As it turns out, Rachel shares the same b-day as Frank Zappa, Dec 21st.
So, in mutual celebration, what does she do? She records a version of Inca Roads; including keys, all vocals, electric guitar, etc.
How often does talent like her's come along?
https://soundcloud.com/rachelflowers-1/inca-roads
And if there were a god, I think it very unlikely that he would have such an uneasy vanity as to be offended by those who doubt His existence - Russell
Jeez, she even has Zappa's guitar sound down! I have seen her play flute and drums as well...
I'm not lazy. I just work so fast I'm always done.
I wish worldwide stardom & adulation for this young woman.Originally Posted by simon moon
Unlike many who have attained it, she deserves it!
"My choice early in life was either to be a piano player in a whorehouse or a politician, and to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference"
President Harry S. Truman
Very cool, thanks for posting this. It seems we have been talking about Rachel forever on PE, yet today she is only 20. An immense talent.
I was just about to post this. She plays it ALL!!!! I am absolutely floored by this!
Wow. Somebody should introduce her to Mats Oberg. They've got a few things in common, and he does something she doesn't, or at least doesn't seem to so far: writes his own material.
How cool. I had no idea she was a Zappa fan although that shouldn't surprise me. This is a tremendous rendition of Inca Roads. Usually she follows songs faithfully but this really let her branch out during both solos. That guitar solo could have been FZ himself. And I have to say I've never heard any version of any of Zappa's bands or Dweezil's band (or Keneally) play it quite this fast. Just amazing.
I didn't even know she played guitar. And I'm facebook friends with her Mother,Jeanie.
The amount of concentration required to just DO this must be enormous. To make it sound this good is just phenomenal. Unlike many one man band recordings, she's made this sound like an actual band, and a smokin' one at that. Well done Rachel Flowers, and happy birthday.
Last edited by daven; 12-22-2013 at 06:36 AM.
Her drumming was like Chester Thompson and Chad Wackerman in a blender. I am so blown away right now-WOW!
The woman is uncannily able to channel Frank's style of playing. It really is quite incredible.
Just amazing!
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Wow ! After listening to this I'm completely speechless, It's a fantastic rendition of F.Z's tune and her playing is top notch. I was already impressed by her ELP adaptations and other works but didn't know she was a multi-intrumentist too. (the guitar solo is quite amazing). No doubt that the great Frank himself would have hired her for his band after a couple of seconds... And remember, she's blind and only 20 years old !
Happy Birthday Rachel, and thank you for this wonderful gift.
Wow....nothing more needs adding than wow.
Truly inspirational! Is she playing the drums too?
baribrotzer- she does write her own music. See this, for example:
She plays with a jazz group, and many of the pieces they play are her own.
Now, I love this: flute and piano at the same time, and note the title...
Last edited by Dana5140; 12-22-2013 at 01:10 PM.
I'm not lazy. I just work so fast I'm always done.
Outstanding! She's really something. I like her voice, too. I've not heard her sing prior to this...
After watching this awesome cover, I followed the links to hear her solo renditions of Trilogy and Karn Evil 9 1st impression.
Masterful. Absolutely masterful! She plays it better than Emo 2013.
Hearing solo arrangements of those two pieces made me think how incredible they are as compositions, as expansive, thoroughly developed musical statements of the highest calibre.
Man, she's a bottomless well of talent, isn't she?!I've been blown away by her ELP renditions, but I had no idea she played guitar and drums! Excellent (and seemingly effortless) rendition of a challenging Zappa composition (one of my favorites from him)! If there's hope for the future of music, she's bound to play a part in it! Go Rachel!
By coincidence, I was just watching her rendition of ELP's Trilogy
Thank you, Rachel!
You say Mega Ultra Deluxe Special Limited Edition Extended Autographed 5-LP, 3-CD, 4-DVD, 2-BlueRay, 4-Cassette, five 8-Track, MP4 Download plus Demos, Outtakes, Booklet, T-Shirt and Guitar Pick Gold-Leafed Box Set Version like it's a bad thing...
The Soundcloud page says that she plays "everything on this track - keyboards, vocals, and yes, electric guitar." To me, this suggests that she programmed the drums using her keyboard. However, that doesn't diminish the awesomeness of this track in any way.
According to my facebook friend,Jeanie Flowers,her Mother; I have been given the honor to reveal some details of how Inca Roads was done. Okay,first off she does play everything we are hearing. Drums were played live on her keyboard with samples programmed into it. There are NO SEQUENCERS anywhere. She also did it all in only one day using Sonar,some type of Pro-Tools thing as far as I can understand. Now then, I was so impressed with this I sent it to a facebook group Called,Frank Zappa. The response was insane. Within an hour there were 45 people raving about what they were hearing and nobody had ever heard of her. One of the members,Jeff Demand was also very impressed and has his own internet radio show called,The Frank Zappa Hour. By then People were asking who she was and Googling her and I asked if it would be okay to post her playing Tarkus with Keith Emerson's Moog,and they said sure go for it. By the time they watched her play that for 21 min. everyone was immediately a fan. Jeff and I started talking privately and he wanted to play Inca Roads on his next show,Sat. night. I told him we had better get permission from her and her Mom,who is pretty much her manager if you will. So I was the go-between to connect Jeff and Jeanie and they did talk. He asked if Rachel would not only allow him to play the song,but also to share the video with Ed Mann and Ike Willis and his good friend,Dweezil Zappa? She said that would be fine and he also asked for a telephone interview and Rachel was all for that also. I can't reveal any more but maybe the future of Rachel Flowers has bloomed before our very eyes. I will get the link for the radio show and post it here for those that would like to hear the show. I have never heard Rachel talk before so this is going to be a rare treat for all of us I truly believe. As a side note,I kinda made history for being the first person to post a non Zappa recording at the site,but ELP-Tarkus seemed to be quite the rage this morning with all of those Zappa fans. He thinks Dweezil will be very blown away. Wouldn't that be awesome if someday Rachel could play it with Zappa Plays Zappa? Not that,this is any kind of plan,merely a little thought I just had. Stay Tuned.
Listening to her interpretation makes me think how much Frank and his band was the closest Americans got to channeling the spirit of the Canterbury scene.
I'm holding out for the Wilson-mixed 5.1 super-duper walletbuster special anniversary extra adjectives edition.
Awesome rendition.
(Somewhat unfortunate thread title. On this side of the Atlantic, "to top yourself" means suicide!)
Henry
Where Are They Now? Yes news: http://www.bondegezou.co.uk/wh_now.htm
Blogdegezou, the accompanying blog: http://bondegezou.blogspot.com/
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