Tag Archives: captain beefheart

California Dreaming: Frownland

Posted on July 8, 2015 by

The Magic Band had effectively split up. One at a time, every member who had played on the band’s first two albums had left, except for John French. And the reason for this was simple. Captain Beefheart himself. Don Van … Continue reading →

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California Dreaming: Electricity

Posted on January 6, 2015 by

Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band were quickly getting a reputation as one of the best bands in LA. But this didn’t satisfy Don Van Vliet, who didn’t want his band to be recognised — he wanted to be recognised … Continue reading →

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California Dreaming: Diddy Wah Diddy

Posted on August 17, 2014 by

The small group of people associated with Studio Z — Frank Zappa, Don Vliet, Ray Collins, and others — had spent much of 1964 and early 65 with big plans. Not only were they regularly recording blues, doo-wop, and experimental … Continue reading →

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While waiting for Smile, some contemporary albums on Spotify

Posted on October 30, 2011 by

My Smile Sessions box set is in the post right now. It should be arriving tomorrow. If, like me, you are getting incredibly excited for this box set’s release tomorrow, here’s a dozen or so albums from 1966 through 1968 … Continue reading →

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Monkee Music 4(5th Anniversary!) – Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd

Posted on September 12, 2011 by

A revised and improved version of this essay appears in my book Monkee Music, available as paperback, hardback, PDF, Kindle (US), Kindle (UK) and ePub (all DRM-free). Today is the 45th anniversary of the debut of the Monkees’ TV show, … Continue reading →

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Beefheart

Posted on December 18, 2010 by

I suppose the saddest thing about Captain Beefheart’s death – which in many ways must have come as a relief after his decades of suffering with MS – is the BBC’s obituary of him. It stresses his ‘influence’, but talks … Continue reading →

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New Spotify (And 8Tracks) Playlist – Best Of The Sixties

Posted on April 21, 2010 by

This playlist is rather different from my normal playlists. Normally, I try to mix up obscure tracks, new things I’ve only just discovered, and old classics. This time, however, this is (almost) on commission. Talking by email with Plok earlier … Continue reading →

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