach to guitar, learning hybrid-picking—using the extra fingers on his right hand— to play parts written for other instruments, like keyboards or marimba, on the guitar. “There’s a misconception that Frank’s music is a kind of novelty or comedic music with silly lyrics.” Dweezil says. “He recorded over 80 albums in his lifetime, and a lot of it was serious instrumental music.” Case in point: Zappa Plays Zappa recently added a new piece to its repertoire, a whimsical but rhythmically complex and textured instrumental called “Strictly Genteel.” Just listening to the song, looking at the score and figuring out who would play which parts took the band about 15 hours. “With a six-piece band, there’s a lot of multi-tasking. On ‘Strictly Genteel,’ Sheila (Gonzalez) plays sax and keyboards at the same time,“ Dweezil says. “We call the band’s current line-up, ‘the rocking teenage combo.’ … To me, they’re the best.” Dweezil Zappa plays at Duling Hall (622 Duling Ave., Suite 601-292-7121) Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. with cocktails at 6 p.m. Tickets are $40 at ticketmaster.com at $45 at the door. The show is restricted to those 18 and older. For more information, visit ardenland.net. COURTESY ARDENLAND
January 16 - 22, 2013
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rank Vincent Zappa was a musical prodigy and icon“I would listen and try to find the notes on the guitar oclast whose prolific career ended too soon. Over the and pick them out by ear,” Dweezil says. “Steve showed course of his 30-year career, the self-taught musician me a few rudimentary things like how to hold a guitar and composer wrote and performed rock, jazz, blues pick and a few chords.” and orchestral music. He recorded and produced, made Nine months later, Dweezil was in a recording films, and was an outspoken advocate for voting and voters’ rights. Since Zappa’s death in 1993, his family has kept the torch of his genius burning. In a long-running concert series called “Zappa Plays Zappa,” his eldest son and virtuoso guitarist, Dweezil, tours the U.S. and Europe, performing the music his father is best known for, along with a few surprises from the Zappa Vault to keep devoted fans engaged and new inductees on their toes. The band’s current lineup includes bassist Kurt Morgan, keyboardist Chris Norton, vocalist Ben Thomas, drummer Joe Travers and Sheila Gonzalez, who Dweezil Zappa performs his father’s legendary hits at Duling Hall Jan. 31. plays saxophone, flute and keyboard. At 43, Dweezil has already had an inspiring career. He grew up hearing his father’s music and studio, making his first record—a single called “My whatever Frank was listening to—anything from Delta Mother is a Space Cadet.” His sister, Moon Unit, joined blues to modern composers such as Igor Stravinsky and him on vocals. At his father’s request, Eddie Van Halen Dmitri Shostakovich. produced the song. “I always liked my dad’s music and guitar-playing, but “I put a lot of time into diligent practice, playing 13 to I knew there was something really sophisticated about it,” 14 hours a day,” Dweezil says. “In nine months, I learned Dweezil says. “I knew you’d have to know what you are do- a fair amount of technical ability. I wasn’t a well-rounded ing to play like him.” player at that point,” he continues, “but it was a crazy trip When he started to listen to other music, guitarists, and to go from knowing very little to having a song produced rock legends such as Jimmy Page, Randy Rhoads and Brian by one of your guitar heroes.” May, the young, undaunted son of Frank Zappa decided to Becoming the well-rounded musician he is today has pick up the guitar himself. With a little coaching from his been the outcome of 30 years of diligence, a deep interest dad and guitarist Steve Vai, the ambitious 12-year-old put in music and guitar, not to mention a good dose of musical himself to the task of learning some chops of his own. DNA. The biggest challenge on the road to becoming the