Best

 France

In France, in the mid-seventies, Best magazine was the second most popular rock magazine, the best-selling one was Rock & Folk, magazine which still exists nowadays. Best launched in September 1968, ceased in March 1995 with issue #317. Reborn in 1999 and finally ceased in March 2000. (wikipedia)

1968 November

Vol. 1 No. 12

Mothers of Invention namechecked on the news page


 Redouter tant ce qui est anormal n'est pas un trait de caractère uniquement propre aux Américains, mais ceux-ci semblent toutefois exprimer leurs craintes de façon plus véhémente.

Automatic translation: Being so fearful of what is abnormal is not a character trait unique to Americans, but Americans seem to express their fears more vehemently.

Source: Fulvio Fiore

1969 July

Vol. 1 No. 12

Frank Zappa
By Bernard Guilcher, p 19


 Redouter tant ce qui est anormal n'est pas un trait de caractère uniquement propre aux Américains, mais ceux-ci semblent toutefois exprimer leurs craintes de façon plus véhémente.

Automatic translation: Being so fearful of what is abnormal is not a character trait unique to Americans, but Americans seem to express their fears more vehemently. (read more)

Source: Fulvio Fiore

1969 October

Vol. 1 No. 15

The First Paris Music Festival 24/28 October 1969 full-page ad


Source: Fulvio Fiore

1969 December

Vol. 2 No. 17

Festival interdit
By Jean-Noël Coghe, pp 18-23


1970 March

Vol. 2 No. 20

Docdaïl et Zappa
By Gérard Bernar, 1 p


 Automatic translation: AZ discs have been around for five years. Taking advantage of the M.I.D.E.M. 1970 and the meeting of all the international show business, Roger Créange and Lucien Morisse organized a reception, worthy of the name, at the Byblos in Saint-Tropez.
The Shocking Blue, Vik Upshaw and the Crazy Horse Saloon, Gérard Palaprat and Eliana Pitmann, Brazilian singer (eight journalists from Brazil had come!) Took part in this triumphant evening. (read more)

Source: Fulvio Fiore

1970 April

Vol. 2 No. 21

The Mothers of Invention - Burnt Weeny Sandwich
By Alain Robillard, 1 p


 Automatic translation: Last album recorded by the Mothers before their separation, jazz, rock, pop and instrumental research are still closely linked. (read more)

Source: Fulvio Fiore

1970 July

Vol. 2 No. 24

Frank Zappa's picture on the news page


Source: Fulvio Fiore

1970 August

Vol. 2 No. 25

Bath: le pop est dans le bain
By Jean-M. Mareska, pp 24-27


Source: Fulvio Fiore

1970 December

Vol. 2 No. 29

Frank Zappa "Chunga's Revenge"
By ?, 1p


Chunga's RevengeFRANK ZAPPA
« Chunga's revenge » (Réf. amér. Bizarre 2 030)
Après « Hot Rats » qui était déjà une montagne, on pouvait se demander quel serait le nouveau L.P. de Zappa et sa clique. Meilleur, non, aussi bon, certainement. Doté d'un don de composition qui est devenu un art chez lui, F. Zappa s'affirme de L.P. en L.P. comme un des plus grands guitaristes de notre temps. Exécuté par une brochette de musiciens confirmés, « Chunga's Revenge » est un disque à ne pas manquer d'écouter. Personnel : Frank Zappa (guitare), Max Bennett (basse), Ian Underwood (orgue, piano électrique. alto, sax avec wah wah, guitare, orgue), Jeff Simmons (basse), George Duke (trombone, piano électrique), Sugar Cane Harris (orgue), John Guerin (batterie), Aynsley Dunbar (batterie). Titres à retenir : « Road Ladies », « The Nancy & Mary Music », « Tell me you love me », « Chunga's Revenge ».

After “Hot Rats” which was already a mountain, one could wonder what would be the new L.P. of Zappa and his clique. Better, no, also good, certainly. Endowed with a gift of composition which has become an art for him, F. Zappa asserts himself from L.P. to L.P. as one of the greatest guitarists of our time. Performed by a bunch of confirmed musicians, "Chunga's Revenge" is a record not to be missed. Staff: Frank Zappa (guitar), Max Bennett (bass), Ian Underwood (organ, electric piano, viola, sax with wah wah, guitar, organ), Jeff Simmons (bass), George Duke (trombone, electric piano), Sugar Cane Harris (organ), John Guerin (drums), Aynsley Dunbar (drums). Titles to remember: "Road Ladies", "The Nancy & Mary Music", "Tell me you love me", "Chunga's Revenge".

Source: Fulvio Fiore

1971 January

Vol. 3 No. 30

Frank Zappa's picture on the news page


Source: Fulvio Fiore

1971 February

Vol. 3 No. 31

Entrez, entrez! Le cirque Zappa est dans votre ville. (Come in, come in! The Zappa circus is in town.)
By Sacha Reins, pp 34-35
Frank Zappa: je suis le meilleur à la wah-wah! (I'm the best on wah-wah!)
Interview by Pierre Jahiel, pp 38-39


Automatic translation:
Pierre Jahiel: You stayed in a rather expensive hotel compared to the last time, didn't you?
Frank Zappa: Yeah, great luxury. Anyway, it is not me who chooses the hotels in which I stay. It's the ransom of glory, what do you want ... In addition, as it's all I see of France with the airport and the concert hall (not to mention the Eiffel Tower), as much as that leaves a pleasant impression on me, doesn't it? The first hotel I stayed in in France was nice, but you risked going upstairs every time you took a step. Also their coffee was not that great. (read more)

Source: slime.oofytv.set

1971 September

Vol. 3 No. 38

The Mothers Of Invention "Mother's day"
The Mothers Of Invention "The worst of the mothers"

By ?, 1p


 Automatic translation:
Mother's Day - An overview of the Amazing World of Zappa and the Mothers. It may be absurd, but musically worked down to the smallest detail. We always laugh about it, but we can also look for something deeper without the risk of being disappointed. Zappa is at its peak there.
The Worst of The Mothers - A compilation of the hardest tracks, but also the funniest. The Mothers in all their glory, or in all their horror, depends on taste. It also depends on your level in English.

Source: Fulvio Fiore

1971 December

Vol. 4 No. 41

Frank Zappa "200 Motels"
By Pierre Jahiel, 1p


  Automatic translation: The Zappa movie soundtrack is finally in our walls. At a time when everyone is trying, following the example of "Tommy the incomparable", to make his little opera, Zappa is making a film. (read more)

Source: Fulvio Fiore

1972 January

Vol. 4 No. 42

Rockin' California
By P. Boisvieux, pp 36-39
Joe, Leon, Frank, les Chiens Dingues, les Anglais, les 200 Motels, et les Mamans ...
By Christian Lebrun & Pierre Jahiel, pp 41-43, 60-62


[2] Automatic translation: Two curious types come a few days apart to take a tour of the great European theaters. Both Americans, they played and sang in front of the large crowds of the old continent, accompanied by their whole band. Russell, with the Shelter People, Zappa, with the Mothers. What is more, each, in its wake, has lifted the veil on a long awaited film. "Mad dogs and Englishmen" by Pierre Adidge and "200 Motels" by Frank Zappa are inspired by a common theme: the particular universe of rock band tours in the USA. In very different styles, even opposed, they manage to make certain realities better felt, while distilling the most interesting music. (read more)

Source: Fulvio Fiore

1972 February

Vol. 4 No. 43

Zappa à Montreux
By Christian Gallay, pp 14-15


 Automatic translation: On Saturday 4 December, the small town of Montreux (20,000 inhabitants) is elevated to the rank of major European centers which host the tour of Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention. The doors of the Casino are opening soon, but it will be for the last time. (read more)

Source: Fulvio Fiore

1972 April

Vol. 4 No. 45

Serie Pop History. Vol. 4 : Frank Zappa and The Mothers Of Invention
By ?, 1 p


Source: Fulvio Fiore

1972 June

Vol. 4 No. 47

Mothers "Just another band from L.A."
By ?, 1 p


 Automatic translation: The Mothers in public in Los Angeles last August. Difficult to approach if you do not understand the American, because dialogues, jokes, sketches, parodies abound. (read more)

Source: Fulvio Fiore

1972 August

Vol. 4 No. 49

John and Yoko / Plastic Ono Band "Some Time in New York City"
By Christian Lebrun, 1 p


  Automatic translation: [...] The other side recorded at the Fillmore last year, delivers, in public, the unexpected success of the meeting John & Yoko, Zappa & Mothers. The jam begins, as often, timidly, with the interpretation of an old trick well known by all, “Well (Baby please don't go)”; then, gradually, an understanding develops which culminates in a marvelous delirium, at the crossroads of the two styles. All this gives a double album of great richness, a fairly faithful portrait of the main characters of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. “Sometime in New York city”. although with less musicality than "Imagine", and even more precision than in the "John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band", marks a higher step in the decisive journey of the unique John Lennon.

Source: Fulvio Fiore

1972 September

Vol. 4 No. 50

Frank Zappa "Waka / Jawaka"
By ?, 1 p


 Automatic translation: Recorded at the same time as "Hot rats", this disc appears a little less successful than this one. Much more "free" or more messy - it's as you want - it does nothing to Zappa's work. (read more)

Source: Fulvio Fiore


  [1] Automatic translation: No rock band could have really done well after Beck, so it was a good thing that next came Zappa and his large twenty-member electric orchestra. Hardly any comparison to be made, Zappa and Beck being on radically different musical trips, and the only thing they have ever had in common is that they both had, at different times, Aynsley Dunbar as a drummer. (read more)

Source: Fulvio Fiore

1973 January

Vol. 5 No. 54

Les Fluorescents Leech & Eddie
By ?, 12 p


Automatic translation: We expected a lot (too much) from Alice Cooper, we weren't expecting anything very special from Leech & Eddie. Rather than the unsurprising confirmation provided by Alice, we will finally remember from this concert the exciting discovery of these “fluorescents”. (read more)

Hot Rats #48In the article "100 albums for the ideal disc collection", Hot Rats is #48:
Automatic translation: However, in the United States, not everyone is fascinated by the West Coast and its flowers. Frank Zappa for example who, with his Mothers of Invention, prefers not to be fooled and plays the irony and parody card to the full. Zappa is a fairly above average musician, coupled with an excellent guitarist. After having dissolved the Mothers of Invention, he will record with several great instrumentalists, including the French violinist Jean-Luc Ponty.

Source: Fulvio Fiore

1973 May

Vol. 5 No. 58

Ruben and the Jets "For Real!"
By ?, p 93


Automatic translation: This disc is a production of Frank Zappa and the latter even participated in the arrangement of two of the pieces. In Ruben and the Jets, we find two former musicians of Frank Zappa. The latter has always declared his passion for American music of the 50s and recognized this influence on his music, this disc is the confirmation. (read more)

Source: Fulvio Fiore

1973 November

Vol. 6 No. 64

Frank Zappa and the Mothers "Over-nite sensation"
By Sacha Reins, p 85


 Automatic translation: We thought Zappa was definitely lost in experiences as hermetic as boring as evidenced by his last album "Grand Wazoo", fortunately, "Over-nite sensation" indicates his return to a less pretentious musical formula. (read more)

Source: Fulvio Fiore

1974 July

Vol. 7 No. 72

L'age du capitaine (Captain's age)
By Patrick Eudeline, pp 54-57


Beefheart returns somewhat changed...

Source: Fulvio Fiore

1974 November

Vol. 7 No. 76

Zappa à Paris: la fête des mères (Zappa in Paris: Mother's Day)
By Paul Harris, p 9


September 27 concert review.

Source: cdandlp.com

1977 March

Vol. 9 No. 104

Fab Zap!
By Francis Dordor, pp 66-67


February 2.-3. Paris concerts review and short interview. Plus Zappa/Patti Smith poster.

Automatic translation:
First the meeting with Eddie Jobson, who initially played with Roxy Music:
“ Well, I think it was in LA, yeah, that's right, and Roxy Music was opening for The Mothers. After the concert, Eddie came to my dressing room and asked me if I was interested in taking him with me. I hadn't decided to split up the Mothers yet, but I didn't say no to him, and we stayed in touch. I think he already knew Roxy was going to split ." (read more)

Source: Fulvio Fiore

1978 February

Vol. 10 No. 115

Je sui une legende
Interview by Gilles Riberolles, pp 24-31


According to the index on page 70 other Best issues featuring Zappa are: #42, #93, #104 (article & poster).

1978 March

Vol. 10 No. 116

Le fou dansant
By ?, p 19


 Pavillon de Paris concert review

Source: Fulvio Fiore

1978 May

Vol. 10 No. 118

Frank sympa (Zappa In New York)
By Gilles Riberolles, p 85


 Automatic translation: In December 1976, 27,000 New Yorkers dealt with Frank Zappa and his cronies; “the nicest people we've ever played for” says Zappa on this splendid cover; we want to believe it, given the quality of the show offered to them. A Zappa who after fifteen years of career still allows himself to innovate, to play with sounds, words, spirits. Ours sits on a deckchair and never tires of watching the images that pass by under its third eye. (read more)

Source: Fulvio Fiore

1978 November

Vol. 10 No. 124

Frank Zappa "Studio Tan"
By Ton Sachounet, p 90


 Automatic translation: I just received your latest album, I listened to it several times and I immediately ask you the question that burns my lips: “Are you kidding us? ". You know I'm a fan ready to forgive you a lot of things but you're really kidding. The cover first, not an indication, nothing, not a single musician's name. Has your ego reached such heights that you can't bear to see names other than yours on your records? (read more)

Source: Fulvio Fiore

1979 April

Vol. 11 No. 129

Zappa était là
By Gilles Riberolles, p 13
Le retour du Sheik
By Gilles Riberolles, p 77


  Sheik Yerbouti review and interview with Frank in France.

Source: Fulvio Fiore

1979 October

Vol. 12 No. 135

Frank Zappa "Joe's Garage (Act I)"
By Bruno Blum, p 88


 Automatic translation: Zappa has always pissed me off. I've always hoped that one day he'll admit that he takes himself seriously, and that by this admission he'll let out a serious record, a work that stands up, something HOMOGENEOUS, whatever his trip at the time. (read more)

Source: Fulvio Fiore

1980 January

Vol. 12 No. 138

Frank Zappa "Joe's Garage Act II & III"
By Bruno Blum, 1 p


 Automatic translation: This double album follows the first part of "Joe's Garage" released in October. Let us recall the delicious concept: the President of the USA decreed that music was the satanic responsible for the ills of his beautiful country, so he had decided to ban it in all its forms. (read more)

Source: Fulvio Fiore

1980 March

Vol. 12 No. 140

Z
By Gilles Riberolles, p 6


 Automatic translation: Frank Zappa has a whole new look: he has his brown hair cut like a communicant, he looks like he's twenty Zappa; that day, he had on a bright red suit and a terrifying bodyguard who now never leaves him. Frankie's brand new bag doesn't contain Mashed Potatoes or Alligators, it contains a movie, in color and all the right stuff, a three hour movie: “Baby Snakes”. Well I tell you as it comes to me, the only reason I didn't pass out, is for you my darlings; to be able to summarize it for you: here it is. (read more)

Source: Fulvio Fiore

1988 March

Vol. 20 No. 236

Back To Compact. Frank Zappa


Source: Fulvio Fiore

1993

Best Hors Serie No. 5

Seventies Graffiti

Numero anthologie 25 ans de BEST

Frank Zappa: Je suis le meilleur a la wah wah (I'm the best at wah wah)
By Pierre Jahiel, pp 42-43
From Best #31 1971


1994 January/February

No. 306

Le pere de l'invention
By Bruno Blum, pp 62-67


Zappa nous a quitté, son oeuvre reste. (Zappa has left us, his work remains.)