The documentary goes on to look at the creation of the GTO, the all girl band made of a selection of groupies and other assorted hangers on and Zappa's early relations with Dr. Beefheart and his eventual signing. Most of the commentary suggests that it was probably Beefheart's Trout Mask Replica that was the most significant album produced by the label. Alice Cooper was to become a more popular band, but their greatest success came after their association with Straight. Finally the film spends some time on Zappa's work with the acapella gospel singers, The Persuasion.
There is some discussion of artists like Tim Buckley brought to the label by Cohen, but the emphasis of the documentary is on Zappa and his promotion of the weird and far out, giving musicians the freedom to follow their creative instincts where the traditional record companies were unwilling to let them go. While ultimately Zappa's "discoveries" produced little of lasting value artistically, what he did produce gives a valuable insight into the LA counterculture of the '60s. It is unfortunate that so much of what he produced is not readily available. Perhaps the great value of this film is the access it gives to some of that work. It would have had an even greater value, if it was able to squeeze in even a bit more of the music.
The DVD includes an interview with Jerry Lawson of The Persuasions and a section on the struggles of the Magic Band during their work on the Beefheart album. Both seem to be footage shot for the main film, but omitted from the final edit. There is also a section of short biographies of the commentators.
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Article comments
1 - Nogirl
Anyone who thinks Frank Zappa intentionally exploited anyone doesn't know Frank Zappa