13 randomly jotted down (yet ingeniously expressed) reasons why Beefheart's "Decals" is not mere a "Part Two" of "Trout Mask". They are two quite unique masterpieces.
I agree. It took me many listens to get into decals but great album overall! Very unique subject I would never thought of someone to make a video about those. Thanks
Thanks! Like I responded to another commenter: I wanted to make a video somehow comparing the two albums, and thought about it for a long time before thinking, "wait, why do I want to COMPARE these albums? why are these albums always talked about in the same sentence? what if I made a video that suggests that these albums should stand on their own!" So that was what I decided to try to do. ;-)
Thanks. I am honored by your kind comment, Bruno. Yes, these two are my favorite albums of Beefheart (by far). Just absolutely brilliant on so many levels.
I always felt that in Trout Mask Replica the songs were more fragmented and stitched together without a proper structure, leaving the listener disorientated, while in Decals the melodies are more developed and thought out. Even in a song like Doctor Dark you can notice a clear structure. Not dismissing Trout Mask, quite the contrary, that's why I prefer it over Decals.
I love both albums but perhaps it is because I've been listening to Trout Mask for 45 or so years and Decals only in the last 15 or so years......Trout Mask will always be my favorite Beefheart album. Thanks again for your great comments. Much appreciated. Jeff
Yes I agree. TRM hit me immediately as well... never saw it as ‘wierd’ and yes Decals took many many listens (we never got lyric sheets in UK) had to work into it often thro the lyrics many if the ones you mentioned.
When I first heard TroutMask, I was immediately drawn to it like a moth to a flame. I didn't understant it at first but it just drew me in. When I first heard Decals, I hated it. I really hated it. But now I love it. Totally different initial impacts, haha!
I think he is a genius and respect him very highly. But I’ve never really connected with his recordings personally. Probably a lot has to do with his smug attitude, Shaun. Lots of humor in his work, but too smug and snarky for my taste. Sorry.
Hi, I've read and watched about everything that CB and others have said about any period in his (artistic) life. One of my conclusions is the man himself is often the least credible source, or at least his perspective should be measured against his preservation of self image. That's probably true for every human being, but in a major way for him. Trout Mask Replica was "produced by Frank Zappa" which is a euphemism for Frank leaving the band to their own resources, because that's what he thought was best for CB. While Beefheart was in command on inception, John French was the real musical director, CB acting more like a moving target for the band to achieve. The whole process was terribly exhausting for the band. Then when everything was done, CB assumed the role of end producer, spraying his voice and sax all over the place, moreover manipulating the volume and tonal knobs himself, mostly to amplify his own contributions. French tried to block some of CB's terrible recording and production practices, but to no avail. Zappa was watching in amusement, if present at all. This is why you hear the differences in mixing across the album. It's Beefheart. LMDOB was similar except that the band would no longer take the abuse they underwent in the rehearsals for TMR. Bill Harkleroad now took the role of musical director and transcriber, and he safeguarded the rest of the band from the constant derailing by CB. This led to a much more coherent sound and better songs overall. If you listen to the alternate version, preceding CB's "finishing touch", you'll hear what they were capable of. And in 1 month, not 6 months on canned beans. Just like with TMR, CB came in after all that was done, to overlay his vocals and sax. Musically speaking, it has the same avant gardesque tone but for unknown reasons, Beefheart didn't interfere with the sonical qualities of it all. The mixing of LMDOB is therefore much better than on TMR. Due to the coherence of the material, it's a much better album overall, to my ears, than the half atrocity TMR became. So even if the liner notes say "produced by Captain Beefheart", this is less true than on TMR. Beefheart never gave credit where credit was due, neither did he take the blame if things went wrong. When TMR gained a reputation for being a fabulous record, he created the myth of composing it in 8 and 1/2 hours at the piano and then teaching each musician their part. I take John French's word for it that he wasn't even remotely capable of doing that. Instead, French would work endless hours to transcribe CB's wild ideas into music. At the other extreme, he would blame the much hated albums with the di Martino brothers fully on them, while "going commercial" was his idea. He did neither get commercial success nor critical acclaim, so he went back to his authentic way - fortunately so. If this comes across as hateful about CB, well yes, I've grown to hate his personality, but I'm still awestruck by his artistic spirit, and so were all the musicians in his following, from Ry Cooder to Gary Lucas. Beefheart had this radical view on music (and art), while rooted in traditional R&B, it should constantly defy expectations. And he was a poet, with a great voice, and a phenomenal harmonica player. Like John French, I love & hate him. As I've said before, LMDOB is acquired taste, which I'm capable of acquiring. I've given up on TMR. It's good to hear that a genuine musical spirit like yourself appreciates it, so I can try again. Dieter
He was most definitely a poet, indeed. And yes he seemed to be quite a difficult person.....perhaps a bit messed up (or very messed up.....but most geniuses are messed up.....that is, if one considers Vliet a genius.....I kinda do.....I suppose). As for what I like or don't like, there is very little reason behind it. It is very subjective (even though I can, as a musician of 55 years, recognize objective music craft quality when I hear it).....still, liking TMR is more a subjective thing than objective recognition of craft, I think. LMDOB is every bit as good or better than TMR, I agree....but I am moved by TMR whereas I am impressed by LMDOB. There's the primary difference in how I would rank them. Again, very subjective.
Hello Mr Calico, I was wondering if, in your keen and astute listening, you've noticed 2 bass clarinets playing on Dachau Blues? I think its Don and the Mascara Snake playing their bass claris simultaneously. And would you agree that Beefheart's wordplay is somewhat on the same level of the beats, like Ferlinghetti Don't know if they ever corresponded with each other, but, it's feasible.
I have not noticed the two clarinets, Bruno, but I will have a listen. I was thinking that only Beefheart played on that track but maybe you’re right. I absolutely think Beefheart was a poet. But I am not very familiar with the Beats’ poetry, so I can’t compare them, unfortunately. I really should spend some time with poetry later than the early 1900s! Haha.
Not watched your video yet but how great that you made it. I definitely agree fir many reasons. To my mind Trout Mask is a kinda Beefhearts vision of America and the music that went before. Reminds me a but if that photography book The Americans and has a very wide almost cinematic scope. Kinda Beefhearts Exile on Mainstreet. I love Decals I bought it the day it came out. Ive always found it more intense and had more blues on it the TMR. Maybe its even more focused, bit darker/ deeper maybe. I like the way the music is quite buried under Dons proclamations. Both great albums definitely not the same. Wonder what you think? 👍. Thanks in anticipation!!
I wanted to make a video somehow comparing the two albums, and thought about it for a long time before thinking, "wait, why do I want to COMPARE these albums? why are these albums always talked about in the same sentence? what if I made a video that suggests that these albums should stand on their own!" So that was what I decided to try to do. I LOVE your comment that TroutMask is sorta like an Exile On Main Street.....which maybe makes Decals more like a Sticky Fingers maybe? Haha. Great idea. Cheers. Jeff
Hi Jeff...I made a small vhs movie in 1990 ..using Doctor Dark as the soundtrack..It was a strange cacophony of vision and sound..in other words..a load of bunk! Art Tripp is so underrated on this album.. A classically trained percussionist...Did you know he performed with Igor Stravinsky..and John Cage..Then at 23 he joined Zappa’s Mothers for two years...Absolutely love his contributions to Clear Spot!! Thanks Jeff... personally I never made the comparison between two albums...both are excellent! Cheers 🍻
@@harryzlotzlottos5715 I used to love Jean-Luc Ponty, Harry, and still have his albums from the '70s. But I soon realized that as great as he was/is, he basically had a repertoire of a half-dozen riffs that he used over and over, haha! Still, he was a major player in my developing interest in jazz fusion back in the day. Loved him in Mahavishnu also. I even have an album of his that features my ol' buddy Terje Rypdal (New Violin Summit).
