Customer Reviews

Blue Jeans & Moonbeams

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am a fan of Captain Beefheart and most Beefheart fans rate this album and the one before it, "Unconditionally Guaranteed," as his two mid-70's duds. And this one, Moonblue and Jeanbeams, gets the dubious honor of being dubbed "The Worst."

I couldn't DISagree more. I don't understand the disdain for this set, and frankly find such disdainment pure insanement. I'd agree that "Unconditionally Guaranteed" is a dud... I think there's two or three good songs there... one being "New Electric Ride."

Now this is for sure not his bread and butter material which is usually found on, for example; Trout Mask Replica, and Lick My Decals Off Baby (...) But this is probably his most commercial, beautiful, and emotional album.

I assume these fans only want from him the intense, humorous, caotic, jazzesque explorations that made him the strange, unexplainable being that he is. But as all artist do, they tend to move around and explore new things. The truly "commercial" artists find their pot of gold and don't stray, in fact they bleed dry the singular stream that gave them their first big gig.

Natuarally the Captain began straying from one idea and onto the next. "The Spot" albums then followed. These two records were hybrids of the old Beef and the Beef to come. With the release of "Unconditionally Guaranteed" the Captain was once again out on a limb, taking a chance on a new sound. It was now devoid of the old bizarre Beef entirely and was basically a "normal" album.

Well, normal ain't easy and I think he managed a moment or two on that record. Not bad. But it's his second attempt at normal pop song structure, the album Bluemoon and Beamjeans, that he landed it spot-on. Most artist never do.

This is a fantastic mid-70's rock album. Sadly it ain't never got no love. It's sad that this much love and that this much new revealing stuff was unwanted. And tragic since, it's lack of approval probably cost us one of the most powerful and creative minds in music. This is probably a little bit of the Captain's fault too. He just shouldn't have been so good and original on the first few records.

Now I listen to tons of music from all points on the musical spectrum and I can't think of a more beautiful tune than "further than we've gone." It knocks me out. Incredible guitar solo. Incredible piece of music.

And Beefheart fans shouldn't be so surprised by this. I guess they're just so surprised it's not "freaky."

But... then, isn't it???

I think the Captain said it best on the opening track...
"I'm far from screwed."

Rock on.

I'm glad to see positive comments about this album. It's been undeservedly dismissed for years. I have all of his discs and this is a personal favorite. As the other reviews stated - it's not 'Trout Mask' or 'Doc at the Radar Station' - it's different. It's pretty, melodic, more "normal", but still weird at the same time. The Captain was a genius. If you don't know his music at all and you want to find out about the deep thick crazy stuff this might not be the place to start (try Doc at the Radar Station) - but if you already know about him, or if you want to hear a more melodic side (as first shown by Beefheart on the fantastic 'Clear Spot' album) this is a rewarding choice.

I love the weird, discordant early Beefheart as well as anyone, but this might be my favourite album of his. Purists sneer at this band, lacking as it does Z. H. Rollo, W. E. Fingerling et al, but they handle these songs really well. "Further Than We've Gone" has a long, genius guitar solo, and the title track is one of the sweetest, happiest rock songs ever.

(I must be brave, using words like "sweet" and "happy" in a Beefheart review. I can't wait to see the comments by REAL Beefheart fans :-)

I spent 25 years looking for a fresh copy of this album and its stylistic twin: "Unconditionally Guaranteed," and I'm delighted.

Get this remaster and read the notes by Mike Barnes before listening. Then listen a few times, and read the notes again. It seems almost impossible that this was a different band from the core to which we were accustomed.

That said, I believe this is a good as it gets. The Captain was in exceptional voice for each track. He gives his full range of styles throughout the CD. The second cut "Same Old Blues" has some of his most powerful vocals ever. "Further Than We've Gone" is another incredibly heartfelt rendition. And musically, the title track is just beautiful (not a word usually associated with Vliet's output).

Years ago, when he released The Spotlight Kid/Clear Spot, everyone I knew said the Captain was trying to go commercial. Well, in a way, he always was. It's just that he couldn't be that which he was not. Some of his music is way out there on the edge. This particular release is more mainstream, but has the finest qualities that Vliet's talents allowed. This is a truly great album.

For the record it IS humanly possible to enjoy Vliet's earlier albums and also like this one. The vitriolic knee-jerk-negative reviews here make me wonder if these are true fans of The Man (they probably hate Mallard too, but that's for another review). With those pipes of his I could listen to Beefheart read the phonebook for at least a few minutes. On the "commercial" scale "Bluejeans & Moonbeams" is less-so than the first singles like "Diddy Wah Diddy," and more-so than the most accessible tunes on "The Spotlight Kid." But calling this album commercial is unfair, because Beefheart at his most commercial is still floating in an orbit somewhere beyond Pluto. Songs like "The Party of Special Things to Do," "Pompadour Swamp" and "Rock 'n' Roll's Evil Doll" are simply great tunes by any standard. It's also interesting to note that this album caught the attention of modern alt groups like White Stripes. Judged on its own merits (and ignoring the haters), a valiant effort by Vliet to expand his audience and an enjoyable listen.

You either like Captain Beefheart or you don't. I think I've heard all the records he has ever made. I have also seen him live several times in England. Yet this remains my favourite album of his work. Moonbeams and Bluejeans was meant to be his transition into the 'mainstream pop music' on Virgin 's label. Before this he was 'alternative'. But lets face it - the 'arty farty' is ok for imature kids but we grown-ups appreciate deeper music with 'balls'. This album is a gem. This is why we love Captain Beefheart. He has had such an amazing effect on my life yet he does not know that I exist. That is the power of music. This is the power of Captain Beefheart. I don't care if you buy it or not but Moonbeams and Bluejeans will always be one of the best records I have ever owned.

Although this is one of Beefheart's weaker efforts, it has better songs than it's predecessor (Unconditionally Guaranteed), although most fans usually rate that album a little higher because it still has the old Magic Band members on it. Yes a lot of this material is a little light weight, but the good moments are cool, especially the opening song "Party Of Special Things To Do", which is one of my favorite tunes. The cover of J.J. Cale's "Same Old Blues" is nice, and the title cut is gorgeous. Just don't expect Trout Mask Replica here and you won't be as dissappointed.

Apparently Don Van Vliet (the Cap'n) told everyone who bought this album to return it to the offending shop and get their money back. If you liked the avant-garde horseplay-experimentation of "Trout Mask Replica", you will hate this album. If you liked the ..., down-home throat-ripping blues of "Clear Spot", you will hate this album. But there are tracks on this that get to me. "Observatory Crest" has a real deep bluesy feel. Deeply conventional sounding, but - there's no way around it - it's a good track! The same goes for "Party of special things to do". The rest I can take or leave. I wanted to give this a 2.5 rather than a 3. (I rounded up rather than down out of reverence of the Cap'ns other material). It's no "Trout Mask Replica" that's for sure, but it would certainly be a shame if no-one ever listened to this record ever again. I don't necessarily recommend buying this album (sorry amazon.com!) but I do recommend begging, borrowing, or stealing it. As long as you don't have to pay too much...

To see that people love or absolutely hate This disc ...Don , did not like this ,and he hated "Unconditionally Guaranteed" , which is another one of MY faves , by him ,so it's just a matter of taste really .I have always dug this one ; Pompadour Swamp, J.J Cales' Same Old Blues , Oh YES!! I read somewhere that he picked up a lounge band to back him on this one .. They do a damned good job .. the electric piano stuff is really well played , and some nice guitar work throughout ..This was recorded quite a long time ago , and his voice is in fine form here ..The lounge band sound great ..It's a good un' !!

First of all, isn't that a beautiful album cover? A close-up of a deer jumping forward. Well, I don't think it's a REAL deer. More like a Christmas ornament. Maybe it's Rudolph!

All joking aside, Captain Beefheart probably disappointed even his most dedicated fans around the country when in 1974, he decided to take his music in a more commercial rock direction, similar to what Eric Clapton did on his studio albums.

Why did Captain Beefheart make such a decision? I have no earthly idea. Pressure from the record company to release a hit song perhaps, or maybe he was just burnt out on all that experimenting (and who can blame him? I get burnt out just thinking about his previous albums, haha).

However, the way I look at it is like this- obviously Bluejeans and Moonbeams isn't on the same level of experimentation as something like Trout Mask Replica, but it *is* definitely a listenable collection of songs. Had a band like the Eagles made an album like this, people would've been calling it a masterpiece and saying it's the best thing they ever made.

The guitar playing in songs like "Captain's Holiday" is very tastefully played. In fact, it immediately reminds me of Duane Allman. The guitarist is even going for the same sad and beautiful tones Duane used to perform so well. This song might also be compared to something Little Feat would do. While it's no "Frownland" or "When Big Joan Sets Up", it's still a pleasant mid 70's rock song with plenty of tasty guitar licks.

"Further Than We've Gone" has more really beautiful guitar playing. In fact it's growing on me more and more every single time I play it. The title song is perhaps the highlight- very emotional vocals similar to "Your Eyes Are a Blue Million Miles" and yup, you guessed it- guitar playing to cry over- it's *that* good.

Worst album of the good Captain's career? I highly doubt that, but if it happens to be his very worst album, I guess that proves how good he used to be.