Robben Ford Discussion

LongIslandRod · Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 9:31 am Post subject: Frank Zappa and Mike Keneally

I've been listening to Zappa a lot lately in particular "Roxy and Elsewhere" and, "The Best Band You've Never Heard of in Your Life." The latter in Zappa's words is the best band he ever assembled - I concur. This was his last touring band around 1988. I'm not a huge Zappa fan but I really enjoy his instrumental music over the silly lyrical stuff. Some of his compositions are simply amazing and I can see the genius in him. I dig his guitar soloing too, the Best Band CD mentioned above has some great soloing - IMHO. He's totally opposite Robben…

Any Zappa fans out here care to pipe in?

FYI - I'm going to the Zappa plays Zappa show next week in NY. Very Happy

In his last touring band was Mike Keneally (guitar/keys). He is an amazing talent again IMHO. Check out his site @ www.mikekeneally.com if you're interested read his story of how he summoned up the nerve to call Zappa and ask to audition for his band. It's a great read from meeting FZ to getting hazed by the band and Scott Thunes.

Keneally writes crazy music like FZ that's somewhat hard to digest but I've developed a taste for it. He just oozes music and he writes incessantly. He's a damn good guitar player and keyboard player. He's always playing in L.A.

Any Keneally fans on this board care to pipe in as well?
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Rod

LongIslandRod · Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 11:15 am Post subject:

Here's the direct link to Keneally's FZ audtion story. It's about midway on the page. Incidentally, Tos Panos plays with Keneally on drums, he also plays with Robben .

http://www.mikekeneally.com/keneally13.html
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Rod

UncleSalty · Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 1:03 am Post subject:

Big fan of FZ's guitar playing here. Really unique phrasing and rhythmic feel. Enjoy the Dweezil plays Dad show, LIR. I've heard they're really good and that Dweezil's channelling more Dad than EVH these days.

Bluelobster · Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 3:42 am Post subject: FZ

While in PARIS tuesday i met an old friend who was at the gig at the Zenith in the same town Embarassed

He told me it was f@%c#{g great. It was almost unbelievable. Steve Vai was playing the best he had ever seen (and he have seen a lot of Vai concerts from Zappa , Lee Roth, Whitesnake.....) The 2 brothers , Kennealy, Scott thunes & the drummer stupendous.....................Like Salty says the guys are on the road channelling FZ music to young generations. So if the show hit your town, don't miss it.

Cal · Member Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Posts: 46 Location: Toronto

I love FZ too, but I don't know if I agree with you about Zappa and Robben being that different when it comes to soloing. Zappa is very blues influenced. In his autobiography, "the Real Frank Zappa Book", he sys that his approach to guitar is sytlistically closest to Guitar Slim. He also was a big fan of Johnny "guitar" Watson and Gatemouth Brown. Lots of soul and blues in his playing, tinged by jazz - very adventurous, qualities he and Robben very much share. Both use interesting shading, rhythms and scale choices. Where I think they really differ is as song writers. Interestingly, he makes a big deal of the differences between being a composer and a musician. He also claims that he is not a virtuoso player "A virtuoso can play anything can play anything and I can't. I cn only play what I know, to the extent that I've developed enough manual dexterity to get the point across -- but that has deteriorated over time". Talk about being hard on yourself. BTW, I love that Best Band You've Never heard album, but there are two volumes you know! About the 1988 band, FZ says he didn't play that much guitar in it -- get this quote " the interest span of the audience has shriveled to about eight bars, and in those eight bars, you are expected to play every note you know." He claims that band was more about the horn arrangement and vocals. I just love the playing on it.

roadwarriorfortheblues · Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 4:09 pm Post subject: Re: Frank Zappa and Mike Keneally

LongIslandRod · Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 7:10 am Post subject:

RWFTB,

The Aug 20th show is one stage, each band playing their own set. The stage is at the bottom of the hill. I'm not sure how they'll work out the seating. I've only been there once. I'm seeing Eric johnson the night before and Steely Dan the following weekend. So i'm passing on Bald Hill Mountain Jam. Hopefully RF will book a gig somewhere else in NY this trip out.

As well the traffic coming home that night from the show will be a NIGHTMARE. For those who know Long Island Sunday night traffic in the summer is "like an ice pick in forehead" because the people coming from the Hamptons and the beaches are heading west toward the city. I live way west of Bald Hill and the Hamptons. I barely live on Long Island actually I'm just a few miles west on the NY city county line. In fact I only moved to Long Island a few years ago, I'm really a New York city boy!

Glad you're enjoying Keneally. He's one talented mo-fo!
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Rod

rainmkr63 · Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 1:22 pm Post subject:

I saw Mike Keneally with Vai a few times. His band “Beer for Dolphins” opened for Vai then Mike came out and did Steve’s whole set. I have been tempted to go to LA and see him. He is a very good player, very weird too ( unique ), he sure seems like a well rounded musician.

I also have good tickets to see Z plays Z, I am looking forward to that.

JohnnyZ · Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 3:00 pm Post subject:

LongIslandRod · Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 5:43 pm Post subject:

Z plays Z = Zappa Plays Zappa

I was them last night. I WAS COMPLETELY BLOWN AWAY! Shocked

You must go if you get the opportunity.

Steve via, Napoloean Brock, Terry Bozzio, Joe Travers, Dwezzil and group of young musicians who play their asses off. The shit they pulled off slayed me, it was soo complex. They were phenomenal. Very Happy

FZ wrote really amazing music... !!!!!
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Rod