Comments for Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band, Strictly Personal

Actually, upon further consideration, I think that the conception that this was ruined by shambolic production is true. They recorded the stuff of "I May Be Hungry .." and "Mirror Man" in 1967/1968 planned towards a 2-LP set, but this was thrown out instead ... try listening to the planned 2-LP set "Wrapper" by buying those 2 releases and you will be awed. I left a running order in my review of I May Be Hungry ...

This album is, in fact, a personal version of the blues, relevant to the late `60`s. It`s pretty idiosynchratic and not as well-developed as Beefheart albums to come, but it`s blues base gives it a certain charm. Tracks 4 & 8 are present in full-length glory on "Mirror Man". Many of the other tracks are on "The ALternate Captain Beefheart" in stronger form. But whereas it`s common-place to deride this album as having been poorly-produced and "ruined" in some way, I kind of enjoy the way this was put together conceptually. The best was yet to come though.