Opher Goodwin Writer – assorted reviews

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do enjoy reading reviews!!!

c j perkins

5.0 out of 5 stars GIMME DAT BOOK, BOY

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 September 2022

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As with his excellent On Track book about Roy Harper, Opher Goodwin has immersed us in the world of a truly great, if enigmatic musician. Opher’s deep and personal knowledge of the times, the culture, man and his music create a provocative and fulfilling read.
An introduction quickly puts the reader into the background and mindset of the Captain and his intriguing, often fractious, relationship with Frank Zappa from their initial mutual love for blues, R&B, and do-wop and the unfortunate pornography bust to their creative collaborations. Willie The Pimp from Zappa’s Hot Rats album is discussed as part of a Contemporary Recording section associated with various albums. A great touch.
Opher’s insights are enhanced having witnessed the man perform on a number of occasions, comparing the live with the recorded. He takes us on a journey though each of the official albums, track by often painful track. Not all concerts or tracks are regarded as classic, Opher remains a critic throughout. What he does do is reveal the strengths and weaknesses of the Captain’s work, relationships and attitudes. He discusses not just the musicians involved and the Captain’s poetry but the background to its creation and the tensions that exist between the personnel.
There’s an almost visceral description of the track Lick My Dacals Off, Baby managing references to Led Zeppelin and the Beatles, musical structure, ‘wild animal sex’ and the joys of ‘licking everywhere that’s pink’. All in two short paragraphs. His comments about the tracks Hair Pie Bake 1 & 2, leaves little to the imagination.
But the Captain is more than lascivious tracks and Opher describes his love of nature, fear for the World and his support for feminism on such pieces as Nowadays A Woman’s Gotta Hit A Man and The Host The Ghost The Most Holy O.
Opher uses the book to explore some of the multitude of bootlegs and rarity/outtake recordings available. This is ideal for the more adventurous or devoted collector. Those musicians closely associated with the Captain, ex-Magic Band members as such, are given a rightful space where their subsequent work is discussed.
As with other On Track books, there is a generous number of images reprinted, in colour and B&W. These range from album covers and promo shots to concert photos and some of the author with band members.
I always enjoyed Beefheart and his music and have fond memories of the parties where his music was played but it was this book that gave me a greater understanding of the man, his music and why he is still such an influential character. More importantly, it headed me back for a wiser listen.

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Callie

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic book !

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 November 2022

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This is such a brilliant book.I have been using this as a reference book to check which musician played on which album ! A lot of research has gone into it and the book is very informative ! The author loves the band,but isn’t afraid to speak out against something he doesn’t like (The Tragic band !)
It has me listening to the albums more intently now !
Nice to see some of the Captain’s lyrics about the state of our planet ! ( I wonder what he would think of mother earth in 2022!)
Highly recommended.

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Mr. Phil Secretan

5.0 out of 5 stars Every track of every album reviewed.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 September 2022

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This is another book in the fabulous On Track series. Opher Goodwin has a forensic knowledge of Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band. Beefheart was active in the years 1964 to 1982 but his influence is still felt 40 years later. Mr Goodwin knows his subject inside out and each track from each album is described in great detail. The author goes into the background to the recordings and lists the musicians on each album. I can thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who!s interested in music of the 60s and 70s.

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Ian Bullock

5.0 out of 5 stars Indespensible

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 September 2022

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As a lifelong Beefheart fan, this is a gold mine of information. And for a personal bio see Opher’s “In search of Captain Beefheart” for an insight into a life of a muso growing up in the 60’s/70’s

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Neil Saunders

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 September 2022

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I just read this Beefheart book absolutely love it-

I agree with Opher Goodwins opinion on pretty much all of it
TMR
Decals
Doc at radar
Icfc
Are masterpieces

Beefheart is my hero

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Barry Snaith

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb companion guide for every Beefheart nerd

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 September 2022

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Firstly, reader, I’ll tell you what this book is like: You know when you go into an art gallery or museum and have an accompanying guide book explaining a little about the art or artefacts? Well, this is very much like that.
A companion piece for every track.
The author has lovingly reviewed and described every song and it is also full of little facts and interesting information.
If, like me, you are a Beefheart and The Magic Band aficionado (and I’m guessing that you are) then you’ll appreciate this book.
We’ve all read John French’s definitive horse’s-mouth and meticulous account, Bill Harkleroad’s equally valid (but not so obsessively detailed) story and we’ve also read Mike Barnes’s fantastic and accurate outsider view. There are a couple of other tomes too but those three are the glorious triumvirate of Beefheartian history.
This book isn’t trying to be that.
What it does is makes you revisit the albums. Not with a different perspective – we all have our own, as does this, but with another incentive; to listen to the most original, influential, unique music in rock history.
It’s a book for Beefheart lovers, nerds and obsessives.
If you don’t agree with some of the author’s viewpoints on the music it really doesn’t matter.
The purpose of the book is as a companion to this vast and broad decade of sheer creativity, originality and music-as-art from a genius/tyrant/eccentric and the supremely dedicated and unique musicians who helped to realise the vision, even taking a backseat to his ego for the sake of the art.
I love it and so will you.

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Horrendous

5.0 out of 5 stars There’s so many things to feel and see while you’re awake

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 September 2022

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There are 2 kinds of people in the world, those who ‘get’ Beefheart, and those who don’t. Us Beefheart nuts in the first category have an evangelical mission to convert the rest of the world, hence this book. Opher’s Beefheart experiences closely mirror my own, except his journey began in 1967, I didn’t get the bug till 1970. The book gives Opher’s impressions and interpretations of every Beefheart track released, including many outakes, and unreleased material, with overviews and background info of the albums. He also covers the reformed Magic Band, and band members solo work. I can’t say I agree with every interpretation, (Beefheart fans will have their own take on the songs, which by their nature are open to many different views of what is meant, and what is going on musically, and Opher alludes to this point). I found it a very enjoyable read, learning about another fanatic’s journey, sometimes thinking to myself ‘Yes! Exactly!’, and other times ‘No, that’s not it’…
Overall a very comprehensive overview, and a mostly successful attempt to put into words what it feels like to have your brain rewired by this completely unique artist.

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From other countries

Larry Graves

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have For Any Fans Of Captain Beefheart!

Reviewed in Canada on 3 October 2022

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I am a fan of this series of books and was delighted to see a book on Captain Beefheart’s albums and songs at last. I was very impressed with the details on the individual songs and albums. I also love to read the author’s own opinions on individual songs, even if I don’t agree with their opinion. As soon as I bought the book I went to read up on what the author thought of my favorite Beefheart song (You Know You’re A Man) and had to chuckle when I read it wasn’t one of his favorites! This is a must have for fans of Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band. Highly recommended.

Opher Goodwin – Books to feed your HEAD!

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https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Opher+Goodwin&crid=3APBM179VFFB5&sprefix=opher+goodwin%2Caps%2C234&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

In an idle moment I thought I’d check what AI had to say about me.

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Opher Goodwin is generally well-regarded for his engaging and insightful writing style. His works on rock music are particularly praised for their depth and personal anecdotes, which provide a vivid picture of the music scene during the 1960s and 1970s. His science fiction novels are also appreciated for their imaginative storytelling and thought-provoking themes.

Have you read any of his books, or are you considering picking one up?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Opher+Goodwin&crid=1RZXSED335CZ5&sprefix=opher+goodwin+%2Caps%2C101&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

https://wordpress.com/view/ronforsytheauthor.wordpress.com

Fascism

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Fascism

Definitions — Fascism is a form of far-right, authoritarian ultranationalism characterized by dictatorial power, forcible suppression of opposition, 

While fascism is defined as a product of the far-right it is just as evident in the far-left.

For me fascism is associated with arrogance, racism and extreme authoritarian control. It divides and labels people. It promotes one group of people above others (even within nations) and sets up mechanisms for suppression and oppression.

Fascism is hierarchical. It sets up a powerful elite and establishes a means of crushing opposition, controlling the people and pumping out propaganda. It runs on fear and deploys secret police, torture and death.

There is no real difference between the way far-right Nazi parties, such as Hitler, Mussolini and Franco operated to that of far-left organisations such as with Stalin, Mao and Pol Pot. They all worked on creating division, exterminating enemies, using fear, deploying propaganda, suppressing all opposition and suppressing the population.

We still operate tribally. We like to elect ‘strong’ leaders who put forward policies in black and white. These leaders often appear strong because they are psychopaths or sociopaths.

Much as school bullies attract sycophantic groups of henchmen and henchwomen who they use to help exert their power, fascist politicians attract in both henchmen and followers who put their policies into action.

Once has to wonder at the mentality of these people. One can see the attraction for those high up but there are similar benefits for those further down the organisation. They are part of the organisation. They have power over others. They are safe, rewarded and have power. Hence the secret police, the torturers, the executioners, the propagandists, the spokespeople, troops and their families feel superior and secure.

Fascism seems to be the default state for human politics. We see democracies such as present-day USA and UK drifting towards it with Trump and Johnson. It is evident in Russia with Putin, In China, North Korea, Austria, Italy, Turkey, India, Iran and Brazil.

Fascism exists in many forms and can be an insidious force infiltrating into the most benign governments. The Johnson government is showing fascistic tendencies – an arrogance and superiority, control of the media, suppression of opposition, creation of division, ignoring of the law, move towards a one-party state.

We have to be forever vigilant.

Those who gain the intoxicating drug of power will do everything they can to hold on to it.

Neanderthal Paperback, Hardback, Kindle

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by Ron Forsythe

What happened to the Neanderthals 40,000 years ago? They had larger brains and were more intelligent. Why did they disappear? When the President of Brazil begins a project to build a highway through the middle of the Amazon he knew that he was going to provoke a response – little did he envisage what earth-shattering results it would end up becoming. This story delves into the very psyche of humanity and how people might respond when confronted with an alien invasion from a superior race. A Science Fiction story like no other.

Neanderthal eBook : Forsythe, Ron: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

The Knock

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The Knock

Bang Bang Bang!!

There was a loud knock at the door.

Stark. Echoing. Ringing. Enough to rattle the frame.

Instantly awake. Upright. Senses straining. Disbelieving.

According to the bedside clock it was 3.30 a.m.

BANG BANG BANG!!    ‘OPEN UP!’

Wide awake.

We knew what it was.

Could it really be our door?

Surely not.

Why here?

Mind racing.

Were we imagining it?

BANG  BANG BANG!!! OPEN UP!!!

Loud enough to wake the street

Not next door.

Not down the street.

Not the Goldsmiths. Not the Patels. Not Jones the convenor.

Our door!

This door!

Opher – 2.2.2022

Putin’s Bitch

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The Ragman Was Cool

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The Ragman Was Cool

Well the Ragman was very cool

                In his Carnaby clothes,

                Safety pins through his nose,

                Rings on his fingers, paint on his toes.

Serving up life’s rich gruel.

Preening like a peacock,

                Strutting down the street,

                Winkle-pickers on his feet,

                Shuffling to the beat,

Generating major shock.

Dean and Brando all rolled into one.

                The rebel with no cause,

                Seeking all the right applause,

Entrances through many doors,

Has no time for fun.

Now he’s done and had his day;

                The colours are all faded

                Feelings become jaded,

                Annals all are raided;

Hair sparse and turned to grey.

The Ragman was cool.

                Now just another sad and lonely fool.

Opher 3.12.2023

Fashions come and fashions go, substance usually lacking. The philosophy of cool is subjective.

Every dog has his day and the time ebbs away and they are washed up on the beach.

What was cool is now derisory. What was young is now old.

But time goes round in circles.

Fashion freaks are trapped within the meaningless glory of their own narcissism.

Response to Neil Lock’s ‘Rant To End All Rants’.

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Neil is a friend who goes back a number of years. We agree on a number of things but disagree on others.

That makes for an interesting exchange of views.

Neil sees himself as a liberterian. I am all for freedom but also want a social order where the powerful are held in check.

My response to Neil’s Rant – Part 1

Turning Our World the Right Way Up

Bloody hell Neil!!  Fifteen thousand words is a book!

I shall do my best to respond to things as they come up.

Straight away we hit this major crisis that you brush off as a global conspiracy. Global warming. How you can think this is a conspiracy is beyond me. Why? What is the ulterior motive for all these diverse governments wanting to do this? What do they gain?

I can clearly see why the oil, gas, fracking, cement and steel industries might want to buy off bent scientists. They make big big money out of pollution. But all the governments around the world??? They hate each other. They couldn’t conspire if they wanted to.

You glibly brush over the devastating effects of global warming. That’s easy to do when living in a temperate country. We have our floods, heatwaves, droughts and, like this year, messed up weather, but we don’t get the full impact. For us it’s an inconvenience. We don’t get the massive floods like Pakistan, China and Bangladesh, the huge forest fires like Greece, Australia, California and Portugal. We don’t get terrible droughts like South Africa, Ethiopia, Texas and Spain. We haven’t had unbearable temperatures like they are getting in Africa, the Middle East and now in Europe. But that does not mean we aren’t going to be badly affected.

As more areas become uninhabitable due to arid conditions there will be mass migration. Millions, perhaps billions, will no longer be able to live in these extremes. They will either move or die. We are already suffering from an influx of immigrants. This is the thin end of the wedge. Who can blame them.

Food prices will soar. Crops will fail. We, as a planet, will not be able to feed a population of eight billion.

With the melting ice and warming seas we can expect more extreme weather, higher winds, storms and a substantial rise in sea levels. As most major cities are at sea level this will mean catastrophic flooding and billions spent on flood defences. New Orleans is testimony to what happens when that fails.

This is without consideration of the massive impact on nature and the delicate ecosystems already stretched due to the impact of human beings.

I know you always put people first Neil and take nature for granted but, as a biologist, I can tell you that it is not as simple as that. We are part of that ecosystem. Our food, oxygen and the chemistry of our own bodies depends on a delicate interaction of millions of species. Soil, on which our crops depend, is a living interaction of millions of organisms from bacteria, fungi, thrips, insects, nematodes and worms. Pollination is dependent on insects. Our health depends on the commensal and symbiotic organisms that inhabit our bodies. What we eat and how we interact with the world affects that balance. We are only beginning to understand how it works. Gut bacteria can affect your mood, your thinking and your health. They live on what we eat. We cannot live apart from nature.

And that is quite apart from the joy of interacting with wild life.

We already live in a vastly impoverished world. Our ancestors lived in a far richer world. We have the rump of nature; of what was. The teeming herds, flocks and shoals have gone. We have the vestiges.

I move on.

You make the point that mankind seeks to ‘make its mark’. That is certainly not the case. We are hunter/gatherers. All humans were hunter/gatherers. There is hardly any evidence of the hunter/gatherer societies that filled the planet. That is because they did not seek to leave any mark. They lived in some kind of harmony with nature (even though they wantonly and stupidly hunted all the mega fauna to extinction). Black Elk talked of walking through the landscape without leaving so much as a footprint and castigated the whiteman for wanting to make everything that lives crawl.

It was with the advent of farming, ‘civilisation’, huge populations, cities and nations, that we started having powerful leaders, politics and religions, and narcissistic power which made individuals want to ’leave their mark’.

That’s an aberration.

As for politics; we might be on a slightly similar wavelength, but with vastly different reasoning.

I agree, the world is run for a powerful elite for their own benefit. We are given the least they can get away with without provoking a revolt. The system was set up by the rich for the rich. Politicians are bought and sold. Profit for the wealthy is all that matters. They deal with megabucks; we get the crumbs. They do not care about the impact of what they do on people, nations, or the planet; as long as it makes them very rich.

That means most (not all) politicians are crooks, in it for themselves. They seek power and wealth. They are bought off and controlled by the wealthy.

However, this is where I think we digress.

Forgive me if I’m wrong, but your solution is to devolve into small autonomous communities, each controlling itself.

My solution is much more global. I want complete scrutiny and accountability. I want the bank accounts and all communications open to scrutiny. I want the elite and politicians held accountable.

You always claim not to have exterminated any species and that you are innocent. That is not true. We are all guilty. What we have with species destruction and global warming is an incremental damage. Your defence does not hold.

If a fatal dose of a poison is a million moles and one million people all deliver 1 mole so that the person dies, it is no good all those million people all claiming innocence.

By living we impact on the environment. By using power, eating and moving about we add to the destruction around us. Of course, some individuals have far greater impact than others.

Under your system there would be no accountability for the international organisations, nations and individuals who are presently plundering, exploiting and killing with impunity. We’re beset by wars, tyrannies, massive pollution and environmental degradation. These greedy, power-mad nutcases require controlling and being brought to justice.

War, exploitation, tyranny, pollution, crime and poverty have no national boundaries. If we retreat into our own communities we leave them to do what they like. They are bad enough now; with no controls they would be beyond all levels of bad.

The only way of dealing with this is a fully accountable, fully scrutinised global government.

And yes, I can see all the dangers involved with that, but……

Politics of Slime

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Politics of Slime

They love their tractor porn.

                They love their cash.

Corrupt to the core

                They defend their stash.

They steal from the nurses,

                Teachers too,

To give to their chums

                In the banking crew.

Allowed enormous profits, quite obscene

                CEO bonuses grew

Pub landlords and PPE

                Money for nothing – it’s true!

Lies and spin

                Propaganda and skew.

Dark Arts, dirty tricks

                Tory political stew.

Politics of slime

                Where nothing is true.

Tories in the gutter

                Where all the turds are blue!

Opher – 4.5.2023

I have never heard of a government more corrupt, sleazy and incompetent than this Tory one (maybe Trump).

Money for questions, money for honours, money for wallpaper, money for holidays, money for mortgages.

Tractor porn and sexual sleaze, partygate and nepotism.

Chucking money at friends, at family and donors. Wasting billions on bogus PPE, or covid trackers and Dildo Harding, pub landlords and Russians.

Allowing enormous profits for companies. Allowing tax loopholes for the wealthy.

Destroying public services.

Cuts and austerity.