The Return of the Son of Monster Magnet
| "The Return of the Son of Monster Magnet" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Song by The Mothers of Invention from the album Freak Out! | ||||
| Released | 1966 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 12:17 | |||
| Label | Verve | |||
| Composer(s) | Frank Zappa | |||
| Producer(s) | Frank Zappa | |||
| Freak Out! track listing | ||||
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"The Return of the Son of Monster Magnet" is a Frank Zappa composition, performed by The Mothers of Invention, released on the Mothers' debut album, Freak Out!. It is the longest song on the album, at 12:17, consisting of 2 parts: "Ritual Dance Of The Child-Killer", and "Nullis Pretii (No Commercial Potential)". The composition includes a musical quote from "Louie Louie" (Richard Berry). The Monster Magnet, which almost certainly inspired the song's title, was a toy magnet in the shape of a monster, then being heavily advertised on television.[1]
According to Zappa himself, the Freak Out! version of this song is merely a rhythm track and was never finished as intended. Apparently for budgetary reasons, Verve executives curtailed further recording of the track even after shelling out $12,000 for rented percussion. Indeed, the subtitle of the track is "an Unfinished Ballet in two Tableaux". Unlike many of his extended works, Zappa never augmented or completed this piece when he had the time, money and his own recording studio.
Dr John (Mac Rebennack) appears on piano. Van Dyke Parks was also present at the recording session, but it is unclear what, if anything, played by him was used for the released version.
According to Beatles author and Zappa biographer Barry Miles, the unreleased Beatles experimental track "Carnival of Light" which was recorded in January 1967 resembles "The Return of The Son of Monster Magnet", although it is believed that "Carnival of Light" is more fragmented and abstract than Zappa's effort the previous year.[2]
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"The Return of the Son of Monster Magnet" (sample)
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Suzy Creamcheese
The song begins with the following dialogue:
Male voice: Suzy?
Female voice: Yes?
Male voice: Suzy Creamcheese?
Female voice: Yes?
Male voice: This is the voice of your conscience baby ... uh, I just want to check one thing out with you ... you don't mind, do ya?
Female voice: What?
Male voice: Suzy Creamcheese, honey, what's got into ya?
This is the first mention of Suzy Creamcheese on any Mothers album,[3] although a "Suzie" is mentioned on Side 3 of Freak Out! on the track, It Can't Happen Here.
References
- ↑ http://wesclark.com/am/monster_magnet.jpg
- ↑ http://www.allmusic.com/song/the-return-of-the-son-of-monster-magnet-mt0003693041
- ↑ Zappa, Frank. Interview. KBEY-FM, Kansas City, MO. October 22, 1971.
Freak Out!, Mothers of Invention, Verve/MGM, 1966, liner notes The Making Of Freak Out!: An FZ Audio Documentary, Zappa Records, 2006
