Everyone comes out for the Frank Zappa - Muffin Man Festival

Frank Zappa - Muffin Man

I was curious about Frank Zappa again when I listened to his old (1975!) songs. There must be no demand but let us check!

The name of the song is Muffin Man from Frank Zappa's album Bongo Fury. Check out the performance of Terry Bozzio with his youthful ebullience! 

Bongo Fury

Youthful single stroke

At the beginning, Zappa tells a story with dialogs with the Muffin Man. And the song starts right after the story is concluded that Muffin is the best:

(1:24) 

What makes it so youthful is the single-minded single stroke sextuplets in the 4th and 8th bar. A person who can't do it, can't do it. A person who can do it may think it's a little bit hard to play at this speed. The muscular straightness that fills the space to the limit. Just like Terry Bozzio of that time of his year, you have to be shirtless and be stripped to the waist. You need to build up your body to appear visually. When you actually try this phrase, you feel pretty exhilarating like being after a good workout. Enjoy filling the space completely and reaching finally the first cymbal hit on the next bar.

An attractive phrase

I often played this phrase when I was in high school identifying myself with Terry. I remember that guys listened to my playing this phrase often asked me, "Give us one more time.". It's simple, but seems like a greatly attractive phrase because of the intense mashing and the sound of toms flowing from top to bottom. Maybe I'll play like that in my band now I'm joining in because I only can play such a sporty type phrase while I have enough physical strength. I'm very curious to know how Terry of today would play this song.