Mothers of Invention Freak Out 2LP 1966 US Verve stereo Zappa Hot Spots

	A$		55
	$		36

Mothers of Invention Freak Out 2LP 1966 US Verve stereo Zappa Hot Spots

Original US pressing on Verve in gatefold sleeve. An early pressing, this has the “Hot Spots Map” reference on the inside sleeve.

Freak Out! is the debut album by American band The Mothers of Invention, released June 27, 1966 on Verve Records. Often cited as one of rock music's first concept albums, the album is a satirical expression of frontman Frank Zappa's perception of American pop culture. It was also one of the earliest double albums in rock music (although Bob Dylan's Blonde on Blonde preceded it by a week), and the first 2-record debut. In the UK the album was originally released as a single disc.

The album was produced by Tom Wilson, who signed The Mothers, formerly a bar band called the Soul Giants. Zappa said many years later that Wilson signed the group to a record deal in the belief that they were a white blues band. The album features vocalist Ray Collins, along with bass player Roy Estrada, drummer Jimmy Carl Black and guitar player Elliot Ingber, who would later join Captain Beefheart's Magic Band under the name Winged Eel Fingerling.

The band's original repertoire consisted of rhythm and blues covers; though after Zappa joined the band he encouraged them to play his own original material, and the name was changed to The Mothers. The musical content of Freak Out! ranges from rhythm and blues, doo-wop and standard blues-influenced rock to orchestral arrangements and avant-garde sound collages. Although the album was initially poorly received in the United States, it was a success in Europe. It gained a cult following in America, where it continued to sell in substantial quantities until it was discontinued in the early 1970s.

In 1999, it was honored with the Grammy Hall of Fame Award, and in 2003, Rolling Stone ranked it among the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. In 2006, The MOFO Project/Object, an audio documentary on the making of the album, was released in honor of its 40th anniversary.

Freak Out! was released June 27, 1966 with the band's name changed to The Mothers of Invention, a name Zappa chose in favor of MGM's original suggested name, "The Mothers Auxiliary." The album's back cover included a "letter" from Zappa-created fictional character Suzy Creamcheese (who also appears on the album itself), which read:

    These Mothers is crazy. You can tell by their clothes. One guy wears beads and they all smell bad. We were gonna get them for a dance after the basketball game but my best pal warned me you can never tell how many will show up...sometimes the guy in the fur coat doesn't show up and sometimes he does show up only he brings a big bunch of crazy people with him and they dance all over the place. None of the kids at my school like these Mothers...specially since my teacher told us what the words to their songs meant. Sincerely forever, Suzy Creamcheese, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Because the text was printed in a typeface resembling typewriter lettering, some people thought that Suzy Creamcheese was real, and many listeners expected to see her in concert performances. Because of this, it was decided that "it would be best to bring along a Suzy Creamcheese replica who would demonstrate once and for all the veracity of such a beast." Because the original voice of Suzy Creamcheese, Jeannie Vassoir, was unavailable, Pamela Lee Zarubica took over the part.

Early US pressings of the album included a blurb for a "Freak Out Hot Spots!" map. Inside the gatefold jacket the small ad was aimed at people coming to visit Los Angeles and it listed several famous restaurants and clubs including Canter's and The Whiskey A Go-Go. The ad also claimed information concerning police arrests. It states: "Also shows where the heat has been busting frequently, with tips on safety in police terror situations". Those interested in the map were instructed to send $1.00 to MGM Records c/o 1540 Broadway NY. NY. address. The phony map blurb was not included on later pressings but was removed and the space was left blank.

Side one           

1.           "Hungry Freaks, Daddy"                        3:32

2.           "I Ain't Got No Heart"                             2:34

3.           "Who Are the Brain Police?"                               3:25

4.           "Go Cry on Somebody Else's Shoulder"        3:43

5.           "Motherly Love"                         2:50

6.           "How Could I Be Such a Fool?"                          2:16

Side two          

7.           "Wowie Zowie"           2:55

8.           "You Didn't Try to Call Me"                  3:21

9.           "Any Way the Wind Blows"                 2:55

10.         "I'm Not Satisfied"     2:41

11.         "You're Probably Wondering Why I'm Here"           3:41

Side three       

12.         "Trouble Every Day"                5:53

13.         "Help, I'm a Rock (Suite in Three Movements)

    I. Okay to Tap Dance

    II. In Memoriam, Edgar Varèse

    III. It Can't Happen Here"                 8:37

Side four          

14.         "The Return of the Son of Monster Magnet (Unfinished Ballet in Two Tableaux)

    I. Ritual Dance of the Child-Killer

    II. Nullis Pretii (No Commercial Potential)"         12:22

Total length:                  60:55

CONDITION:

SLEEVE: VG  General wear and rubbing, top seams split, original Verve inner sleeves.

RECORDS: VG+ to EX+  Side 2 has a few scuffs and a wide dropped-on-the-spindle mark which is audible (see pic).