Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band - Bluejeans & Moonbeams

I have weird rituals about listening to music, and sometimes legends like Beefheart get pushed back while more obscurities of music gets pushed up front. I tend to wait for a "sign", or, good reason, to listen to something. I tried Zappa really early in my music listening, and I was impressed with the composition, but not fond of his "rules", and hated that he wasted his talent making joke music (in the 80's with Valley Girl and Bobby Brown.... stuff like that). Sure, he did pop/rock music in a great, weird way, but I have always felt he could of tried many other genres of music than he did.

Because of this, I never gave Beefheart a chance, since he was associated with Zappa...

I first began seeing his name around again with The Residents (who are one of my favorite bands) and then Rob Crow (one of my favorite rock/pop/indie musicians)....

What a great adventure Beefheart's music is. From the early stuff, to the late, it changes a lot. And like most bands, the weird stuff is first, the more listenable stuff is later.

Bluejeans & Moonbeans is very enjoyable to listen to. I first downloaded it while on a Beefheart binge, to find out what he sounded like after the 60's. I don't think I ever listened to the whole thing, but the song "Captain's Holiday" came on while going through a phase of listening to my itunes on shuffle. I was so shocked (and confused) after listening to a bit of the song to find out that it was CB. Maybe it was just the kind of jam I needed at that time, but it blew me away. After knowing CB from TMR, I figured anything was possible, but straight bluesy/jam/rock??? They pull it off in a way only The Magic Band could do.

As I'm typing this, I'm hearing the end of "Further than we've gone". And so far, every song has been enjoyable, and the flow from one song to the next is smooth.

I'll be throwing this one on the ipod and listening over and over again while working.

I'd love to hear all of Beefheards recordings from end to end. It seems like a marvelous transformation from weird, to normal, to weird, and everything in between..... One day I'll get around to it, but at this rate, I'll have new Beefheart records to listen to until I'm 40.

Clikatat Ikatowi ‎– Live August 29th And 30th, 1995
Label: Gravity – Gravity 26
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 22 Apr 1997

I checked out CI a long time ago, and ever since, it has been a love/hate relationship. I have both of their other LP's, but I find myself watching their live videos on youtube more often than listening to the albums. The raw energy they give off is amazing. Mostly driven by Mario Rubalcaba's insanely complex and powerful drumming. During the loud parts, it's what gets your head moving. During the quieter parts, it adds more than enough, in a good way.

 This record did not disappoint. After a few seconds of intro/musical banter, it is off to the races. Other than the drums being at the front, the feel of the guitar/bass/vocals are mixed perfectly and if it sounded anything like this when it was recorded, it would of been a mind blowing live show.

 As this is my first listen, I won't go into much more detail on songs/sounds/mix. Surprisingly, a harmonica somehow fit in there perfectly.... I suggest you just give it a listen, the energy will immediately throw you back in your chair (make sure you are sitting, wouldn't want you to fall over).

Came with a great lyric sheet insert (pictured above)

Top Notch, all around. I'll be listening to this one again and again.

Looks like most of the songs are on youtube. Here's a good place to start:




And also, here is another band that Mario was in. Just as intense, but very catchy. Prepare for it to live in your brain for the rest of your life.

Running - Asshole Savant

Running ‎– Asshole Savant
Label: Captcha Records (HBSP-2X) – HBSP-2X-031
Format: Vinyl, 12", EP, Single Sided, 45 RPM, Etched
              Flexi-disc, 7", Single, Single Sided, 33 ⅓ RPM, Clear Orange
Country: US
Released: 2012


 9/10 stars for packaging. Lost a point for not having a download code. Came with some nice stickers, which I stuck on my guitar. And a Pin, which you can see in the photo. This is my first Etched record and first Flexi-disc, and at 14$, this is a great deal. I've never heard "Running" before (thought I don't know they've been around long) but I'm always interested in what is going on locally.

 Just finished listening to the one side of the 12'', at 45rpm, it goes quick and left me wanting more. The flexi-disc started off rough since it wasn't flat and skipped for the first 15-20 seconds.... Oh well, It gave me more and since it is also single sided, it has also left me wanting more. Damn! EP's go too damn quick.

 I can't quite classify the sound or compare to other bands. "Garage/Punk" is what I've read and that sounds about right. Throw in some noisy aspects and screechy guitars, and it sounds probably like a lot of bands in that genre, specifically, in this time period (2012). It's certainly not bland, but I feel like I could hear this same sound from many other bands. Nothing really stuck out to me other than the packaging. Which is stellar enough for me to keep buying their records. And I will keep listening (hopefully I can find it online somewhere since there was no download code!!!). It's hard to justify putting the effort into listening to a 12'' and Flexi which last for a total of (what feels like) 7 minutes.


Here is a track that will get your head swingin'

The Frogs / Magazine

Frogs, The ‎– It's Only Right And Natural

Label: Homestead Records – HMS169-1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Yellow
Country: US
Released: 1989

 This was a lucky find. Got it from Amazon.com for the cherry price of 33$. I'm not sure the seller knew this was a Yellow copy, it was sealed, and since I haven't seen any yellow copies for sale, I'm guessing it is a rare find. The music is exactly what it is. I'm not an expert in "The Frogs" and usually only listen to a few songs that really catch me. I got the self titled LP last week and am trying to get a better feel for their recording history. This is quite a different LP than the first. Out with the studio quality, and in with the funny voice, trashy drums, and the extremely explicit lyrics.

Favorite tracks:
A2    I Don't Care If U Disrespect Me (Just So You Love Me) 
A4    Theses Are The Finest Queen Boys (I've Ever Seen)
B5    Dykes Are We
(hard to pick, they are all great.)


Magazine ‎– Secondhand Daylight

Label: Virgin International – VI 2121
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1979

 I have been listening to this album for 6-7 years and it all started with a friend of mine, Bryan Reynolds, who did a cover of the song "Permafrost". After I found out it was a cover,  I had to hear the original. It took me a few tries to sit through the whole album. Some of the longer songs seem to drag on. I felt it was a good enough album to try and get on vinyl and I scored a nice NM- copy for a decent price. Hearing it straight through while paying close attention, I feel a lot better about this album as a whole. For a long time, it was the first song and the last song that blew me away, and I would skip through everything. Now I think I could sit through it 100x and probably hear it differently each time. Lots of good layers of sound going on. Very well recorded.

Favorite tracks:
A1    Feed The Enemy
A3    Cut-Out Shapes
B4    Permafrost