THE DUST BLOWS FORWARD: AN ANTHOLOGY

I don't know if this is still in print or not, but this 2-CD set is a good introduction to Beefy and his Magic Band. It was my introduction, anyway. One great thing about this set is that you get 4 songs from the otherwise hard-to-find Lick My Decals Off, Baby. You get some early singles, a soundtrack song, an early alternate version of a later song and one B-side to a late single. Two tracks are included from Zappa's Bongo Fury album. None of those bonus songs are very special. It's the choice of album tracks that make this a good compilation for a newbie.

Unfortunately, there are only two songs from Safe As Milk, but seven(!) songs from Clear Spot. One song each from his two mid-70s albums, which were unsuccessful attempts at mainstream acceptance. They don't include the best song from those two albums, "Observatory Crest", however. Some of the choices of songs from Trout Mask Replica seem odd. The choices for songs from his last three albums are good, though. The booklet is thick and very informative. I like some of Van Vliet's quotes you find in the packaging, like: "There are only five great men in the world and three of them are hamburgers." Greater words have never been said.

So if you're curious about getting into Beefheart and find this for a reasonable price, pick it up. From these two CDs you can get an idea of which album you would want to start with. Some of the Captain's most interesting 'normal' songs are included here. A good introduction. 3 stars.