Anybody who made it through the rite of passage that is Trout Mask Replica is clogging the message boards and spiking the YouTube stats at this very moment.
His out-to-lunch musical stylings, and association w/ Zappa, are what put him in the history books. But what really knocks me out are his early A&M sides and his first LP, Safe as Milk. One of the best blues singers ever.
He was a fucking genious. A mad genious. Possibly the uncrowned king of post-punk, avant-garde, experimental rock, and new wave (that’s right, all of ’em!), but who cares about the labels. Even when he wasn’t doing the howling stuff and the Dadaist lyrics it still was magnificent (see This is the Day and One Red Rose That I Mean by The Magic Band). It’s very hard to believe that one with such a unique, descriptive style of lyrical content, knowledge and different approach to things like history (see Dachau Blues), the arts, etc. never went to school. He spent most his life living in a trailer out in the deserts of Arizona or Southern California. What an inspiration. We’ve lost a true artist. RIP Captain.
The absolute King Of Crazy and a true original. I’d say he’ll be sadly missed, but I don’t think he’s made any music for a long, long time, concentrating instead on abstract painting. I’ll stick my neck out and say the best thing he ever did (IMHO, of course) was the vocal on “Willie The Pimp” from Zappa’s Hot Rats . . . indispensable.
A under appreciated music pioneer. Surprisingly, I find him tender and heart felt witness “My head is my only house unless it rains”. My personal favourite.
Robert H. Markley on The Smoke (self-titled): “Didn’t expect to see this here…!” Mar 24, 15:40
Kurt caumette on Taos “Taos”: “Got the album here in Wanaka New Zealand” Mar 22, 18:52
Anonymous on Space Opera (self-titled): “discovered these guys at a college radio station in ’72. plugged them regularly on my show. still have a copy…” Mar 10, 20:57
Fernando Laguna on Maitreya Kali “Inca”: “Craig Smith, a great composer and musician, unfortunately little appreciated, however today he has become a cult artist for whom…” Mar 10, 11:33
JMID, otherwise referred to as Tarsh,, on The Freak Scene “Psychedelic Psoul”: “Frankly, this is surreal. Anyhow, Hey there MeC, I’m loving this site. Already finding new shite.” Jan 11, 18:54
Scott Steele on Taos “Taos”: “Another Taos record discoverer. This is really great, enjoy the sounds. Ironic you had to travel to New Mexico to…” Dec 17, 23:17
MeCrumbly429 on The Freak Scene “Psychedelic Psoul”: “I wonder, Why don’t we have a review on the Deep’s debut? It’s quite literally the absolute first full-stop psychedelic…” Dec 2, 18:45
Anybody who made it through the rite of passage that is Trout Mask Replica is clogging the message boards and spiking the YouTube stats at this very moment.
For the uninitiated, the 6 part BBC Documentary is the place to start.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M5YE_a4B1U
His out-to-lunch musical stylings, and association w/ Zappa, are what put him in the history books. But what really knocks me out are his early A&M sides and his first LP, Safe as Milk. One of the best blues singers ever.
I must have watched this live version of Sure ‘Nuff ‘N Yes I Do about a dozen times today. And I think I’ll watch it again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCSPf5Viwd0
He was a fucking genious. A mad genious. Possibly the uncrowned king of post-punk, avant-garde, experimental rock, and new wave (that’s right, all of ’em!), but who cares about the labels. Even when he wasn’t doing the howling stuff and the Dadaist lyrics it still was magnificent (see This is the Day and One Red Rose That I Mean by The Magic Band). It’s very hard to believe that one with such a unique, descriptive style of lyrical content, knowledge and different approach to things like history (see Dachau Blues), the arts, etc. never went to school. He spent most his life living in a trailer out in the deserts of Arizona or Southern California. What an inspiration. We’ve lost a true artist. RIP Captain.
Ride the Clouds Captain……..
The absolute King Of Crazy and a true original. I’d say he’ll be sadly missed, but I don’t think he’s made any music for a long, long time, concentrating instead on abstract painting. I’ll stick my neck out and say the best thing he ever did (IMHO, of course) was the vocal on “Willie The Pimp” from Zappa’s Hot Rats . . . indispensable.
A under appreciated music pioneer. Surprisingly, I find him tender and heart felt witness “My head is my only house unless it rains”. My personal favourite.
Rest easy my captain, you will be missed.