December 23, 2020 Playlist

Happy Zappa Day!
Frank Vincent Zappa (1940-1993)
The "modern day composer" was born Dec 21st, 1940
   
"Freak Out!" by The Mothers Of Invention (1966)
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
The Mothers Of Invention "Freak Out!"  1966 (USA)
Frank Zappa was born 80 years ago this week. Arguably the most important record he ever made was his first album with The Mothers Of Invention, because it was the first truly WEIRD rock album ever released. Psychedelic rock was born in the year 1966, with notable releases including The Beatles' Revolver album, The Byrds "Eight Miles High" single, and the debut albums by The 13th Floor Elevators and Velvet Underground (recorded in 1966 but not released until 1967 due to legal battles over the album artwork). Those records all featured strange sounds created with cutting-edge studio techniques, but Freak Out! was not only sonically adventurous but also lyrically scathing in its satirical critique of straight culture on classic songs like "Hungry Freaks Daddy", "Trouble Coming Every Day", "Help I'm A Rock" and especially "Who Are The Brain Police?" which might be the single greatest track Zappa ever produced. Zappa's music would become a lot more polished and sophisticated in future years, but he never released another "brain bomb" as potent as this one.
(N) = New Release
   
Artist Song Album Year Country
XTC (as "The Three Wise Men")Countdown To Christmas Party Timenon-album single (Rag & Bone Buffet compilation)1983UK
William Shatner (with Todd Rundgren)
Winter Wonderland Shatner Claus2018
Canada (Quebec)
The Kinks
Father Christmas non-album single1977
UK
James Brown (died on Christmas 2006)
Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto
 		Soulful Christmas 1968
USA
Rotary Connection
Peace At Least Peace 1968
USA
The Free Design
Close Your Mouth (It's Christmas) non-album single1968
USA
Scott Walker
Little Things That Keep Us Together Til The Band Comes In1970
USA/UK
The Mothers Of Invention
Uncle Bernie's Farm Absolutely Free1967
USA
 
 
Osees
(formerly (Thee) Oh Sees) 		If I Had An ExperimentPanther Rotate (N)2020 (Castle Face)USA
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Ontology
   / Intrasport		KG (N)2020 (Flightless/ATO)Australia
BABYMETAL
Doki Doki Morning
("Heart-pounding Morning") 		BABYMETAL2014
Japan
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
Otona Na Kodomo
("Adults And Children") 		Nanda Collection
("What's This Collection")		2013
Japan
Poppy Kiss In The SnowA Very Poppy Christmas EP (N)2020 (Sumerian)USA
Neil Young Star Of BethlehemHomegrown (N)rec. 1975 (2020 Reprise)Canada/USA
   
 
The Mothers Of InventionTrouble Coming Every DayFreak Out!
 CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		1966USA
The Mothers Of InventionHelp I'm A Rock (Suite In Three Movements)
    I. Okay To Tap Dance
   II. In Memoriam, Edgard Varese
  III. It Can't Happen Here		Freak Out!
 CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		1966USA
The Mothers Of InventionThe Return Of The Son Of Monster Magnet (Unfinished Ballet In Two Tableaus)
    I. Ritual Dance Of The Child Killers
   II. Nullis Pretti (No Commercial Potential)		Freak Out!
 CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		1966USA
   
 
Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention
You Didn't Try To Call Me
   / King Kong --> Igor's Boogie (live) 		Live In Uddel - June 18th, 1970rec. 1970
USA
Flo & EddieAnother Pop Star's Life  / Just Another TownFlo & Eddie1973USA
Steely DanTurn That Heartbeat Over AgainCan't Buy A Thrill1972USA
James BrownTalking Loud And Saying NothingStar Time (compilation)rec. 1972USA
   
 
Bill Frisell What The World Needs Now Is Love (Burt Bacharach)Valentine (N)2020 (Blue Note)USA
ChristmasJungle FabulousChristmas1970Canada
Jeff Parker
 		After The Rain (John Coltrane)Suite For Max Brown (N) 2020 (International Anthem)USA
   
 
James BrownCold SweatStar Time (compilation)rec. 1967USA
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