The image to the right depicts the cover of the Complete Works of Edgard Varèse, Volume 1. According to Zappa, this was the first record he ever owned. (And one that changed everything for him!)
The story of how he came to discover the record was well-rehearsed. The following quotation is drawn from an article he wrote for Stereo Review:
I was about thirteen when I read an article in Look about Sam Goody’s Record Store in New York. My memory is not too clear on the details, but I recall it was praising the store’s exceptional record merchandising ability. One example of brilliant salesmanship described how, through some mysterious trickery, the store actually managed to sell an album called “Ionization†(the real name of the album was “The Complete Works of Edgard Varèse, Volume Oneâ€). The article described the record as a weird jumble of drums and other unpleasant sounds. I dashed off to my local record store and asked for it. Nobody ever heard of it. I told the guy in the store what it was like. He turned away, repulsed, and mumbled solemnly, “I probably wouldn’t stock it anyway … nobody here in San Diego would buy it.†I didn’t give up. I was so hot to get that record I couldn’t even believe it. [1]
A number of other sources provide a similar account. Though the details of the Look article frequently change with each retelling, Zappa is consistent in his description that the article was a feature on Samuel “Sam Goody†Gutowitz appearing in Look magazine and that it mentioned the Varèse album in negative terms to highlight Goody’s merchandising prowess. Consider the following quotation from a 1971 interview for Rock Magazine:
The thing that led me to Varèse’s music was an article in Look Magazine saying how great Sam Goody’s record store was. Sam Goody sells records so well that he can even sell a record called Ionizations – they even called the album wrong – it was The Complete Works of Edgar Varèse, Volume I. And they were telling how ugly this record sounded. It was just drums and sirens and nobody would want to own this record and Sam Goody was actually selling it [2]
Or Zappa’s response from an 1981 interview in Down Beat:
How did you first find out about Edgar Varèse?
That’s a very simple story. I read an article in Look magazine in the early ’50s which was a feature saying what a great guy Sam Goody was because he was such an exciting merchandiser and he could sell anything, he could sell any kind of record. And to give an example of what a great merchandiser he was, it said that he was even able to sell an album called “Ionisation” which had a bunch of drums banging, and it described the album in very negative terms. When I read that, I thought it sounded exactly like the kind of album that I wanted to hear because I had been playing drums since I was 12. So I went looking for the album and I finally found it after a couple of months’ search, and I took it home, put it on, and I loved it as soon as I heard it. [3]
These descriptions would all be fine, except no article matching this description ever ran in Look magazine. Several Zappa scholars have suggested the likely possibility that Zappa is conflating memories of several articles. None of them offers any suggestions as to particular articles, so I’d like to point to some potential candidates I’ve found.
To begin with, the November 7, 1950 issue of Look does include a brief (and surprisingly positive) review of the record, but makes no mention of Gutowitz:
The good-things-from-obscure-places department has come up with the following finds. From EMS, the first album of a series which proposes to record the complete works of the fantastically individualistic composer Edgard Varèse. Density 21.5, Integrales, Octandre and Ionisation—a dreamy little episode for 35 percussion instruments and absolutely nothing else—are the titles. Varèse is unlike anything else in music, and well worth knowing. The recording is excellent… [4]
Although the album is reviewed favorably here, the description of the percussion does line up with Zappa’s memory.
Another possible source comes from a feature in The Saturday Evening Post: “Duke of the Disc Dealers.” (The image to the right links to a PDF of the article.)
One Goody customer is a rare and notable exception to this buyer pattern. An old lady in her seventies, she depends on Levin [the store manager] to set aside all records with fortissimo percussion passages. ‘She loves drums, gongs, cymbals and anything that makes a loud banging noise. She has excellent hearing and is not interested in volume, as such. She just gets a particular thrill out of everything which is savage and primitive.’ [5]
This article, however, makes no mention of Varèse
Greg Russo has pointed out that the February 13, 1952 issue of People Today mentions Goody’s skills as a record salesman. [7] The article makes no mention of Varèse, but Russo suggests the possibility that Zappa first read about the record in a Sam Goody catalog. Along these lines, an article from Good Housekeeping (click the image for another PDF) confirms Goody’s merchandising techniques:
Goody believes in aggressive advertising. He floods schools, colleges, libraries, and embassies throughout the world with direct-mail-order advertising. [6]
It seems possible that Zappa may have come across one of the catalogs distributed in this manner. (I’ve sent several emails to Goody’s son in the hope that he might have some of the catalogs, but lost contact with him over a year ago.)
I can’t even begin to tell you how sweet it would have been if I had found an article matching Zappa’s description! (Even if it wasn’t in Look magazine.) Unfortunately, it seems that for now at least the mystery remains.
lider budowy.pl strony internetowe czarne m臋skie trzewiki 40
baby knitting patterns gloves patches child cardigan knitting pattern pdfnishat kids winter collection 2017 7children frocks designs for baby girl latest dresses for indian girlsmoncler jackets coats for men ssense
vans mens unique ing vans pop era sodalite blueparisian
huge deal on coach corner zip wristlet44pc brush set xobeautywool blend duffle coat in camelblack leather hobo bag black handbag for women black handbag
ted baker bardot womens clothing
bdg denim button front skirtdenim light blue coloured bib designed korean style overall dress2014 cheapest birkin bag pricedaniella hardy on pinterest
Nike Internationalist Mujer
Adidas ZX 750 Dam
é嶃ä»éŠ‡å‹©å„¢éŠ‰î‚ å…—éŠˆç‚¹å„ éŠˆÂ°å†éŠˆî¬ä¼„銇å˜éŠ‰â”¿å„‘銉笺å¡éŠ‰Ñ兂銆?éŠˆî‚ å„ éŠˆÑå„¶éŠ‰ç‚½å˜ éŠ‡î†¼îŸ·ç»±å‹¬å¯šæ“î‚伅銆佽剣é炽倰銉斻兂銈åŸéŠ‰æ›˜å‚銈ゃå„éŠ‡Ñ‚ç¶”éŠˆå±»å€ éŠ‰î¬å„‘éŠ‰î‚ äº´æ¾¶æ°¥äºœéŠ‡Ñ仚
éŸå——æ§éš?銈广儊銉兗銉?é˜?銇?25mm 銈点å†éŠˆ?910 1820mm é?é–²?1銈便兗銈?10é‹æ°¬å†éŠˆ?/a>éˆîƒå¨‡é¢ã„¥æ§ 銉娿å†éŠˆ?nike the ten blazer mid aa3832 001 off white銈炽儵銉?銈广儖銉笺å’銉?éŠˆæž«å„±éŠ‰ç¬ºå¤ 28.5cm 榛?éŠ‰æ ¥å„µéŠ‰å†¦å— aa t 銉°兂銈?/a>銉嬨儱銉笺儛銉┿兂銈广仺. 銉儓銉仾é§å§å£éŠ‰å¬¨äº´æ¶“æ ¥å€°ç”¯î…žåŠéŠ‡æ¬å€ 銇î‚亱銆併儉銉笺å—銉涖兗銈广亴é™å‚›åž¿éŠ†?é”庯絺銇嬨å€æµ¼æ¿Šî€‹éŠ‡?é§å§å„éŠ‰å¬¨å£ éŠ‡å±½äº¬é’汇仌銈屻仧銈撱仹銇?銇濄…
review of vidal sasson vs433c tangle free styler and dryer 1 inch
we adore clemence poesys relaxed take on the tousled lookbabyliss big hair care hot air styler amazon.co.uk healthbnib foreo luna mini 2 aquamarinebumble and bumble bb straight blow dry balm
converse chuck all
blue jumpsuit to wrap with print by kala fashionblue light jumpsuit grayl tee hairr sun pony2019 women sexy off shoulder long mesh sleeve trousers jumpsuits white lace playsuit jumpsuit black plus size s xl fromfelina garcia wears a blue one shouldered…
vestido couro happy hour preto loja virtual bana bana
converse sneakers chuck taylor all star pebbled leatherodd future vans 1for all of you who love to tie dye heres a really cool pattern youreminds me of tyler the creator
everyday full coverage 12 81 094 a
the product is already in the wishlist browse wishlist playtex womens secrets body revelations underwire bra 0winter shopping special one piece gingham swimsuithitsan incorporation new bikini 2018 swimsuit women bikini set push up swimwear criss cross…
xpfxpfx movimento tempo libero moda trend outdoor autunno inverno piattaforma zeppa stivali con zeppa scarpe donna
timberland splitrock hikersaldi milano twinset donna donna milano borse borse twinset saldiprezzo scarpe adidas nuoveboho chic estate vintage stampa floreale con volant vestito lungo 2018 di modo kimono maniche lace
princess cut ring gold wanelo.co
air force 1 mid black bling pinterest.comair vapormax 2018 aq0924 007nike hurricane red etsy.comwaterproof travel makeup bag
hugo boss factory store clothing store in drummoyne
fitflop mens trakk ii leather open toe sandalsdouble function bags handbags women the bridgezamberlan men s 1026 bergen nw gtx rr grey leather boots size 8 limited editionfims by fims girls
nivea men sensitive face wash 100ml cleanser
nike 844864 002 md runner 2 mid g眉nl眉k spor bot ayakkabikar艧谋n谋zda yeni model se莽ene臒i ve 枚zellikleriyle 2017 ford fiesta logconverse en guzel ayakkabilar 莽ocuk spor ayakkab谋lar online magazalac陌vert s眉et eloie 艧谋k ayakkab谋lar 艧谋k erkek ayakkab谋
teddevans
adidas originals tubular radial core nero nike air presto red white blue ray ban aviator rb8301 tech carbon fibre grey nike air max noir rouge gris nike blazer argent jaune nike hyperdunk 2016 lila
mens la clippers 34 tobias harris navy 2018 19 city edition jersey
nike kendall wright minnesota vikings womens game white jersey personalizedhoodie to help save a life https news army sergeant a new orleans saints fan sacrifices salute to service hoodie to he bymens rick nash authentic white adidas jersey nhl boston…
adidas tubular schwarz runner
adidas harden vol 1 purple dark blue orange seattle sounders fc adidas mls authentic flex cap nike roshe 2 kvinders sort polo ralph lauren linen shirt men adidas springblade drive 2.0 red nike air max 90 argento nero
2 oculos de sol masculino feminino aviador promo莽茫o 50 off r
arma莽茫o 贸culos grau gucci gg 0038o feminino luxo solar grau r 399oculos arma莽茫o grau masculino feminino quadrado emborrachado r 49贸culos de sol ray ban aviador rosa espelhado r 199guia relojoaria em uberl芒ndia mg
north face m nuptse jacket
m忙nd nike air max tailwind 7 bl氓 orange nike flyknit kobe 11 wei脽 schwarz lila men adidas nmd r1 runner primeknit white mk big tote nike air roshe all svart nike flyknit light grigio
standards practices s p junior women vintage blue stretch denim moto skinny jeans long length plus size available
plus size eyelet trim topprimark women wine teddy faux fur coat jacket size 18 uklounge bra underwear set white set only atmhigh waisted bathing suit shorts best amazon zorri women s high waist flamingo vintage plus size
self portrait off shoulder guipure mini dress red
nike sleeve hooded mens hoodies sweatshirts compare prices and onlinemonrow sweatshirt dressnike zip up hoodie mens pinkphase eight black fitted maxi dress size 12
lee solid tan cargo pants size 22 plus 66 off
surfing sun hat shapers gorro nomadas surf company surfboardtohuiyan mens vintage cotton baseball cap adjustable casquette golf hat curved visor snapback caps autumn winterhuk camo trucker stretch cap sub zerothe original usa rope hat. screenshot via d…
plus size peacoats. fit here is critical. the jacket must be able to close over you bosom. it has to opt for hip length coats for an everyday casually chic
traditional african clothing for women plus size batik knee length ankara dresses a line africanmaternity tankini setalex evenings embellished faux wrap blouse plus size available at nordstromhype black snapback mens hats beanies shoes accessories topm…
nike tiempo legend v ag schwarz pomo gelb
nike air max 90 vt nero bianca nike tiempo legend v ag gris grass vert north face womens hyvent jacket waterproof purple black adidas white climacool shoes air jordan retro 4 blanc noir rouge dark blue converse all star
there many selections including women champion pants petite workout pants and bootcut yoga pants
speedo rift pro mask goggles is available here free shippingtom ford alexandra cat eye metal acetate optical framessunglasses dior cd 85l dc 52 21 woman argent blancgentle monster sunglasses on the hunt
hommes nike air max 87 gris
nike roshe run men grey black nike air max gris rose nike roshe run men olympic blue floral oklahoma state cowboys top of the world ncaa brave trucker cap kvinder air jordan retro 1 gré…¶n dark blæ°“ mens orange ralph lauren polo shirt
clearance cheaper men versace sunglasses ve4340 multicolor grey
vintage mens casual comfort shoes gravity hansen dark brown leather canada onlinepinnacle softshell jacketvans homens s atwood canvas skate shoes 12 brathe original free candy van
pro slim hair straightener ghs86003
k brothers usa baby face original formula aha skin whitening soapflawless volume hot air styler 2764u by babylissnose hair clippers amazon buy nails tools online at best pricesin order to give you a helping hand ive compiled a list of some of the brand…
new the grinch womens boyshort panties sz small 5 underwear always
lyle scott cotton polo shirtbraun silk epil 7 sensosmart cordless epilator 7 attachments wet dryaquascutum london poshmark11 best curling irons and styling tools 2018
calcinha fio de renda cintura alta cachorrinho laranja n茅on senhorita plus
converse china saleup to 78 discountsconverse chuck taylor all star hi top 70 shield canvas twill fatigue green almost blackhow to dye white shoes the color you really want themthe tree of liberty must be refreshed
backpack hot 2018 new red black backpack mens womens luxury brand multi function handbag outdoor mountaineering bag travel bag backpack brands rucksack
nike doug flutie jersey chargers authentic womens youth kids navymens chicago blackhawks fanatics branded red contenders welcome quarter zip pullover jacketboston celtics 2007 08 nba green swingman 34 paul pierce hardwood classicsphiladelphia eagles 59…
foulard rectangulaire imprim茅 aspect dentelle femme blanc noir venca femme
gem lenses for ray ban rb 3025 aviator replacement lenses polarized贸culos espelhado 2016贸culos aero incolor vicsa casa do epimenor pre莽o oculos ray ban
fendi bag bugs tote bag
mens new england patriots nike navy sideline property of performance pullover hoodie49er shirts women customized limited home jersey red vapor untouchable womens gear . 49er shirts womenunder armour storm highlight youth pullover hoody. original priceu…
zwei taschen rucksack ferdi fe16 z damen tasche innent盲schchen nylon kunstleder
como o grau do eixo do astigmatismo afeta a espessura da sua lente贸culos de sol quiksilver carpark cinza贸culos da marca hot buttered2015 11 25 bel茅m brt obras do brt avan莽am pela augusto montenegro
converse nike sb blazer low 3 converse x nike sb all star
converse chuck 70 heritage court low top mens sneaker yellow 11 at urbanskechers gowalk cool slip on walking shoeconverse shoe size guide women men kids uk euro us cm internatinal intended for converse shoedark grey dotted sports shoes for men
alternatives to bras what to wear when your bra hurts
luxury wool cashmere fur pom pom hat dark grey ladies hatssummer style sun beach sombreros hats for women girls big heads sombrero chapeu feminino floppy hat floppy female caps gorraswinters hottest sales on moncler pom pom beanie blackcrochet hat patt…
how to make a natural face cleanser at home
the best facial scrub for men our top 5 recommendations clogged poresconair pro plimatic mitt diffuser all eyes on me hairdeep pore cleansing facial with blue light before after. acne facial with blue light before afterbeglow pura sonic cleansing brush
arli small shoulder bag in black leather
puma botas de futbolbotita cr7 botines 2015 16 botines adidas para adultosbota de f煤tbol x 18.3 c茅sped natural seco off white ftwr white gold mettienda nike nfl
bellissimo verde whistles scarpe aperte dietro donna eden zoccoli navy
put a photo on a cushioninexpensive smart watchesgagement ring pinterest.comgold and silver wedding ring set
æ¸šå¬ªå‹¾æµ ãƒ¤ç¬‚éŠ‡î‚¤æ«§t銇般亱銈娿伄姣庢棩銇Ñ仚 銈炽兂銉愩兗銈?澶忓皬é—?銈广兗銉戙兗銉愩å†
asics 銈î¬å¡éŠ‰å†¦å—銈?銉兗銈躲兗銉撱兗銉?lazerbeam sc mg 銉炪å¢éŠ‰å†¦å—銉å—兗銉?閬嬪嫊闈?1154a006涓彜 涓彜 銈般å„銉?銉î‚儱銉冦å—銈点å„銈?銉儑銈c兗銈?éŠ‰æ ¥å„µéŠ‰å†¦å— æ¦›?銉娿å†éŠ‰î…œå…‚ 銉å 銉?003 0233 2123 gucci 銉愩å„éŠˆîˆ˜å„œéŠ‰å†¦å— éŠ‰å›¥å†éŠ‰æˆ™å„銈?銈枫儷銉愩兗閲æˆå¿ 閫佹枡é’℃枡 婵€瀹?é嶇◣榛?銈广儖銉笺å’銉?銉曘åéŠ‰ç¬ºå„ªéŠ‰î‚ ä¼„é–«æ°³åš by kyon s shop 銉┿å—銉?/a>éŠˆæž«å„ éŠˆâ”¿å…‚æ¾¶â•ƒî·éŽ¸å›ªæ銉兂t 銈儶銉曘å„銈ゃ儰…
vacheron constantin saatlerde 莽ok uygun fiyat
lyst john varvatos bowery graphic t shirt in black for menforever 21 peach colored tank top tank top forever 21 says xl but really is a small forever 21 tops tank topswomens pink suede mule slippersblush and blue adrianna papell embroidered mesh gown f…
colintilley
nike flyknit lunar laser orange michael kors gray backpack nike air huarache kvinners oransje rosa nike lunarglide 6 argento verde air jordan retro 12 womens yellow grey hombres nike zoom pegasus 31 verde oro
women converse chuck taylor all star rubber orange
nike jordan 1 olympic pack sz 11 rttgcari harga sepatu vans murah terbarustarter vintage 94 super bowl windbreakerconverse all star chuck 70 leather 2
sncforu
air jordan 12 pink low top burberry silk and wool scarf oakland athletics bucket hats hours nike roshe run black pink nike roshe run triple black buy jordan 12 rising sun white red
kit rel贸gio feminino technos slim prata ros锚 rel贸gio
the best sports bra for every workoutchic bra by onzie onlinehttp http://www.bs 9008 backless body shaper brief stylesweet deal on wacoal bodysuede ultra underwire naturally nude
westzouktime
nike hypervenomx proximo tf sort blæ°“ gré…¶n menn nike air force 1 25th low suede svart lemon nike air zoom pegasus 31 lunar femminile blu bianca rosa nike lebron soldier 10 todas azul adidas originals blæ°“ suede sko kvinners nike kobe 12 lilla
fila sport sport strappy low impact sports bra
fahrenheit vintage 1998 christian dior 100ml 1.陋 f贸rmula r 700rel贸gio esportivo nike led promo莽茫o r 12rel贸gio com gps garmin v铆voactive hr regular compre onlinea la c谩rcel se帽alado jefe de banda delincuencial los rolex en
womens vans authentic water t shirt new style
vans realm backpack in black hawaiian print lystair ma tailwind women blue grey green 8levn茅 air jordan retro 13 b铆l媒 ern谩 erven茅 amazonmen nike lebron xi 11 shoes black white
fast deliver nike dunk sky hi cut out premium bronze red metallic 88iw358 women
south beach embroidered beach playsuitsummer fashion must have blue jean shortsus baby boy girl infant deer 3d ear bodysuit romper jumpsuit clothesbobi similar brands
pleaser infinity 986ln black patent 9 high heel and clear sectioned high platform court shoes with ankle strap
shop authentic nike womens shoesnike air zoom fearless flyknit indigo multicolorconverse tyler the creator golf le fleur release date sneaker bardetails about new mens 7 wmns 8.5 vans old skool laceless dx mono monochrome leather sk8
jl lj women tank tops soft cotton racerback workout loose fit plus size vest for yoga jogging running black
halston achieved great fame after designing the pillbox hat jacqueline kennedy wore to her husbands 1961 presidential inaugurationqoo10 fibonacci high quality wool baseball caps plaid fashion snap back hat mens bags shohemlock hat co. straw hataged to…