Frank Zappa: The Negative Dialectics of Poodle Play

Very straight forward and not a Fan Boy number. Smart, well researched.

Great book. Read it years ago and wanted to read it again. Not an easy read but worthwhile!

I have read the following books by or about Frank Zappa. In addition, this list constitutes a ranking of my assessment of the quality of these books.1. THE REAL FRANK ZAPPA BOOK by Frank Zappa and Peter Occhioigrosso2. MOTHER! THE FRANK ZAPPA STORY by Michael Gray3. FRANK ZAPPA: THE NEGATIVE DIALECTICS OF POODLE PLAY4. ELECTRIC DON QUIXOTE: THE DEFINITIVE STORY OF FRANK ZAPPA by Neil Slaven5. NECESSITY IS... THE EARLY YEARS OF FRANK ZAPPA AND THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION by Billy James6. COSMIK DEBRIS: THE COLLECTIVE HISTORY AND IMPROVISATIONS OF FRANK ZAPPA by Greg Russo7. NO COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL: THE SAGA OF FRANK ZAPPA by David Walley8. THEM OR US by Frank Zappa9. UNDER THE SAME MOON by Suzannah Thana Harris10. BEING FRANK: MY TIME WITH FRANK ZAPPA by Nigery LennonWhen I started reading FRANK ZAPPA: THE NEGATIVE DIALECTICS OF POODLE PLAY, I found myself having flashbacks to the days of my doctoral studies and to the philosophical debates emerging from the 60's liberation movement. While a Ph.D. student I studied Postmodernism, Feminism, Liberation Philosophers, etc. You know, all the stuff you'd think would have no application outside of graduate study. As a result, I was fascinated because reading this book was the first time I had to actually reflect back to the philosophies I studied. I actually found myself reading POODLE PLAY in the manner that I read my required readings as a Ph.D student. I checked and read some of the citations; I searched for more information on topics for which I was unfamiliar (i.e.," Situational International"); I discussed major themes and ideas with colleagues who were professors of economics, philosophy, sociology and political science. After reading the several chapters, my first impression was that Watson's book was intellectually challenging - more challenging than any recent research I have been reading.Two critical points can be made. First, I was profoundly struck by Watson' critique of Feminist Theory within Zappa's work. I never read such an analysis and found it refreshing. I saw Zappa much more of a deep thinker and an intellectual giant. Second, some of Watson's later analysis of Zappa's work seemed to be pushing the envelop to absurdity. I began to see Watson as a pseudo intellectual particularly when he equated KING LEAR with Zappa's APOSTROPHE('). Watson writes: "In 'Nanook Rubs It' Nonook blinds the fur trapper by rubbing his eyes with snow discoloured with ... [you know]. Blindness is also central to King Lear." (page 243). I almost stopped reading.Somehow I managed to continue to read and I'm glad that I did. When I reached the epilogue, the entire book was made clear. Here, Watson describes his meeting with Zappa and his wife, Gail, after they read the prepublished manuscript of POODLE PLAY. At that time, Zappa had terminal cancer and the book made him laugh! Clearly, this was Watson's intent for his book. I finally got it! In an attempt to define the humor found within, I spoke with Dr. Bowman who specializes in the study of humor and recreation. Currently, there seems to be no formal label for Watson's brand of humor. Bowman came to the conclusion that Watson's work can best be described as hyperbolic or benign fabrications - descriptive terms that were derived from the work of Erving Goffman. Essentially, through a series of intellectual gyration, Watson takes classical literature (throughout the ages) and draws parallels with Zappa's work. In many cases the linkages are fascinating, but other times they are absurd. It is like a very good April Fools joke. It is like tugging a barely fitting rubber band over the head of a jar.The big question is how was Watson able to pull this off? First, it is obvious that he studied philosophy and knows the subject matter. Second, he intimately knows Zappa's work. Third, Watson discovered reoccurring themes in the history of humanity. Thus, the blindness we find in APOSTROPHE(') can be defined with the same symbolic value we see in King Lear. Did Zappa create this deep symbolism in his lyrics? Of course not! Is there some kind of collective unconsciousness within humanity in which general themes for the understanding of the meaning of life continues to surface in a unique manner for each generation? Well, that sounds like a theme for Watson's next book.

This is the one if you want to go deep into the underpinnings of Frank's music. If hard philosophy and various other academic leanings do not appeal to you, you may want to pass it by. If however you are into all things Zappa this is a must have and a serious thrill ride!

LATE, IT HAD BEEN DROPPED IN SLUSH, REPACKED BUT NO SLIP COVER, A TOTAL MESS I THREW IT IN THE GARBAGE, SORRY, BUT NEVER SAW SUCH A MESS IN MY LIFE, I HAVE BEEN WANTING A NEW COPY OF THIS AFTER LOSING MY ORIGINALS - i HAD 2 FROM THE COMPANY AS i WROTE A REVIEW - BUT WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT.