MONO 67 MOTHERS INVENTION Zappa ABSOLUTELY Psych Garage

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42

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*** ATTENTION!

1967 first press MONO *VINYL* COLLECTIBLE !                                                                                                        

Frank Zappa's

   The MOTHERS OF INVENTION

          "Absolutely Free"

                             USA - blue with silver lettering VERVE - V V6 - 5013

SCARCE Original MONO 1967 first pressing vinyl in thick gatefold cover of the 2nd album ever by the Mothers Of Invention, a true underground rock masterpiece filled with spine tingling weirdness...

The (rare) MONO original offeres different song mixes to the stereo issue and also adds a punchy production to the sound which is way different from the stereo release!

 "Absolutely Free" is the perfect bridge-album between the songs of "Freak Out!" and the completely intense freak-show cabaret of "We're Only In It For The Money". Although the last 3 tracks on "Freak Out!" were far from safe sounding, "Absolutely Free" completely steamrolls these tracks. The album is an intense concept, which is driven by Frank's cynical lyrics that are mostly aimed to criticize the government and politics of the time. This albums a complete blender of genres, including some rhythm and blues and teenage pop spoofs all culminating into the mock cabaret lounge finale. The album is divided into two parts, with tracks 1-7 being the "Absolutely Free" section (A side on vinyl) and tracks 10-15 being the "The Mothers Of Invention American Pageant", B side.

The "Absolutely Free" part is one of the most musically challenging pieces Frank has ever written, and it still stands the test of time today as the most eclectic piece on the market. "Brown Shoes Don't Make It" is a brilliantly disturbed track that is considered by many to be his first magnum opus of sorts. The two back-to-back suites are things of absolute beauty. "The Duke Of Prunes/Amnesia Vivace/The Duke Regains His Chops" is a comical, under 5 minute long suite which is a near-classical piece about, you guessed it, The Duke of Prunes. The next three songs form the un-officially titled "Vegetable Suite", with this suite being comprised of "Call Any Vegetable/Invocation & Ritual Dance Of The Young Pumpkin/Soft-Cell Conclusion". "Call Any Vegetable" is the very first song that the Mothers really use their fusion style on, and "Invocation & Ritual Dance Of The Young Pumpkin" is the first instrumental track where they finally find their rhythm and start to groove and jam in harmony, with their full repertoire working simultaneously. The first track on this part is really the only track that isn't part of a suite. "Plastic People" is an excellent track nonetheless, its lyrics that talk about 'American womanhood', even though that is no longer an issue today.

"The Mothers of Invention American Pageant" is not quite as good as "Absolutely Free", but it still has its strong points. "America Drinks" starts this side of the album and it is a really shoddy spoof of an American cabaret lounge that is really a complete lack of substance, although the drumming by Jimmy Carl Black is a highpoint. "Uncle Bernie's Farm" is the second song, and it is a very refreshing, short song that has no apparent subject but still sounds fresh every time you listen. "Son Of Suzy Creamcheese" is another very short song, and as you may have guessed it is the same character that appeared in "The Return Of The Sun Of Monster Magnet" on "Freak Out!", although this song also lacks a little bit of substance. The next song is not only the stand out track of this side, it also the best on the album itself. "Brown Shoes Don't Make It" is a brilliantly disturbed track that is considered by many to be Frank's first magnum opus of sorts. "America Drinks & Goes Home" is the closer of the album, and it is really just the same song as "America Drinks", except this is a little better because it features some funny spoken word by Frank.

"Plastic People" begins with a mock introduction of the then President of the United States, Lyndon Johnson who (along with his wife Ladybird) can only recite the opening notes to "Louie, Louie": however, when Zappa first began performing "Plastic People" ca. 1965, the words were set to the tune of "Louie, Louie."

Side one

Suite No. 1: "Absolutely Free" (1st in a Series of Underground Oratorios)

1. "Plastic People" – 3:42
2. "The Duke of Prunes" – 2:13
3. "Amnesia Vivace" – 1:01
4. "The Duke Regains His Chops" – 1:52
5. "Call Any Vegetable" – 2:15
6. "Invocation & Ritual Dance of the Young Pumpkin" – 7:00
7. "Soft-Sell Conclusion" – 1:40  

 Side two

Suite No. 2: "The M.O.I. American Pageant" (2nd in a Series of Underground Oratorios)

10. "America Drinks" – 1:52
11. "Status Back Baby" – 2:54
12. "Uncle Bernie's Farm" – 2:10
13. "Son of Suzy Creamcheese" – 1:34
14. "Brown Shoes Don't Make It" – 7:30
15. "America Drinks and Goes Home" – 2:46

CONDITION: The gatefold cover is clean, hard to find this one clean, it's well over 40 years and was a popular item even back in the sixties, so most copies were played a lot and the worse for wear in this next century ...This one is clean "EX" (excellent) should be a satisfied keeper...

The vinyl is "EX" (excellent) to M- all glossy both sides and will play outstanding for years when kept in this same condition...

      A cool addition to anyone's music library!

SEE: SELLERS OTher items for similar cool sounds for "head" people...

EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING

All imperfections are noted both cover & record