Spinning Today - What Are You Listening To Right Now? (Part 3)

[Pigmy Pony]

Captain Beefheart And The Magic Band – 'Clear Spot'




Label: Reprise Records – REP 54 007
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue
Country: Germany
Released: 1985
Genre: Rock, Blues
Style: Blues Rock, Avantgarde

Barry - I'm quite new to Captain Beefheart - I had a couple of albums a mate put on cassette for me back in the 80s. Not sure what they were, but I think this was one, and also Trout Mask Replica.

I was playing "Safe As Milk" the other day, and the music felt like a better fit than when I bought it a few years ago. What would be your recommendation for next purchase? I trust your judgement.

Speaking of which, I've just had winning bid on "Texas Campfire Tapes", which I think was another recommendation of yours...

[Dom66]

[Barry]

Barry - I'm quite new to Captain Beefheart - I had a couple of albums a mate put on cassette for me back in the 80s. Not sure what they were, but I think this was one, and also Trout Mask Replica.

I was playing "Safe As Milk" the other day, and the music felt like a better fit than when I bought it a few years ago. What would be your recommendation for next purchase? I trust your judgement.

Speaking of which, I've just had winning bid on "Texas Campfire Tapes", which I think was another recommendation of yours...

For some strange reason 'Trout Mask Replica' is lauded by the record press as being one of the most important records of the late '60s. I found it unlistenable - a cacophony, with no real structure. Yet some say that was how they initially perceived it, but on subsequent (fifth or sixth!) listening it 'clicked'. I'm afraid I can't be bothered to try.

(As an aside it is said that during recording, Beefheart insisted on wearing the new hat he had bought and refused to wear headphone. Thus he had no means of monitoring what the rest of the musicians were doing. No doubt it is apocryphal.)

'Clear Spot' is a deliberate attempt by Beefheart to record an LP more acceptable to listeners. Other titles I like are 'Mirror Man' and 'The Spotlight Kid'. I used to have a copy of 'Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller)', but didn't like it enough, so gave it away.

[Barry]

Prompted by Adrian's post:

Fuzzy Duck – 'Fuzzy Duck'



Label: Akarma AK 180
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Rerelease 180g
Country: UK
Released: 1971
Genre: Rock
Style: Hard Rock, Prog Rock

New to me, and I have to confess it one of the better '70s British prog rock offerings. Wasn't particularly impressed by the vocals, but the instrumention is very good. And the four bonus tracks make the LP better value.

Nice one - thanks Adrian.

[Barry]

Following the anatine artwork theme for the cover, next up was this:

Little Feat – 'Down On The Farm'



Label: Warner Bros. Records – K56667
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Country: UK
Released: 1979
Genre: Rock, Blues
Style: Southern Rock, Classic Rock

I have to confess this is more to my taste.

[Us-&-Them]

ONE OF THE BEST ROLLING STONES ALBUMS (IMHO)

[Barry]

Agreed. Of their post '80s output, it is one of the better ones

[Dom66]

[Barry]

One out of two ain't bad.

[Barry]

Snakefarm – 'Songs From My Funeral'



Label: RCA – 07863 67687-2
Format: CD, Album
Country: Europe
Released: March 1999
Genre: Rock, Pop, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, Downtempo