The Mothers Of Invention

Frank Zappa ♦ The Mothers

Special Note Regarding Credits And The Like As Pertains To Frank Zappa Produced Records A Frank Zappa record (in the early days, at least) was a multi-media experience. Listening to the music also required you to read the album covers for clues (and jokes). Frank was the master of ceremonies at all times. Anyway, I've tried to include what was easily translatable to this little project. Personel are listed as they appear on the albums (supplemented occasionally). And then there's the back cover to Mothermania. But to get the full enjoyment, go out and buy the damn records and see what's there. An important part of these albums was the artwork by Cal Schenkel . Learn more about Cal & Frank at The Music Aficionada: Cal Schenkel's Album Covers part 1: the 1960s .

Gotta Start Somewhere...

The Steve Allen Show: "clean-cut Frank Zappa, musical bicyclist ," 3/4/63, Frank pimps How's Your Bird and chats with and plays a bicycle with notorious rock 'n' roll hater Steve-o. Stop whatever you are doing, pass the pipe and watch this now! Maybe be too weird for work (TWFW).

Baby Ray & The Ferns

How's Your Bird / The World's Greatest Sinner Zappa (2:10) / Zappa (2:25) Donna 1378, 4/63

Note: Frank and friends (including Ray Collins) made a bunch of 45s in the early 60s. Read more here .
 

	Freak Out!
	Verve V6-5005-2X
	6/27/66 BB RS500 [UK: 3/67]
	Back Cover   Inside Cover   Hot-Spots Map   UK Back Cover Mishmash on single record—full 2-record set in Dec 67  UK Labels - spot the changes?

Side One
Hungry Freaks, Daddy	Zappa	3:27
I Ain't Got No Heart	Zappa	2:30
Who Are the Brain Police?	Zappa	3:22
Go Cry On Somebody Else's Shoulder	Collins-Zappa	3:31
Motherly Love	Zappa	2:45
How Could I Be Such A Fool	Zappa	2:12
Side Two
Wowie Zowie	Zappa	2:45
You Didn't Try To Call Me	Zappa	3:17
Any Way The Wind Blows	Zappa	2:52
I'm Not Satisfied	Zappa	2:37
You're Probably Wondering Why I'm Here	Zappa	3:37
Side Three
Trouble Every Day	Zappa	6:16
Help, I'm A Rock (Suite In Three Movements)    1st Movement: Okay To Tap Dance    2nd Movement: In Memoriam, Edgar Varese    3rd Movement: It Can't Happen Here	Zappa	8:37
Side Four
The Return Of The Son Of Monster Magnet  (Unfinished Ballet In Two Tableaus))    I. Ritual Dance Of The Child Killers    II. Nullis Pretii (No Commercial Potential)	Zappa	12:17

Note: Album was sliced up for first UK release (March 67). They'd finally get the complete 2-record set in December 67—See BRG notes.
 

How Could I Be Such A Fool? / Help, I'm A Rock, Third Movement: It Can't Happen Here³ Zappa (2:12) / Zappa (3:12) Verve 10418, 6/66

Trouble Comin' Every Day³ / Who Are The Brain Police? Zappa (2:28) / Zappa (3:22) Verve 10458, 11/66

Why Don't You Do Me Right?¹ / Big Leg Emma¹ Zappa (2:38) / Zappa (2:32) Verve 10513, 4/67

	Absolutely Free
	Verve V6-5013
	5/26/67 BB [UK: 10/67]
	Full Cover   Inside Cover   UK Back Cover Brits didn't get gatefold artwork until 1972

Side One: "Absolutely Free"
Plastic People	Zappa	3:40
The Duke Of Prunes	Zappa	2:12
Amnesia Vivace	Zappa	1:01
The Duke Regains His Chops	Zappa	1:45
Call Any Vegetable	Zappa	2:19
Invocation And Ritual Dance Of The Young Pumpkin	Zappa	6:57
Soft-Sell Conclusion & Ending Of Side #1	Zappa	1:40
Side Two: "The M.O.I. American Pagent"
America Drinks	Zappa	1:52
Status Back Baby	Zappa	2:52
Uncle Bernie's Farm	Zappa	2:09
Son Of Suzy Creamcheese	Zappa	1:33
Brown Shoes Don't Make It	Zappa	7:26
America Drinks & Goes Home	Zappa	2:43

Note: A libretto was offered with first issues (see inside photo), they are extremely rare .
 

Ray Collins, "I wanted to make beautiful music"
 Like Neil & Dave, he's in-and-out, quiting for good in late summer 68.

	Lumpy Gravy
	Capitol STAO-2719 (4-track tape)
	8/7/67 (withdrawn)
	Capitol Cover

Program One

Sink Trap Gum Joy Up & Down Local Butcher

Program Two

Gypsy Airs Hunchy Punchy Foamy Soaky Let's Eat Out Teen-Age Grand Finale

Note: Zappa wrote, arranged and conducted this work played by The Abnuceals Emuukha Electric Symphony Orchestra. He
thought that since he didn't play or claim the artist role, he was clear by his MGM contract. MGM thought otherwise and filed
suit to prevent the release (Capitol had already released some 4-track tapes). So, Frank took the tapes back and expanded
the work. Complete Details
 

9/23/1967: Royal Albert Hall, London Louie, Louie anyone?

Lonely Little Girl² / Mother People Zappa (2:44) / Zappa (2:30) Verve 10570, 11/67

	We're Only In It For The Money
	Verve V6-5045
	3/4/68 BB RS500 [UK: 6/68] UK
	Full Cover   Inside Cover   Money Cut Outs insert Compare with Sgt Pepper cut outs!

Side One
Are You Hung Up?	Zappa	1:23
Who Needs The Peace Corps?	Zappa	2:34
Concentration Moon	Zappa	2:32
Mom And Dad	Zappa	2:16
Bow Tie Daddy	Zappa	1:22
Harry, You're A Beast	Zappa	1:22
What's The Ugliest Part Of Your Body?	Zappa	1:03
Absolutely Free	Zappa	3:26
Flower Punk	Zappa	3:57
Hot Poop	Zappa	:16
Side Two
Nasal Retentive Calliope Music	Zappa	2:00
Let's Make The Water Turn Black	Zappa	1:54
The Idiot Bastard Son	Zappa	3:27
Lonely Little Girl	Zappa	1:10
Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance	Zappa	1:33
What's The Ugliest Part Of Your Body? (reprise)	Zappa	1:03
Mother People	Zappa	2:30
The Chrome Plated Megaphone Of Destiny	Zappa	6:30

Note: Reviewed by Barret Hansen (AKA Dr Demento) in Rolling Stone #8 (4/6/68)
Read more sbout the cover design @ wiki .
 

The Monkees: "The Monkees Blow Their Minds," 3/11/68, Frank and Wool Hat switch identities and beat a car to the dulcet sounds of "Mother People."

	Lumpy Gravy
	Verve V6-8741
	5/13/68 BB [UK: 10/68]
	Back Cover   Inside Cover

Side One
Lumpy Gravy - Part I	Zappa	15:45
Side Two
Lumpy Gravy - Part II	Zappa	15:56

Note: For detailed personel list, see this Discogs entry.
 

Miami Pop Festival(5/18/68)

per this ad5 Hour Show At The Whisky

	Cruising With Ruben & The Jets
	Verve V6-5055
	12/2/68 BB [UK: 2/69]
	Back Cover   Inside Cover   Repro Inserts   Cool ad in Billboard, Jan 4, 1969   UK Back Cover Brits didn't get gatefold artwork until 1972

Side One
Cheap Thrills	Zappa	2:20
Love Of My Life	Zappa	3:17
How Could I Be Such A Fool?	Zappa	3:33
Deseri	Buff-Collins	2:04
I'm Not Satisfied	Zappa	3:59
Jelly Roll Gum Drop	Zappa	2:17
Anything	Collins	3:00
Side Two
Later That Night	Zappa	3:04
You Didn't Try To Call Me	Zappa	3:53
Fountain Of Love	Collins-Zappa	2:57
"No No No"	Zappa	2:27
Any Way The Wind Blows	Zappa	2:56
Stuff Up The Cracks	Zappa	4:29

Notes: Ray Collins comes back to sing lead on this great doo-wop classic
Some original issues included inserts on how to do your hair & how to dance. Japanese repros are at note 3.
The text in the balloon reads:
Is this The Mothers Of Invention recording under a different name in a last ditch attempt
to get their cruddy music on the radio?
 

Deseri / Jelly Roll Gumdrop Buff-Collins (2:04) / Zappa (2:17) Verve 10632, 12/68 as by Ruben & The Jets

Any Way The Wind Blows / Jelly Roll Gumdrop Zappa (2:56) / Zappa (2:17) Verve 10632, 12/68

Note: Frank finally breaks out of his onerous Verve contract and forms Bizarre/Straight Records (not just an imprint for Verve),
where he could nuture upcoming artists whose commercial potential was questionable  . . . 
 

	Mothermania
	Verve V6-5068
	3/24/69 BB [UK: 4/69]
	Back Cover   Inside Cover   UK Back Cover

Side One
Brown Shoes Don't Make It	Zappa	7:26
Mother People(New uncensored Mono Mix)	Zappa	1:41
Duke Of Prunes	Zappa	5:09
Call Any Vegetable(edited)	Zappa	4:31
The Idiot Bastard Son(New Mono Mix & Edit)	Zappa	2:26
Side Two
It Can't Happen Here(New Stereo Mix & Edit)	Zappa	3:13
You're Probably Wondering Why I'm Here(New Stereo Mix)	Zappa	3:37
Who Are the Brain Police?(New Stereo Mix)	Zappa	3:22
Plastic People	Zappa	3:40
Hungry Freaks, Daddy(New Stereo Mix)	Zappa	3:27
America Drinks And Goes Home	Zappa	2:43

Note: Zappa personally mixed and sequenced the album. Disowned it when it was released just before his new record on
Bizarre/Reprise, Uncle Meat. Oh, the back cover? It's German coverage of a riot.

	Uncle Meat
	Bizarre 2MS-2024
	4/21/69 BB [UK: 9/69]
	Back Cover   Inside Cover   Booklet Cover

Side One
Uncle Meat: Main Title Theme	Zappa	1:54
The Voice Of Cheese	Zappa	:27
400 Days Of The Year†	Zappa	5:56
Zolar Czakl	Zappa	:57
Dog Breath, In The Year Of The Plague	Zappa	5:51
The Legend Of The Golden Arches	Zappa	1:24
Louie Louie (1)	Berry	2:28
The Dog Breath Variations	Zappa	1:36
Side Two
Sleeping In A Jar	Zappa	:49
Our Bizarre Relationship	Zappa	1:05
The Uncle Meat Variations	Zappa	4:40
Electric Aunt Jemima	Zappa	1:53
Prelude To King Kong	Zappa	3:24
God Bless America (2)	Zappa	1:22
A Pound For A Brown On The Bus	Zappa	1:29
Ian Underwood Whips It Out (3)	Zappa	5:08
Side Three
Mr Green Genes	Zappa	3:10
We Can Shoot You	Zappa	1:48
"If We'd All Been Living In California..."	Zappa	1:29
The Air	Zappa	2:57
Project X	Zappa	4:47
Cruising For Burgers	Zappa	2:19
Side Four
King Kong Itself (As Played By The Mothers In A Studio)	Zappa	:53
King Kong (Its Magnificence As Interpreted By Dom DeWild)	Zappa	1:15
King Kong (As Motorhead Explains It)	Zappa	1:44
King Kong (The Gardner Varieties)	Zappa	6:17
King Kong (As Played By 3 Deranged Good Humor Trucks)	Zappa	:29
King Kong (The Underwood Ramifications)(4)	Zappa	7:22

Notes:
1  At the Royal Albert Hall in London [Sept 23, 1967]
2  Live At The Whiskey A Go-Go [July 23, 1968]
3  Live Onstage in Copenhagen [October 1, 1967]
4  Live on a flat bed diesel in the middle of a race track at a Miami Pop Festival [May 18, 1968]

Note: Album came with 12-page booklet—see it @ 45worlds .
†On the album cover it's Nine Types Of Industrial Pollution (and became the standard title)
That's Jimmy Carl Black esplainin to Frank the money sitiation
 

Denver Pop Festival(6/27/69)

Newport Jazz Festival(7/5/69)

Laurel Pop Festival(7/12/69)

Atlantic City Pop Festival(8/3/69)

After the Aug 19th concert in Toronto, Frank disbands the original Mothers. His comments about the guys not playing up to their potential caused bad blood, although years later some would appear with their old boss.

	Medium Cool(8/27/69)
	Mothers music to The Litter on stage!

My Guitar¹ / Dog Breath¹ Zappa (3:07) / Zappa (2:56) Bizarre/Reprise 0840, 9/69 both sides different takes from Weasels/Uncle Meat versions

	Hot Rats
	Bizarre RS-6356
	10/10/69 BB [UK: 2/70] T20
	Back Cover   Inside Cover

Side One
Peaches en Regalia	Zappa	3:58
Willie The Pimp	Zappa	9:25
Son Of Mr Green Genes	Zappa	8:58
Side Two
Little Umbrellas	Zappa	3:09
The Gumbo Variations	Zappa	12:55
It Must Be A Camel	Zappa	5:15

Notes: That's Miss Christine [Christine Frka] of The GTO's
Fabulous Cal Schenkel artwork fills the gatefold, and
Jean-Luc Ponty recorded an album with Frank the next year. Check it out:
 King Kong: Jean-Luc Ponty Plays The Music Of Frank Zappa 
 

Music Power & European Music Revolution, Festival Actuel: "Zappa joins Pink Floyd ," 10/25/69, Frank jams on Interstellar Overdrive. Nobody involved remembered this. Read about it at Best Classic Bands

Peaches En Regalia³ / Little Umbrellas Zappa (3:39) / Zappa (3:04) Bizarre 0889, 1/70

	Burnt Weeny Sandwich
	Bizarre RS-6370
	2/9/70 BB [UK: 3/70] T20
	Back Cover   Inside Cover   First Issue Poster (~3 feet wide!)

Side One
WPLJ	Four Deuces	3:02
Igor's Boogie, Phase One	Zappa	:40
Overture To A Holiday In Berlin	Zappa	1:29
Theme From Burnt Weeny Sandwich	Zappa	4:35
Igor's Boogie, Phase Two	Zappa	:35
Holiday In Berlin, Full Blown	Zappa	6:27
Aybe Sea(piano solo by Ian Underwood)	Zappa	2:46
Side Two
Little House I Used To Live In(see below for solos)	Zappa	21:52
Valarie	Jackie & The Starlighters	3:15

Note: Recorded between 1967 and 1969
As noted on the label: Solos for Little House: piano-Underwood, violin-Harris, piano-Preston, organ-Zappa
Frank credited the groups for the lead and closing tracks. The actual songwriters were:
WPLJ - Dobard-McDaniels and Valarie - was by Starlites, with the group claiming composer credits

Note: At the end of Little House (after Frank sorta promises Brown Shoes next), he says: "Everybody in this room is wearing a uniform
and don't kid yourself." This was in response to audience members protesting security at the venuue, Royal Albert Hall (5/6/69).
 

WPLJ / My Guitar¹ Four Deuces (3:02) / Zappa (3:07) Bizarre/Reprise 0892, 2/70

	Weasels Ripped My Flesh
	Bizarre MS-2028
	8/10/70 BB [UK: 9/70] UK
	Back Cover   September 1956 cover inspiration Painting by Wil Hulsey  Bizarre German Cover

Side One
Didja Get Any Onya?†	Zappa	3:44
Directly From My Heart To You	Penniman	5:17
Prelude To The Afternoon Of A Sexually Aroused Gas Mask†	Zappa	3:35
Toads Of The Short Forest	Zappa	4:48
Get A Little†	Zappa	2:35
Side Two
The Eric Dolphy Memorial Barbecue	Zappa	6:53
Dwarf Nebula Processional March And Dwarf Nebula	Zappa	2:12
My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama	Zappa	3:35
Oh No	Zappa	1:46
The Orange County Lumber Truck†	Zappa	3:18
Weasels Ripped My Flesh†	Zappa	2:05

Note: †1968-69 live recordings (see Wiki fr details)
Oh No and Dwarf Nebula... recorded in NYC late 67-early 68.
Neon Park's cover painting was based on a 1956 adventures magazine cover (see note 2) and read more @ wiki .
 

Howard Kaylan & Mark Volman (& Jim Pons) from The Turtles as The Phlorescent Leech & Eddie
Aynsley Dunbar gives up solo career to join Frank.

	Chunga's Revenge
	Bizarre MS-2030
	10/23/70 BB [UK: 11/70] UK
	Back Cover   Inside Cover   UK Cover

Side One
Transylvania Boogie	Zappa	5:01
Road Ladies	Zappa	4:11
Twenty Small Cigars	Zappa	2:17
The Nancy And Mary Music†    part 1    part 2    part 3	Zappa	2:42 4:11 2:37
Side Two
Tell Me You Love Me	Zappa	2:43
Would You Go All The Way?	Zappa	2:30
Chunga's Revenge	Zappa	6:16
The Clap(FZ only—all percussion)	Zappa	1:24
Rudy Wants To Buy Yez A Drink	Zappa	2:45
Sharleena	Zappa	4:07

Note: †Live at the Tyrone Guthrie Theatre, Minneapolis [July 5, 1970]
 

Tell Me You Love Me / Would You Go All The Way For The USA? Zappa (2:43) / Zappa (2:30) Bizarre/Reprise 0967, 11/70

	Fillmore East—June 1971
	Bizarre MS-2042
	8/2/71 BB [UK: 8/71]
	Back Cover   Cal Schenkel's ad

Side One
Little House I Used to Live In	Zappa	4:58
The Mud Shark	Zappa	5:16
What Kind of Girl Do You Think We Are?	Zappa	4:51
Bwana Dik	Zappa	2:27
Latex Solar Beef	Zappa	4:22
Willie the Pimp, Pt 1	Zappa	2:50
Side Two
Willie the Pimp, Pt 2	Zappa	1:54
Do You Like My New Car?	Zappa	7:49
Happy Together	Bonner-Gordon	2:57
Lonesome Electric Turkey	Zappa	2:34
Peaches en Regalia	Zappa	3:22
Tears Began to Fall	Zappa	3:50

Note: Recorded live at the Fillmore East, 6/5-6/71
John & Yoko appeared at this show and recordings were released on Lennon's Some Time In New York in 1972
 

What's My Line?: "Frank Zappa, mystery guest ," 9/23/71, In bold color, Frank is quizzed by Timmy's mom, the Match Game sex peddler, somebody's grandma, and Soupy Sales (all blindfolded). Frank pimps 200 Motels. Pass the pipe.

	200 Motels
	United Artists UAS-9956
	10/4/71 BB [UK: 10/71]
	Back Cover   Inside Cover   Booklet Cover   And you get a swell poster!

Side One
Semi-Fradulent/Direct-From-Hollywood Overture	Zappa	1:59
Mystery Roach	Zappa	2:33
Dance Of The Rock & Roll Interviewers	Zappa	:48
This Town Is a Sealed Tuna Sandwich (prologue)	Zappa	:56
Tuna Fish Promenade	Zappa	2:30
Dance Of The Just Plain Folks	Zappa	4:39
This Town Is a Sealed Tuna Sandwich (reprise)	Zappa	:59
The Sealed Tuna Bolero	Zappa	1:40
Lonesome Cowboy Burt	Zappa	3:51
Side Two
Touring Can Make You Crazy	Zappa	2:53
Would You Like A Snack?	Zappa	1:23
Redneck Eats	Zappa	3:03
Centerville	Zappa	2:31
She Painted Up Her Face	Zappa	1:42
Janet's Big Dance Number	Zappa	1:18
Half A Dozen Provacative Squats	Zappa	1:57
Mysterioso	Zappa	:48
Shove It Right In	Zappa	2:32
Lucy's Seduction Of A Bored Violinist & Postlude	Zappa	4:00
Side Three
I'm Stealing The Towels	Zappa	2:14
Dental Hygiene Dilemma	Zappa	5:12
Does This Kind Of Life Look Interesting To You?	Zappa	3:00
Daddy, Daddy, Daddy	Zappa	3:11
Penis Dimension	Zappa	4:35
What Will This Evening Bring Me This Morning?	Zappa	3:27
Side Four
A Nun Suit Painted On Some Old Boxes	Zappa	1:09
Magic Fingers	Zappa	3:55
Motorhead's Midnight Ranch	Zappa	1:30
Dew On The Newts We Got	Zappa	1:10
The Lad Searches The Night For His Newts	Zappa	:41
The Girl Wants To Fix Him Some Broth	Zappa	1:10
The Girl's Dream	Zappa	:55
Little Green Scratchy Sweaters & Corduroy Ponce	Zappa	1:01
Strictly Genteel (The Finale)	Zappa	11:09

Note: The movie premiered in NYC on Nov 10, 1971 and then disappeared for years
Record came with 16-page booklet and poster—see them @ 45worlds .
 

Tears Began To Fall / Junier Mintz Boogie¹ Zappa (2:50) / Zappa (2:53) Bizarre/Reprise 1052, 11/71 as by Frank Zappa And The Mothers Of Invention, first released as by Junier Mintz (Straight/Reprise 1027)

Magic Fingers³ / Daddy, Daddy, Daddy Zappa (2:57) / Zappa (3:11) United Artists 50857, 11/71 Both sides: from the movie 200 Motels

200 Motels

Frank continued with various musicians until his death in 1993. The estate (Gail & co) have released remastered CDs of the early material.

	Just Another Band from L A
	Bizarre MS-2075
	3/26/72 BB [UK: 6/72]
	Back Cover   Inside Cover

Side One
Billy The Mountain	Zappa	24:42
Side Two
Call Any Vegetable	Zappa	7:22
Eddie, Are You Kidding?	Kaylan-Seiter-Volman-Zappa	3:10
Magdalena	Kaylan-Zappa	6:25
Dog Breath	Zappa	3:41

Note: Recorded live at the Pauley Pavilion, UCLA, Los Angeles, August 7, 1971

Links!