Thursday 23 July 2015

CAPTAIN BEEFHEART: Two albums to listen to: an avant-garde double LP and a new perspective on death

Trout Mask Replica - Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
In the 1960s, musical experimentation was at an all-time high. But no album epitomizes the spirit of the unknown as well as singer-songwriter Don Van Vliet who performed under the stage name Captain Beefheart.
Beefheart was a true perfectionist. When friend and producer Frank Zappa gave Beefheart the majority of control over the content of Trout Mask Replica, Beefheart chose to spend eight months rehearsing and reworking the 28 songs on the double LP.
The result is a combination of several genres — blues, rock, R&B, jazz and more — that makes for a record far ahead of its time. The entire project has a stark, disjointed feeling, as elements float in and out of the music seemingly at will. This provides an opportunity for Beefheart’s poetic verses and growling voice to dominate. To many people, this album is an inaccessible mess, but its cult following would argue the complete opposite: that Captain Beefheart is a freak genius.
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Don Van Vliet (born Don Glen Vliet; January 15, 1941 – December 17, 2010) was an American musician, singer-songwriter, artist and poet known by the stage name Captain Beefheart. His musical work..


Don Van Vliet (born Don Glen Vliet; January 15, 1941 – December 17, 2010) was an American musician, singer-songwriter, artist and poet known by the stage name Captain Beefheart. His musical work..

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