***Captain Beefheart***

[JSngry]

Yeah, that sucks alright.

Although I do gotta say, that any time you put up with that much bullshit for so long, the time comes when you gotta look at why you put up with it, not why somebody else did it. Because a motherfucker can get up and walk away and stay gone if they really feel the strong-enough compulsion to do so. At some point you gotta find out what part of you is willing to tolerate that, and fix it.

Still, that sucks. Bandleaders are all crazy and manipulative SOBs to begin with (and I mean that in a good way, really I do), but throw in massive quantities of acid whatever "creative demons" were there anyway and...yeah, that's not pretty.

What would we say about Sun Ra?

[Hot Ptah]

Yeah, that sucks alright.

Although I do gotta say, that any time you put up with that much bullshit for so long, the time comes when you gotta look at why you put up with it, not why somebody else did it. Because a motherfucker can get up and walk away and stay gone if they really feel the strong-enough compulsion to do so. At some point you gotta find out what part of you is willing to tolerate that, and fix it.

Still, that sucks. Bandleaders are all crazy and manipulative SOBs to begin with (and I mean that in a good way, really I do), but throw in massive quantities of acid whatever "creative demons" were there anyway and...yeah, that's not pretty.

What would we say about Sun Ra?

Interesting points. In French's book, he describes how older musicians who joined Beefheart's band, such as Art Tripp and Elliott Ingber, would not put up with Beefheart's abuse, would confront him back, and he mostly left them alone. He seemed to prey on young musicians who were not very good at standing up for themselves. French himself describes episodes in his later life when he encountered Beefheart and told him off, although he felt a lot of emotion about doing it.

I am not sure about Sun Ra. I have heard Michael Ray express only love and admiration for Ra in several long bandstand comments, during a concert by Michael Ray and his Cosmic Crewe. From what I have read, and obviously I was not there, Ra kept the musicians in long rehearsals, talked a lot, and punished the musicians for what he saw as behavior problems, such as getting drunk, but I am not sure that he was cruel to his band members. Maybe more like annoying, if you didn't like his long rehearsals and talking.

[JSngry]

Yeah, when you're young and inexperienced, you can easily be led into believing that "this opportunity" is the opportunity and put up with damn near anything to not lose it. Sometimes it is, sometimes it ain't, but sooner or later you gotta realize that if it's truly an opportunity and not just an exploitation, then it's a two-way street and you deserve some respect too, so by god, if it ain't readily forthcoming, command it then!

Of course, that's a life-lesson that some learn earlier than others, and some never at all.

As for Ra, I've not heard about any violence, but they did live in relative squalor & deprivation for quite a while in order to "serve", so that might well have been a "cult" too...although I'm not one who thinks that "cults" are intrinsically evil...sometimes its the only way for a group of like-minded individuals to keep their principles alive in the face of overwhelming hostility and/or indifference. But the leader of the cult accepts tremendous responsibility, too much for any one human to ever administer "fairly" in a fail-proof manner. But such is life, eh?

[7/4]

Brickbats

Brickbats fly at my fireplace

Upside down I see them in the fire

They squeak and roast there

Wings leap across the floor

Fold up the wall shadows

The window curtain ghost

Throws my heart and dusts my throat

My mind caught by the corner

Gradually decides its safe

Becomes a bat itself

Flexes its little claws

Curse its leather wings

With loud, hollow pops

Around the room

Threatening to dash its brains

Somehow at the last minute

Retreats and becomes a natural glue

And holds fast and slow

In every other motion

Making the night more interesting

Becomes a cold, liquid breeze

That freezes and thaws

And pours the surroundings full

As no breath can be taken

It drowns and relieves

To see the black turn into yellow

And the yellow into black.

Brickbats

Brickbats

Brickbats

Brickbats

[AllenLowe]

that behavior is quite disgusting on Beefheart's part, and a classic kind of cult-manipulation of people with extremely low self esteem and other personal problems - I mean, there are many f'd up bandleaders who have behaved abusively (and I can think of two great older singers, one now dead, who fit well right into that category); but Beefheart's actions clearly fit into the category of intensive abuse that merits nothing but isolation and punishment.

also, from my point of view, he's just not a good enough musician to put up with any of that crap, but obviously I'm in a minority here. And somehow it seems only a step from the kind of things he was doing to Harkerload et al to the more advanced actions of a Charles Manson.

Edited October 30, 2010 by AllenLowe

[7/4]

Skeleton Makes Good

Originally appeared on Ice Cream For Crow

There's so many things

to feel and see while you're awake

they're just out of reach

out of grasp

yeah out of reach

and just as many; maybe more

the minute that you sleep

so I got to throw my preach

skeleton breath

scorpion blush

I have a crush on your skeleton

watch out unsuspecting stranger

you'll fall off the log

headfirst into dreams

end up screaming

this will comb the wolf

and that will comb the fog

what will peen the rain

what will preen the hog

oh you mean earth

and hell over you

and laugh at your tire tracks

if you get up

skeleton makes good.

[mjzee]

When was Beefheart honored by Dylan?

And if someone here attends, please ask Lucas if Beefheart's still alive.

[7/4]

When was Beefheart honored by Dylan?

And if someone here attends, please ask Lucas if Beefheart's still alive.

Strange you should ask.

Edited December 18, 2010 by 7/4

[mjzee]

Yeah. Hilarious.

[7/4]

Yeah. Hilarious.

I changed it.

[mjzee]

I took no offense; don't worry about it.

[mjzee]

For those of you without, Decals just popped up on eMusic as a legit download. The history of this staying around has been a bit spotty, so you may want to jump on it.

eMusic

[7/4]

The time has come today.

Lets Induct Captain Beefheart & the Magic Band into the Rock Hall of Fame

[mjzee]

My copy of Bat Chain Puller just arrived today from the Barfko-Swill site. Though you couldn't tell from the site, this is a nice package. It has an elaborate booklet containing pieces of Don's artwork and extensive notes by John French and Denny Walley, along with a heartfelt note by Gail. The disc has the 12 original tracks, plus an alternate mix of the track BCP, Candle Mambo, and an 8-minute performance by Don and Denny Walley of their co-written "Hobo-Ism." Sound quality is very good, which is to be expected since it was made from the original master tapes. The only caveat is the cost: with shipping, it came to $28. Still, I'm glad I got it.

[jlhoots]

My copy of Bat Chain Puller just arrived today from the Barfko-Swill site. Though you couldn't tell from the site, this is a nice package. It has an elaborate booklet containing pieces of Don's artwork and extensive notes by John French and Denny Walley, along with a heartfelt note by Gail. The disc has the 12 original tracks, plus an alternate mix of the track BCP, Candle Mambo, and an 8-minute performance by Don and Denny Walley of their co-written "Hobo-Ism." Sound quality is very good, which is to be expected since it was made from the original master tapes. The only caveat is the cost: with shipping, it came to $28. Still, I'm glad I got it.

There's really a site called Barfko-Swill?

Do you have a link?

[mjzee]

My copy of Bat Chain Puller just arrived today from the Barfko-Swill site. Though you couldn't tell from the site, this is a nice package. It has an elaborate booklet containing pieces of Don's artwork and extensive notes by John French and Denny Walley, along with a heartfelt note by Gail. The disc has the 12 original tracks, plus an alternate mix of the track BCP, Candle Mambo, and an 8-minute performance by Don and Denny Walley of their co-written "Hobo-Ism." Sound quality is very good, which is to be expected since it was made from the original master tapes. The only caveat is the cost: with shipping, it came to $28. Still, I'm glad I got it.

There's really a site called Barfko-Swill?

Do you have a link?

It's the Zappa Family website and emporium:

Barfko-Swill

[jlhoots]

My copy of Bat Chain Puller just arrived today from the Barfko-Swill site. Though you couldn't tell from the site, this is a nice package. It has an elaborate booklet containing pieces of Don's artwork and extensive notes by John French and Denny Walley, along with a heartfelt note by Gail. The disc has the 12 original tracks, plus an alternate mix of the track BCP, Candle Mambo, and an 8-minute performance by Don and Denny Walley of their co-written "Hobo-Ism." Sound quality is very good, which is to be expected since it was made from the original master tapes. The only caveat is the cost: with shipping, it came to $28. Still, I'm glad I got it.

There's really a site called Barfko-Swill?

Do you have a link?

It's the Zappa Family website and emporium:

Barfko-Swill

Thanks - I think.

[mjzee]

Listening to Bat Chain Puller some more...I really like it. I think I'm in love with it. If this had come out in 1977 as expected, it would have really revived his career. It flows very well as an album; has a ruminative aspect to it. Makes more sense than Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller) - in contrast, that sounds harsher, more forced. One big difference is that Drumbo is all over this one; I think he really brought a cohesiveness. This sounds like the same artist that made Trout Mask - a little older, a little wiser, but still the same guy. A pleasure to listen to; I highly recommend it.

[Д.Д.]

I have both, and actually like the Shiny Beast more (except that I have to crank up the bass on it), if only for 'Tropical Hot Dog Night'. And you have Bruce Fowler there.

Meanwhile, I have read an excellent Beefheart biography by Mike Barnes - it's really well written, and gives quite a comprehensive overview of Van Vliet's personality and music. Sad and hilarious at times, it also devotes quite a bit of space to love-hate (but mostly love) relationship between Beefheart and Zappa.

Credit to Mr Barnes for keeping it updated (my Kindle version is the third revised edition since the initial release in 2001).

Couple of my favorite Beefheart videos:

Excellent live performance from 1971: http://www.youtube.c...h?v=4DSWY7cvSBI

And to demonstrate what a phenomenal voice he had - here is him singing old blues called 'Black Snake' a cappella on radio (love his comment in the end that he just can't sing into the microphone because 'it's too little' ): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3Hmj69c0yA

Edited September 1, 2012 by Д.Д.

[mjzee]

Great pix! Thanks for posting.

[Д.Д.]

Zappa Family Trust is reissuing Trout Mask Replica later this year: http://barfkoswill.shop.musictoday.com/Dept.aspx?cp=971_15167

[7/4]

Zappa Family Trust is reissuing Trout Mask Replica later this year: http://barfkoswill.shop.musictoday.com/Dept.aspx?cp=971_15167

remaster...sounds interesting. looking forward to reviews.

[mjzee]

Interesting. It's been out on Reprise all these years (afaik, it's never been out of print). I wonder about the legalities.

[7/4]

Interesting. It's been out on Reprise all these years (afaik, it's never been out of print). I wonder about the legalities.

I guess the ZFT has that sorted out. Either they have the right or a legal team powerful enough to fight it.

[Steve Reynolds]

Can't wait to hear it in modern remastered sound