What is yer favorite band of Mothers - it's coming on Mothers day - time to decide

The Mothers Of Invention, November 1968 - May 1969
FZ, Lowell George, Roy Estrada, Jimmy Carl Black, Art Tripp, Ian Underwood, Don Preston, Bunk Gardner, Motorhead Sherwood, Buzz Gardner.

The Mothers Of Invention, June - December 1970
FZ, Mark Volman, Howard Kaylan, Jeff Simmons, Ian Underwood, George Duke, Aynsley Dunbar.

The Mothers Of Invention, May - December 1971
FZ, Mark Volman, Howard Kaylan, Jim Pons, Ian Underwood, Bob Harris #1 (until July), Don Preston (from August), Aynsley Dunbar.

The Grand Wazoo Orchestra, September 1972
FZ, Tony Duran, Jerry Kessler, Dave Parlato, Jim Gordon, Tom Raney, Ruth Underwood, Ian Underwood, Bruce Fowler, Malcolm McNabb, Tom Malone, Earle Dumler, Glenn Ferris, Sal Marquez, Ken Shroyer, Mike Altschul, Joanne McNabb, Jay Migliori, Ray Reed, Charles Owens.

The Petit Wazoo Orchestra, October - December 1972
FZ, Tony Duran, Dave Parlato, Jim Gordon, Bruce Fowler, Malcolm McNabb, Tom Malone, Earle Dumler, Glenn Ferris, Gary Barone.

The Mothers Of Invention, February - September 1973
FZ, Jean Luc Ponty, Tom Fowler, Ralph Humphrey, Ruth Underwood, Ian Underwood, George Duke, Bruce Fowler, Sal Marquez (late March - July), Kin Vassy (73/04/07-73/05/01).

The Mothers Of Invention, October - December 1973
FZ, Napoleon Murphy Brock, Tom Fowler, George Duke, Ruth Underwood, Bruce Fowler, Ralph Humphrey, Chester Thompson.

The Mothers Of Invention, February - March 1974
FZ, Napoleon Murphy Brock, Jeff Simmons, Tom Fowler, George Duke, Ruth Underwood, Bruce Fowler, Ralph Humphrey, Chester Thompson.

The Mothers Of Invention, April - May 1974
FZ, Napoleon Murphy Brock, Jeff Simmons, Tom Fowler, George Duke, Don Preston, Bruce Fowler, Walt Fowler, Ralph Humphrey, Chester Thompson

The Mothers Of Invention, June - December 1974
FZ, Napoleon Murphy Brock, Tom Fowler (broken hand from Nov 20 to Dec 3), George Duke, Ruth Underwood, Chester Thompson, Mike Urso (substitute, Nov 23), James "Bird Legs" Youmans (substitute, Nov 24 to Dec 3), Jeff Simmons (until July 3, not on any recording).

Zappa / Beefheart / Mothers, April - May 1975
FZ, Denny Walley, Captain Beefheart, Tom Fowler, Terry Bozzio, Napoleon Murphy Brock, George Duke, Bruce Fowler.

The Mothers Of Invention, September 1975 - March 1976
FZ, Napoleon Murphy Brock, Roy Estrada, Andre Lewis, Terry Bozzio, Norma Bell (from Nov. 1 to Dec. 9).

Frank Zappa's Band, October 1976 - February 1977
FZ, Ray White, Patrick O'Hearn, Terry Bozzio, Eddie Jobson, Bianca Thornton (through November 11).

Frank Zappa's Band, December 1976
FZ, Ray White, Patrick O'Hearn, Terry Bozzio, Eddie Jobson, Ruth Underwood, Dave Samuels, Mike Brecker, Randy Brecker, Lou Marini, Ron Cuber, Tom Malone. With Don Pardo as announcer, narrator, dancer

Frank Zappa's Band, September 1977 - February 1978
FZ, Adrian Belew, Patrick O'Hearn, Terry Bozzio, Ed Mann, Tommy Mars, Peter Wolf.

Frank Zappa's Band, August - October 1978
FZ, Ike Willis (until 10 14), Patrick O'Hearn (from 10 13), Denny Walley, Arthur Barrow, Vinnie Colaiuta, Ed Mann, Tommy Mars, Peter Wolf.

Frank Zappa's Band, February - April 1979
FZ, Ike Willis, Denny Walley, Warren Cucurullo, Arthur Barrow, Vinnie Colaiuta, Ed Mann, Tommy Mars, Peter Wolf.

Frank Zappa's Band, March - July 1980
FZ, Ike Willis, Ray White, Arthur Barrow, David Logeman, Tommy Mars.

Frank Zappa's Band, September - December 1980
FZ, Ike Willis, Steve Vai, Ray White, Arthur Barrow, Vinnie Colaiuta, Tommy Mars, Bob Harris #2.

Frank Zappa's Band, September 1981 - July 1982
FZ, Steve Vai, Ray White, Scott Thunes, Chad Wackerman, Ed Mann, Tommy Mars, Bobby Martin.

Frank Zappa's Band, July - December 1984
FZ, Ike Willis, Ray White, Scott Thunes, Chad Wackerman, Allan Zavod, Bobby Martin, Napoleon Murphy Brock (July 17 - August 1)

Frank Zappa's Band, February - June 1988
FZ, Ike Willis, Mike Keneally, Scott Thunes, Chad Wackerman, Ed Mann, Bobby Martin, Bruce Fowler, Walt Fowler, Paul Carman, Albert Wing, Kurt McGettrick.

That's a tough choice. My initial thought was the "Roxy & Elsewhere" lineup, but as a big Belew fan I went with that lineup. On another day I might've chosen something else from that list.

I chose "FZ 80 (where we meet Steve Vai)", but live most of it is SO GOOD from about '73 on. In fact I have no clue what year some of my fav live recordings are from, & I have so many (including the mixed years Do That On Stage sets); that I'd have to listen & actively pay attention to what year each song was from & take notes, and... and... and... to say for sure! Fact is I like most of it! Though interestingly, I recently heard 1977's "(Live) In New York" for the first time. While I'm very familiar with most of the songs on there & like other versions a lot, I felt INY was a bit weaker than some of the other versions I've heard of those songs.

Which is the Baby Snakes lineup? I probably should've chosen that, if it was an option. Terry Bozzio, f**k yeah!

I really don't give much of a shit about Zappa, but I like the Turtles. So the Flo & Eddie era for me.

Tuff choice but the 74 band was soooo good - by the end of that tour they were almost playing those runs faster than I could hear them. And they had fun doing them.

I could have gone with the original Mothers or the Wazoo Mothers or the Bongo Fury band.

The 88 band could play more different tunes than all the other bands combined but the in fighting and FZ's own health led to the band's downfall.

This week I have been listening to a lot of 74 material - the released stuff and the traded tapes (lots of soundboards out there of this ensemble)...

Watermelon is my favorite song off of any lp ever of all time.

Don't You Ever Wash That Thing is my favorite song performed live (74 is the best)

T-mershi Dween is fun to listen to - the notes are played so fast it is hard to hear them all.

I hope there is lots left in the vaults - 'specially from the 74 band of Mothers.

The 1988 band is it for me. What a collection of talent, and what a spectacularly stupid way to blow it all. I saw that band twice and have numerous boots from that tour - just awesome. And I've gotten to know Mike Keneally, who was the stunt guitarist for that tour. His 1988 tour diaries are a fantastic read.

After that, I'm partial to the 77-82 eras, with a soft spot for 1984 because that was the first time I saw Zappa live.

And I'm with you on Watermelon - I love that song, and am finally working on recording it. It's like a holy grail for me.

There is a lot in the vaults - I just hope they put it out.

Alan

I ended up choosing the Roxy era......but could have easily done the original, Flo & Eddie, or anything through Beefheart/Belew late 70's.

Also missing up top is Sugarcane Harris......(been listening to Burnt Weeny Sandwich a bit......his long solo on Little House I Used To Live In kills)

Mom and "Mothers" are two different things in this context.

Can I pick the Mamas of the Mamas and the Papas instead?

You may pick Michelle.

Speaking of which, I'm about to watch a pre-Vai 1980 show!