Most innovative, revolutionary artists don't intend to set the world on its ear. They just have good ideas that they follow. They problem is that this kind of work usually gets a lot of scorn because no one has done it before and it's more than a little precarious to cast your lot in with someone who's trail-blazing. After all, a lot of these people turn out to be cranks and charlatans. Don Van Vliet is neither.

And so... in the spirit of our Fall tribute, we at Perfect Sound Forever present a tribute to the dear Captain, in lieu of the multi-CD boxed set of unreleased material from John Fahey's Revenant label, with reviews of each and every one of Don Van Vliet's official releases. Special thanks to Scott, Richard and Graham (of the Radar Station) who made this all happen as well as all the authors of these pieces for their hard work.

(Originally from February 1999, updated 2010)

On December 17, 2010, Don Van Vliet passed away. Even though he had been retired for almost 30 years, the music world is still much poorer from his loss.

• Bluejeans and Moonbeams by Scott McFarland & James Paton

• Bongo Fury by Tom Rodwell

• Clear Spot by Richard Mason

• Doc At the Radar Station by Bill Bamberger & Jerry Hepburn

• Ice Cream For Crow by Scott McFarland & Dave Lang

• The Legendary A&M Sessions by Scott McFarland

• Lick My Decals Off, Baby by Richard Mason

• Safe As Milk by Thomas 'Tearaway' Schulte & Alastair Dickson

• Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller) by Stewart Osborne

• Strictly Personal & Mirror Man by Bill Bamberger

• The Spotlight Kid by Dave Lang & Steve Froy

• Trout Mask Replica by Mike Barnes, Uncle Fester & Jason Gross

• Unconditionally Guaranteed by Graham Johnston & James Paton

Also see an essay of appreciation of the Good Captain
(where the above intro got excerpted from)