Customer Reviews

Joe's Garage (2CD)

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

There's no reason in the world for you not to get this one.
The music varies from rock to reggae to some of the "most-sense-making-Zappa-fusion-ever" to german pop-music.
The way Vinnie follows Zappa on some of the guitar-solo stuff is pretty amazing - That alone is reason enough to buy it.
The story of Joe itself is very funny - so if you don't get the music, at least you'll get a good laugh from the story (unless you're religious and/or offended by gay-people jokes).
Never before have you heard so many beautiful ballads on the same Zappa-record before. There's "Lucille Has Messed My Mind Up" (reggae), "Sy Borg" (reggae), "Outside Now" (eleven) - all sung by Ike Willis and "Watermelon In East Hay" - a 9 minute guitar dominated instrumental in 11 with a pretty melody.
Some of the musicians are: Vinne Colaiuta, Ike Willis (both with Zappa on record for the very first time), Warren Cucurullo, Denny Walley, Peter Wolf, Tommy Mars, Arthur Barrow, Patrick O'Hearn, Ed Mann and many, many more...
Spread the word!

1979 was an extremely successful year for Frank Zappa. Orchestral favorites, a performance from 1975, after sitting on the shelf for four years, was released. Sheik yer bouti was also a huge hit released that year. The 17 song edition of Saarrucken was released. Several bootlegs were released. And Joe's garage, like Sheik yer bouti, one of Zappa's biggest commercial successes was released. Each ironic tune ranges from funny to offensive. One I'm not quite so sure on which to classify is Catholic girls. Joe's garage is a wonderful track. The central scruitinizer is another very ironic track. The best song on this album is without a doubt, Watermelon in easter hay, an incredibly moving guitar piece. The most tracks from Joe's garage included on a live album are on Any way the wind blows, a lost jewel of a live album. The point is that this album must be included in any casual Zappa fan's collection, however, if you are a new fan, I suggest Sheik yer bouti first.
Gus Fogle

First off, if you are a drummer, you must own this record. Vinnie Caliauta invents some of the most ingenious grooves ever recorded. Check out the absolute madness at the end of "Keep it Greasy."

That said, this is an extremely enjoyable record in every way. "Joe's Garage" is Zappa's Pop, concept album. It follows our hero Joe from teen rocker to washed up criminal, trying to cope with an Orwellian society in which music is illegal. The story is stream of conscious and extremely silly at times. It is a funny record, but let's forget about that.

It is also an extremely well-written and well played collection of music that deserves major attention. Frank Zappa is not just a sardonic, iconoclast rock star; he is one of the great American composers. He is also my favorite guitarist. Joe's last imaginary guitar solo, "Watermelon in Easter Hay" is simply beautiful and brings a touch of real sentiment to an otherwise completely irreverent record.

Do people really understand this album? All the other reviews rant about the same parts of the album: the beginning and the second to last song. I used to feel the same way at first when I discovered this album. But you know, as with any album, the songs you liked best at the beginning are not necessarily the ones you will like best later on.

The first part of the album is "easy", and the Watermelon solo too. But the more I listened to the album, the more I began to appreciate and really like the songs that were in between these two parts, especially starting when Joe gets out. This sounds like a structureless piece of music, but listen closely and many times and you will really like that second CD. Maybe even better than the first one.

Don't miss Lucille Has Messed My Mind Up, A Token Of My Extreme, Sy Borg, Outside Now, He Used To Cut The Grass and Packard Goose!

Perhaps this is one of the most famous albums and of the best ones as well (perhaps the best one)...it's a sort of concept album telling the story of Joe and his role of "Central Scrutinizer", as He's obliged to hold an unnatural behavior, within such role, till becoming an outlaw.The album begins with the accessible title track: Joe's Garage. After this easy intro, He becomes more and more ironical and quite bizarre too.
Zappa doesn't perform a particular complex job with his guitar here,that is simply his typical rock and roll guitar solo, but his inspiration also in the lightest things is high as usual. Watermelon in Easter Hay demonstrates his skillful technique on guitar:his guitar playing inside is fantastic and as an incredible testament for his life, this song was played at his funeral...anybody, except on his Son Dweezil,won't play this "cover song" anymore!!At last all the songs for instance on Act I are a must-have,but this "Watermelon in Easter Hay" in particular is an unforgettable tribute,whenever it can be played by a capable and amazing guitarist too!
So this testament is essential for every kind of personal "discoteque"

This is one of my favorite Zappa albums, everything just seems to click. Some of the best music Zappa recorded can be found here. If you do not have this album you are not a Zappa fan.

This album is definitely good to introduce new fans to Zappa. It's probably his funniest album (with the possible exception of Thing Fish or You Are What You Is), and it's got some catchy songs. It's also his easiest album to find. Still, it's one of his most boring and least creative recordings. Act 1 is pretty good, but after that it just gets kind of bland. I couldn't decide if I wanted to give it 3 or 4 stars. For new fans, go ahead. But for people already introduced to Zappa, check out Make a Jazz Noise Here or Bongo Fury instead. 7/10

Thanks to the helpful reviewers on amazon.com, i decided to pick up this album as my initial introduction to the world of zappa. how right they were! initially, i was confounded by the dramatic shift of emphasis from exquisite songwriting to virtuosic musicianship in act III, but after a few listens (with an awe-struck guitarist's ear), i learned to appreciate the album as a whole. What's so great about this album is that it demonstrates everything that made zappa great: otherworldly musical talent, amazing songwriting/arranging (songs like "lucille..." and "stick it out" are ridiculously catchy, although some squares may be offended by the lyrics), and an absolutely SICK group of musicians backing him up (these people are freakishly talented). i think this album would please ANYBODY, as long as they aren't put off by possibly offensive (yet valid) lyrics. pick it up at all costs. and i dare you not to get emotional over "a watermelon in easter hay"

I wasn't into Zappa at all until I heard Act I on the radio (which prompted me to buy the Album). All the songs on Act I are just great and extremely witty! On vinyl Act I was a separate release (Acts II & III were later released as a double LP).
I was slightly dissapointed by Acts II & III but they do have some good songs and great guitar work. Act I however has no equal anywhere and is an album I listen to again and again. Warmly recommended.

There is something on this album for everyone. Blues, Rock, Metal, Jazz, Reggae, Funk, Folk, and not only hints of these musical themes, all the songs are gritty, tongue in cheek style that demands listening attention. Fused with some of the most hilarious lyrics I've ever heard. Personally I think its more comical then "Were Only In It For The Money", but not as merciless as far as social commentary. But this doesn't pull any punches either. The first disc is more tightly composed compositions that only Zappa could do, and the second disc seems to be more of his musical experimentation with the long guitar solo's that are simply amazing. This album is definitive Frank Zappa. A must have for any music collection.