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.
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." Strangely, though, 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.
Read more about The Return Of The Son Of Monster Magnet: Suzy Creamcheese
Famous quotes containing the words return, son, monster and/or magnet:
“The human heart dares not stay away too long from that which hurt it most. There is a return journey to anguish that few of us are released from making.”
—Lillian Smith (1897–1966)
“In the middle classes the gifted son of a family is always the poorest—usually a writer or artist with no sense for speculation—and in a family of peasants, where the average comfort is just over penury, the gifted son sinks also, and is soon a tramp on the roadside.”
—J.M. (John Millington)
“By heaven, he echoes me,
As if there were some monster in his thought
Too hideous to be shown.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“It has lately been drawn to your correspondent’s attention that, at social gatherings, she is not the human magnet she would be. Indeed, it turns out that as a source of entertainment, conviviality, and good fun, she ranks somewhere between a sprig of parsley and a single ice- skate. It would appear, from the actions of the assembled guests, that she is about as hot company as a night nurse.”
—Dorothy Parker (1893–1967)