Tag: avant-garde

51. Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(April 2015) I have completed phase 51 of my “opus project.” in which I listen to an artist’s complete discography from start to finish. This episode: CAPTAIN BEEFHEART AND HIS MAGIC BAND. It’s fast and bulbous.* As distinctive was his voice was (a blend of Howlin’ Wolf and Tom Waits), what I find most compelling is the orchestrated chaos of the music behind it. The high musicianship of the performers is made more remarkable by the abuse the musicians suffer from Don Van Vliet.

Favorite album: Trout Mask Replica

Favorite song: Kandy Korn

Favorite period: early, from Safe as Milk to Mirror Man

Worst period: those mid-1970s albums

Biggest surprise: the return to form of the last three albums

Compared to expectations: same

trout_mask_replica

7. The Velvet Underground

~ ernopepper ~ 2 Comments

(July 2013) Completed phase 7 of my “opus project,” wherein I listen to the entire discography of a band in sequence. This phase: the Velvet Underground

Favorite album: The Velvet Underground and Nico
Favorite Song: Sister Ray
Little gems: quiet songs like Pale Blue Eyes, Jesus, and I’m Sticking With You

Special moment: when Nico pronounces ‘clown’ as ‘clonn’

Special sauce: Lou Reed

Compared to expectations: same

Velvet_Underground_and_Nico