Captain Beefheart (and His Magic Band)

[HamsterDemocracy]

This guy was awesome. He's still alive but no one knows where he is. He disappeared a while ago. Crazy guy! Great music though. "Trout Mask Replica" is his most popular album.

[crash dieter]

They kinda know where he is, still at home in the desert but not really painting any more. I love Beefheart, and each time I listen to ANY of his albums I love him a little bit more!

Clear Spot is the best album for starters for anyone keen on listening to true genius. Good work bringing him up dude

[lennonisgod]

Captain Beefheart is great. I looked up Captain Beefheart on Dime a few weeks ago looking for some live shows and I couldn't believe how popular they are on there. Needless to say, he is ONLY painting these days and WILL never write or perform music again, according to what he says. I guess the guy won't even talk about his music anymore. He is just DONE with it.  He has always been into painting though, so at least he's doing something he loves. It would be great if one day he changed his mind.

EDIT:  "Don retired from the music business after 1982's Ice Cream For Crow album to concentrate on his then blossoming, now highly successful, painting career. The interviews that he gave after this big decision would suggest that he was doing what he had always wanted to do and was extremely happy at home with his wife, cat and canvasses.

There is certainly no chance whatsoever of any more albums or another tour. Anyone who misses the music should look at the paintings which contain the same approach, the same themes and the same sense of humour."

This was taken from a Beefheart website.  But they did mention that if anyone REALLY wanted to try to contact Don Van Vliet (pronounced VLEET), to try to contact him through his GALLERY, so I'm assuming he is still painting.

[Stonerose]

Love Beefheart, well his safe as milk album anyway, that album rocks, EEEEEEEEEELLLLLEEEEECCCCCTTTTTTTTRRRRRRRRIIIICCCCIIIITTTTTTTTYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!

I have trout mask, but i wasnt much of a fan, does anyone know if he has an album in the vein as safe as milk?

[crash dieter]

'Strictly Personal' is slightly more experimental than 'Safe as...', but keeps that bluesy feel. 'Clear Spot' (my fav) is also pretty out there, but very accessible. His album with Zappa, 'Bongo Fury', is also very cool.

I will be shot for mentioning this, but his 'commercial' album 'Unconditionally Guaranteed' is a fine album. Most Beefheart fans hate it due to its 'simple' and poppy song structures, but it's an album most artists would love to be able to write.

'Bat Chain Puller' is also fine, he had a new band after a hiatus and the album sounds really fresh.

The secret to 'Trout Mask...' is to listen to it again, and again, and again, and again ,and again....and again...and again...........then one more time...then, and only then will you get it. After that you will be ready for his true masterpiece 'Lick My Decals Off, Baby'. It's worth it dude, I promise