Once in a while I like to try out some artist/band I never I really listened to. Sometimes it works (love Bob Dylan now), sometimes it doesn't (Neil Young for example).

Thought I'd try Captain Beefheart this time. What would the much appreciated board of Stones experts on IORR recommend I start with?

Premeditated murder ....Thee Worst kind ....



ROCKMAN

If you wish to jump straight in the deep end with "Trout Mask Replica".
Just make sure you give it a few spins before making your mind up, it's certainly not easy listening until it gets under your skin.

The follow up "Lick My Decals Off Baby" is equally as good but a tiny bit more refined. Saying that, it's been long deleted on CD and will set you back quite a lot.

If you'd prefer to start with something a little less scarry, go for:

"Clear Spot" / "Spotlight Kid" (2 on 1 cd, kinda Voodo Blues Freak Music)
Probably the best bet for a big fan of "Exile on Main Street" and "Goats Head Soup", although they are worlds apart from each other.

One's to avoid:
Unconditionally Guarenteed & Blue Jeans & Moon Beams.
Most beefheart fans will tell you that these are very poor indeed.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2009-07-25 14:26 by vudicus.

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vudicus
Jump straight in the deep end with "Trout Mask Replica".

Recommended by Paris !



[www.beefheart.com]

Is that picture for real???

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vudicus
Is that picture for real???

Well, I did not mess with it. Looks real to me.

I have tried on more than one occasion with Captain Beefheart. I sensibly opted to start out with his more commercial 1970's recordings, but simply cannot look beyond his god-awful vocal styling's.

Trout Mask Replica is a strict no-no for beginners, imo. Its one of those LP's which I suspect, is more notorious than good.

I agree with vudicus on the Captain´s music.
His first album "Safe As Milk" (1967) is also a good starting point - it´s bluesy and great!

There´s also the 2-CD anthology "The Dust Blows Forward" that covers his whole (musical) career 1966-1982.
It´s very good, and you can decide which period you like most!

Thanks for all the input! Will let you guys know what I think once listened to some CB albums.

I would start with the good albums after his 'comeback'; like "Doc at the Radar Station " and "Ice Cream for Crow".

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rootsman
I agree with vudicus on the Captain´s music.
His first album "Safe As Milk" (1967) is also a good starting point - it´s bluesy and great!

It also has Ry Cooder on guitar!

Get Safe as milk first.It's more conventional than other albums and it won't put you off.

>There´s also the 2-CD anthology "The Dust Blows Forward" that covers his whole (musical) career 1966-1982.
It´s very good, and you can decide which period you like most


I agree w/this recommendation wholeheartedly. For non-anthology releases I'd go with the two-fer of CLEAR SPOT / THE SPOTLIGHT KID (two great albums on one CD).

Ice Cream For Crow has always been my favourite Beefheart lp