Even with a re-listen
Many years ago music came in packages. We called them albums and they cost more money than most of us could afford. However while at university I discovered an in. The campus radio station was a place that received in the daily mail, new record albums contributed by the various companies that had a stake in the business. Cheap advertising is still advertising I guess. There was a magical room filled with LP’s; too many to listen to, but from time to time we would sample. Take an album into a studio put it on the turntable, drop the needle, listen and put it away again. Assigning our own score if you will. I remember one album in particular always left me with unanswered questions. The artist was Captain Beefheart. I listened shrugged and moved on. Several times. Never developed a real taste for his music. So today I decided to go back and re-listen. In this case a full documentary on his life and music. Spoiler alert. I still would not buy his record. Outside of my interest zone. But with time I have become more accepting of stuff that is for lack of a better word; weird. I also see where he fits into the pantheon of rock musicians. He had some famous friends. From the documentary I have learned that he gave up music and took up painting. We all need creative outlets. And the next time I come across one of his albums I will have a better idea of what is going on. It should be noted that, that radio station is long gone, nothing but a memory. Music has a life to go down further… beyond simple moments. One does not always have a complete change of opinion even after many decades. I think we all know what we like.
