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troutman · 02-28-2009, 04:15 PM

I select in the Wildcard category, the funniest book I have ever read, THE REAL FRANK ZAPPA BOOK, by Frank Zappa (1990):

http://www.amazon.ca/Real-Frank-Zapp...5862843&sr=8-1

From Amazon.com
This is the second-best way to expose yourself to the particular genius of Frank Zappa (music is the best, after all)--through his own words. In addition to being an idiosyncratic American composer of some degree of controversy, Zappa was an orator of no small ability or scope. He was known for his ability to expound at great length (and to hilarious effect) on any number of topics. The Real Frank Zappa Book faithfully captures this side of its author, composed of essays on everything from his background and upbringing, to politics, capitalism, and raising children. Zappa takes the opportunity to dispel some of the most pervasive rumors that surrounded him right up to (and even persist after) his death in 1993 (no he didn't do drugs, or sleep with all those groupies). If you're familiar with the man, you will be able to hear his distinctive enunciations (aided by the bold-facing of certain words and Zappaisms) as you read the assorted road stories, his views on making music for a living, and scenes from two--count them, two--organized hearings on obscenity in music. Of course, the chapter titles speak for themselves and include such Zappa winners as "All About Schmucks," "Marriage (As a Dada Concept)," and "America Drinks and Goes Marching."

From Library Journal
Determined to write a book that had " real stuff in it," the outspoken Zappa, one of the most inventive and controversial artists of the past 20 years, is frank, often disgusting, and always entertaining in describing his life ("How weird am I, anyway?"), his philosophy of music ("Take it or leave it, I now will this to be music "), and art in general ("The most important thing in art is The Frame "). Zappa also relates his opinions about the music performing and recording industries, but then rattles on about a myriad of things: church, drugs, yuppies, politics. The book would have benefited from a discography and a bibliography. Recommended for libraries with large pop culture collections.

His adventures with Tipper Gore and the PMRC are legendary:

Part Two
Frank Zappa's testimony at the PMRC Senate Hearing[September 19, 1985], second part, in which we discover that Al Gore is a "fan."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onnjFhmwnbI

Where is Part Three?

Part Four
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0MwPDaLhJM

02-28-2009, 04:15 PM	#646
troutman Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Crowsnest Pass Exp:	I select in the Wildcard category, the funniest book I have ever read, THE REAL FRANK ZAPPA BOOK, by Frank Zappa (1990): http://www.amazon.ca/Real-Frank-Zapp...5862843&sr=8-1 From Amazon.com This is the second-best way to expose yourself to the particular genius of Frank Zappa (music is the best, after all)--through his own words. In addition to being an idiosyncratic American composer of some degree of controversy, Zappa was an orator of no small ability or scope. He was known for his ability to expound at great length (and to hilarious effect) on any number of topics. The Real Frank Zappa Book faithfully captures this side of its author, composed of essays on everything from his background and upbringing, to politics, capitalism, and raising children. Zappa takes the opportunity to dispel some of the most pervasive rumors that surrounded him right up to (and even persist after) his death in 1993 (no he didn't do drugs, or sleep with all those groupies). If you're familiar with the man, you will be able to hear his distinctive enunciations (aided by the bold-facing of certain words and Zappaisms) as you read the assorted road stories, his views on making music for a living, and scenes from two--count them, two--organized hearings on obscenity in music. Of course, the chapter titles speak for themselves and include such Zappa winners as "All About Schmucks," "Marriage (As a Dada Concept)," and "America Drinks and Goes Marching." From Library Journal Determined to write a book that had " real stuff in it," the outspoken Zappa, one of the most inventive and controversial artists of the past 20 years, is frank, often disgusting, and always entertaining in describing his life ("How weird am I, anyway?"), his philosophy of music ("Take it or leave it, I now will this to be music "), and art in general ("The most important thing in art is The Frame "). Zappa also relates his opinions about the music performing and recording industries, but then rattles on about a myriad of things: church, drugs, yuppies, politics. The book would have benefited from a discography and a bibliography. Recommended for libraries with large pop culture collections. His adventures with Tipper Gore and the PMRC are legendary: YouTube Video Part Two Frank Zappa's testimony at the PMRC Senate Hearing[September 19, 1985], second part, in which we discover that Al Gore is a "fan." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onnjFhmwnbI Where is Part Three? Part Four http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0MwPDaLhJM Last edited by troutman; 02-28-2009 at 04:34 PM.