Best Zappa album


I'm really pretty unfamilar with Zappa's work-I heard a coiple of things a long time ago.
I fancy checking out a few of his releases I know he tackled a wide range of music but I'd be interested to hear what Audiogon members consider the best of his work.
Thanks in advance.
ben_campbell
"Hot Rats" is my favorite, mostly for "Willie The Pimp" -- my favorite Zappa tune ever. Sugarcane Harris' electric violin is sublime. The rest of the album is instrumental, showing Zappa's talent as a composer. Even if the instrumentals don't float your boat this is a must have album for the afrementioned track. Kind of like getting the soundtrack to "Performance" only for "Memo From Turner" (although there are many other tracks I like on this platter). "I'm a little pimp with my hair gassed back, pair of kahki pants and my shoe shine black..." -- can you hear it?
"Hot Rats" is a must.I Love "Bongo Fury" with Beefheart and for great music and laughs "Sheik Yerbouti".
Great question! Zappa's bands have incoprporated so many great players using numerous musical boundries. I saw Zappa numerous times going back to 1971 at the Fillmore East (NYC).

I categorize Zappa in three stages. The early stage being the MOTHERS OF INVENTION (era) although FREAK OUT was the debut, the classic album from that era is: WE'RE ONLY IN IT FOR THE MONEY"; middle stage had some great players, look for "HOT RATS" or "CHUNGA'S REVENGE" "WACKA-JAWACKA", BURNT WEENIE SANDWICH", the orchatrations during this entire period are awesome; the latter stage "OVERNIGHT SENSATION" / "APOSTROPHE" although tended to commercialize ZAPPA (via George Duke vocals) these are still excellent albums and did maintain musical integrity. After 1975, the sound somewhat went through a swallow commerical sound (ala SHEIK YERBOOTY" which I do not reocmmend). Otherwise you should look for the other classics each with a different style: 200 MOTELS (soundtrack to an acid rock flick); THE YELLOW SHARK (Zappa orchatrated); FRANCESCO ZAPPA (super melow electronic harpzichord Baroque style music which is actaully appropriate for an infant). The man was a true genius. I have often wondered, if he did not die...