Albums - 'Safe As Milk' 1967, 'Strictly Personal' 1968, 'Trout Mask Replica' 1969, 'Lick My Decals Off, Baby' 1970, 'Mirror Man' 1971, 'The Spotlight Kid' 1972, 'Clear Spot' 1972, 'Unconditionally Guaranteed' 1974, 'Bluejeans And Moonbeams' 1974, 'Bongo Fury' 1975 (with Zappa/Mothers), 'Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller)' 1978, 'Doc At The Radar Station' 1980, 'Ice Cream For Crow' 1982, 'The Legendary A&M Sessions' 1984, 'Grow Fins' 1999 (compilation of rare and unreleased tracks), 'The Dust Blows Forward' 1999 (compilation of studio tracks), 'I'm Gonna Do What I Wanna Do - Live At My Father's Place' 2000 (live concert 1978)
Blurbs
About me:
Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band existed as a recording and touring unit from 1965 until 1982. In that time they released 12 albums of extraordinary music, taking in influences from blues, rock, free jazz, experimental, classical, psychedelic, to name just a few! The Magic Band made music that transcends these influences and with the deep blues voice of Captain Beefheart they created an astounding new sound.
Don Van Vliet (Captain Beefheart) was the instigator, the artistic vision behind the music, and by all accounts a very demanding man to work with. He depended on the band to arrange the compositions that he would initially whistle, or play (roughly) on piano - this was particularly true from 'Trout Mask Replica' (1969) onwards. Without his vision, not to mention his incredible voice and lyrics, the music would not have made the impact that it did and still does today. However, the various Magic Band line ups, particularly the band from the mid 1968 - early 1974 era, were just not given credit for the work they put in on making his ideas come together.
Two band members who worked the hardest in turning his rough musical sketches into music for the band to play were John French (Drumbo) and Bill Harkleroad (Zoot Horn Rollo), both never getting much if any financial reward for their efforts.
In recent years various key ex-members of the band, including John French and Gary Lucas, have toured and recorded again under the moniker 'The Magic Band' The music forged in those tough conditions all those years ago still sounds stunning live - albeit without the great Captain's bellowing blues voice. John French has done vocal duties on the live tours, giving him a tough act to follow which he carries off very well.
Since the mid 1980's Don Van Vliet has devoted his time to painting, leaving his musical life as Captain Beefheart far behind. His fans know that he hasn't been around much in the last 26 years, briefly popping up to promote an art book or exhibition but mostly living a very private life with Jan, his wife, overlooking the ocean in Northern California. He has been in declining health but hopefully he's still creating art and long may he do so.
Sam.
Who I'd like to meet:
Sadly it's too late as he is no longer with us but i'll say John Peel, the man who spread the word about Don and the band to the wider world. He loved their work so much and saw Don's genius right from the start. He was crucial in their success and totally responsible for getting me into their music. So thanks John!
'Diddy Wah Diddy' on Dick Clark's tv show 'Where The Action Is' 24th May 1966'Sure Nuff 'N Yes, I Do' live - MIDEM festival, Cannes, South Of France January 1968'She's Too Much For My Mirror' and 'My Human Gets Me Blues' live - Amougies Festival, Belgium October 1969'Lick My Decals Off, Baby' advert 1970 (voiceover by Fred May)'I'm Gonna Booglarise You Baby' live - German tv show 'Beat Club' April 1972'Click Clack' live - Bataclan, Paris, France April 1972'Big Eyed Beans From Venus' with concert footage from The Rainbow, London - BBC 1973'Upon The My Oh My' live - BBC 1974'Hard Workin' Man' - single taken from soundtrack of the film 'Blue Collar' 1978Interview and band rehearsal on Los Angeles tv show 'Eyewitness' 1980'Bat Chain Puller' live in Montmartre, Paris - 'Chorus TV', France 1980'Ice Cream For Crow' video, Mojave Desert, California August 1982Don's first appearance on 'The Late Show With David Letterman' in 1982
Friend Space (Top 40)
Captain Beefheart And The Magic Band has 1327 friends.
Sky Sunlight Saxon of The SEEDS etc. passed over to be with YaHoWha 6/25/2009 at 9:10am. Sabrina Saxon and Joshua Aquarian were at his side. He passed peacefully and with no pain.
Donate to help with cremation and other expenses due to this unexpected crisis.
The interview I referenced in Rolling Stone is probably from 72 to 74 sometime. I think it had Beefheart on the cover, I wish I still had that copy...it kicked around in my room for years, because I love Beefheart. Here's someone else from the old days...Tim was married to a distant cousin of mine, which makes Jeff Buckley's grandma my mother's cousin...
hey Sam.. thanks! oh, yes.. the Captain.. is truly a humanistic genius of music for sure... I just saw Gary Lucas play last night.. thanks for helping to bring his legacy to the people! best, Tim
Safe as Milk is my all-time favorite Beefheart album, expecially the re-issue, which includes alternate takes and recordings from the sessions that are totally outrageously great
Thanks a million Captain Beefheart for joining our ministry of Blues. It's all about peace, love, understanding, and GROOVE! Hope to perform for you sometime. Wishing you the very best in Blues and life! -Big Daddy
Comments
Jul 12 2009 11:31 PM
Jul 3 2009 4:20 AM
Jul 2 2009 8:43 PM
Jun 28 2009 3:48 PM
Sky Sunlight Saxon of The SEEDS etc.
passed over to be with YaHoWha
6/25/2009 at 9:10am.
Sabrina Saxon and Joshua Aquarian
were at his side.
He passed peacefully and with no pain.
Donate to help with cremation and
other expenses due
to this unexpected crisis.
http://www.skysaxon.com
Jun 22 2009 5:30 AM
Jun 18 2009 3:30 PM
Jun 14 2009 11:51 AM
Nice week.
Thank you very much
Jun 14 2009 2:30 AM
Jun 13 2009 4:04 PM
(The finest '63 Chrysler and snowshovel in Western Art.)
GN
Jun 13 2009 2:45 AM
thanks!
oh, yes.. the Captain.. is truly
a humanistic genius of music for sure...
I just saw Gary Lucas play last night..
thanks for helping to bring his legacy to the people!
best,
Tim
Jun 10 2009 4:56 PM
Jun 10 2009 4:44 PM
Jun 10 2009 4:34 PM
I like this new photos.
Greetings
Jun 10 2009 3:39 PM
Jun 6 2009 4:34 PM
Hi, folks! Always glad to be among your friends. Your page gets better and nicer all the time. Wish you all the best, keep groovin'! Andrea
Jun 4 2009 8:15 AM
Jun 3 2009 4:10 PM
May 29 2009 7:24 PM
May 25 2009 3:26 PM
May 25 2009 1:22 PM
issue du célèbre
Chipitos studio
et en attendant le prochain clip,
Jack Dupon
vous offre une petite sucrerie...
Born in the famous
Chipitos Studio
and waiting for the next Clip,
Jack Dupon
offers you a little sweet...
Chipitos StudiosMay 16 2009 12:15 PM
All the best for this week End.
Greetings.
May 15 2009 5:45 PM
May 15 2009 3:18 AM
I LOVE YOU DON !
can't sleep tonight....
Val
from Paris/France
May 13 2009 4:52 PM
May 13 2009 8:18 AM
would jus like to say thank you for the freindship (YOU are my favarote freind!..lol)
i apologise for spamming
the album - No Take Twos - is now avalible to download on itunes, amazon and all major download sites
thanks again .
Daniel cook