I found my way into TMR by listening repeatedly while doing household chores. When it clicks, you may find, as I did, that it’s full of hooks. I had young kids when I got it, and to this day, they’ll spontaneously call out, “it’s the blimp, Frank!” 🙂
Diana Marcovitz is new to me, so I really appreciate the introduction.--the strength of your writing made me want to listen. The thing I noticed while listening to her is how she reminded me of Tom Lehrer in some ways, which means that if I find her albums in the wild, I'll be adding them to the collection.
“Trout Mask Replica, an album so intimidating in its sprawl and uncompromising in its radical rejection of anything resembling normalcy that I’ve only ever dared play it twice.”
Absolutely! I had to own TMR after hearing several of my favorite artists cite its influence. But like you, I find it challenging to listen to.
A glimpse into the mind of The Captain’s mind:
(Fast forward to 2 min 0 seconds for the Captain’s interview)
I’m so delighted to see attention paid to one of my favorite recordings. While I seldom listen to the other tracks, to me #6, 7, 8 & 9 are precious jewels.
Best of luck - I was glad I stumbled on her album (she made one more which I have never seen and is not available for streaming). Lehrer is someone I know but am no way familiar with - I recall Randy Newman speaking appreciatively of him.
Very little I have heard of Beefheart after 'Safe as Milk' moves me in any way, making what he achieved in that first album especially extraordinary. It's, in a way, accessible avant-garde music.
I found my way into TMR by listening repeatedly while doing household chores. When it clicks, you may find, as I did, that it’s full of hooks. I had young kids when I got it, and to this day, they’ll spontaneously call out, “it’s the blimp, Frank!” 🙂
Everyone just needs to let down their guard and get into Trout Mask Replica. I mean it.
I have to pull it out soon and give it a good re-listen.
My daughter actually texted me after I posted this that she saw a blimp today and had to tell her boyfriend about “The Blimp”!
Diana Marcovitz is new to me, so I really appreciate the introduction.--the strength of your writing made me want to listen. The thing I noticed while listening to her is how she reminded me of Tom Lehrer in some ways, which means that if I find her albums in the wild, I'll be adding them to the collection.
“Trout Mask Replica, an album so intimidating in its sprawl and uncompromising in its radical rejection of anything resembling normalcy that I’ve only ever dared play it twice.”
Absolutely! I had to own TMR after hearing several of my favorite artists cite its influence. But like you, I find it challenging to listen to.
A glimpse into the mind of The Captain’s mind:
(Fast forward to 2 min 0 seconds for the Captain’s interview)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MGGWMVGBYhQ
“Safe As Milk”!
I’m so delighted to see attention paid to one of my favorite recordings. While I seldom listen to the other tracks, to me #6, 7, 8 & 9 are precious jewels.
Thank you, Robert, for your post!
You're very welcome - thanks for the kind words and the YouTube link.
I was there in '74 in NYC living at 124 W Houston. It was the best year of them all, and the rest of the 70's were fucking great.
I can only imagine the rush of being there, though I think I feel just the slightest hint of it every time I visit New York.
David Stoughton “Transformer”. If you come across it. It fits right in.
Oh yes - it goes way out there. I've only ever streamed it but would grab a copy if I ever came across it crate digging.
Best of luck - I was glad I stumbled on her album (she made one more which I have never seen and is not available for streaming). Lehrer is someone I know but am no way familiar with - I recall Randy Newman speaking appreciatively of him.
Very little I have heard of Beefheart after 'Safe as Milk' moves me in any way, making what he achieved in that first album especially extraordinary. It's, in a way, accessible avant-garde music.