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Captain Beefheart

USA

Don Van Vliet (born Don Glen Vliet; January 15, 1941 – December 17, 2010) was an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and visual artist best known by the stage name Captain Beefheart. Conducting a rotating ensemble known as the Magic Band, he recorded 13 studio albums between 1967 and 1982. His music blended elements of blues, free jazz, rock, and avant-garde composition with idiosyncratic rhythms, absurdist wordplay, a gravelly voice, and a wide vocal range.

Reviews 1

Voracious Stylistic Promiscuity: Frank Zappa Reissues 1966 – 1972

Articles 7

Books

“Make Something Out Of This”: Drumbo On The Making Of Trout Mask Replica

In an exclusive extract from his book Beefheart: Through The Eyes Of Magic, band member John 'Drumbo' French recalls the making of Trout Mask Replica
A Quietus Interview

The Best Batch Yet? Captain Beefheart’s Doc At The Radar Station Revisited

For Sean Kitching, it's Don Van Vliet's penultimate album, 'Doc At The Radar Station', that best encapsulates his singular artistic vision. As the album turns 40 this month, former manager Gary Lucas, and band member Eric Drew Feldman, recall working with the man
Art

Look At My Beef Art: Works On Paper By Don Van Vliet

An exhibition at Michael Werner's New York gallery looks at works on paper in watercolour, gouache, and coloured pencil, by American outsider icon Don Van Vliet aka Captain Beefheart
Black Sky Thinking

“I Prefer Their Later Work”: 40 Brilliant Albums At The End Of Artists’ Careers

Sod the first few EPs, we say a band's real hidden gems are buried at the end, among the ill-advised career moves and last grasps at fading relevance. Here, tQ writers fight the corner for their favourite unloved and underrated records from the tail-end of their favourite artists' discography.
A Quietus Interview

Tearing Off The Band Aid: Revealing The Scabrous Truth of Gerry & The Holograms

Proposing to Beefheart, auditioning for Zappa, impersonating Costello and ripped-off by New Order. Finders Keepers boss Andy Votel invites us to enter into the world of CP Lee and Gerry & the Holograms with some help from Daniel Dylan Wray
A Quietus Interview

Semi-Incongruous Morass: The Past, Present and Future of Smegma

Portland, Oregon's "folk music avant garde" institution Smegma, now in their fourth decade, has been spending more time reflecting on their past, but that doesn't mean there's no future ahead
Rock's Backpages

A Friendly Dickensian Uncle: A Classic Interview With Captain Beefheart

In honour of Captain Beefheart, we've republished an interview with the great man from _ZigZag_ magazine from 1969 by Miles. Thanks, as always to Rock's Backpages

Baker’s Dozen Appearances 8

Baker's Dozen

Love Songs And Monster Songs: Jad Fair’s Favourite Albums

As Half Japanese gear up for a brand new album this summer and a UK show in September, frontman Jad Fair takes Sean Kitching through thirteen favourite records from Howlin’ Wolf to Lord Invader

Baker's Dozen

No Definitive Version: Nate Young’s Most Influential Records

Nate Young talks to Jennifer Lucy Allan about what made his music, from teenage revelations, learning when to press record, and roofing with Scott Asheton.

Baker's Dozen

Mighty Mighty Boosh Tones: Julian Barratt’s Favourite LPs

As Julian Barratt releases 'You Can't Handcuff The Wind', a single by alter-ego Richard Thorncroft, he guides Adrian Lobb through 13 favourite albums, from Miles Davis to Zappa, Fela Kuti and the soundtracks of the Wicker Man and more
Baker's Dozen

Emotional Experimentation: Ghostpoet’s Favourite Albums

With an excellent second album under his belt, Ghostpoet picks out his own favourite LPs from his collection
Baker's Dozen

Gold Dust Of Our Musical Worth: Ian Anderson’s Favourite Albums

Ahead of a one-off show at the Royal Albert Hall, the Jethro Tull man picks out his thirteen finest albums
Baker's Dozen

Like Choosing A Lover: Viv Albertine’s Favourite Albums

Always forthright, the great Viv Albertine discusses her favourite albums with Tom Hasson. T-Rex, Chris Watson, Don Cherry, Beefheart, Barrett, Kate Bush and.... The Slits all feature
Baker's Dozen

All The Glitter: Ira Kaplan Of Yo La Tengo’s Favourite Albums

Yo La Tengo’s frontman leads April Clare Welsh through a selection of his most played LPs
Baker's Dozen

Killing Joke’s Youth On His 13 Favourite Records

In our latest Baker's Dozen feature, Youth tells us about his 13 favourite albums

News 3

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