Ruth in later years has taught music to kids who can't afford formal music instruction. Not only is she a phenominal talent but a wonderful human being.

@drumman9021

2 жыл бұрын

I have the upmost respect for Ruth because she truly loved Frank’s work.

@garrettbaker2320

2 жыл бұрын

That doesnt surprise me at all. What an amazing musician she is!

@Caniballe

2 жыл бұрын

Love her

@datadavis

2 жыл бұрын

@@rossjackson7352 is that you RJ?

@RobJazzful

2 жыл бұрын

*phenomenal

"Chester, you're not singing your drum fills." I'm dying.

@Drifterella

3 ай бұрын

I am crying with laughter, lol. omg Frank was the true genius.. So glad I met him a "hundred years ago", now I can die happy, lel.. Thanks for this video, it should be part of any music school class !!!

Frank Zappa is the music equivalent to abstract art, I don't get it but I'm glad it exists.

@Mr_Joseph979

3 жыл бұрын

Frank Zappa was a genius! I only discovered him 6 years ago after knowing OF him my whole life and I regret the time I wasted NOT being exposed to his music.

@jerryware1970

2 жыл бұрын

Every note was scripted, not improvised.

@craigstevens9351

2 жыл бұрын

@Less Than Nothing... i could be surgically precise squirting diarrhea on a canvass to draw a picture but it would still just be diarrhea on a canvass

@anthonyparkinson5820

2 жыл бұрын

How can you not get Zappa? Very long and intense discography and live performances that add up to a phenomenal career. He brought in, inspired and made careers out of so many great musicians. One of the great intellects also on music of that era.

@garrettbaker2320

2 жыл бұрын

Check out his main influence Edgard Varese if you want musical density.

Imagine how much rehearsal is necessary to get a band this tight

@surfdigby

3 жыл бұрын

Imagine how much it must mess with your brain to only rehearse the rhythm of the melody, but not the pitch.

@petr3788

3 жыл бұрын

I think not every band can do that even if they firmly decided to rehearse as much as needed.

@chrisreed3022

3 жыл бұрын

They reputedly rehearsed for weeks for 6 hours a day. For another recording Zappa paid the LSO to perform for him and some players went off at lunch to the pub to get pissed and Zappa was outraged.

@lorenzobertolini5541

3 жыл бұрын

He's the Utmost Genius of our times and for ever

@funkyalfonso

3 жыл бұрын

@@chrisreed3022 He said never again.

Ruth is playing her ass off on this and smiling the whole time like it's easy.

@jrosner6123

2 жыл бұрын

She is amazing

Ruth is a monster. Massive talent and loved that Frank wrote parts for her. Huge talent on that stage as well.

@krispy3790

2 жыл бұрын

what? shes part of the band why wouldnt he write parts for her? lmao the boomers simping for her in these comments are so weird

@steelingcable6350

2 жыл бұрын

@@krispy3790 ik

@uncleernie7949

11 ай бұрын

@@krispy3790 lololol

A true genius. Surrounded by extremely talented musicians ❤️

@brahim119

Жыл бұрын

*@Lennart Karman.* Glad I read your comment first, because I was going to say the same thing. 👍🎵🎶🎶🎵🎶🎶👍

The utterly fabulous Ruth Underwood!

@RasberrySkittle

4 жыл бұрын

I swear, every Frank Zappa video has this comment

@dougdrazga4461

3 жыл бұрын

Ruth was fabulous. This might be the best lineup ever. They're clowning around on this like it's "Louie Louie."

@RogerBiwandu

3 жыл бұрын

Sexy as...

@scotttully8572

3 жыл бұрын

On Ruth!

@gepmrk

3 жыл бұрын

Ruth was and still is incredible.

This guy IS (not was: for he still is and will be) a complete astonishing everlasting Genius...

A great travesty was avoided when Ms. Underwood gave up the idea of playing in symphony orchestras to join Zappa's band.

Frank Zappa was just ahead of his time. He not only came around once in-a-lifetime; he came around just once. There's never going to be another Frank Zappa.

@Farigorn

2 жыл бұрын

a0a0hjuzii8◇}`[▪}○[▪]○ slxopdue4Tehododfllcldosoalala

@Farigorn

2 жыл бұрын

a0a0hjuzii8◇}`[▪}○[▪]○ slxopdue4Tehododfllcldosoalalalal a

@Farigorn

2 жыл бұрын

lwlala

"Chester, you're not singing your drum fills."

@TonyPayneUK

3 жыл бұрын

I thought that looked like Chester.

@CirclingtheFringes

3 жыл бұрын

Chester might not get payed for this gig...

@billsmith9711

3 жыл бұрын

@@TonyPayneUK who also played with Genesis?

@TonyPayneUK

3 жыл бұрын

@@billsmith9711 The very same.

@billsmith9711

3 жыл бұрын

@@TonyPayneUK saw them in Atlanta in 1976

I can not imagine how anyone could assemble this many complete musical geniuses, and then actually get them to coordinate them to this level, I mean I just cannot relate. They were ridiculous! Crazy, crazy talent and creativity.

@bigblocklawyer

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah...Lynyrd Skynyrd comes to mind.

@jerryballard371

2 жыл бұрын

You have it inverted… nobody other than this caliber of musicians could coordinate this well. 😁

@DunmoresMovieMania

2 жыл бұрын

@@bigblocklawyer -- I'm glad you are being sarcastic.

@bigblocklawyer

2 жыл бұрын

@@DunmoresMovieMania Wut? A band way more influential on main stream music than Zappa, and they all lived on the same street growing up and played little league together. Literally a perfect example of creativity and coordination at an enigmatic level. There was no reason, other than fate that all that talent was centered in a few block area.

@davidcarter1738

2 жыл бұрын

It is the wonder of generations.Me being 65 and still trying to relate.But I know quality when I hear it.

There has never been anyone even remotely like Frank Zappa, and there never will be again. That kind of genius is unique.

@jsims1617

2 жыл бұрын

Unique is one word,crap is another

@charliewhelan9488

2 жыл бұрын

@@jsims1617 the man had talent and there's no way you can deny that

@JazzyJonas

2 жыл бұрын

And that kind of unique was genius :-)

@jsims1617

2 жыл бұрын

@@charliewhelan9488 It depends on your perception of talent. To me, no.

@charliewhelan9488

2 жыл бұрын

@@jsims1617 I'm not sure talent is subjective. There's no way you can deny he mastered his instrument and his rhythmic abilities are crazy

Absolutely brilliant ! And funny. "Chester, you're not singing your drum fills !" Ruth is incredible on this number.

@GjaP_242

3 жыл бұрын

2:34

@GjaP_242

3 жыл бұрын

3:42

Zappa's manuscript hand is exquisite.

@richsackett3423

3 жыл бұрын

I've been enjoying 1:00 paused for a few minutes now. Didn't know he was so well-educated.

@slickrockcreek1

3 жыл бұрын

@@richsackett3423 Nice call, I went back and checked that out. Frank considered himself a composer and as far as I know he required all his players to be able to read music, even the drummers had to be able to read percussion scores.

@-danR

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, Ruth mentioned that in an interview when she mentioned a piece he wrote for her.

@literalwho9017

3 жыл бұрын

@@richsackett3423 he wrote and conducted some "Modern Classical" pieces, check out Lumpy Gravy for example

@andragg

3 жыл бұрын

He was fortunate to be in NYC where he met Ruth. He also lucked out and got Ian Underwood (who has a PhD in composition) in the band who helped Zappa with notation and arranging and as a copyist. I met Bunk Gardner and Don Preston once and they both said the same thing, that Zappa didn't have much formal training (1 semester in Jr. College) but learned fast and his music became more sophiticated in just a couple years after he got Ian Underwood, Art Tripp and Bunk Gardner in the band. People who think Zappa was born a musical genius and taught himself music theory and harmony are incorrect. He's a brilliant composer, period!

Ruth is amazing as usual. And funny as hell. Hadn't seen this one.

@paulblanshard9336

4 жыл бұрын

Its off the Dub Room Special video..

@DVincentW

3 жыл бұрын

@@paulblanshard9336 I had that VHS tape, played it to death. I love when he has the PZM mic on his forehead. Hysterical.

Notice - that each musician is...having fun. They are playing their parts, singing (even singing the drum fill). When your job is not work, it is your passion, and you are having FUN.

You gotta love someone who made music for us dopers but who never did drugs himself. He is missed.

@chrisoneill3999

3 жыл бұрын

Frank was a heavy tobacco user. Like Sonny Bono his anti-drug stance just meant the drugs Ronald Reagan didn't like.

@squeegeeboard

3 жыл бұрын

@@chrisoneill3999 zappa didn't like the effects of drugs, on himself or on others. Nothing to do with reagan. He did smoke pot a few times, but he wasn't a fan.

@tonyreynolds5112

2 жыл бұрын

@@vitamind.d.fishinsea8570 I shoulda said illegal drugs. I remember Zappa and Grace Slick doing public service ads on underground radio stations back in the day " Smoke all the pot you want and do acid if it's Owlsley but stay away from speed it'll generally fuck you up like your parents". Late 60s and early 70s were beyond awesome. Zappa advocated pot and hallucinogenic use but not for himself. Makes me crave LSD shrooms mescaline. ☮️☮️☮️

@weon_penca

2 жыл бұрын

In his autobiography, Ozzy tells the story about being on tour or something with FZ, and FZ musicians asking him for weed, "but please not to tell Frank because he would fire us from the band because he don't do and don't like drugs" and then FZ himself asking him for weed, "but please don't tell the band because they don't do and they don't like drugs", Ozzy in the end didn't understand sh*t but gave weed to everyone.

@tigerlikeswater

2 жыл бұрын

@@tonyreynolds5112 "do acid if it's Owlsley"....LMAO - Stanley's name spelled 'Owsley' - but typos, I know.... I read that after Owsley moved to Far North QLD he only ate chicken broth. What a genius he was as well....

Can you imagine being this musically tight

Frank used to say "Ladies & Gentlemen, Ruth Underwood and her Two Friends!". I'm particularly fond of this performance. Especially how it sounds in my brain when they DANCE the composition. Nice.

I got to ask her about reading Frank's charts and she said, "Oh you'd be surprised, some of it is like kindergarten level, but yes, the rest can be very difficult." Had a type of crush on her since then and will never change my mind about her. What a treasure.

@EmptyGlass99

2 жыл бұрын

I've never wanted to meet any of my musical heroes but Ruth Underwood is the one exception.

@biffdorkinton555

2 жыл бұрын

I was at this taping and talked to her then. Great lady.

Zappa's genius is still reverberating today ... I saw him live 3 times and every time .. it was totally a different take on music with his sense of humor throughout ...

@paulinebutcherbird

Жыл бұрын

You can get an alternative take on Frank Zappa, on his home life at the log cabin when he was first famous, from getting up in the morning to going to bed, composing at the grand piano, rehearsing with the Mothers of Invention, visiting rock stars, freaks, family squabbles and more. It's my story but this is what you get. 'Freak Out! My Life with Frank Zappa 1968 - 1971'.

I saw Zappa and Ruth do a percussion duet. Saw Zappa several times and it was the best thing I ever saw his band do. Zappa started out playing drums. Zappa and Ruth together is even more astounding than Ruth on this one if that's possible. I just remember being blown away by how good Zappa was with mallets... rather see him do that than the guitar god stuff.

This ensemble makes every other band sound like your high school music class.

By far the best lineup Zappa ever had

@paulinebutcherbird

Жыл бұрын

Agreed.

It takes an insane amount of practice and talent to play like this.

Frank Zappa = comic and musical genius

@OmniGuy

3 жыл бұрын

If you say do. I can't listen to more than about 45 seconds of this utter shit.

@GTX1123

3 жыл бұрын

@@OmniGuy Hundreds of thousands of fans who loved Zappa could care less what you think. You may not like his humor or his music, but the guy could write symphonic scores. Not too many rock musicians who can do that.

@OmniGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Like I said......if you say do.

@davidandcookie7648

3 жыл бұрын

@@OmniGuy he didn't say "do," but he did say so. I'm sorry for your lack of decent taste such that you would refer to this as shit.

@OmniGuy

3 жыл бұрын

No need for you to be sorry D&C.

“Alright, that was the melody” LMAO… The melody, just with the instruments sounds amazing. I never got exposed to Frank Zappa when I was younger. Truly a pioneer of music.

The Blood, Sweat & Tears diss is savage.

@teebee5323

2 жыл бұрын

Yea I was like, is that a crack at BS&T lip and air syncing?

Phenomenal Playing ... What a brilliantly entertaining show from quality musos ... and FZ even has time to have a ciggie ... Astounding performance ... almost 50 years ago ...

Legend says the folks at the line to join Frank Zappa's band are still rehearsing these parts.

Lovely to see FZ laughing at 2:35-2:40

@tonyjohnsen3160

3 жыл бұрын

Laughed for like five seconds his entire career, jk haah

This was great... I love the "comedy group" side of FZ as much as the "serious classical genius" side. But Ruth Underwood is one of the finest musicians to ever grace a record album, and she deserves to be heard by everyone! Ed Marimba (Arthur Dyer Tripp III) is wonderful too, Ruth Underwood's playing is unsurpassed!

@rhythmfield

Жыл бұрын

Don’t forget Ed Mann - probably Ruth’s equal

So refreshing looking at adults playing like children!

@mauricedorreboom5388

3 жыл бұрын

That's why his stage antics compilation was called "You Can't Do This On Stage Anymore"'. There is no one that comes even close of what Zappa did on stage.

@bigorstojanov184

2 ай бұрын

@@mauricedorreboom5388 Ever heard of GG Allin?

There is no rock band in the history of Rock bands that can touch The Mothers. Even if they can cop the notes and the technique, they cannot command an audience and musicians like Frank. And Ruth is just insanely amazing.

These guys could literally play anything. Damn

@klausschneider1045

3 жыл бұрын

Anything, yes. When Frank rehearsed the Yellow Shark with the renowned "Ensemble Modern" , there were complaints from some musicians about the difficulty of the movements. Frank's answer: My Rockband can play this.

@richsackett3423

3 жыл бұрын

By design.

@princeofcupspoc9073

2 жыл бұрын

"Literally" does NOT MEAN WHAT YOU THINK IT DOES. Please buy a dictionary.

Frank Zappa did not use drugs. Obviously he had no need.

@ensignofindustry1033

3 жыл бұрын

Drugs did Zappa

@neilslade

3 жыл бұрын

Frank was a chain smoker, a nicotine addict, thoroughly, and it killed him in the end--- or rather in the prostate.

@jorgegonzalez-larramendi5491

3 жыл бұрын

non-stop nicotine plus crappy coffe. gimme a break

@sherlockholmes6990

3 жыл бұрын

@@neilslade Obviously that's not what I meant. Obviously.

@sherlockholmes6990

3 жыл бұрын

@@jorgegonzalez-larramendi5491 Obviously that's not what I meant. Obviously.

A decomposition of a musical performance, into its elements. Zappa at his humorous and intellectual best.

I have seen the man and his phenomenal band of musical geniuses on more than one occasion and I can't say that I have ever seen this piece ever performed.

I'm still in love with Ruth after all these years !

Ruth is a monster, an angel, a musical goddess!

Nobody in music today has the enthusiastic imagination to come up with anything like this. We were so lucky to have FZ. And it boggles my mind that when he was my age, he had already been dead for 10 years. (Props to Tom Lehrer for that method of comparing life achievements.)

@WELLBRAN

3 жыл бұрын

Now in the music world your shunned if you try anything like this or to be daring and different.

@DVincentW

3 жыл бұрын

Great statement!

@KC9UDX

3 жыл бұрын

Tom Lehrer outlived most of us already.

@nintendonut100

2 жыл бұрын

There definitely are musicians around this creative, they're just not big names

@nintendonut100

2 жыл бұрын

This creative and with this much imagination I meant to say

I dont think I knew that Chester Thompson ever played with Zappa.. I only know him from playing on tour with Genesis and he's always been one of my favorite drummers.. Showing off his skill again on this one!!

@stormynortherner

2 жыл бұрын

Same. This must have been early in his career.

ZAPPA one of the greatest MUSICIANS EVER 🎸🎵

This is the ultimate prove of the magistral bunch of geniouses Zappa put together..

I wasn’t into Zappa, but I gotta admit he was a mad genius.

@larryholcomb2165

3 жыл бұрын

I'm not a fan of all his material but he's my favorite composer and recording engineer. Ruth Underwood is my favorite percussionist...

@charleswahlstrom3154

3 жыл бұрын

I suggest you go get some

I absolutely adore the immense talent of Zappa and his influence. Although, sometimes when I'm hearing a crazy abstract cocophony and everyone else gets it, I feel left out.

@xbmpr

2 жыл бұрын

Makes me feel like the smartest dummy on planet earth. Thanks earth, for giving us Frank Zappa.

@fatdad64able

2 жыл бұрын

@Dominic Austin: I can relate, lol. It's like when a teacher in school explains something pretty difficult and everybody nods and seems to have understood...... except for oneself. Feeling left out, but also slight panic.^^

@5967malibu

2 жыл бұрын

I heard you got to go back to 1974 where there was something called purple microdot...

@thesoundsmith

2 жыл бұрын

It's NOT cacophony! That can only be played on a cacaphone...

@dorengarcia7925

Жыл бұрын

The more you listen the more you'll "get"... like I couldn't dig Mozart... but took a class an started getting it, now I get it. Had Bach in my back pocket for years... I'm 69, and now I'm starting to get it. Sometimes the best music takes time, sometimes when you see it live it hits you on the head like a sledge hammer.

ruth underwood is so fucking awesome

I saw Frank Zappa doing the same thing in Milan, sept. 9, 1974. Awesome!

@MarcoLongoMusic

4 жыл бұрын

Damn I wish I was born already

Yea, you had to BE a EXCEPTIONAL musician to play with Zappa 😎. RIP FRANK

I’ve seen this one many times and just now realizing something. Ruth manually muting the notes that are randomly picked. Skills.

@froghermit9852

3 жыл бұрын

I am trying to understand what you mean can you explain more?

@DodoDiaz

3 жыл бұрын

@@froghermit9852 Around 1:51 you can see her playing randomly picked notes and right after muting them with her hands, so that those notes are shortened. I’m just saying that she knows her instrument well.

@froghermit9852

3 жыл бұрын

@@DodoDiaz oh got ya I see now

@nickmcleod7259

3 жыл бұрын

What makes you think they are random notes?

@DodoDiaz

3 жыл бұрын

@@nickmcleod7259 Here’s a transcript from this taping (taken from ”The Dub Room Special!”): ”Now as you can see from this piece of paper that we have on the screen, which you can't really see at this point, but it will be on the screen for our television audience at home, that uh, there are some actual notes and there's a lot of other things on there which the rhythm is indicated but the pitches are not indicated, which means you get to choose whatever you like. Any kind of note that you can grab fast enough to make it on that rhythm as what your part is, see? And the only thing that happens is the group is rhythmically coordinated and the rest of it is . . . every person for themself.”

Ruth is absolutely amazing. As are the rest of the band of course.

Genius Genius Genius, really missing Him!

This was incredible. They were having a great time performing this.

This man was a genius in possession of the most magnificent nose ever created.

@SaltpeterTaffy

3 жыл бұрын

The man is more nose than face!

@jazzman1954

2 жыл бұрын

You haven't seen mine.

@DaveCroy

2 жыл бұрын

It's a honker

@craigjohnson7822

2 жыл бұрын

'Red sea pedestrians' would gladly stand waiting at traffic lights to watch that yacht sail past

Ahh... I love these old sing-a-long tunes...

@paulinebutcherbird

Жыл бұрын

Funny.

That is the craziest, yet coolest thing I've ever seen. BTW: I totally forgot Chester played w/ Frank. I met Chester once. As nice and cool as you would imagine him.

Ruth was greased lightning on those vibes.

Zappa Best musician componist !

Some two thousand years from now, a future archeologist will discover this and it will become a hit...That is how far ahead Frank Zappa's musical genius goes.

@Drifterella

3 ай бұрын

Totally agree,, Zappa will be listed up there with Bach and all the "classics", heh.

What a genius Frank was! And he could be so funny, too!

This band was unrivaled, even among FZ’s many amazing bands.

Still loving Frank in 22, truly a wise man and a musical genius. ♥️

The world still could do with Mr. Zappa.

@teebee5323

2 жыл бұрын

Zappa and Carlin figured out the uniparty before the uniparty even figured it out.

@nforne

4 ай бұрын

Now more than ever. I’d love to know what he’d make of today’s politics and wokeness.

I watched Alex Winter's Zappa documentary the other day and to my utter disbelief I found out that this TV-special was never officially broadcasted, whereas it contains memorable performances by one of the best Zappa band line-ups ever. This world just ain't right (b.t.w. I loved the documentary).

@jaypickett3552

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for mentioning the documentary as I was unaware of its existence. Done by the esteemed Bill S Preston Esquire? Even better!

@garrettbaker2320

2 жыл бұрын

The 74 band was the best of them all. I had a chance to see them but chose midnight hockey instead, Regerts!

Saw Frank November 26, 1975 Civic Center, St. Paul, MN . What a Great Show it was. RIP Frank we all miss you and never forgotten.

In awe of the musicianship ❤️

I love this guy... He was a genius!!!

this playing is extremely hard guys, from my point of view. Incredible

his best band ever

@emilezoulette882

6 жыл бұрын

c'est clair!

@emilezoulette882

6 жыл бұрын

i'm with you there man ! greetings from france

@gringochucha

3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely outstanding musicians, every one of them. Man, what I wouldn't give to go back in time and watch them.

@mrodifer

3 жыл бұрын

I always thought FZ looked like he was having a blast when he was playing with these guys. (Wish there was more aural and visual documentation of the larger lineup that preceded the Roxy unit , which included both Fowler boys, both Underwoods, Jean-Luc Ponty, George Duke and Sal Marquez. Yowza!) Overall, however, this bunch's amazing personalities as players is why I always return to them as a benchmark. FZ loved them!

@michaelbrinkers1145

3 жыл бұрын

Anyone who's ever worked for Zappa .....Over-talented, but (from what I've read, woefully) underpaid.

favorite composer

RIP George...Zappa is the best

Jesus Christ Almighty! Saw the band 5 times straight on New Years Eve in the 70's. LA was just tha best for Zappa shows, never gets old.

What a fun and strange guy... and group. Good that they found each other. Nice, too, to put a face to their xylophone after all these years.

I never got what Frank Zappa was about, until I heard the magic words: "He was pushing music to its breaking point, sometimes a bit further"

*Frank Zappa, foi único!* *Incríveis músicos!*

Thank you for sharing this.

Super! Thanks! ✌️🤠💥🌟

What a fantastic group of individuals and musicians. Hope we can return to something like this someday.

Come on Frank. Blood Sweat and Tears was a fantastic band. The title album from 1969 is one of the great albums of all time. Almost up there with Chicago. Of course almost every Zappa album is a great album and many are masterpieces.

Great song, love it. Send me back to 1974, when I was a 19 yr old United States Marine at Camp LeJeune North Carolina

I feel so lucky that I got the chance to see Zappa a couple dozen times

SEM DÚVIDA UMA AULA DE DOMÍNIO SOBRE A BANDA.

Ruth Underwood circa '74 - the Perfect Woman™.

@emilezoulette882

6 жыл бұрын

thanks for finishing this sentence suziecreamchease

@jhrharrison

5 жыл бұрын

She still is!

@funkyalfonso

3 жыл бұрын

@@emilezoulette882 But what's got into her?

Saw the new documentary. Still reading and JAMS!! AWESOME JOB 😁

Love it brought a big smile to my face

Love it! ....FULL STOP!

Increíble Band❤️‍🔥✌️🥸 I love FLUTE in Zappa Music , Ruth Underwood fantastic

Makes my face smiling in the morning. Lot of fun on stage

So fantastic!

I don't love a lot of Frank's music, but I have nothing but the highest respect for his, and his band's, musical abilities. Astonishing.

@jackwyatt1218

3 жыл бұрын

sad

@paulinebutcherbird

Жыл бұрын

I agree. I keep planning to make my own LP choosing the tracks I like from each of the albums because as you say, some of the tracks are unlistenable.

‘this is the way BS&T would do it, but there’d be a tape in the background.’ ROFLOL

Simply brilliant

Wow! Tks a zillion Frank Zappa!

One of the best ever love Ruth so much

Frank really knew he'd found a diamond with ruth

Wow Ruthless Ruth! How inspiring, thanks fir this

Why do I keep coming back to this from time to time?

Happy Birthday Ruth!!