Kevin's Watch

I finished re-reading all the first two trilogies today. I learned that one of my most revered and influential heroes has died (Captain Beefheart).

Do you know Lord Zombiac, all the time in my youth (I'm in my 50's now) Captain Beefheart was always there in peoples record collections, in the music media, in radio shows etc, but I never heard anything he did - ever! Not by choice - it just didn't happen. I've often wondered what his stuff was like - he clearly inspired a lot of loyalty in his fan base, but somehow it never seemed to pnetrate the UK much. (Bizzarly the same was true about Leonard Cohen, but I have managed to pick up on some of his stuff later in life, but not Beefheart. I guess theres just only so much that you can pack into one life! ).

My pleasure:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8eRDkiwGMM&pla ... 4&index=37

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dldMqyVpQ4&feature=related

www.youtube.com/watch?v=WifCzN8BNF4&feature=related

www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSlM0IOXt6o

All from the same album!

Then there's this:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VvGfRV89fs

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjZDhPqdcdA&feature=related

and this one is not merely my favorite Beefheart song, this has also occupied the slot of my favorite piece of music in any genre ever written, with its exquisite, sweeping assembly of melodies, recorded with unparalleled musicianship, and haunting vocals:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Telzap-Z16k

By the way, I'm reading "runes of the earth" and am astonished to find that Jeremiah was a character I had actually envisioned myself 25 years ago!

Thanks for the links LZ. Have you chosen the tracks that you think best 'showcases' Beefhearts work, or are these the ones most easily available online? It may take me a week or two to follow up on them but when I do I will give you a posting as to how I get on with them. Should be fun to listen to something totally new that has clearly been a BIG thing for a long time to another watcher. I promise to give an honest account of how I fare even if it does not work for me as it obviousely does for you.
re 'Jeremiah' can you elaborate on this a little?

Those are some of my favorite picks.
here's what I posted about Jeremiah:
kevinswatch.ihugny.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=20309

Like a lover who knows exactly what his partner is thinking and finishes sentences for their beloved, I presaged the creation of Jeremiah by what? 25 years?

Wow! Now that is a strange tale LZ! My (slightly weird) older sister once became embroiled in a group who called themselves the Immortals (who indeed claimed to be so) and met in a big old country mansion once a month. They freaked her out pretty quickly by their penchant for taking it in turns to sit in a chair surrounded by all of the other members and novices who would then berate them roundly in the most abusive fashion. They seemed to feel that this was in some way beneficial to the scolded individual, and no-one ever seemed to hold a grudge against anyone else, no matter what they had said about them. My sister however didn't like it and left pretty sharpish. Who knows - perhaps somewhere they are still sitting in a circle tearing each other to peices not a day older!

And that's a pretty strange tale yourself Peter.

(And now I just read LZ's...whoa...)

--A