Hot Rats is the second solo album and eighth overall album by Frank Zappa, released in October 1969. It was Zappa's first recording project after the dissolution of the original lineup of the Mothers of Invention. Five of the six songs are instrumental, while "Willie the Pimp" features vocals by Captain Beefheart. In his original sleeve notes, Zappa described the album as "a movie for your ears".
Zappa dedicated the album to his newborn son, Dweezil. In February 2009, Dweezil's tribute band to his father, Zappa Plays Zappa, won a Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental Performance for their rendition of "Peaches en Regalia".
Credits are adapted from Hot Rats liner notes. Frank Zappa – guitar, octave bass, percussion Ian Underwood – piano, organus maximus, flute, all clarinets, all saxes
Also featuring Captain Beefheart – vocals on "Willie the Pimp" Max Bennett – bass on all tracks except "Peaches en Regalia" Shuggie Otis – bass on "Peaches en Regalia" John Guerin – drums on "Willie the Pimp", "Little Umbrellas" and "It Must Be a Camel" Paul Humphrey – drums on "Son of Mr. Green Genes" and "The Gumbo Variations" Ron Selico – drums on "Peaches en Regalia" Don "Sugarcane" Harris – violin on "Willie the Pimp" and "The Gumbo Variations" Jean-Luc Ponty – violin on "It Must Be a Camel" Lowell George – rhythm guitar (uncredited)
===Production=== Frank Zappa - Producer, Arranger Dick Kunc - Director of engineering Cliff Goldstein - Engineer Jack Hunt - Engineer Brian Ingoldsby - Engineer Cal Schenkel - Cover design, Design John Williams - Design
Amazon.com essential recording Frank Zappa's first solo album, Hot Rats is a far-cry from the da-da adventures and audio collages of the original Mothers of Invention. Mostly instrumental and filled with long jams between Zappa, Jean-Luc Ponty and Ian Underwood, this slickly-produced album--one of the first 16 track recordings made--is filled with hummable tunes. The opening track, "Peaches en Regalia," is one of Zappa's most enduring songs and the album's only vocal track, "Willie the Pimp," is by Zappa's long-time friend Don Van Vliet, a.k.a. Captain Beefheart. --Andrew Boscardin From the Label This is probably the first FZ album that Most-Folks-Who-Don't-Even-Like-Frank Zappa ever bought, and the one that began to establish him as a virtuoso musician and composer. Mostly instrumental with Captain Beefheart providing off-color commentary on Willie The Pimp's "twenny dollah bill." After dropping a few hints on UNCLE MEAT, this was where FZ began to pursue jazz/rock composition in earnest; and "Peaches En Regalia" remains a strong contender for the catchiest tune in his whole catalogue. Backed by the impressive likes of Sugarcane Harris and Jean-Luc Ponty, he delivers the first full-scale demonstrations of his guitar prowess. Of special interest: "The Gumbo Variations" originally had to be edited to fit on a vinyl record; and is now restored to its 17-minute entirety.
