An underrated masterpiece

SAFE AS MILK is an undervalued masterpiece. The first two tracks SURE `NUFF`N YES I DO AND ZIG ZAG WANDERER are in my opinion the most dynamic, most captivating numbers in rocking R & B range, the ever recorded. They have a stoic boiling rhythm and are therefore also suitable as a dance floor filler. The singing of the captain continued to gain individuality. He modeled his continuous multi-octave voice, so that the impression is created that several personalities would take possession of it. After this tour de force ride that pace is somewhat throttled without reducing the intensity at the soulful CALL ON ME. The incantatory DROPOUT BOOGIE stunned by unexpected changes in tempo and in the comparatively schmaltzy I`M GLAD no one knows quite sure whether this is meant seriously or whether it is a parody. It is followed by another incredible song: ELECTRICITY combines a boogie scaffold with schamanenhaftem singing and exotic sounds of a theremin. This instrument was often used in the '60s with soundtracks to introduce ghost noises or to accompany the emergence of aliens. Here mixed the shimmering sound the song neatly on and brings a psychedelic effects. When importing the songs Beefheart has wrecked by his extreme vocal range and his vocal dynamics a Telefunken mic worth 1,200 dollars. Yellowbrickroad combines R & B with country rock, which until the emergence in 1967. At West Coast rock embossed ABBA ZABA Beefheart indulges vocal onomatopoeia with Dadaist text passages. Plastic Factory is a groovy Slow-Blues with cool harmonica and some tempo changes. It follows with a WHERE THERE`S WOMAN gets under the skin Gospel-colored number with emotional eruptions and wistful vocals. GROWN SO UGLY is a bitchy electric blues with taut bass / drum backing. The conclusion is AUTUMN`S CHILD, a strange song between ballad and marching song. The album differs in many ways from what was recorded to great albums in that time, because it combines traditions of early rock'n'roll with current trends of the West Coast sounds and the English Beat with approaches of extravagant songwriting with artistic merit. And important: it does not lose traction, is not distended, like many improvisations later years. This combination could of course be implemented only by excellent musicians, among which the guitarist Ry Cooder, almost 20 years old stood out.