Absolutely Free

Absolutely Free (1967) is the second album by The Mothers of Invention, led by Frank Zappa. A continuation of the first release, the double LP Freak Out!, Absolutely Free is once again a madhouse display of increasing musical technicality and severe, acerbic political-bashing wit.

Related Topics:
1967 - The Mothers of Invention - Frank Zappa - Freak Out!

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Like the first album, almost every genre under the sun can be found either being used and performed expertly or being barbed at and musically disemboweled by the outstanding performers of the Mothers aggregate. Speaking of which, several new members joined the group including saxophone player Bunk Gardner and keyboardist Don Preston.

Related Topics:
Genre - Saxophone - Bunk Gardner - Keyboard - Don Preston

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For this album, the emphasis is more on interconnected movements, as tracks 2-4 and 5-7 form mini-suites. It also features one of the most famous songs of his early career, "Brown Shoes Don't Make It," a track which has been described as being "an entire musical compressed down to 8 minutes."

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The CD Reissue adds a single The Mothers released at the time between where side one would have ended and side two would have begun featuring the songs "Why Dontcha Do Me Right?" and "Big Leg Emma," both described as an attempt to make dumb music to appeal to dumb teenagers.

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In his book Necessity Is... , former Mothers of Invention band member Ray Collins claimed that Absolutely Free is probably his favorite of the classic Mothers albums.

Related Topics:
Mothers of Invention - Ray Collins

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