TCCDM Pulls One Out..."Safe As Milk" (1967)

"Safe As Milk" - Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band (1967)

“Safe As Milk” is 'Safer Than Trout' and yet still feels like a balancing act where only the listener is in danger of falling.  It's unpredictable.  At times strange.  But always the music is played with precise intent.  This is bluesy grit psych dust with your eyes blindfolded and your hands in a bowl of chilled grapes.   And it's very entertaining.

There is really nothing new I can add to this Beefheart epistle other than this lame-ass wordplay I've attempted above.  And for me, cherry-picking songs from this album is futile because favorites change as often as the weather in Kansas.  Still, it's fun to try.  So, on this day anyway, I'm going to suggest...the garagey"Zig Zag Wanderer" with its swimming bass runs.  And I never tire spinning the fuzzed-out "Dropout Boogie."  The dirty-blues opener "Sure 'Nuff 'n Yes I Do" with Beefheart dropping the word  "...tooooo" like he's squeezing lemons with his face is killer GOLD!  And finally, I am absolutely charmed by the psychedelia gem "Autumn's Child”...that closes out this essential album.  "Safe As Milk"  is an album to seek out.  My copy is a clean VG++ 1970 reissue with a round promo sticker on a textured front cover.  (Nothing on the label)  “Safe As Milk” is where it all starts.  Go get you some.

"Safe As Milk" (back)

Buddah Records label

"Safe As Milk" (sleeve front)

"Safe As Milk" (sleeve back)

"Zig Zag Wanderer" - Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band / "Safe As Milk" (1967)

TRACKS:
A1 "Sure 'Nuff 'n Yes I Do"  2:15
A2 "Zig Zag Wanderer"  2:40
A3 "Call On Me"  2:37
A4 "Dropout Boogie"  2:32
A5 "I'm Glad"  3:31
A6 "Electricity"  2:44
B1 "Yellow Brick Road"  2:28
B2 "Abba Zaba"  2:44
B3 "Plastic Factory"  3:08
B4 "Where There's A Woman"  2:09
B5 "Grown So Ugly"  2:27
B6 "Autumn's Child"  4:02

PERSONNEL:
Don Van Vliet - vocals, harmonica, marimba, arrangements
Alex St. Clair Snouffer - guitar, b-vocals, bass, percussion
Ry Cooder - guitar, bass, slide guitar, percussion, arrangements
Jerry Handley - bass (except 8, 10), b-vocals
John French - drums, b-vocals, percussion
ADDITIONAL:
Samuel Hoffman - theremin (A6, B6)
Milt Holland - log drum, tambourine, percussion
Taj Mahal - tambourine, percussion
Russ Titelman - guitar

Good stuff.

 Casey Chambers
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