..The Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band community..

This is the community for Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band, the 60s rock 'n' roll group, who went on to become one of the most bizzare, influential and ground-breaking bands ever. Their music broke down barriers, it spoke through walls, it was everything at once, and it made no sense.. except that it DID make sense, you just had to have an open mind to appreciate it, and once you did appreciate it, you always would.

Captain Beefheart's debut recording, Safe as Milk, was released in 1967. It won over many critics, including John Lennon, but it was only a glimpse of the wonderful music to follow. Strictly Personal followed in 1968. Far more daring and psychedelic than the first album, it was remixed and produced (some say 'ruined') by Bob Krasnow to much controversy.

No controvery surrounded the production of Beefheart's next album, it was taken care of by his old friend Frank Zappa. Released in 1969, the album was Trout Mask Replica, the most infamous Beefheart recording ever. It sounded like music from another world, it both shocked and confused. But more importantly, it delighted many more. It was ground-breaking and powerful, and to date no other album sounds quite as powerful (or as weird). 1970 saw another Beefheart recording released, the wondeful Lick My Decals off, Baby. In a similar vein to Trout Mask, but shorter and more focused, some argue that it's Beefheart's finest ever work.

1972 had two Beefheart albums: the slower, bluesy-er, The Spotlight Kid, and Clear Spot. Clear Spot was Beefheart's first attempt at making a commerical album of melodies, there were no Frownland-like cuts here. The tracks Her Eyes are a Blue Million Miles, Clear Spot, Too Much Time and My Head is My Only House Unless it Rains proved once and for all how talented Beefheart was. There was no way for critics to call his music 'unlistenable' this time. It remains a vital Beefheart release.

Captain Beefheart continued to release music over the 70s, but the glory years of Trout Mask Replica and Lick My Decals had long gone. Don Van Vliet (aka Captain Beefheart) finally said goodbye to the music world in 1982 with his final album, Ice Cream for Crow. It was a sad blow for music, but Beefheart had recorded more than enough wonderful songs to assure his legacy in experimental music.

Beefheart left music to concentrate on his painting career. He is now 63.

maintainer: nancykitten

Feel free to join this community and talk about Beefheart! Please keep all large pictures behind a LJ cut, and be nice to other members.

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