The Official Captain Beefheart Thread

storymilo · 10-21-2009, 01:43 PM

^ Sounds good then

What's wrong with Unconditionally Guaranteed?

Kole · 10-21-2009, 02:17 PM

It's simply... bad, to say the least. =)

Kamikazi Kat · 10-25-2009, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kole

It's simply... bad, to say the least. =)

Never heard of it. Is it really that bad?

Regarding getting into Beefheart, I think his debut is a good start, but if you want to get into his more experimental style more, Lick My Decals Baby is great. It's up there with Trout Mask in terms of inaccessibility for most, but I think it's a bit easier for most to get into.

5-Track · 10-25-2009, 10:16 PM

"Unconditionally Guaranteed" is largely ... bland. Captain B with a bunch of studio guys. Conventional wisdom says he was trying to make a salable album, but - like Tim Buckley - it was ill-advised in terms of timing as the market was just starting to catch on to his crazier stuff. But, again like Buckley, the songwriting is not terrible and neither are the performances - just unlikely to appeal to those who really love the rest of his work. I have a friend with a deep interest in funk, soul, and groove, who definitely rates "Guaranteed" as a decent record. There's another one cut from the same cookie cutter, called "Bluejeans and Moonbeams"

BigJoan · 11-16-2009, 10:07 AM

The Brown Tweed Society takes a fresh look at 1974's Unconditionally Guaranteed in the LPs from the Attic series. Check out the review on the web site.

I like a lot of stuff on Trout (and it deserves its place on All-Time Greatest lists), but there are good things about UG and Clear Spot/Spotlight Kid, too. Sure, they aren't as avant guard or adventurous as Trout, but I don't think they are awful albums. Don't you kinda think that the Captain was winking at us when he wrote some of those simple, slightly syrupy songs?

At any rate, Beefheart's most accessible work, while not exactly genius, is still better than a lot of artist's stuff. I'd rather listen to a "substandard" Magic Band pop tune than the "best" of the cheesy pop bands of the time. Or any time.

5-Track · 11-16-2009, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigJoan

At any rate, Beefheart's most accessible work, while not exactly genius, is still better than a lot of artist's stuff. I'd rather listen to a "substandard" Magic Band pop tune than the "best" of the cheesy pop bands of the time. Or any time.

rite on

Stereolith · 11-26-2009, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matious

i only have trout mask replica..and i have a hard time getting into it. i liked "ella guru" and a couple other tracks. If anybody has any other recommendations on good tracks for beefheart noobs it'd be nice.

...Music from the other side of the fence: Go for "200 Years Old" on Bongo Fury. Recover. Then, same album; "Sam With The Showing Scalp Flat Top" + track that follows. Then, either all of "Clear Spot" or "Spotlight Kid". Back to Bongo Fury: "Debra Kadabra" & now you're ready for "Trout Mask Replica"...fan for 43 years

Stereolith · 11-26-2009, 05:24 PM

I remember droolin' over Diddy Wah Diddy. Reverently absorbing Jean Luc Ponty & Sugar Cane Harris doin' their thing (way beyond Darryl Way's skills) on Hot Rats, with the Don's rendering of Willie The Pimp helping me check out the 'phosphorescent seahorses' on the lapping waters of my pool as I discovered the displacement of my body weight in time & space...Yep. Got copies of all THE MAN has done along with a sizeable slew of FZ et al.
Tell me a bad Don or FZ track. I'll try tell you why you're wrong...

History/social climate is important to remember. Electric violins in '69 was as astounding as Portishead's "Dummy" in '94 or the guitar work of Tom Morello in RATM & Prodigy. Vliet's 'beat poetry', elevating the traditions of Kerouac & anarchy of Burroughs and delivered in the gravel style of Chester Burnett. FZ & Vliet screwing 'the rules' & exploring time signatures, field recordings & Kunc-modified kit, squeezing tapes out of a 'one in the world' 'Buffed' 12-track. Yep. A lot more radical than someone on American Idol getting their hooters out & setting fire to their pubes while yodelling...even if it's a Greek ladyboy doing a Cilla Black cover.

Starting 'at the beginning' aint gonna work for you guys who were born, say, 18 years ago. You might need to transition back from 'Beast' or 'Fury' to 'Decals', or soak up other arts such as 'An Evening With Wild Man Fischer' or the 'GTO's'. Bone up on the Plaster Casters' activities, The Fugs, Country Joe & The Fish & Rising Sons - then tackle 'TMR' or 'Milk'. Think of it like The Dead Kittens before they became Joy Division. And anyone who poos on Bluejeans don't appreciate the band's rendering of Same Old Blues being on a par with Mr Cale, or that Jack White was so taken that he did a 'Party' cover that is ******* brilliant...can rub their privates with a cheese grater.

proto-punk · 12-02-2009, 03:25 PM

not to sound like a noob but anyone got any good beefheart albums i can get addicted to?

I always wanted to check em out but idk where to start

Terrible Lizard · 12-02-2009, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by proto-punk

not to sound like a noob but anyone got any good beefheart albums i can get addicted to?

I always wanted to check em out but idk where to start

Safe As Milk, you seem like one for unhinged rhythm n' blues.

10-21-2009, 02:17 PM	#92 (permalink)
Kole Groupie Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Slovenia Posts: 24	It's simply... bad, to say the least. =) __________________ "Most people wouldn't know good music if it came up and bit them in the ass." Frank Zappa

10-25-2009, 10:16 PM	#94 (permalink)
5-Track Music Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Echo Park, Earth Posts: 197	"Unconditionally Guaranteed" is largely ... bland. Captain B with a bunch of studio guys. Conventional wisdom says he was trying to make a salable album, but - like Tim Buckley - it was ill-advised in terms of timing as the market was just starting to catch on to his crazier stuff. But, again like Buckley, the songwriting is not terrible and neither are the performances - just unlikely to appeal to those who really love the rest of his work. I have a friend with a deep interest in funk, soul, and groove, who definitely rates "Guaranteed" as a decent record. There's another one cut from the same cookie cutter, called "Bluejeans and Moonbeams" __________________ music for your life: http://www.5-Track.com/NeptuneResearch

11-16-2009, 10:07 AM	#95 (permalink)
BigJoan Groupie Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1	Unconditionally Guaranteed isn't so bad.... The Brown Tweed Society takes a fresh look at 1974's Unconditionally Guaranteed in the LPs from the Attic series. Check out the review on the web site. I like a lot of stuff on Trout (and it deserves its place on All-Time Greatest lists), but there are good things about UG and Clear Spot/Spotlight Kid, too. Sure, they aren't as avant guard or adventurous as Trout, but I don't think they are awful albums. Don't you kinda think that the Captain was winking at us when he wrote some of those simple, slightly syrupy songs? At any rate, Beefheart's most accessible work, while not exactly genius, is still better than a lot of artist's stuff. I'd rather listen to a "substandard" Magic Band pop tune than the "best" of the cheesy pop bands of the time. Or any time.

11-26-2009, 05:24 PM	#98 (permalink)
Stereolith Groupie Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4	So who's this 'ol git? I remember droolin' over Diddy Wah Diddy. Reverently absorbing Jean Luc Ponty & Sugar Cane Harris doin' their thing (way beyond Darryl Way's skills) on Hot Rats, with the Don's rendering of Willie The Pimp helping me check out the 'phosphorescent seahorses' on the lapping waters of my pool as I discovered the displacement of my body weight in time & space...Yep. Got copies of all THE MAN has done along with a sizeable slew of FZ et al. Tell me a bad Don or FZ track. I'll try tell you why you're wrong... History/social climate is important to remember. Electric violins in '69 was as astounding as Portishead's "Dummy" in '94 or the guitar work of Tom Morello in RATM & Prodigy. Vliet's 'beat poetry', elevating the traditions of Kerouac & anarchy of Burroughs and delivered in the gravel style of Chester Burnett. FZ & Vliet screwing 'the rules' & exploring time signatures, field recordings & Kunc-modified kit, squeezing tapes out of a 'one in the world' 'Buffed' 12-track. Yep. A lot more radical than someone on American Idol getting their hooters out & setting fire to their pubes while yodelling...even if it's a Greek ladyboy doing a Cilla Black cover. Starting 'at the beginning' aint gonna work for you guys who were born, say, 18 years ago. You might need to transition back from 'Beast' or 'Fury' to 'Decals', or soak up other arts such as 'An Evening With Wild Man Fischer' or the 'GTO's'. Bone up on the Plaster Casters' activities, The Fugs, Country Joe & The Fish & Rising Sons - then tackle 'TMR' or 'Milk'. Think of it like The Dead Kittens before they became Joy Division. And anyone who poos on Bluejeans don't appreciate the band's rendering of Same Old Blues being on a par with Mr Cale, or that Jack White was so taken that he did a 'Party' cover that is ******* brilliant...can rub their privates with a cheese grater.

10-21-2009, 01:43 PM	#91 (permalink)
storymilo Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,845	^ Sounds good then What's wrong with Unconditionally Guaranteed?

12-02-2009, 03:25 PM	#99 (permalink)
proto-punk Psychedelic Breakdown Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: New York Posts: 97	not to sound like a noob but anyone got any good beefheart albums i can get addicted to? I always wanted to check em out but idk where to start