Frank Zappa: The Freak Out List (2010): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2010, Frank Zappa: The Freak Out List is a notable film, running about 90 minutes.

What it’s about. On the liner notes to Freak Out!, the 1967 debut album by Zappa's original band the Mothers of Invention, Zappa listed some seventy-two names on the liner notes and cited them as influences. The Freak Out List intends to explore who these artists are and what influence they had on Zappa's music. This listing encompasses all sorts of music, from classical composer Edgar Varese to R&B star Johnny "Guitar" Watson to jazzman Eric Dolphy to flamenco guitarist Sabicas. You can hear for instance, how the esoteric classical influence of Varese shaped Zappa's long-form epics like "Lumpy Gravy" or how Dolphy's instrumental prowess led Zappa to incorporate jazz-fusion on albums like Weasels Ripped My Flesh! (1970), which even included a song titled "The Eric Dolphy Memorial Barbecue." Interviews with various Zappa biographers and music historians as well as musicians George Duke, Ian Underwood, and Don Preston, all of whom played in the Mothers at one time or another, help add additional context.

Who’s in it. Frank Zappa: The Freak Out List stars Frank Zappa as Himself, George Duke as Himself, Ian Underwood as Himself and Don Preston as Himself.

Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Night Flight Plus and Qello Concerts by Stingray Amazon Channel and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Frank Zappa: The Freak Out List page.