Captain Beefheart - god?

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

The problem with Beefheart is that his most novel work (Trout Mask, etc) was so novel that it's become a bit of a sacred cow, and that clouds the fact that a lot of the songs on it aren't very good- bordering on self-indulgent and unlistenable crap in places.

As a straight blues singer he was dynamite, but that's hardly being innovative or influential.

[Buck Birdseed]

Safe as Milk is a gorgeous, gorgeous album expansively incorporating lots of lovely genres in a brilliant, interesting way.

Then Zappa, that bastard, got hold of him.

[MosesPresley]

Originally posted by Buck Birdseed
Safe as Milk is a gorgeous, gorgeous album expansively incorporating lots of lovely genres in a brilliant, interesting way.

Then Zappa, that bastard, got hold of him.

Trout Mask Replica is what happens when two mad geniuses get together. Safe as Milk is a wonderful album too.

[Graag]

The problem with Beefheart is that his most novel work (Trout Mask, etc) was so novel that it's become a bit of a sacred cow, and that clouds the fact that a lot of the songs on it aren't very good- bordering on self-indulgent and unlistenable crap in places.

It's a fair point to make Laz, but nevertheless a good many people think Trout Mask is one of the greatest albumns ever made, myself included. For years I found it physically painful to listen to when it was forced on me in friend's houses... I eventually borrowed it to listen to on my own and slowly slowly fell madly in love with it. There is not one bad note played on the whole albumn, it all connects, geegegeegehheeeeehhhhhhh.

Then Zappa, that bastard, got hold of him.

I was under the impression the circumstances were quite different.... Beefheart and Zappa were long time friends but although Zappa produced Trout Mask Replica all the music was written by Beefheart, and Zappa didn't really dig a lot of it.

[MosesPresley]

Graag, I had a similar experience.

When I first bought Trout Mask Replica (TMR), I immediately put it on my stereo and listened to all four sides straight through. I got such a headache. I vowed I would never listen to it again.

But, since the record was so strange, I would play some of the songs for friends when they came to visit. Everyone I played it for agreed it was strange, but the music was solidly performed. The album had a magnetic quality. I couldn't ignore it for too long. I had to listen to it.

Now, here it is seventeen years since I first bought TMR and I still listen to my favorite cuts regularly, but now on CD.

Listening to TMR the first time compares well to my first taste of Scotch. The first time the flavor is overwhelming and struck me as as offensive, but on subsequent tastings, I overcame the shock and settled into enjoying the taste very much.

[Graag]

Listening to TMR the first time compares well to my first taste of Scotch. The first time the flavor is overwhelming and struck me as as offensive, but on subsequent tastings, I overcame the shock and settled into enjoying the taste very much.

Good analagy... an aquired taste, certainly. I'm very surprised so few apolytoners have heard of him (let alone like him!)