CAPTAIN BEEFHEART: PLASTIC FACTORY

This song has been rattling around in my head for the past few days for a reason that befuddles me. An incredible song...evil deranged blues, like Howlin' Wolf meets the devil, here's "Plastic Factory" from Captain Beefheart's 1967 album "Safe As Milk". Enjoy.

CAPTAIN BEEFHEART'S "DOC AT THE RADAR STATION"

Captain Beefheart's "Doc at The Radar Station"(1980) is a very strong release that is often overshadowed by his monumental experimentalism on "Trout Mask Replica" and other releases of the late 1960's/early 1970's. "Doc at the Radar Station", however, is not an album that should be overlooked. Captain Beefheart and his band draw from the bizarre, surreal, improvisatory sound of "Trout Mask Replica" but make it leaner, meaner, more frightening and accessible. The horns and the dissonant disturbing guitar work are there but more streamlined, with more of a blues feel. The stop on the dime time changes are still there. Captain Beefheart's vocals are deep, raspy, and nightmarish. The music sounds as if Howlin' Wolf recorded an album in hell. And the lyrics! They are brilliant surreal poetry, at times bordering on Dada, especially on the unsettling track "Making Love to a Vampire with a Monkey on My Knee". The album ranges from the extremely catchy ("Hot Head"), to the unsettling and deranged ("Ashtray Heart"). Overall "Doc at the Radar Station" has a disturbing, nervous, nightmarish vibe to it with just enough hooks to make you want to come back for more again and again. For the adventurous music listener only.

Here's "Ashtray Heart"...

Doc at the Radar Station

...and the brilliant "Making Love To A Vampire With a Monkey On My Knee". Enjoy!

Making Love To A Vampire With A Monkey On My Knee (2006 Digital Remaster) - Captain Beefheart

MUDDY AND THE WOLF

"Muddy and The Wolf". This is the album that introduced me to the work of legendary blues men Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters a long time ago, and one that I still have a sentimental attachment to to this day. The title is a little misleading. The first half is tracks taken from Muddy Water's album "Father and Sons" and the second half from Howlin' Wolf's "The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions". Both of these were originally released in the early 1970's. "Muddy and the Wolf" features some of the two's strongest electric material from the 1970's, and is an excellent place for both the uninitiated to start and for the die hard fan to enjoy. Howlin' Wolf's material is especially unique as he is performing with Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, and Bill Wyman (bassist for The Rolling Stones) backing him. This is not an overview of the two's career, but a great snapshot of their impressive sound at that time. Here's Muddy Waters' "All Aboard" and Howlin' Wolf's "Who's Been Talking?'' Enjoy.

All Aboard - Muddy Waters

Whos Been Talking? - Howlin Wolf