London,UK - Don Van Vliet, (1941-2010) better known to his legions of fansas 'Captain Beefheart' was one of the most enigmatic figures inrock music. Unashamedly an artist, rather than a pop star, he forgedhis own idiosyncratic furrow through popular culture, producing someof the most innovative and uncompromising music ever committed torecording tape. From the age of three he painted and sculpted, andhad an obsession with animals and the natural world. As a teenager hewas friends with Frank Zappa, and as early as 1963 they recorded ademo under the name 'The Soots'. Sadly this was unsuccessful, andthe world would have to wait a few more years before Beefheart'sown unique take on the blues would be heard by anyone outside his ownparticular circle of friends. His first album, 'Safe as Milk'came out in 1967, and Hunter Davies' eponymous biography of TheBeatles notes that John Lennon was an early fan. It is not surprisingconsidering that the primal rock and roll that Lennon idolized andthe pioneering surreal blues of Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band,had much the same cultural genesis. Probably the most important albumof the Captain's career was the Zappa produced 'Trout Mask Replica'which was released in 1969. Its mixture of blues, free-formimprovisation and heavily structured Van Vliet avant-gardecompositions proved too much for many listeners but eventuallyensured him a place in the history books. High profile fans of thisalbum include the late John Peel, who would remain a champion ofBeefheart's until he died.
In1972 Captain Beefheart released two albums; 'The Spotlight Kid'and 'Clear Spot'. He also toured the UK and Europe with the MagicBand, even performing two concerts at London's famed Royal AlbertHall. On April 12th , in the middle of the European leg ofthe tour, Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band stopped off at theBeat Club studios in Bremen, Germany to film a session for latertransmission. Of the four songs filmed that day only one track hasever been broadcast. The band at that time included: CaptainBeefheart (Don Van Vliet) vocals, harp; Rockette Morton (Mark Boston)guitar and bass; Zoot Horn Rollo (Bill Harkleroad) guitar; Orejon(Roy Estrada) bass; Ed Marimba (Art Tripp) drums; and Winged EelFingerling (Elliot Ingber) guitar. Author Jon Kirkman describes therecordings: "The session kicks off with a bass solo entitled'Mascara Snake'. This short piece was named after a former memberof the Magic Band Victor Hayden (Don's cousin), who had appeared onthe 'Trout Mask Replica' album. The solo is played by Mark Boston,although at this point former Mothers of Invention bassist RoyEstrada had joined The Magic Band following his departure from LittleFeat in early 1972. The other songs in the set here include a trackdating back to 'Trout Mask Replica' ('Steal Softly Thru Snow')and also a track that would be featured on 'Clear Spot' some eightmonths later ('Golden Birdies').
Now,over 40 years later, much to the excitement of Capt. Beefheart fansworldwide, premier UK label Gonzo MultiMedia will be releasing thesehistoric Beat Club sessions on DVD titled 'Capt. Beefheart and hisMagic Band – The Lost Broadcasts'. These films have not been seen in over 4 decades and are the complete sessions from April 12, 1972. Only one song was broadcast at the time and then never to be seen again. This DVD contains all the material filmed during that session now available for the very first time!
Pre-orders are being taken nowat www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15486/Captain_Beefheart_and_his_Magic_Band-The_Lost_Broadcasts.html
Tracks: 1.MASCARA SNAKE (BASS SOLO) 3:06, 2. CLICK CLACK 1 3:44, 3. CLICK CLACK2 1:26, 4. GOLDEN BIRDIES 1:58, 5. BAND INTROS 0:56, 6. I'M GONNABOOGLARIZE YOU BABY 1 4:26, 7. I'M GONNA BOOGLARIZE YOU BABY 2 5:02,8. STEAL SOFTLY THRU THE SNOW 3:33, 9. I'M GONNA BOOGLARIZE YOU BABY3 5:19
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