Classic Albums - Frank Zappa: Freak Out! (2021)

The Mothers of Invention, led by Frank Zappa, unleashed the audacious debut album, Freak Out!, in June 1966. It was the first rock concept album and one of the first double rock albums, totally unique with its mixture of pastiche and musical collage. In many ways, it was a milestone of musical history in terms of both music and recording technique.
Along with Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds", released same summer, "Freak Out!" is often cited as one of the first concept albums in rock, in this case a satire of American pop culture that embraced a wide gamut of different musical styles. Before Freak Out! who would ever have dared to think that doowop and rhythm & blues could seamlessly cross into classical avant-garde? Not to mention the satirical lyrics, the artwork, Suzy Creamcheese, the multiplicity or the conceptual continuity.
While Freak Out! was far from a commercial or critical success upon its release, the album did develop a cult following among fans and fellow musicians. This programme tells the story behind the conception, recording and release of this groundbreaking album. By use of interviews, musical demonstration, performance, archive footage and returning to the multi tracks with Ahmet Zappa and Joe Travers we discover how Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention created the album with the help of legendary African-American producer Tom Wilson.

– AKA: Classic Albums: Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention - Freak Out!