Insights on the genius of Frank Zappa you won’t find anywhere else.
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Zappa’s menippean satire. Bob Dobbs and guests explore Frank Zappa’s impact as a menippean satirist, his unique approach to art production, and his role during the transition from analog to digital media. They contrast Zappa’s style with contemporaries like Bob…
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Beyond Sound: Zappa’s Civilization Phaze III [Part 7]
Xenochrony: Zappa’s psychic aspect Bob’s panel explores Frank Zappa’s psychic ability to predict media trends, a phenomenon he termed “xenochrony”, and his spontaneous creativity like the naming of ‘Yellow Shark’. The narrative weaves through personal stories, historical connections, and encounters…
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Beyond Sound: Zappa’s Civilization Phaze III [Part 6]
Frank Zappa’s Conceptual Continuity and the Apostrophe. Bob and guests probe topics from Zappa’s critique of society and economy to his views on love and music as universal experiences. Influences from the 1950s, artistic archetypes, and the art of interviewing…
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Beyond Sound: Zappa’s Civilization Phaze III [Part 5]
Dio Fa: is football religion? Bob and guests delve into Frank Zappa’s innovative vision for multimedia events, such as his ambitious plans for a football opera at the 1990 World Cup (Dio Fa). Themes of media evolution, societal satire, and…
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Beyond Sound: Zappa’s Civilization Phaze III [Part 4]
Harmonizing Spheres: CPIII’s musical geometry Bob and guests reflect on Zappa’s unique blending of humor, time concepts, and spatial geometry. It examines his integration of genres, innovative use of technology, and editing skills. Influences from figures like Marshall McLuhan are…
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Beyond Sound: Zappa’s Civilization Phaze III [Part 3]
What lead to CPIII? What was Zappa’s overall Project/Object? Bob Dobbs and guests explore Zappa’s musical influences including Varese, the film The World’s Greatest Sinner, and Zappa’s technique of incorporating pop culture into his music. The conversation also touched on…
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Beyond Sound: Zappa’s Civilization Phaze III [Part 2]
What did Zappa mean by the “Phazes”? Which phase are we in now? McLuhan Scholar and Zappa researcher Bob Dobbs, Chad Nantais and Scott Norris continue to explore Zappa’s Civilization Phaze III and how it incorporates ideas related to sensory…
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Beyond Sound: Zappa’s Civilization Phaze III
With its innovative blend of genres, tactile spatial composition, and thematic continuity influenced by concepts from physics, Frank Zappa’s Civilization is a work that stands on its own. McLuhan Scholar and Zappa researcher Bob Dobbs, Chad Nantais and Scott Norris…
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Ike Willis: Zappa’s rock opera extravaganza
Ike Willis and Bob Dobbs discuss Frank Zappa’s unrealized mega-masterpiece “Dio Fa”, illustrating his massive creative vision. Planned as a live, global multimedia opera, “Dio Fa” is emblematic of Zappa’s artistic innovation and versatility, aiming to redefine the boundaries of…
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The book thats a rock concert: Finnegans Wake
Ever thought a book could make you dance? James Joyce’s “Finnegans Wake” brings the rhythm and energy of a live rock concert to the page. From the vocal artistry of Bob Dylan to the linguistic pleasure of Joyce’s words, explore…