Freak Out! My Life With Frank Zappa: Laurel Canyon 19681971

Pauline Butcher has done an incredible job of observing Frank and Gail Zappa maneuvering the evolving rock music scene of Laurel Canyon in the late 60’s. She transports her life from the UK to be part of Zappa’s log cabin, and witnesses the revolving door of music contemporaries who flock to be part of Zappa’s world. It was interesting to hear about how Zappa isolated himself in the song writing process, and was never one to hang out with the band on a daily basis, yet still was able to create music that had never been imagined before. Frank would record music that would challenge the industry, without wanting or needing it to be commercially accepted. I loved Pauline’s style of story telling, and follows the ups and downs of the Mothers touring the US/Europe and some of the challenges that Frank had taking his ideas to the next level. She is also able to describe the insider version of the Mothers rehearsals, and the hippie culture of the time. A must read for any true Zappa fan!

Very well written. Entertaining. Interesting and paints a very intimate picture of wat those early years must have been like.

I bought this book with a very open mind, having been disappointed by similar publications, which lacked both style and substance. Frank Zappa, being a hero of my elder brother, (whose records were often on our shared stereo and influenced my younger brother's musical aspirations), meant I wanted to know more. The author who worked for Mr Zappa at the height of his fame, writes in a beautifully easy style and the fact that she is, like me, English added much to my understanding of the creative genius for whom she wasn't simply an assistant, but lived with as part of his family. I would recommend this book to anyone, regardless of whether or not you know or like Frank Zappa; it stands out not simply as a biography of the renowned Mr Zappa, but also as a memoir of the author's own extraordinary life. This title lacks neither style nor substance

Zappa's music has always meant a lot to me from the very beginning, when I first bought the Freak Out album in 1966. So, this book was a must. The book is very well written and her stories are told in a style that holds one's interest from chapter to chapter. Her proper "Englishness," in contrast to all the insanity that surrounded her as she adjusted to her new American environment, gives a wonderful insight to that period of Zappa's crazy and incredible work and life in Laurel Canyon in the 60's and early 70's. She has presented an honest portrayal of Frank through all his faults and accomplishments, his contrasting personality and his wild creativity that honours both his genius and the role she played in his life. An informative and entertaining eyewitness account of a golden time in in music and alternative culture.

This book was absolutely fantastic! The writer puts you right there with her in the log cabin, and Woodrow Wilson drive. Also as a Frank Zappa fan I really enjoyed this different look at him from someone who spent quality time with him and who he clearly held very close. Her honestly is very admirable and she doesn't hold her punches what so ever. I couldn't recomend this book enough for any Zappa fan. Also the more romantic aspects were so cute and you can feel the writers excitement she must have felt at the time. Please go check this out!