Difference between revisions of "Frank Zappa Meets The Mothers Of Prevention"

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     Name          = Frank Zappa Meets The Mothers Of Prevention |
 
     Name          = Frank Zappa Meets The Mothers Of Prevention |
 
     Released      = November 1985 |
 
     Released      = November 1985 |
−
     Related        = See also:<br>[[Chalk Pie]] |
+
     Related        = See also:<br>{{IINKLink|lyrics/FZ_Meets_The_Mothers_Of_Prevention.html}},{{ZPLink|vinylvscds/complete.html}},{{KURLink|fz-discography/meets-the-mothers-of-prevention}}<br>[[Chalk Pie]] |
 
}}
 
}}
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
 
==Players==
 
==Players==
−
*[[Frank Zappa]], [[Johnny "Guitar" Watson]], [[Ike Willis]], [[Ray White]], [[Bobby Martin]], [[Moon Zappa]], [[Dweezil Zappa]], Senator Danforth (R-Missouri), Senator Hollings (D-South Carolina), Senator Trible (R-Virginia), Senator Hawkins (R-Florida), Senator Exon (D-Nebraska), Senator Gorton (R-Washington), Senator Gore (D-Tennessee), [[Tipper Gore]], Reverend Jeff Ling, [[Spider Barbour]], [[All Nite John]], unknown girl in piano (voices)
+
 
 +
*[[Biography|Frank Zappa]] (guitar, synclavier)
 +
*[[Steve Vai]] (guitar)
 +
*[[Johnny "Guitar" Watson]] (guitar, vocals)
 +
*[[Ike Willis]] (guitar, vocals)
 +
*[[Ray White]] (guitar, vocals)
 +
*[[Bobby Martin]] (keyboards, vocals)
 +
*[[Tommy Mars]] (keyboards)
 +
*[[Scott Thunes]] (bass)
 +
*[[Chad Wackerman]] (drums)
 +
*[[Ed Mann]] (percussion)
 +
*[[Moon Zappa]], [[Dweezil Zappa]], Senator Danforth (R-Missouri), Senator Hollings (D-South Carolina), Senator Trible (R-Virginia), Senator Hawkins (R-Florida), Senator Exon (D-Nebraska), Senator Gorton (R-Washington), Senator Gore (D-Tennessee), [[Tipper Gore]], Reverend Jeff Ling, [[James "Spider" Barbour|Spider Barbour]], [[John Kilgore|All Nite John]], unknown girl in piano (voices)
  
 
==Tracks==
 
==Tracks==
 +
 
{| cellspacing="30"
 
{| cellspacing="30"
  
 
|valign="top"|<div id="US LP"><big>'''US LP'''</big></div>
 
|valign="top"|<div id="US LP"><big>'''US LP'''</big></div>
−
#[[We're Turning Again]] (04:55)
+
'''Side One'''
−
#[[Alien Orifice]] (04:03)
+
#[[We're Turning Again]] (4:55)
−
#[[Yo Cats]] (03:31)
+
#[[Alien Orifice]] (4:03)
−
#[[What's New In Baltimore?]] (05:21)
+
#[[Yo Cats]] (3:31)
 +
#[[What's New In Baltimore?]] (5:21)
  
−
#[[Little Beige Sambo]] (03:02)
+
'''Side Two'''
 +
#[[Little Beige Sambo]] (3:02)
 
#[[Porn Wars]] (12:04)
 
#[[Porn Wars]] (12:04)
−
#[[Aerobics In Bondage]] (03:16)
+
#[[Aerobics In Bondage]] (3:16)
  
−
|valign="top"|<div id="European LP"><big>'''European LP'''</big></div>
+
|valign="top"|<div id="European LP"><big>'''European LP/Cassette'''</big></div>
−
#[[We're Turning Again]] (04:55)
+
'''Side One'''
−
#[[Alien Orifice]] (04:03)
+
#[[We're Turning Again]] (4:55)
−
#[[Yo Cats]] (03:31)
+
#[[Alien Orifice]] (4:03)
−
#[[What's New In Baltimore?]] (05:21)
+
#[[Yo Cats]] (3:31)
 +
#[[What's New In Baltimore?]] (5:21)
  
−
#[[I Don't Even Care]] (04:43)
+
'''Side Two'''
−
#[[One Man - One Vote]] (02:35)
+
#[[I Don't Even Care]] (4:43)
−
#[[H.R. 2911]] (03:35)
+
#[[One Man - One Vote]] (2:35)
−
#[[Little Beige Sambo]] (03:02)
+
#[[H.R. 2911]] (3:35)
−
#[[Aerobics In Bondage]] (03:16)
+
#[[Little Beige Sambo]] (3:02)
 +
#[[Aerobics In Bondage]] (3:16)
  
 
|-
 
|-
  
 
|valign="top"|<div id="US CD"><big>'''US CD'''</big></div>
 
|valign="top"|<div id="US CD"><big>'''US CD'''</big></div>
−
#[[I Don't Even Care]] (04:45)
+
#[[I Don't Even Care]] (4:44)
−
#[[One Man - One Vote]] (02:34)
+
#[[One Man - One Vote]] (2:36)
−
#[[Little Beige Sambo]] (03:02)
+
#[[Little Beige Sambo]] (3:01)
−
#[[Aerobics In Bondage]] (03:17)
+
#[[Aerobics In Bondage]] (3:17)
−
#[[We're Turning Again]] (04:54)
+
#[[We're Turning Again]] (4:55)
−
#[[Alien Orifice]] (04:12)
+
#[[Alien Orifice]] (4:12)
−
#[[Yo Cats]] (03:34)
+
#[[Yo Cats]] (3:34)
−
#[[What's New In Baltimore?]] (05:25)
+
#[[What's New In Baltimore?]] (5:25)
−
#[[Porn Wars]] (12:03)
+
#[[Porn Wars]] (12:05)
  
 
|valign="top"|<div id="European CD"><big>'''European CD,<br>coupled with [[Jazz From Hell]]'''</big></div>
 
|valign="top"|<div id="European CD"><big>'''European CD,<br>coupled with [[Jazz From Hell]]'''</big></div>
Line 61: Line 77:
 
|valign="top"|<div id="European CD2"><big>'''European CD, Second Edition'''</big></div>
 
|valign="top"|<div id="European CD2"><big>'''European CD, Second Edition'''</big></div>
 
#[[Porn Wars]] (12:05)
 
#[[Porn Wars]] (12:05)
−
#[[We're Turning Again]] (04:56)
+
#[[We're Turning Again]] (4:56)
−
#[[Alien Orifice]] (04:12)
+
#[[Alien Orifice]] (4:12)
−
#[[Aerobics In Bondage]] (03:16)
+
#[[Aerobics In Bondage]] (3:16)
−
#[[I Don't Even Care]], ''Shortened version''  (03:48)
+
#[[I Don't Even Care]], ''Shortened version''  (3:48)
−
#[[Little Beige Sambo]] (03:03)
+
#[[Little Beige Sambo]] (3:03)
−
#[[What's New In Baltimore?]] (05:20)
+
#[[What's New In Baltimore?]] (5:20)
−
#[[One Man - One Vote]] (02:35)
+
#[[One Man - One Vote]] (2:35)
−
#[[H.R. 2911]] (03:36)
+
#[[H.R. 2911]] (3:36)
−
#[[Yo Cats]] (03:34)
+
#[[Yo Cats]] (3:34)
  
 
|valign="top"|<div id="Current CD"><big>'''Current CD'''</big></div>
 
|valign="top"|<div id="Current CD"><big>'''Current CD'''</big></div>
−
#[[I Don't Even Care]] (04:39)
+
#[[I Don't Even Care]] (4:39)
−
#[[One Man - One Vote]] (02:35)
+
#[[One Man - One Vote]] (2:35)
−
#[[Little Beige Sambo]] (03:02)
+
#[[Little Beige Sambo]] (3:02)
−
#[[Aerobics In Bondage]] (03:16)
+
#[[Aerobics In Bondage]] (3:16)
−
#[[We're Turning Again]] (04:55)
+
#[[We're Turning Again]] (4:55)
−
#[[Alien Orifice]] (04:10)
+
#[[Alien Orifice]] (4:10)
−
#[[Yo Cats]] (03:33)
+
#[[Yo Cats]] (3:33)
−
#[[What's New In Baltimore?]] (05:20)
+
#[[What's New In Baltimore?]] (5:20)
 
#[[Porn Wars]] (12:03)
 
#[[Porn Wars]] (12:03)
−
#[[H.R. 2911]] (03:35)
+
#[[H.R. 2911]] (3:35)
  
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
==Release Notes==
 
==Release Notes==
 +
 
==Liner Notes==
 
==Liner Notes==
 +
 +
'''WARNING/GUARANTEE:''' This album contains material which a truly free society would neither fear nor suppress.<br>
 +
In some socially retarded areas, religious fanatics and ultra-conservative political organizations violate your First Ammendment Rights by attempting to censor rock & roll albums. We feel that this is un-Constitutional and un-American.<br>
 +
As an alternative to these government-supported programs (designed to keep you docile and ignorant). [[Barking Pumpkin Records|Barking Pumpkin]] is pleased to provide stimulating digital audio entertainment for those of you who have outgrown ''the ordinary.''<br>
 +
The language and concepts contained herein are GUARANTEED NOT TO CAUSE ETERNAL TORMENT IN THE PLACE WHERE THE GUY WITH THE HORNS AND POINTED STICK CONDUCTS HIS BUSINESS.<br>
 +
This guarantee is as real as the threats of ther video fundamentalists who use attacks on rock music in their attempt to transform America into a nation of check-mailing nincompoops (in the name of Jesus Christ). If there is a hell, its fires wait for them, not us.<br>
 +
 +
'''On the back of the european version :''' The original version of this album contained political material which would not have been interesting to listeners outside the U.S. This special european edition contains three new songs not available in the U.S. album. We hope you appreciate the difference.
  
 
==Background Information==
 
==Background Information==
−
In an e-mail to this writer [CF], Matt Koegler explained that he “watched the Senate hearings and had a conversation with friends that night, and ‘Mothers of Prevention’ kind of came out of my mouth. I wrote Frank a letter a few days later, requesting a Z-Pac [Frank’s anti-censorship collection of mental ammo]. The letter opened, ‘Mr. Zappa: Thanks very much for standing up against the Mothers of Prevention.’ A few months later, I was standing in line at Spec’s Music in Lakeland, Florida with my brand-new, hot-off-the-presses copy [of the Prevention album] in my hand, and while reading the back cover, I found my name.”
 
  
−
“Yo Cats” is a jaunt along Vegas-type musical lines that emphasize the lyrical jeers at aesthetically apathetic studio musicians, with Tommy Mars (who’s listed as co-composer Thomas Mariano, his real name) playing appropriately cheesy lounge organ. Session musicians’ stylishness-feigning word “yo” is turned into “yo-yo” (loony). “Blow” means cocaine, of course, and to “Play some footballs on your hole” means to play easy whole notes (shaped like footballs in music notation) while keeping the bow level with the widest part of the violin’s “F-holes” (F-shaped openings). Your Girl and Arlyn’s were studio musicians’ answering services.  
+
In an e-mail to this writer [CF], Matt Koegler explained that he "watched the Senate hearings and had a conversation with friends that night, and 'Mothers of Prevention' kind of came out of my mouth. I wrote Frank a letter a few days later, requesting a [[Z-Pack - Opening Letter|Z-Pack]] [Frank's anti-censorship collection of mental ammo]. The letter opened, 'Mr. Zappa: Thanks very much for standing up against the Mothers of Prevention.' A few months later, I was standing in line at Spec's Music in Lakeland, Florida with my brand-new, hot-off-the-presses copy [of the Prevention album] in my hand, and while reading the back cover, I found my name."
  
−
The long musical collage “Porn Wars” is largely made up of Frank’s retorts to the oppressive politicians and their wives (in their own voices) to whom he spoke at the 9/19/85 hearings on the Parents’ Music Resource Center’s extortionate demands on the music industry. The “vocals” begin with a brilliantly exposed contradiction: Chairman John C. Danforth assures Frank that no legislation’s intended, just before South Carolina Senator Earnest F. Hollings vows, after an exemplary Zappa time-jump edit, to find “some Constitutional provisions, tax or approach...to limit this outrageous filth.” Hollings’ admission “Maybe I could make a good rock star,” initially spoken as a self-effacing comment on his own oft-unintelligible southern accent, floats into the piece on several occasions; Frank’s aligning Hollings’ secrets—his own “outrageous filth”—with the groupie-oriented activities narrated in many Zappa songs over the years. This exposes Hollings’ hypocrisy in attacking song lyrics. By including the phrase “inaudible filth,” Frank’s asking, “If he can’t hear it, why is it filthy?”
+
"Yo Cats" is a jaunt along Vegas-type musical lines that emphasize the lyrical jeers at aesthetically apathetic studio musicians, with Tommy Mars (who's listed as co-composer Thomas Mariano, his real name) playing appropriately cheesy lounge organ. Session musicians' stylishness-feigning word "yo" is turned into "yo-yo" (loony). "Blow" means cocaine, of course, and to "Play some footballs on your hole" means to play easy whole notes (shaped like footballs in music notation) while keeping the bow level with the widest part of the violin's "F-holes" (F-shaped openings). Your Girl and Arlyn's were studio musicians' answering services.  
  
−
Throughout the piece, we’re made to hear how people twist words to fit them into predetermined contexts; Zappa’s revenge is to do the same thing to the senators. They’re heard scolding their own actions: “Now, the effects of such lyrics on a well adjusted child may not be cataclysmic.” A senator’s made to unwittingly call himself a product of bad parenting, the real reason for which kids turn out crazy: “Rather, the emotional damage is more subtle.” Paula Hawkins indicts her own agenda: “...in some twisted mind.” She sadistically enjoys the book-burning going on, illustrated by the evil-sounding music: “Burrrn...burrrn...burrrn!” Hollings is heard reciting “Willy-nilly old bear” a few times. Frank’s equating that harmless children’s lyric about Winnie the Pooh with the words deemed unsafe by the senators. He’s also saying that Hollings is a “willy-nilly old bear” himself.
+
The long musical collage "Porn Wars" is largely made up of Frank's retorts to the oppressive politicians and their wives (in their own voices) to whom he spoke at the 9/19/85 hearings on the Parents' Music Resource Center's extortionate demands on the music industry. The "vocals" begin with a brilliantly exposed contradiction: Chairman John C. Danforth assures Frank that no legislation's intended, just before South Carolina Senator Earnest F. Hollings vows, after an exemplary Zappa time-jump edit, to find "some Constitutional provisions, tax or approach...to limit this outrageous filth." Hollings' admission "Maybe I could make a good rock star," initially spoken as a self-effacing comment on his own oft-unintelligible southern accent, floats into the piece on several occasions; Frank's aligning Hollings' secrets—his own "outrageous filth"—with the groupie-oriented activities narrated in many Zappa songs over the years. This exposes Hollings' hypocrisy in attacking song lyrics. By including the phrase "inaudible filth," Frank's asking, "If he can't hear it, why is it filthy?"
  
−
”Objectionable” is attached to “issue.” “...in some twisted minds” is attached to “porn rock.” The message is clear. Senator James Exon asks, “What’s the reason for these hearings?” Hawkins replies with Frank’s answer: “Sex,” the tool of media distraction as well as the chief fear of these insecure fools. A round of applause follows her answer. The “Yeah!” often heard is from Johnny “Guitar” Watson’s vocals in “I Don’t Even Care” from the European version of the album (Frank didn’t think “Porn Wars” would make much sense outside the USA). Ike Willis as Thing-Fish interjects with transplanted words from “Galoot Up-Date.” His conclusion, “I am yo’ fuchum [future]!,” suggests that we’ll all wind up deformed and held back by the government’s actions if things continue the way they’re going.  
+
Throughout the piece, we're made to hear how people twist words to fit them into predetermined contexts; Zappa's revenge is to do the same thing to the senators. They're heard scolding their own actions: "Now, the effects of such lyrics on a well adjusted child may not be cataclysmic." A senator's made to unwittingly call himself a product of bad parenting, the real reason for which kids turn out crazy: "Rather, the emotional damage is more subtle." Paula Hawkins indicts her own agenda: "...in some twisted mind." She sadistically enjoys the book-burning going on, illustrated by the evil-sounding music: "Burrrn...burrrn...burrrn!" Hollings is heard reciting "Willy-nilly old bear" a few times. Frank's equating that harmless children's lyric about Winnie the Pooh with the words deemed unsafe by the senators. He's also saying that Hollings is a "willy-nilly old bear" himself.
−
;A great joke’s heard later: “Drive my love inside you.” “Is this private action?”
+
 
 +
"Objectionable" is attached to "issue." "...in some twisted minds" is attached to "porn rock." The message is clear. Senator James Exon asks, "What's the reason for these hearings?" Hawkins replies with Frank's answer: "Sex," the tool of media distraction as well as the chief fear of these insecure fools. A round of applause follows her answer. The "Yeah!" often heard is from Johnny "Guitar" Watson's vocals in "I Don't Even Care" from the European version of the album (Frank didn't think "Porn Wars" would make much sense outside the USA). Ike Willis as Thing-Fish interjects with transplanted words from "Galoot Up-Date." His conclusion, "I am yo' fuchum [future]!," suggests that we'll all wind up deformed and held back by the government's actions if things continue the way they're going.  
 +
;A great joke's heard later: "Drive my love inside you." "Is this private action?"
  
 
See also: "[[:Category:PMRC (The List)|PMRC List]]" for an overview of people & things involved in the PMRC saga.
 
See also: "[[:Category:PMRC (The List)|PMRC List]]" for an overview of people & things involved in the PMRC saga.
Line 104: Line 130:
 
==Conceptual Continuity==
 
==Conceptual Continuity==
  
−
==Alternate Cover==
+
==Alternate Covers==
−
[[Image:FZMTMOP EU.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Frank Zappa Meets The Mothers Of Prevention (European Version)]]
+
 
 +
{|
 +
| valign="top" |[[Image:FZMTMOP EU.jpg|none|thumb|150px|European edition (1986)]]
 +
| valign="top" |[[Image:RCD10547.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Complete edition (1995)]]
 +
| valign="top" |[[Image:RCD10547det.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Complete edition (1995) - Detail]]
 +
|}
  
 
==Versions==
 
==Versions==
  
 
{| {{Versions Table Header}}
 
{| {{Versions Table Header}}
−
| rowspan="11" align="center" | 44
+
| rowspan="21" align="center" | 44
−
| align="center" | 1.1<br>Original<br>[[Wikipedia:Stereophonic sound|Stereo]],<br>Tracks 1, 2 & 10 Missing<sup>[[#Note1|[1]]]</sup>
+
| align="center" | 1.1<br>Original<br>[[wikipedia:Stereophonic sound|Stereo]],<br>Tracks 1, 2 & 10 Missing<ref name="RefVer">Considering the current CD edition as the reference version.</ref>
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
−
| align="center" | [[Wikipedia:Long playing record|LP]]
+
| align="center" | [[wikipedia:Long playing record|LP]]
−
| [[Barking Pumpkin Records|Barking Pumpkin]]<br>ST-74203
+
| [[Barking Pumpkin Records|Barking Pumpkin]]<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|500464|ST-74203}}
 
| 1985-11-21
 
| 1985-11-21
−
| 0013347420318?
+
| 0013347420318?<br>(not printed)
 
| &nbsp;
 
| &nbsp;
 
| US edition.
 
| US edition.
 
|-
 
|-
−
| align="center" | 1.2<br>Original<br>Stereo,<br>Track 9<br>Missing<sup>[[#Note1|[1]]]</sup>
+
| rowspan="6" align="center" | 1.2<br>Original<br>Stereo,<br>Track 9<br>Missing<ref name="RefVer"/>
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | LP
 +
| [[EMI]]<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|1696493|EMC&nbsp;3507}}
 +
| 1986-03<ref name="MStrong">Martin C. Strong, 2004, ''The Great Rock Discography'', p. 1723.</ref>
 +
| 5099924049214
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| UK edition.
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | [[wikipedia:Compact audio cassette|CS]]
 +
| EMI<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|18846367|TC-EMC&nbsp;3507}}
 +
| 1986-03<ref name="MStrong"/>
 +
| 5099924049245
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| UK edition, [[wikipedia:XDR (audio)|XDR]].
 +
|-
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | LP
 
| align="center" | LP
−
| [[EMI Records|EMI]]<br>2404921
+
| EMI<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|1535353|1C&nbsp;064-24&nbsp;0492&nbsp;1}}
−
| 1985?
+
| 1986?
 +
| 5099924049214
 
| &nbsp;
 
| &nbsp;
 +
| German/Dutch edition.
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | LP
 +
| EMI<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|11250639|58390&nbsp;81&nbsp;2404921}}
 +
| 1986?
 +
| None
 
| &nbsp;
 
| &nbsp;
−
| European edition.
+
| Argentinian edition.
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | CS
 +
| EMI<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|7615747|68390&nbsp;81&nbsp;2404924}}
 +
| 1986?
 +
| None
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| Argentinian edition.
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | LP
 +
| [[Capitol Records|Capitol]]<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|2348926|ST&nbsp;6535}}
 +
| 1986
 +
| 5099924049214
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| Canadian edition. (Black Cover, white text, with 'European Version'). Under license EMI of Canada.
 
|-
 
|-
−
| align="center" | 1.3<br>Original<br>Stereo,<br>Track 10<br>Missing<sup>[[#Note1|[1]]]</sup>
+
| rowspan="2" align="center" | 1.3<br>Original<br>Stereo,<br>Track 10<br>Missing<ref name="RefVer"/>
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
−
| align="center" | [[Wikipedia:Compact disc|CD]]
+
| align="center" | [[wikipedia:Compact disc|CD]]
−
| [[Rykodisc]]<br>RCD 10023
+
| [[Rykodisc]]<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|1338224|RCD&nbsp;10023}}
 
| 1986-09
 
| 1986-09
−
| 0014431002328
+
| 0014431002328<br>(not printed)
 
| &nbsp;
 
| &nbsp;
−
| US edition.
+
| US edition, [[wikipedia:SPARS_code|DDD]].
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | CD
 +
| [https://www.discogs.com/label/734889-MSI-2 MSI]<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|11270745|RCD&nbsp;10023}}
 +
| 1990
 +
| 0014431002328<br>(not printed)
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| Japanese edition, [[wikipedia:SPARS_code|DDD]]. Includes "The Book of Frank Zappa Meets The Mothers Of Prevention" (inc. message from FZ for Japanese Fans).
 
|-
 
|-
−
| align="center" | 1.2<br>Original<br>Stereo,<br>Track 9<br>Missing<sup>[[#Note1|[1]]]</sup>
+
| align="center" | 1.2<br>Original<br>Stereo,<br>Track 9<br>Missing<ref name="RefVer"/>
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | CD
 
| align="center" | CD
−
| EMI<br>CDP 7&nbsp;90078&nbsp;2
+
| EMI<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|5124924|CDP&nbsp;7&nbsp;90078&nbsp;2}}
 
| 1986
 
| 1986
 
| 0077779007820
 
| 0077779007820
 
| &nbsp;
 
| &nbsp;
−
| European edition, coupled with [[Jazz From Hell]]. [[Matrix Numbers|Matrix #]] CDP 7 90078 2 · ·MASTERED· ·BY NIMBUS·
+
| European edition, coupled with [[Jazz From Hell]]. [[Matrix Numbers|Matrix #]] CDP&nbsp;7&nbsp;90078&nbsp;2 · ·MASTERED· ·BY NIMBUS·
 
|-
 
|-
−
| align="center" | 1.4<br>Original<br>Stereo,<br>1 Track<br>Shortened<sup>[[#Note1|[1]]]</sup>
+
| rowspan="2" align="center" | 1.4<br>Original<br>Stereo,<br>1 Track<br>Shortened<ref name="RefVer"/>
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | CD
 
| align="center" | CD
−
| [[Zappa Records|Zappa]]<br>CDZAP 33
+
| [[Zappa Records|Zappa]]<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|225414|CDZAP&nbsp;33}}
−
| 1990-09
+
| 1990-09<ref name="MStrong"/>
 
| 5016583603328
 
| 5016583603328
 
| &nbsp;
 
| &nbsp;
 
| European edition.
 
| European edition.
 
|-
 
|-
−
| align="center" | Unknown
 
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
−
| align="center" | [[Wikipedia:Compact audio cassette|CS]]
+
| align="center" | CD
−
| Zappa<br>TZAPPA 33
+
| MSI<br>RCD&nbsp;10023
 +
| 1992?
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| Japanese edition. Includes "The Book of Frank Zappa Meets The Mothers Of Prevention" (inc. message from FZ for Japanese Fans).
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan="2" align="center" | Unknown
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | CS
 +
| Zappa<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|4573391|TZAPPA&nbsp;33}}
 
| ?
 
| ?
−
| 5016583603342?
+
| 5016583603342
 
| &nbsp;
 
| &nbsp;
 
| European edition.
 
| European edition.
 
|-
 
|-
−
| align="center" | 1.3<br>Original<br>Stereo,<br>Track 10<br>Missing<sup>[[#Note1|[1]]]</sup>
+
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | CS
 +
| Barking Pumpkin<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|20536312|4XT&nbsp;74203}}
 +
| 1990-10-17?
 +
| 0013347420349
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| US edition, XDR. Exists in either white or {{DiscogsPicLink|2566822|transparent}} cassette.
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1.3<br>Original<br>Stereo,<br>Track 10<br>Missing<ref name="RefVer"/>
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | CD
 
| align="center" | CD
−
| [[VideoArts]]<br>VACK 5049
+
| [[VideoArts]]<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|14014414|VACK&nbsp;5049}}
 
| 1994-11-25
 
| 1994-11-25
 
| 4988112405882
 
| 4988112405882
Line 174: Line 269:
 
| Japanese edition.
 
| Japanese edition.
 
|-
 
|-
−
| rowspan="4" align="center" | '''1.5<br>Light<br>[[Wikipedia:Remaster|Remaster]],<br>Complete<br>Edition'''
+
| rowspan="4" align="center" | '''1.5<br>Light<br>[[wikipedia:Remaster|Remaster]],<br>Complete<br>Edition'''
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | CD
 
| align="center" | CD
−
| Rykodisc<br>RCD 10547
+
| Rykodisc<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|445522|RCD&nbsp;10547}}
 
| 1995-05-16
 
| 1995-05-16
 
| 0014431054723
 
| 0014431054723
Line 185: Line 280:
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | CD
 
| align="center" | CD
−
| VideoArts<br>VACK 5117
+
| VideoArts<br>VACK&nbsp;5117
 
| 1995-09-25
 
| 1995-09-25
 
| 4988112407770
 
| 4988112407770
Line 193: Line 288:
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | CD
 
| align="center" | CD
−
| VideoArts<br>VACK 5252
+
| VideoArts<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|15267277|VACK&nbsp;5252}}
 
| 1996-05-30?
 
| 1996-05-30?
 
| 4988112408524
 
| 4988112408524
Line 201: Line 296:
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | 1
 
| align="center" | CD
 
| align="center" | CD
−
| VideoArts<br>VACK 1257
+
| VideoArts<br>{{MLPLink|zappa-frank/london-symphony-orchestra-vack-1252|VACK&nbsp;1257}}
 
| 2002-11-27
 
| 2002-11-27
 
| 4988112413566
 
| 4988112413566
 
| &nbsp;
 
| &nbsp;
 
| Japanese edition, mini-album papersleeve.
 
| Japanese edition, mini-album papersleeve.
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan="2" align="center" | '''2012 Remaster<br>[[wikipedia:Stereophonic sound|Stereo]]'''
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | CD
 +
| Zappa/[[wikipedia:Universal Music Enterprises|UMe]]<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|4626509|ZR&nbsp;3873}}
 +
| 2012-10-30
 +
| 0824302387320
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| US edition, manufactured and distributed by UMe<ref name="ZFTEmail">Email announcement by the [[Zappa Family Trust|ZFT]] on July 31<sup>st</sup>, 2012.</ref>.
 +
|-
 +
| align="center" | 1
 +
| align="center" | CD
 +
| Zappa/[[wikipedia:Universal Music Group|UMG&nbsp;Intl]]<br>{{DiscogsPicLink|5819066|0238732}}
 +
| 2012-10-30
 +
| 0824302387320
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| EU edition = Zappa/UMe ZR&nbsp;3873, manufactured in Germany.
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
== Notes ==
+
==Notes==
−
#<div id="Note1">Considering the current CD edition as the reference version.</div>
+
 
 +
<references/>
  
 
[[Category:Discography]]
 
[[Category:Discography]]
 
[[Category:Original Albums]]
 
[[Category:Original Albums]]
 +
[[Category:1985]]

Latest revision as of 16:51, 10 November 2022

Album History
Previous Next
Frank Zappa Meets The Mothers Of Prevention
Released November 1985
See also:
IINK,Patio,KUR
Chalk Pie

Players

Tracks

US LP

Side One

  1. We're Turning Again (4:55)
  2. Alien Orifice (4:03)
  3. Yo Cats (3:31)
  4. What's New In Baltimore? (5:21)

Side Two

  1. Little Beige Sambo (3:02)
  2. Porn Wars (12:04)
  3. Aerobics In Bondage (3:16)
European LP/Cassette

Side One

  1. We're Turning Again (4:55)
  2. Alien Orifice (4:03)
  3. Yo Cats (3:31)
  4. What's New In Baltimore? (5:21)

Side Two

  1. I Don't Even Care (4:43)
  2. One Man - One Vote (2:35)
  3. H.R. 2911 (3:35)
  4. Little Beige Sambo (3:02)
  5. Aerobics In Bondage (3:16)
US CD
  1. I Don't Even Care (4:44)
  2. One Man - One Vote (2:36)
  3. Little Beige Sambo (3:01)
  4. Aerobics In Bondage (3:17)
  5. We're Turning Again (4:55)
  6. Alien Orifice (4:12)
  7. Yo Cats (3:34)
  8. What's New In Baltimore? (5:25)
  9. Porn Wars (12:05)
European CD,
coupled with Jazz From Hell
European CD, Second Edition
  1. Porn Wars (12:05)
  2. We're Turning Again (4:56)
  3. Alien Orifice (4:12)
  4. Aerobics In Bondage (3:16)
  5. I Don't Even Care, Shortened version (3:48)
  6. Little Beige Sambo (3:03)
  7. What's New In Baltimore? (5:20)
  8. One Man - One Vote (2:35)
  9. H.R. 2911 (3:36)
  10. Yo Cats (3:34)
Current CD
  1. I Don't Even Care (4:39)
  2. One Man - One Vote (2:35)
  3. Little Beige Sambo (3:02)
  4. Aerobics In Bondage (3:16)
  5. We're Turning Again (4:55)
  6. Alien Orifice (4:10)
  7. Yo Cats (3:33)
  8. What's New In Baltimore? (5:20)
  9. Porn Wars (12:03)
  10. H.R. 2911 (3:35)

Release Notes

Liner Notes

WARNING/GUARANTEE: This album contains material which a truly free society would neither fear nor suppress.
In some socially retarded areas, religious fanatics and ultra-conservative political organizations violate your First Ammendment Rights by attempting to censor rock & roll albums. We feel that this is un-Constitutional and un-American.
As an alternative to these government-supported programs (designed to keep you docile and ignorant). Barking Pumpkin is pleased to provide stimulating digital audio entertainment for those of you who have outgrown the ordinary.
The language and concepts contained herein are GUARANTEED NOT TO CAUSE ETERNAL TORMENT IN THE PLACE WHERE THE GUY WITH THE HORNS AND POINTED STICK CONDUCTS HIS BUSINESS.
This guarantee is as real as the threats of ther video fundamentalists who use attacks on rock music in their attempt to transform America into a nation of check-mailing nincompoops (in the name of Jesus Christ). If there is a hell, its fires wait for them, not us.

On the back of the european version : The original version of this album contained political material which would not have been interesting to listeners outside the U.S. This special european edition contains three new songs not available in the U.S. album. We hope you appreciate the difference.

Background Information

In an e-mail to this writer [CF], Matt Koegler explained that he "watched the Senate hearings and had a conversation with friends that night, and 'Mothers of Prevention' kind of came out of my mouth. I wrote Frank a letter a few days later, requesting a Z-Pack [Frank's anti-censorship collection of mental ammo]. The letter opened, 'Mr. Zappa: Thanks very much for standing up against the Mothers of Prevention.' A few months later, I was standing in line at Spec's Music in Lakeland, Florida with my brand-new, hot-off-the-presses copy [of the Prevention album] in my hand, and while reading the back cover, I found my name."

"Yo Cats" is a jaunt along Vegas-type musical lines that emphasize the lyrical jeers at aesthetically apathetic studio musicians, with Tommy Mars (who's listed as co-composer Thomas Mariano, his real name) playing appropriately cheesy lounge organ. Session musicians' stylishness-feigning word "yo" is turned into "yo-yo" (loony). "Blow" means cocaine, of course, and to "Play some footballs on your hole" means to play easy whole notes (shaped like footballs in music notation) while keeping the bow level with the widest part of the violin's "F-holes" (F-shaped openings). Your Girl and Arlyn's were studio musicians' answering services.

The long musical collage "Porn Wars" is largely made up of Frank's retorts to the oppressive politicians and their wives (in their own voices) to whom he spoke at the 9/19/85 hearings on the Parents' Music Resource Center's extortionate demands on the music industry. The "vocals" begin with a brilliantly exposed contradiction: Chairman John C. Danforth assures Frank that no legislation's intended, just before South Carolina Senator Earnest F. Hollings vows, after an exemplary Zappa time-jump edit, to find "some Constitutional provisions, tax or approach...to limit this outrageous filth." Hollings' admission "Maybe I could make a good rock star," initially spoken as a self-effacing comment on his own oft-unintelligible southern accent, floats into the piece on several occasions; Frank's aligning Hollings' secrets—his own "outrageous filth"—with the groupie-oriented activities narrated in many Zappa songs over the years. This exposes Hollings' hypocrisy in attacking song lyrics. By including the phrase "inaudible filth," Frank's asking, "If he can't hear it, why is it filthy?"

Throughout the piece, we're made to hear how people twist words to fit them into predetermined contexts; Zappa's revenge is to do the same thing to the senators. They're heard scolding their own actions: "Now, the effects of such lyrics on a well adjusted child may not be cataclysmic." A senator's made to unwittingly call himself a product of bad parenting, the real reason for which kids turn out crazy: "Rather, the emotional damage is more subtle." Paula Hawkins indicts her own agenda: "...in some twisted mind." She sadistically enjoys the book-burning going on, illustrated by the evil-sounding music: "Burrrn...burrrn...burrrn!" Hollings is heard reciting "Willy-nilly old bear" a few times. Frank's equating that harmless children's lyric about Winnie the Pooh with the words deemed unsafe by the senators. He's also saying that Hollings is a "willy-nilly old bear" himself.

"Objectionable" is attached to "issue." "...in some twisted minds" is attached to "porn rock." The message is clear. Senator James Exon asks, "What's the reason for these hearings?" Hawkins replies with Frank's answer: "Sex," the tool of media distraction as well as the chief fear of these insecure fools. A round of applause follows her answer. The "Yeah!" often heard is from Johnny "Guitar" Watson's vocals in "I Don't Even Care" from the European version of the album (Frank didn't think "Porn Wars" would make much sense outside the USA). Ike Willis as Thing-Fish interjects with transplanted words from "Galoot Up-Date." His conclusion, "I am yo' fuchum [future]!," suggests that we'll all wind up deformed and held back by the government's actions if things continue the way they're going.

A great joke's heard later
"Drive my love inside you." "Is this private action?"

See also: "PMRC List" for an overview of people & things involved in the PMRC saga.

Conceptual Continuity

Alternate Covers

European edition (1986)
Complete edition (1995)
Complete edition (1995) - Detail

Versions

ZFT # Version # # discs Format Catalog # Release
(YYYY-MM-DD) 		Barcode
(EAN-13) 		Artwork Comment
44 1.1
Original
Stereo,
Tracks 1, 2 & 10 Missing[1] 		1 LP Barking Pumpkin
ST-74203 		1985-11-21 0013347420318?
(not printed) 		  US edition.
1.2
Original
Stereo,
Track 9
Missing[1] 		1 LP EMI
EMC 3507 		1986-03[2] 5099924049214   UK edition.
1 CS EMI
TC-EMC 3507 		1986-03[2] 5099924049245   UK edition, XDR.
1 LP EMI
1C 064-24 0492 1 		1986? 5099924049214   German/Dutch edition.
1 LP EMI
58390 81 2404921 		1986? None   Argentinian edition.
1 CS EMI
68390 81 2404924 		1986? None   Argentinian edition.
1 LP Capitol
ST 6535 		1986 5099924049214   Canadian edition. (Black Cover, white text, with 'European Version'). Under license EMI of Canada.
1.3
Original
Stereo,
Track 10
Missing[1] 		1 CD Rykodisc
RCD 10023 		1986-09 0014431002328
(not printed) 		  US edition, DDD.
1 CD MSI
RCD 10023 		1990 0014431002328
(not printed) 		  Japanese edition, DDD. Includes "The Book of Frank Zappa Meets The Mothers Of Prevention" (inc. message from FZ for Japanese Fans).
1.2
Original
Stereo,
Track 9
Missing[1] 		1 CD EMI
CDP 7 90078 2 		1986 0077779007820   European edition, coupled with Jazz From Hell. Matrix # CDP 7 90078 2 · ·MASTERED· ·BY NIMBUS·
1.4
Original
Stereo,
1 Track
Shortened[1] 		1 CD Zappa
CDZAP 33 		1990-09[2] 5016583603328   European edition.
1 CD MSI
RCD 10023 		1992?     Japanese edition. Includes "The Book of Frank Zappa Meets The Mothers Of Prevention" (inc. message from FZ for Japanese Fans).
Unknown 1 CS Zappa
TZAPPA 33 		? 5016583603342   European edition.
1 CS Barking Pumpkin
4XT 74203 		1990-10-17? 0013347420349   US edition, XDR. Exists in either white or transparent cassette.
1.3
Original
Stereo,
Track 10
Missing[1] 		1 CD VideoArts
VACK 5049 		1994-11-25 4988112405882   Japanese edition.
1.5
Light
Remaster,
Complete
Edition 		1 CD Rykodisc
RCD 10547 		1995-05-16 0014431054723   US edition. Matrix # IFPI 2U4C WEA mfg. OLYPHANT ifpi L902 X14009 A4 P2 310547-2 01 M1S1
1 CD VideoArts
VACK 5117 		1995-09-25 4988112407770   Japanese edition.
1 CD VideoArts
VACK 5252 		1996-05-30? 4988112408524   Japanese edition.
1 CD VideoArts
VACK 1257 		2002-11-27 4988112413566   Japanese edition, mini-album papersleeve.
2012 Remaster
Stereo 		1 CD Zappa/UMe
ZR 3873 		2012-10-30 0824302387320   US edition, manufactured and distributed by UMe[3].
1 CD Zappa/UMG Intl
0238732 		2012-10-30 0824302387320   EU edition = Zappa/UMe ZR 3873, manufactured in Germany.

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Considering the current CD edition as the reference version.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Martin C. Strong, 2004, The Great Rock Discography, p. 1723.
  3. ↑ Email announcement by the ZFT on July 31st, 2012.
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