Dust Blows Forward: An Anthology

Captain Beefheart | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 17, 1999)
• Original Release Date: August 17, 1999
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Rhino / Wea
• ASIN: B00000JNIS
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #49,430 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Diddy Wah Diddy

2. Frying Pan

3. Electricity

4. Abba Zaba

5. Beatle Bones 'N Smokin' Stones

6. Safe As Milk

7. Moonlight On Vermont

8. Ella Guru

9. Old Fart At Play

10. Sugar 'N Spikes

See all 24 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Nowadays A Woman's Gotta Hit A Man

2. Low Yo Yo Stuff

3. Too Much Time

4. My Head Is My Only House Unless It Rains

5. Clear Spot

6. Upon The My-O-My

7. Party Of Special Things To Do

8. Sam With The Showing Scalp Flat Top

9. Debra Kadabra

10. Blue Collar: Hard Workin' Man (Main Title)

See all 22 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's What's For Dinner, April 5, 2003

By 

Joseph Kimsey "Fareastnibelung" (Pac NW) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dust Blows Forward: An Anthology (Audio CD)

This is prime Van Vliet. I can't understand some people's "beef" with this collection. Yes, many GREAT Beefheart songs were left off the package, but I believe that's due to something called time restraints! This set ably demonstrates the eccentric genius of the good Captain. From powerful blues (Diddy Wah Diddy), afro trance-rock (Abba Zabba), free-jazz freak-outs (My Human Gets Me Blues), John Cage-ish experimentalism meets acid blues (Woe-Is-Uh-Me-Bop), surreal darkness (I'm Gonna Booglarize...), powerful Magic Band ensemble work (Big Eyed Beans...), smooth R&B (Too Much Time), to the twisted, brilliant visions of his later career (Bat Chain Puller through Light Reflected...), this set is authoritative.

In addition to the great music, there's a cool 48-page booklet written with intelligent insight and fairness. There's plenty of rare photos to boot. The Dust Blows Forward is a fine tribute (and introduction) to one of the twentieth-century's most noteworthy visionaries.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Really tastefully done package of a true visionary artist., November 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Dust Blows Forward: An Anthology (Audio CD)

This is a great little box set of Captain Beefheart's original work. With a very nicely done booklet that chronicles his rocky career of the avant garde blues world. Truly in a class all by himself. What impresses me the most after listening to him again is 1. what a great vocal stylist he was. 2. The beauty and power of his words and images from dark to light. 3. I am sorry I never got to see him live.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent introduction to a sadly neglected artist, but..., December 24, 2000

By 

J. Callahan "tastemaker" (Flat Rock, NC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dust Blows Forward: An Anthology (Audio CD)

Don Van Vliet (a.k.a. Capt. Beefheart) is rock'n'roll's Thelonious Monk--underappreciated, misunderstood, a true iconoclast who composes by his own rules. He is often described as "difficult" but even when things get obtuse, there's often a sprung blues riff or hilarious line of (off-)beat poetry to draw you back in. This two-disc anothology has been compiled and remastered with Rhino's usual loving care and is a far superior introduction to the man than last year's hit-and-miss "Grow Fins" anthology (comprised mainly of second-rate outakes, live tracks, and lots of filler). For long-time fans, however, this new "best-of" only reinforces the tragedy that the majority of Van Vliet's output, including some of his finest albums, is currently unavailable in the U.S. (except at exorbitant import prices). So, Rhino, Ryko, somebody--here's what Beefheart cultists REALLY want: "Lick My Decals Off, Baby" (1970);"Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller)" (1978); "Doc at the Radar Station" (1980); "Ice Cream for Crow" (1982).