don van vliet  a.k.a.  captain beefheart 
concerts + radio- & tv-appearances

lots of data, info and remarks by Paul Brown

 

captain beefheart concert recordings & radio appearances

a highly parenthetical guide to unofficially circulating material of don van vliet, aka captain beefheart.

info by dave lynch  (version 2.0, 1/24/99)

 

 

 

 

 

1958 - 1959  'lost in a whirlpool'

location: an empty classroom at antelope valley jr. college in lancester, california.

frank zappa: lead guitar
bobby zappa: rhythm guitar
don van vliet: vocals

a recording of this session can be found on

1963  'sessions frank zappa with don van vliet'

the earliest studio collaborations between don van vliet and frank zappa took place in studio z (pal studio) in 1962 - 1963.

1963/--/--    opening night at studio Z

guests included captain beefheart, his former girl-friend laurie, ray collins, 'motorhead' sherwood and bob narciso.  bob is singing about the pall mals. motorhead is talking about his girlfriend.  a collage of some dialog and music from this opening night can be found on:

1966 magic band (?):

1966/05/20-22 concert ‘avalon ballroom’

concerts by captain beefheart & his magic band, by love and by big brother and the holding company.

  • 1966/05/20 concert ‘Avalon Ballroom’, San Francisco, Ca, usa

    • Tupelo Mississippi, Evil, Blues Jam, Somebody Walkin In My Home, Avalon (Old Folk's Boogie)

    • FM Live Radio Broadcast, A-, 17min

 

bootlegged on "the early years 1959-1969";

 

1966/06/17 & 18    concert 'avalon ballroom', san francisco, usa

concerts by captain beefheart & his magic band and by oxford circle

 

1966/06/18 Captain Beefheart phone interview : "American Bandstand"
  • 3 min 26 sec

1966/08/26 & 27   concert avalon ballroom, san francisco, usa

a concert by captain beefheart & his magic band and by the charlatans

 

1966/10/28 concert fillmore

1968 magic band

 

 

 

 

 

1969 magic band

 

 

 1970 magic band

 

note: for labelling purposes, the bass solo based on themes from hair pie will be called "hair pie bake III" throughout this document.  this is also known as "spitball scalped a baby", however, this title refers to an entirely different improvisation type sax/drum duet similar to earth angel.  for some reason it's also known as "suction prints (intro version)" on some boots.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1971 magic band

note: this was the first magic band to tour widely (with ry cooder), and imo the best touring lineup.  versions of "flash gordon's ape" from this tour are incredible full-on jams.  steal softly thru snow was only played as an instrumental live.

 

 

 

 

 

 

NB. "Old Black Snake" is a blues tune, AKA "Black Snake Moan", On this tour, it was accompanied by blues riffing by the band, all subsequent performances were acapella. 

 

 

 

1972 Magic Band
Don Van Vliet: vocals, harp, sax
Bill Harkleroad: guitar
Elliot Ingber: guitar
Mark Boston: bass, guitar
Roy Estrada: ass
Art Tripp: drums

1972/01/15 concert ‘Anderson Theatre’, NYC, NY
AUD, B-, 42min

 

1972/01/22 concert ‘Fenway Theatre’, Boston, Mass
Hair Pie III (Bass Solo), When It Blows, Japan In A Dishpan’ Click Clack, Grow Fins, I’m Gonna Booglarize Ya Baby, Old Black Snake, Peon, Abba Zaba, Woe Is A Me Bop, Alice In Blunderland, Spitball Scalped A Baby (cuts)
AUD B+ 50min

 

1972/02/?? Concert ‘Music Hall’, Cincinatti,
"Art Tripp III, This Is Your Life!" ( Dixieland Intro w/unknown musicians.  )
Hair Pie Bake III, When It Blows Its Stacks, Japan in a Dishpan, Click Clack, Grow Fins, I'm Gonna Booglarize You Baby  Old Black Snake, Alice in Blunderland, Spitball Scalped A Baby
AUD, B, 45 min 

 

1972/02/21 concert ‘University Of Medford’, Massachusetts, Boston
Hair Pie Bake III, When It Blows Its Stacks, Japan in a Dishpan, Click Clack, Grow Fins, I'm Gonna Booglarize You Baby, Old Black Snake, Peon, Abba Zaba, Hair Pie Bake III, Improve, Woe Is Uh Me Bop, Spitball Scalped A Baby
AUD, C, 70 min

 

1972/03/10-12 concert ‘Fox Theatre’, Long Beach, West Coast, CA
Hair Pie Bake III, When It Blows It Stacks, Steal Softly Thru Snow, Click Clack, Grow Fins, I'm Gonna Burglarize You, Baby, Abba Zaba, Woe Is Uh Me Bop(cut), Japan In A Dishpan, Bass Solo(cut),Spitball Scalped A Baby
B, 45 min

 

1972/03/?? Concert Hollywood, Ca
AUD  ?  50min

 

EUROPEAN TOUR 1972

 

1972/03/27 concert 'Royal Albert Hall', London, UK



1972/03/29 concert ‘The Dome’, Brighton, UK
Bass Solo - Hair Pie Bake III, When It Blows Its Stacks, Click Clack, Grow Fins, Intros, I'm Gonna Burglarize You Baby, Old Black Snake, Peon, Abba Zaba, Woe Is Uh Me Bop, Alice In Blunderland, More, Bass Solo, My Human Gets Me Blues, Steal Softly Thru Snow (Inst + Sax) Spitball Scalped A Baby, Golden Birdies:
AUD B, 90m 

 

1972/03/30 concert ‘De Montfort Hall’, Leicester, UK
Bass Solo (cuts), When It Blows It Stacks, I’m Gonna Burglarize Yak (Both erased from Master Tape), Hobo Chang Ba (end only!), Old Black Snake, Peon, Abba Zaba, Woe Is A Me Bop, Alice In Blunderland, Spitball Scalped A Baby, More (Whistles) // *Encore - Bass Solo, My Human Gets Me Blues, Flash Gordon’s Ape, Sax Solos, Band Intros, Golden Birdies (Fast!)
70m AUD B+ 

 

1972/04/01 concert ‘Free Trade Hall’, Manchester, UK
Bass Solo-Hair Pie Bake III (w/interruptions) - Grow Fins, Band Intro’s, Hobo Chang Ba, I'm Gonna Booglarize Ya, Baby, Old Black Snake, Peon, Abba Zaba, Woe Is Uh Me Bop, Alice In Blunderland, // Spitball Scalped A Baby, My Human Gets Me Blues, Steal Softly Through Snow, Golden Birdies
A-/B+, 70 min 

 

1972/04/02 concert ‘Kelvin Hall’, Glasgow, UK
B, 80min.

 

1972/04/03 concert ‘Liverpool Stadium’, Liverpool, UK

 

1972/04/05 concert ‘City Hall’, Newcastle, UK
B, 45min.

 

1972/04/11 concert ‘Tivolis Koncertsal’, København, Denmark
Hair Pie Bake III, When It Blows Its Stacks, Click Clack, Grow Fins, Hobo Chang Ba, I'm Gonna Booglarize Ya, Baby, Old Black Snake, Peon, Abba Zaba, Woe Is Uh Me Bop, Alice In Blunderland, My Human Gets Me Blues, Steal Softly Thru Snow, Golden Birdies, Spitball Scalped A Baby, Japan In A Dishpan
AUD, VG-  84mins


 
1972/04/12 concert ‘Funkhaus’, Bremen, Germany
Booglarize Ya
TV Recording, A, 5mins 


 
1972/04/14 concert ‘Frankfurt’, Germany
Hair Pie Bake III, When It Blows Its Stacks, Click Clack, Hobo Chang Ba, I'm Gonna Booglarize Ya, Baby, Old Black Snake, Peon, Abba Zaba, Spitball Scalped a Baby
AUD, B, 45 min.

 

1972/04/15 concert 'Le Bataclan', Paris, France

 

1972 US SPRING TOUR

 

1972/04/22 concert ‘La Scope’, Norfolk, VA
Hobo Chang Ba (end only), I'm Gonna Booglarize Ya, Baby, Old Black Snake, Peon, Abba Zaba, Alice in Blunderland, Golden Birdies
AUD, C-, 30 min


 
1972/04/29 concert West Palm Beach, Florida
Hair Pie Bake III, When It Blows It Stacks, Click Clack, Grow Fins, Hobo Chang Ba (instrumental), I'm Gonna Booglarize You Baby, Old Black Snake, Peon, Alice in BlunderlandTown Hall
AUD, B, 40 min

 

1972 ‘Bickershaw Festival’ Magic Band line-Up,
Don Van Vliet: vocals, harp, sax,
Bill Harkleroad: glass finger guitar, lead guitar
Mark Boston: bass guitar, guitar,
Elliot Ingber : guitar,
Art Tripp III: drums, marimba
 
1972/05/06 concert “Bickershaw Festival”, Lancashire, UK
Intro, When It Blows Its Stacks, Click Clack, Grow Fins, Hobo Chang Ba, I'm Gonna Booglarize You Baby, Old Black Snake, Peon, Abba Zaba, Alice in Blunderland, My Human Gets Me Blues, Steal Softly Thru Snow, Golden Birdies, Spitball Scalped A Baby
AUD, A--B+, 50 min 

 

1972/10/28 concert ‘town hall’, nyc, aud, b, 45 min.

note: great setlist with lots of rarely performed tracks.  "one red rose" slated for release on the upcoming 5cd set.

hair pie bake iii; suction prints; low yo yo stuff; nowadays a woman's gotta hit a man; clear spot; old black snake; sugar 'n spikes; too much time; steal softly thru snow; crazy little thing; i'm gonna booglarize you baby; one red rose that i mean; click clack; alice in blunderland

 

1972 US WINTER TOUR

1972/10/28 concert ‘Town Hall’, NYC, NY
Hair Pie Bake III, Suction Prints, Low Yo Yo Stuff, Nowadays A Woman's Gotta Hit A Man, Clear Spot, Old Black Snake, Sugar 'n Spikes, Too Much Time, Steal Softly Thru Snow, Crazy Little Thing, I'm Gonna Booglarize You Baby, One Red Rose That I Mean, Click Clack, Alice In Blunderland
AUD, B, 45 min



1972/10/30 concert ‘Aragon Ballroom’, Chicago
Low Yo Yo Stuff, Nowadays, Clear Spot, Old Black Snake, Sugar N Spikes, Crazy Little Thing, Crazy Little Thing, One Red Rose That I Mean, I'm Gonna Booglarize You Baby, Click Clack, Alice in Blunderland, Circumstances, Big Eyed Beans From Venus, Golden Birdies, Bass Solo, Steal Softly Thru Snow
AUD  B  50m  

 

1972/??/?? concert unknown Venue
AUD, B-, 45 min

 

1972/--/-- concert cincinatti, aud, c+, 45 min.:

"art tripp iii, this is your life!" (dixieland w/unknown musicians (members of cincinatti orchestra?)); hair pie bake iii; when it blows its stacks; japan in a dishpan; click clack; grow fins; i'm gonna booglarize you baby (lame rendition); old black snake; alice in blunderland; spitball scalped a baby

 

1972/--/-- concert west palm beach, florida, aud, b, 40 min.

hair pie bake iii; when it blows it stacks; click clack; grow fins; hobo chang ba (instrumental); i'm gonna booglarize you baby; old black snake; peon; alice in blunderland

 

1972/--/-- concert ‘university of medford’, massachusetts, aud, c, 70 min.

hair pie bake iii; when it blows its stacks; japan in a dishpan; click clack; grow fins; i'm gonna booglarize you baby; old black snake; peon; abba zaba; hair pie bake iii/improv; woe is uh me bop; spitball scalped a baby

 

 

1973 Magic Band:
Don Van Vliet: vocals, harp
Bill Harkleroad: guitar
Alex St.Clair: guitar
Mark Boston: bass
Roy Estrada: bass
Art Tripp: drums

 

1973/01/03 concert ‘Troubador’, LA
Bass Solo-Suction Prints, Low Yo Yo Stuff, Old Black Snake, I'm A King Bee, Nowaday’s, Band intro’s, Sugar ‘N Spikes, Crazy Little Thing, I'm Gonna Booglarize You Baby, Click Clack, Alice In Blunder land, Golden Birdies
AUD, B+, 40 min


1973/01/03 concert ‘Troubador’, LA
Bass Solo-Suction Prints, Golden Birdies

 

1973/01/05 concert ‘Troubador’, LA
Old Black Snake, I'm A King Bee, Jimmy Bill's In Town, Alice In Blunder land, Abba Zaba, Big Eyed Beans From Venus, I'm Gonna Booglarize You Baby

 

1973/02/24 concert ‘Town Hall’, NYC, NY
Suction Prints, Low Yo Yo Stuff, Hit A Man, Abba Zaba, Crazy Little Thing, Sugar N Spikes, Peon, Hair Pie Bake III, I'm Gonna Booglarize You Baby,Alice In Blunderland, King Bee, Mirror Man, Big Eyed Beans, Golden Birdies, Click Clack 
AUD, B+, 75 min

 

1973/03/03 concert ‘Commodore Ballroom’, Vancouver BC
Hair Pie Bake III/Suction Prints, Nowadays A Woman's Got To Hit A Man, Abba Zaba, Crazy Little Thing, Sugar 'N Spikes, Peon, Hair Pie Bake III, I'm Gonna Booglarize You, Baby, Mirror Man, Big Eyed Beans, Golden Birdies, Click Clack
AUD, B, 65 min

1973/03/04 interview vancouver, bc canada

1973/03/09 concert ‘Ebbetts Field’, Denver
Hair Pie Bake III/Suction Prints, Nowadays A Woman's Got To Hit A Man, Steal Softly Thru Snow, Abba Zaba, Crazy Little Thing, Sugar N Spikes, Veteran's Day Poppy, King Bee (w/vocals), Peon, Click Clack (w/vocals), Alice in Blunderland, Electricity, Mirror Man (w/vocals), Big Eyed Beans From Venus (w/vocals), Golden Birdies (w/vocals)
AUD, B-, 80 min.  ( NB Don's voice blown, mostly instrumental... Def 1972 Tape!)

 

1973/03/31 concert ‘Winterland’, San Francisco
Hair Pie III - Bass Solo, Son Of Mirror Man, Hair Pie, Low Yo Yo Stuff, Low Yo Yo Stuff, Nowadays, Crazy Little thing, sugar N Spikes, Peon, Abba Zaba, Booglarize Ya (cuts) // Booglarize Ya (cont), Alice In Blunderland, King Bee-Sugar Mama, Big Eyed Beans, Golden Birdies, Inst: *Fillers: OGWT 74 x 2, Well, Funeral Hill
AUD. B- C90

 

1973/--/-- concert roxy, la, aud, c+, 40 min.  
alice in blunderland; abba zaba; big eyed beans from venus; i'm gonna booglarize ya, baby; when it blows its stacks; golden birdies; old black snake/king bee; jimmy bill's back in town

 

1973/--/-- concert denver, aud, b-, 80 min.  
note: don's voice blown, mostly instrumental..
hair pie bake iii/suction prints; nowadays a woman's got to hit a man; steal softly thru snow; abba zaba; crazy little thing; sugar n spikes; veteran's day poppy; king bee (w/vocals); peon; click clack (w/vocals); alice in blunderland; electricity; mirror man (w/vocals); big eyed beans from venus (w/vocals); golden birdies (w/vocals)

 

1973 UK TOUR

 

1973/04/05 concert ‘Free Trade Hall’, Manchester, UK
AUD.   B- C90

 

1973/04/12 concert ‘Sheffield City Hall’, Sheffield, UK
AUD.  B-  C90  

 

1973/04/13 concert ‘Glagow Greens Theatre’, Scotland
Bass Solo, Pompadour Swamp (Suction Prints) Mirror Man, Low Yo Yo Stuff, Nowadays, Crazy Little Thing, Band Intros, Sugar N Spikes, Electricity, Old Black Snake, Peon, Abba Zaba, Booglarize Ya, Alice In Blunderland, King Bee - Sugar Mama, Steal Softly Thru Snow, Big Eyed Beans, Golden Birdies, Bass Solo
AUD  80m B+

 

1973/04/14 concert ‘Edinburgh Empre Thr.’, Edinburgh, Scotland
Bass Solo-Suction Prints, Inst-Mirror Man, Low Yo Yo Stuff, Nowadays, Crazy Little Thing, Band Intros, Sugar N Spikes, Old Black Snake, Electricity, Peon, // Abba Zaba, Booglarize Ya, Alice In Blunderland, King Bee-Sugar Mama, Click Clack, Steal Softly Thru Snow, Big Eyed Beans From Venus, Golden Birdie, *Encore, My Human Gets Me Blues
AUD. C90

 

1973/04/17 concert ‘Rainbow Theatre’, London, UK
AUD  B  C90
Bass Solo, Mirror Man, Nowadays, Crazy Little Thing, Sugar N Spikes, I’m Gonna Booglarize Ya, // Booglarize Ya (cont.), Electricity, Peon, Alice In Blunderland, Blues Jam, Big Eyed Beans, Golden Birdies

 

1973/04/21 concert ‘Colston Hall’, Bristol
AUD B. 80m

 

1973/04/22 concert ‘Locarno Ballroom’, Stevenage
AUD B+

 

1973/04/30 concert ‘Nottingham University’,  Notts
Bass Solo, Suction Prints, Mirror Man, Low YTo Yo Stuff, Crazy Little Thing, Sugar N Spikes, I’m Gonna Booglarize Ya Baby, Electricity, Peon, King Bee-Sugar Mama, Click Clack,//Click Clack (cont.) Alice In Blunderland, Abba Zaba, Nowadays, Big Eyed Beans...(cuts...), Golden Birdies (missing!)
AUD B,  60min   

1973/05/01 concert ‘University’, Leicester
Hair Pie Bake III, Suction Prints, Inst, Intro-Mirror Man, Low Yo Yo Stuff, Abba Zaba, Alice In Blunderland, Big Eyed Beans, Golden Birdies, Old Black Snake, Sugar Mama, King Bee
AUD  A-/B+  

 

1973/05/02 concert Leeds, England
Hair Pie Bake III/Suction Prints, Sue Egypt (instrumental), Mirror Man, Low Yo Yo Stuff, Crazy Little Thing, Sifter Solo, Sugar N Spikes, I'm Gonna Booglarize You Baby, Electricity, Peon, King Bee/Sugar Mama, Click Clack, Alice in Blunderland, Abba Zaba, Nowadays A Woman's Got To Hit A Man, Big Eyed Beans From Venus, Golden Birdies
AUD, B/B+, 90 min

 

1973/05/08 concert ‘Kent University’, Canterbury
Hair Pie Bake III/Suction Prints, Mirror Man, Low Yo Yo Stuff, Crazy Little Thing, I'm Gonna Booglarize You Baby, Electricity (long version), Peon (cuts) // Peon, King Bee/Sugar Mama, Click Clack, Abba Zaba, Nowadays A Woman's Got To Hit A Man, Big Eyed Beans From Venus, Golden Birdies
AUD  80m B- 

 

1973/--/-- concert ‘green's playhouse, glasgow’, "spring" 1973, aud, c, 90 min.

 

Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band

"Unconditionally Guaranteed" Backing Tracks

1974/--/-- Studio Sessions, Hollywood Sound Recorders, Hollywood, California

 

The Tragic Band AKA Buckwheat
Don Van Vliet: vocals, harp
(Alex St. Clair may have been one of the guitarists for the early gigs.  Perhaps something that should be delved into more.)

 

1974/04/07 concert ‘Convocation Hall’, Toronto, CANADA
(w/Alex St. Clair?)
Big Eyed Beans Jam, Upon the My Oh My, Crazy Little Thing, Full Moon Hot Sun, ?, Sweet Georgia Brown, ?, ?
AUD, B+, 60 min

 

1974/04/22 concert ‘Cowtown Ballroom’, Kansas City, Texas, MO
Mirror Man, Upon the My Oh My, Crazy Little Thing, Full Moon Hot Sun, Sugar Bowl, This Is The Day, Keep On Rubbing/It's Mighty Crazy (Lightnin Slim), Be Your Dog, Sweet Georgia Brown, Abba Zaba, Peaches
SBD, A- 65 min

 

1974/05/08 concert Dallas, TX
AUD, 40 min.

 

1974/05/10 concert armadillo

1974/05/24 concert ‘HEC’, Paris, France
AUD, A-, 40mins.


1974/05/31 concert ‘East Anglia’, Norwich

1974/06/01 concert ‘Leeds University’, Leeds
AUD,  B-,  46min
 
1974/06/02 concert ‘Sportpark’, Geleen, The Netherlands
AUD
 
1975/06/08 concert ‘Manchester Free Trade Hall’, Manchester
BBC Rec (Video)


1974/06/09 concert ‘Drury Lane Theater’, London, UK
Mirror Man, Upon the My Oh My, Full Moon, Hot Sun, Crazy Little Thing, Sugar Bowl, This Is The Day, New lectric Ride, Abba Zaba, Peaches
AUD, 80m  B
SBD, B, 30 min

 

other '74 tapes:

1974/--/-- concert dallas, tx, , aud, 40 min.

 

also reportedly played in 1974:

black snake blues; poem (one nest rolls after another); happy love song; listen to your heart blues (howlin wolf's "who'll be next")

 

Don Van Vliet went on tour with The Mothers Of Invention from April to May 1975:

1975 Mothers of Invention “Bongo Fury” Tour 

Frank Zappa: lead guitar, vocals
Captain Beefheart: harp, vocals, sax
George Duke: keyboards, vocals
Napoleon Murphy Brock: sax, vocals
Bruce Fowler: trombone
Tom Fowler: bass
Denny Walley: slide guitar, vocals
Terry Bozzio: drums

 

1975/06/22 concert ‘Concertgebouw’, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
AUD  B 8m  (TV Rec.)

 

 

1975 Knebworth Magic Band:
Don Van Vliet: vocals, harp, sax
Greg Davidson : guitar
Elliot Ingber : guitar
Bruce Fowler: trombone
John French: drums, guitar (Dali's Car)
Jimmy Carl Black: drums

 
1975/07/05 concert “Knebworth”, England, UK
Moonlight on Vermont, Abba Zaba, Orange Claw Hammer, Dali's Car, When It Blows Its Stacks, My Human Gets Me Blues, Alice in Blunderland, Beatle Bones 'n' Smokin Stones, Gimme Dat Harp Boy, Electricity, I'm Gonna Booglarize Ya, Baby, Sam With the Showing Scalp Flat Top, Improv, Big Eyed Beans From Venus
B-/B, 70 min

 

Fall '75 Magic Band:
Don Van Vliet: vocals, harp, sax
Denny Walley: guitar, slide guitar
Elliot Ingber: guitar
Bruce Fowler: trombone
John French: drums, guitar (Dali's Car)
Jimmy Carl Black: drums

1975/07/16 concert ‘The Roxy’, Los Angeles, CA
AUD, B, 55min.
 
1975/10/30 concert ‘Chatau Neuf’, Oslo, Norway
Intros, Moonlight On Vermont, Abba Zaba, Orange Claw Hammer, Dali’s Car, When It Blows, My Human Gets Me Blues, Alice In Blunderland, Natchez Burnin’ Beatle Bones ‘N Smokin Stones, Drumbo’s Tapdance, Poofters Froth Wyoming, Electricity, Golden Birdies, Big Eyed Beans From Venus
AUD B, 65min

 
1975/10/31 concert ‘Tivoli Gds’, Copenhagen, Denmark
AUD, A-/B+, 65min
Moonlight On Vermont, Abba Zaba, Orange Clawhammer, Dali's Car, When It Blows Its Stacks, My Human Gets Me Blues (cut), Alice in Blunderland, Natchez Burning, Beatle Bones 'n Smokin Stones, Improv, Poofter's Froth Wyoming Plans Ahead, Electricity, Golden Birdies, Big Eyed Beans From Venus
 

1975/11/14 concert ‘New Victoria Theatre’, London, UK
Moonlight On Vermont, Abba Zaba, Abba Zaba - When It Blows - My Human Gets Me Blues, Alice In Blunderland, Natchez Burnin’, Beatle Bones
AUD, B+, 60min

 
1975/11/15 concert ‘Free Trade Hall’, Manchester

 
1975/11/22 concert ‘Friars’, Aylesbury
Moonlight On Vermont, Abba Zaba, Orange Claw Hammer, Beatle Bones 'n’ Smokin Stones, Poofters Froth Wyoming, Dali's Car, When It Blows Its Stacks, My Human Gets Me Blues, Alice in Blunderland, // Hait Pie III, Natchez Burnin’, Drumbo's Tap Dance, Electricity, Golden Birdies
B/B+, AUD, 60 min.

1975/11/24 concert ‘Southampton University’
Moonlight On Vermont, Abba Zaba, Orange Claw Hammer, Beatle Bones, Poofters Froth Wyoming, Dali’s Car, When It Blows It Stacks, My Human Gets Me Blues, (cuts momentarily) Band Intro’s, Alice In Blunderland, // Natchez Burnin / Spitball Scalped A Baby / Drum & Sax improv #2 / Drumbo’s Tap Dance, Electricity, *Encore
AUD, B, 60min

 
1975/11/28 concert ‘Concert Hall’, Bristol
Moonlight On Vermont - Abba Zaba - Orange Claw Hammer - Beatle Bones 'N Smokin Stones - Poofter's Froth Wyoming Dali's Car - When It Blows It Stacks - My Human Gets Me Blues - Alice In Blunderland - Natchez Burnin' - Spitball Scalped A Baby - Drumbo's Tap Dance
AUD, B, 60min.

1975/11/29 radio show kwst radio,?, a-, fm, 5 min.

note: beefheart and zappa appeared on a radio show in, depending on who you ask, either california or australia to promote the release of bongo fury.  they played a bunch of cuts from the forthcoming album, old unreleased tracks from the studio z days, and beefheart sang orange claw hammer live in the studio with zappa backing him on guitar,

a reduction of the full-band backing the song received on the bongo fury tour.  slated for release on the upcoming 5cd set.

orange claw hammer

 

1975/12/01 concert ‘Locarno’, Portsmounth
Desert’s Of Time (Intro) , Moonlight On Vermont, Old Black Snake (Acapella) , Abba Zaba, Beatle Bones, Poofter’s Froth Wyoming, Band Into’s, Dalis Car, When It Blows, My Human Gets Me Blues, Alice In Blunderland, Natchez Burnin’, Sax & Drum Duet, Electricity, Golden Birdies
AUD  B-  60min
 
1975/12/26 concert ‘Oakland Theatre’, California
Moonlight On Vermont, Abba Zaba, Orange Claw Hammer, Dali's Car, When It Blows Its Stacks, My Human Gets Me Blues, Alice in Blunderland, Hair Pie Bake III, Drumbo's Tap Dance, Electricity, Golden Birdies, Big Eyed Beans
B, AUD, 45 min

 
1975/12/27 concert ‘Winterland’, San Francisco, CA, usa
Moonlight on Vermont, Abba Zaba, Orange Claw Hammer, Dali's Car, When It Blows It Stacks, My Human Gets Me lues, Alice in Blunderland, Solos, Electricity, Golden Birdies (cut)
B-/B, AUD, 45 min

 

 

 

1976 Magic Band

Don Van Vliet: vocals, harp, sax
Denny Walley: guitar
Jeff Moris Tepper: guitar
Eric Drew Feldman: bass, keyboards, mellotron
Jerry Jaye: drums
Harry Duncan: harmonica

 

note: this band only played a few gigs locally & show the roots of the later incarnations of the magic band; wonderful atmosphere on these recordings, esp. the second, where the band comes back for a blues encore..

also probably the only one of beefheart's bands (including the tragic band) not to play "abba zaba".
"on tomorrow" and "moonlight on vermont" included sax solos on this tour.

 

1976/12/-- concert ‘keystone corner’, san francisco, ca, b, aud, 80 min.

"picture of mahavishnu" bootlegged on "if you got ears"

note: second gig this band ever played..

picture of mahavishnu; moonlight on vermont; low yo yo stuff; i wanna find me a woman...; electricity; click clack; a carrot is as close...; china pig/old black snake; on tomorrow; pachuco cadaver; my human gets me blues; veteran's day poppy; big eyed beans from venus

 

1976/12/05 concert 'The Keystone Korner', San Francisco, CA, usa

 

1976/12/12 concert 'The Troubadour', LA, CA, usa

 

1976/12/26 concert 'Troubadour', Los Angeles, Calilfornia, usa

 

 

1976/??/?? concert at unknown Venue
Hair Pie Bake III, I Wanna Find Me a Woman, Nowadays a Woman's Got To Hit A Man, My Human Gets Me Blues, Owed T'Alex, Big Eyed Beans (cut)
B+, AUD, 20 min

 

1977 - 1978 Magic Band
Don Van Vliet- Vocals, Harp, Sax
Denny Walley- Guitar
Jeff Moris Tepper- Guitar
Eric Drew Feldman- Bass, Keyboards
Robert Williams- Drums
Harry Duncan- Harmonica

 

1977/04/21-E- concert ‘Keystone’, Berkeley
Bass-Hair Pie Bake III, When Big Joan Sets Up, Electricity, Abba Zaba, Low Yo Yo Stuff, Nowadays a Woman's Gotta Hit a Man, A Carrotis as Close..., China Pig, Orange Claw Hammer, Bat Chain Puller, Floppy Boot Stomp, Moonlight on Vermont, On Tomorrow,// Owed T'Alex, Pachuco Cadaver w Sax & Drums intoSpitball Scalped a Baby, My Human Gets Me Blues, Click Clack
B+, AUD, 90 min.


1977/04/21-L- concert ‘Keystone’, Berkeley
A-, AUD, ?
Hair Pie Bake III, I Wanna Find Me A Woman, My Human Gets Me Blues, Owed T’Alex, Big Eyed Beans, Golden Birdies

 
1977/04/23-E- concert ‘Keystone Palo Alto’, San Francisco
Set 1: My Human, Bass-Hair Pie Bake III, Abba Zaba, I Wanna Find A Woman, Nowadays A Woman's Gotta Hit A Man, A Carrot Is As Close As A Rabbit Gets To A Diamond, China Pig, Orange Claw Hammer, Bat Chain Puller, My Human Gets Me Blues, Owed t'Alex, Click Clack, Veteran's Day Poppy
B, AUD, 110 min

 
1977/04/23-E- concert ‘Keystone Palo Alto’, San Francisco
Band Intro’s, When Big Joan Sets Up// Joan cont, Electricity, Low Yo Yo Stuff, Nowadays A Woman's Gotta Hit A Man, Moonlight On Vermont, Dali's Car, China Pig, The Dust Blows Forward,The Blimp, Moonlight On Tomorrow, Pachuco Cadaver, Drums & Sax, Click Clack, My Human Gets Me Blues 
B, AUD, ??

1977/07/15-E- concert ‘Golden Bear’, Huntington Beach, CA
Bat Chain Puller, Abba Zaba, I Wanna Find A Woman, Grow Fins, Electricity, A Carrot Is As Close As A Rabbit Gets To A Diamond, China Pig, Click Clack, Floppy Boot Stomp, Owed T'Alex, Veteran's Day Poppy, Big Eyed Beans, Golden Birdies
B, AUD, 85 min

 
1977/07/15-L- concert ‘Golden Bear’, Huntington Beach, CA
Hair Pie Bake III, Low Yo Yo Stuff, Nowadays a Woman's Gotta Hit a Man, Bat Chain Puller, Floppy Boot Stomp, Glider, Dali's Car, Orange Claw Hammer, On Tomorrow, Click Clack, My Human Gets Me Blues, Pachuco Cadaver, Spitball Scalped a Baby, Big Eyed Beans From Venus, Old Black Snake, The Blimp, Moonlight on Vermont, Grow Fins jam
B-/B, AUD, 85 min

1977/11/01 concert ‘Colonial Tavern’, Toronto, Canada
*Set I: Bat Chain Puller, Abba Zaba, Crazy Little Thing, I Wanna Find Me an Woman..., Sun Zoom Spark, Floppy Boot Stomp, Dali's Car, Grow Fins, Click Clack, Big Eyed Beans From Venus Set II: Hair Pie Bake III/Suction prints, Low Yo Yo Stuff, Nowadays A WWoman.., Electricity, A Carrot Is As Close..., China Pig, Owed T'Alex, My Human Gets Me Blues, Pachuco Cadaver, Golden Birdies
B/B+, AUD, 100 min. 

 
1977/11/02 concert ‘Colonial Tavern’, Toronto, Canada*Set 2 - Moonlight On Vermont, Bat Chain Puller, Abba Zaba, Crazy Little Thing, I Wanna Find A Woman, Dali's Car, Orange Claw Hammer, China Pig, Click Clack, Big Eyed Beans, Suction  Prints, Low Yo Yo Stuff, Nowadays A Woman's Got To Hit A Man, Electricity, China Pig, On Tomorrow, My Human Gets Me Blues
B/B+, AUD, 80 min

1977/11/03-E- concert ‘Red Creek Inn’, Rochester, NY
Bass Solo, Suction Prints, Moonlight On Vermont, Bat Chain Puller, Abba Zaba, Crazy Little Thing, Band Intro.s, Drum Solo, Band Intro.s, I Wanna Find Me A Woman, My Human Gets Me Blues, Click Clack, Big Eyed Beans
AUD B+ 45m

1977/11/03-L- concert ‘Red Creek Inn’, Rochester, NY
Bass Solo, Suction Prints, Low Yo Yo Stuff, Rap + Intro.s, Nowaday’s, Electricity, A Carrot, China Pig - Hoboism, I Love You Big Dummy, On Tomorrow, Owed T’ Alex (cuts) // My Human Gets Me Blues, Veteran’s Day Poppy, Orange Claw Hammer, Golden Birdies
AUD B+ 60 min
 
1977/11/12 concert Washington, DC
Suction Prints, Low Yo Yo Stuff, Electricity, A Carrot Is As Close to a Rabbit, China Pig (real slow!), On Tommorow, Grow Fins, Click Clack  c/w *Unknown 77 - My Human Gets Me Blues (cuts), Suction Prints, Suction Prints, , Nowadays, Low Yo Yo Stuff, Abba Zaba, Crazy Little Thing, Sugar N Spikes, One Red Rose, Golden Birdies
B+, AUD, 40 min.

 

note: robert williams has said that a show at the hippodrome in paris on 11/11/77 was "one of his favorite shows".  This could be it.

1977/11/20 concert ‘Nouvelle Hippodrome’, Paris, France
Hair Pie Bake III, Suction Prints, Low Yo Yo Stuff, Bat Chain Puller, I Wanna Find A Woman, Abba Zaba, band introductions (cut), Dali's Car, One Nest Rolls After Another (poem), The Dust Blows Forward and the Dust Blows Back, Nowadays A Woman's Got To Hit A Man, Click Clack, Grow Fins, Golden Birdies, Electricity (cut), A Carrot Is As Close As A Rabbit Gets To A Diamond, China Pig, Sun Zoom Spark, My Human Gets Me Blues, Floppy Boot Stomp, Moonlight On Vermont, Owed T'Alex, Old Black Snake (few lines only), Pachuco Cadaver, Veteran's Day Poppy, The Blimp (!), Big Eyed Beans From Venus
AUD, B/B+, 95 min

 

1977/11/25 concert ‘The Bottom Line’, NYC
Hair Pie Bake III, Suction Prints, Low Yo Yo Stuff, I Wanna Find A Woman, Floppy Boot Stomp, A Carrot Is As Close As A Rabbit Gets To A Diamond, China Pig, Nowadays A Woman's Gotta Hit A Man, Grow Fins
B+, AUD, 45 min

1977/??/?? concert at unknown Venue
B, AUD, 15 min.

1978 Tour

1978/01/28 concert ‘The Roxy’, Los Angeles, CA, usa
Hair Pie Bake III, Suction Prints, Safe As Milk, I Wanna Find A Woman, Bat Chain Puller, Electricity, Harry Irene, Click Clack, A Carrot Is As Close As A Rabbit Gets To A Diamond, Dust Blows Forward And The Dust Blows Back, Floppy Boot Stomp, My Human Gets Me Blues, Veteran's Day Poppy, When I See Mommy, Big Eyed Beans
AUD, B-, 67 min [Possibly wrong date?]

 
1978/01/28 concert ‘Texas Opry House’, Houston, Texas
Tropical Hot Dog Night, Nowadays, Owed T' Alex, Dropout Boogie , Harry Irene, Abba Zaba, Her Eyes Are A Blue Million Miles, Old Fart At Play, The Dust Blows Forward, Ice Rose, Floppy Boot Stomp, Bat Chain Puller, Apes Ma, When I See Mommy, Veteran's Day Poppy - *Encore - Suction Prints
 
1978/02/16 concert ‘The Backdoor’, San Diego, CA
Nowadays A Woman's Gotta Hit A Man, Harry Irene, Click Clack, A Carrot Is As Close As A Rabbit Gets To A Diamond, The Dust  Blows Forward 'N The Dust Blows Back, Floppy Boot Stomp, Owed T'Alex, Crazy Little Thing, My Human Gets Me Blues, Veteran's Day Poppy, When I See Mommy
B, AUD, 45 min


1978/02/18 concert ‘Golden Bear’, Huntington Beach, CA
Bass Solo - Suction Prints, Electricity, Click Clack, A Carrot Is As Close As A Rabbit Gets To A Diamond, Bat Chain Puller, Nowadays A Woman's Got To Hit A Man, Crazy Little Thing, When I See Mommy I Feel Like A Mummy, Owed T'Alex, Low Yo Yo Stuff, Pachuco Cadaver, Abba Zaba, Grow Fins, Dali's Car, China Pig, Sure 'Nuff 'N Yes I Do, Sun Zoom Spark, Big Eyed Beans From Venus, Golden Birdies
AUD, B, 100 min

 

other '77-'78 tapes:

1977/11/12 concert washington, dc, b+, aud, 40 min.

1977/--/-- concert unknown venue, b, aud, 15 min.

 

Fall 1978 Magic Band
Don Van Vliet: vocals, harp, sax
Jeff Moris Tepper: guitar
Richard Joseph Redus: slide guitar, slide bass, accordion
Eric Drew Feldman: bass, synthesizer, keyboards
Bruce Fowler: trombone & bass
Robert Williams: drums, percussion
Mary Jane Eisenberg: maracas, shake bouquet, mummy

 

captain beefheart & the magic band, fall 1978

promotional photo issued by wb records.

it was used for release of shiny beast/bat chain puller in the fall of 1978.

featured with the captain are magic band members rick redus, eric drew feldman, bruce fowler, robert williams" and jeff moris tepper.

 

 

 

1978/11/11 concert ‘Paradise Club’, Boston, MA
Tropical Hot Dog Night, Nowadays, Owed T’Alex, Dropout, Harry Irene, Abba Zaba, Old Fart, Well, Ice Rose, Moonlight, Bat Chain. Side 2, Mummy, Safe As Milk, Suction Prints. *Fillers Hard Working Man(Film.) *Avalon Ep, Too Much Time (Inst.) Long Knecked Bottles, Harry Irene
B, AUD, 70 min

 
1978/11/18 concert ‘My Father's Place’, Roslyn, NY
Tropical Hot Dog Night, Hit A Man, Owed T'Alex, Dropout Boogie, Harry Irene, Abba Zaba, Her Eyes Are A Blue Million Miles, Old Fart At Play, Well, Ice Rose, Moonlight On Vermont, Floppy Boot Stomp, You Know You're A Man, Bat Chain Puller, Apes-Ma, When I See Mommy, Veteran's Day Poppy, afe As Milk, Suction Prints
FM, A+, 90 min

 
1978/11/22 concert ‘Bayou Club’, Washington
Tropical Hot Dog Night ( end of ), Nowaday's A Woman's Gotta Hit A Man ( false start ), Nowaday's A Woman's Gotta Hit A Man, Owed T' Alex, Don & Crowd, Dropout Boogie, Harry Irene, Abba Zaba, Her Eyes Are A BLue Million Miles, Old Fart At Play, The Dust Blows Forward And The Dust Blows Back, Ice Rose, Moonlight On Vermont > Don's rap
AUD, 45m  B+

 
1978/11/28-E- concert ‘S.E. Music Hall’, Atlanta, Georgia
Tropical Hot Dog Night, Nowadays, Owed T'Alex, Harry Irene, Abba Zaba, Her Eyes Are A Blue Million Miles, Old Fart At Play, The Dust Blows Forward 'N The Dust Blows Back,// Ice Rose, My Human Gets Me Blues, Smithsonian Institute Blues, Bat Chain Puller, When I See Mommy..., Veteran's Day Poppy, Hair Pie Bake III, Suction Prints
B/B+, AUD, 80 min

 
1978/11/28-L- concert ‘S.E. Music Hall’, Atlanta, Georgia
Tropical Hot Dog Night, Owed T'Alex, Dropout Boogie, Harry Irene, Low Yo Yo Stuff, Her Eyes Are A Blue Million Miles, Well, Ice Rose, Floppy Boot Stomp, My Human Gets Me Blues, Bat Chain Puller, When I See Mommy..., Veteran's Day Poppy, Big Eyed Beans From Venus, Suction Prints
B/B+, AUD, 80 min

1978/11/29 concert 'Tipitina's, New Orleans, Ca, usa
Tropical Hot Dog Night (CUT), Nowadays A Woman's Gotta Hit A Man, Owed T'Alex (CUT), Dropout Boogie, Well, Harry Irene, Low Yo Yo Stuff, Abba Zaba, Her Eyes Are A Blue Million Miles (CUT), Old Fart At Play (CUT), Ice Rose, My Human Gets Me Blues, Floppy Boot Stomp (CUT), The Smithsonian Institute Blues (Or The Big Dig) (CUT), Bat Chain Puller (CUT), When I See Mommy I Feel Like A Mummy (CUT), Veteran's Day Poppy (CUT), The Dust Blows Forward 'N The Dust Blows Back, Safe As Milk (CUT), Hair Pie (Bass Solo) ** SEE NOTES ** , Suction Prints, Big Eyed Beans From Venus
NOTES: it's possible that the Hair Pie (Bass Solo) was not a part of this show, but that it was pasted onto the tape

 

1978/11/?? Concert ‘Bottom Line’, NYC, NY
Tropical Hot Dog Night, Nowadays A Woman's Gotta Hit A Man, Dropout Boogie, Harry Irene, Abba Zaba, Her Eyes Are A Blue Million Miles, Old Fart At Play, Well, Ice Rose, Moonlight On Vermont
B, AUD, 60 min

1978/12/01 - early show -  concert 'Texas Opry House', Houston, TX, usa

 

1980 - 1981 Magic Band

Don Van Vliet: vocals, harp, sax
Jeff Moris Tepper: guitar, slide guitar
Richard Snyder: guitar, slide guitar, bass ("Her Eyes")
Eric Drew Feldman: keyboards, synthesizer, mandolin, grand piano, mellotron
Robert Williams: drums, percussion
Gary Lucas: guitar ("Her Eyes", "Flavor Bud Living")

 

1980/10/26 concert ‘Colston Hall’, Bristol
AUD, B-, 55min.
 
1980/10/29 concert ‘Rotters Club’, Liverpool
Bass Solo - Toast (Diff.), Nowadays, Abba Zaba, Hot Head, Dirty Blue Gene, Best Batch Yet, One Nest, Safe As Milk, Flavour Bud, Her Eyes, One Red Rose, Dr Dark // Bat Chain Puller, My Humamn Gets Me Blues, Sugar N Spikes, Veteran’s Day Poppy, Dropout Boogie, Sherriff Of Hong Kong, Kandy Korn, Suction Prints, Big Eyed Beans
AUD , A/A-, 88min 

 

1980/10/30 concert ‘Apollo Theatre’, Manchester
Bass Intro, When It Blows, nowadays, Abba zaba, Hot Head, ashtray Heart, Dirty Blue Gene, Best Batch yet, Safe As Milk, Flavour Bud Living, Here Eyes, One Red Rose, Dr Dark(cuts // Bat Chain Puller, Old Fart At Play, Sugar N Spikes, Veterans Day Poppy, Dropout Boogie, Sheriff Of Hong Kong, Kandy Korn, Suction Prints, Big Eyed Beans From Venus
AUD, B, 86min


1980/11/01 concert ‘Paradiso’, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Abba Zaba, Hot Head, Ashtray Heart, Dirty Blue Gene, Best Batch Yet, Safe As Milk, Flavour Bud, *Int (mentions Winged Eel) Her Eyes, One Red Rose, Dr Dark, Bat Chain, Side 2,  My Human Gets Me Blues, Sugar N Spikes, Veterans Day, Dropout, Sherrif Of Hong Kong, Kandy Korn, Suction Prints, Big Eyed Beans: Safe As Milk, Flavor Bud Living, Her Eyes Are A Blue Million Miles, One Red Rose, One Man Sentence, Doctor Dark, Bat Chain Puller, My Human Gets Me Blues, Sugar N Spikes, Veteran's Day Poppy, Dropout Boogie, Sheriff Of Hong Kong, Kandy Korn, Suction Prints, Big Eyed Beans
FM. A+ 90 min
 
1980/11/05 concert ‘Vrije Universiteit’, Brussels, Belgium
Apes Ma, Bass Solo, Nowadays, Abba Zaba, Hot Head, Ashtray Heart, Band Intro, Dirty Blue Gene, Best Batch Yet, Safe As Milk, flavour Bud Living, Here Eyes, One Red Rose, One Red Rose, One Man Sentence,// Doctor Dark, Bat Chain Puller, Old Fart At Play, Sugar N Spikes, Veteran’s Day Poppy, Sheriff Of Hong Kong, Kandy Korn, Suction Prints
AUD, B, 90min

 
1980/11/09 concert ‘Elysees Montmartre’, Paris, France
Hair Pie Bake III, Nowadays A Woman's Gotta Hit A Man, Abba Zaba, Hot Head, Ashtray Heart, Dirty Blue Gene, Best Batch Yet, Flavor Bud Living, Her Eyes Are A Blue Million Miles, One Red Rose, Bat Chain Puller, Old Fart At Play, My Human Gets Me Blues, Sugar 'n Spikes, Veteran's Day Poppy, Suction Prints, Sheriff of Hong Kong
B, AUD, 85 min

 

1980/11/11 concert amsterdam, fm, b+, 90 min.:

bootlegged as "flavor bud living"

abba zaba; hot head; ashtray heart; dirty blue gene; best batch yet; safe as milk; flavor bud living; her eyes are a blue million miles; one red rose; one man sentence; doctor dark; bat chain puller; my human gets me blues; sugar n spikes; veteran's day poppy; dropout boogie; sheriff of hong kong; kandy korn; suction prints; big eyed beans

 

1980/11/12 concert ‘The Venue’, London, UK
Bass Solo, Nowadays, Abba Zaba, Hot Head, Ashtray Heart, Dirty Blue Gene, Best Batch Yet, Safe As Milk, Flavour Bud Living, Her Eyes, One Red Rose, One Man Sentence, // Doctor Dark, Sheriff Of Hong Kong, Suction Prints
AUD, A-, 85min

 
1980/11/13 concert ‘Guildford Civic Hall’
AUD, A-, 90min.
 
1980/11/15 concert ‘Loughborough University’
Bass Solo-Suction prints, Nowadays, Abba Zaba, Hot Head, Ashtray Heart, Dirt Blue Gene, Beat Batch Yet, Safe As Milk, Inst, Her Eyes, Peon, Dr Dark, Bat Chain Puller, Old Fart At Play, My Human Gets Me Blues
AUD, B+,  85min
 
1980/11/17 concert ‘York University’
AUD, A-/B+,  75min

1980/11/18 concert ‘The Venue’, London, UK
Apes Ma, Bass Solo, Melloton Improv, Nowadays, Abba Zaba, Hot Head, Ashtray Heart, Dirty Blue Gene, Best Batch Yet, Band Intro, Safe As Milk, Flavour Bud Living, Her Eyes, One Red Rose, // One Man Sentence, Doctor Dark, Bat Chain Puller, Old Fart At Play, My Human Gets Me Blues, Sugar N Spikes, Dropout Boogie, Sheriff Of Hong kong, Kandy Korn, Suction Prints
AUD. B+  90 min

1980/11/22 “Sat Night Live”
- US TV Appearance,  TV Rec A-, 8 min.
 
1980/11/28 concert ‘Beacon Theatre’, New York
Hair Pie Bake III, Nowadays A Woman's Gotta Hit A Man, Hot Head, Ashtray Heart, Dirty Blue Gene, Best Batch Yet, Safe As Milk, Flavor Bud Living, Her Eyes Are A Blue Million Miles, One Red Rose, Untitled, Doctor Dark, Bat Chain Puller, Floppy Boot Stomp, Old Fart At Play, My Human Gets Me Blues, Sheriff Of Hong Kong, Big Eyed Beans
AUD B,  85 min

 
1980/12/02 concert 'Bayou Club', Washington, DC, usa
Two Sets/Shows

set lists

first set
Hair Pie Bake III, Dirty Blue Gene, Best Batch Yet, Doctor Dark, My Human Gets Me Blues, The Dust Blows Forward And The Dust Blows Back, Bat Chain Puller, A Carrot Is As Close As A Rabbit Gets To A Diamond, One Red Rose That I Mean, Sugar 'N Spikes, Sheriff Of Hong Kong

second set
Hair Pie Bake III, Nowaday's A Woman's Gotta Hit A Man, Abba Zaba, Hot Head, Ashtray Heart, Hobo Chang Ba ( voice only ), Dirty Blue Gene, A Carrot Is As CLose As A Rabbit Gets To A Diamond, One Red Rose That I Mean, The Smithsonian Institue Blues ( or The Big Dig ), Bat Chain Puller, Safe As Milk, Kandy Korn, Suction Prints, Big Eyed Beans From Venus

1980/12/05 concert Boston
Hair Pie Bake III, Nowadays A Woman's Gotta Hit A Man, Abba Zaba, Hot Head, Ashtray Heart, Dirty Blue Gene, Best Batch Yet, Safe As Milk, Flavor Bud Living, her Eyes Are A Blue Million Miles, One Red Rose, Doctor Dark, Bat Chain Puller, My Human Gets Me Blues, Sugar 'n Spikes, Veteran's Day Poppy, Sheriff of Hong Kong, Kandy Korn, Suction Prints, Big Eyed Beans
B, AUD, 80 min

1980/12/06 concert Boston
Hair Pie Bake III, Nowaday’s A Woman’s Gotta Hit A Man, Hot Head, Ashtray Heart, Dirty Blue Gene, Best Batch Yet, Band Intro’s, Safe As Milk, Flavour Bud Living, Her Eyes, One Red Rose, Poem (G Lucas), Dust Blows, // Dr Dark, Bat Chain Puller, 
Melloron Solo, My Human Gets Me Blues, Sugar ‘N Spikes, Veteran’s Day Poppy, Sherriff Of Hong Kong, Suction Prints, Big Eyed Beans
AUD, 80 min


1980/12/10 concert ‘Mudd Club’, New York City, NY
AUD/Home Video Rec. A-/B+,  35 min.

 


1980/12/11 concert ‘Harpo's’, Detroit
Hair Pie Bake III, Nowadays A Woman's Gotta Hit A Man, Abba Zaba, Hot Head, Ashtray Heart, Dirty Blue Gene, Best Batch Yet, Safe As Milk, Doctor Dark, One Red Rose, Bat Chain Puller, My Human Gets Me Blues, Sugar 'n Spikes, Sheriff of Hong Kong, The Dust Blows Forward, Kandy Korn, Suction Prints, Big Eyed Beans From Venus
B, 85 min

 
1980/12/12 concert ‘Tut’s’, Chicago
Bass Solo w Sax, Hair Pie, Hot Head, Ashtray Heart, Low Yo Yo Stuff, Dirty Blue Gene, Best Batch Yet, Safe As Milk, A Carrot, Smithsonion Inst Blues, Dr Dark, Veterans Day Poppy, // Dust Blows Forward, Sugar N Spikes, Sheriff Of Hong Kong, Suction Prints, Kandy Korn, Big Eyed Beans: *Fillers: Uknown Venue 80 - Nowadays, Abba Zaba, Ashtray Heart, One Red Rose, Bat Chain Puller, My Human Gets Me Blues
AUD  B, 80min


1980/12/13 concert ‘The Starship’, Milwaukee
Hair Pie Bake III, Nowadays A Woman's Gotta Hit A Man, Hot Head, Ashtray Heart, Dirty Blue Gene, Best Batch Yet, Safe As Milk, A Carrot Is As Close As A Rabbit Gets To A Diamond, One Red Rose, Doctor Dark, Bat Chain Puller, My Human Gets Me Blues, Sugar 'n Spikes, Sheriff of Hong Kong, Kandy Korn, Suction Prints, Big Eyed Beans From Venus
B, 80 min

 

1980/12/20-L- concert ‘Whisky A Go-Go’, Los Angeles, CA
Apes-Ma, Hair Pie Bake III, My Human Gets Me Blues, nowadays a Woman's Gotta Hit a Man, Hot Head, Ashtray Heart, Dirty Blue Gene, Best Batch Yet, Safe As Milk, One Red Rose That I Mean, Bat Chain Puller, Sugar 'N' Spikes, Veteran's Day Poppy, Sheriff of Hong Kong, Kandy Korn, Big-Eyed Beans From Venus, Suction Prints
B+, AUD, 80 min. 

 

1980/12/-- radio show “cbc radio”, vancouver, ca, b+, fm, 30 min.:

hot head; ashtray heart; best batch yet; bat chain puller; sheriff of hong kong

 

1981 Tour

 

1981/01/15 concert Seattle
Hair Pie Bake III, My Human Gets Me Blues, Hit A Man, Hot Head, Ashtray Heart, Dirty Blue Gene, Best Batch Yet, Safe As Milk, A Carrot, Side 2, One Red Rose, Doctor Dark, Bat Chain Puller, Sugar N Spikes, Veteran's Day Poppy, Sheriff of Hong Kong, Suction Prints, Big Eyed Beans
SBD, A-, 90 min

 
1981/01/16 concert « CBC Radio », Vancouver
My Human, Suction P, My Human , Nowaday’s, Abba Zaba, Hot Head, Ashtray Heart, Dirty Blue Gene, Best Batch Yet, A Carrot, Side 2, Dr Dark, Bat Chain Puller, Sheriff of Hong Kong, Kandy Korn, Big Eyed Beans
A-, FM, 30 min

 

 


1981/01/18 concert ‘Euphoria’, Portland, OR
Hair Pie Bake III, Nowadays A Woman's Gotta Hit A Man, Abba Zaba, Hot Head, Ashtray Heart, Dirty Blue Gene, Best Batch Yet, Safe As Milk, A Carrot Is As Close..., One Red Rose, Doctor Dark, Bat Chain Puller, My Human Gets Me Blues, Sugar 'n Spikes, Sheriff of Hong Kong, Kandy Korn
B+, AUD, 75 min

 

1981/01/21 concert ‘wow hall’, eugene oregon, aud, 85 min.

hair pie bake iii; nowadays a woman's gotta hit a man; i wanna find a woman; hot head; ashtray heart; dirty blue gene; best batch yet; safe as milk; sue egypt; a carrot is as close...; one red rose; doctor dark; bat chain puller; my human gets me blues; sugar 'n spikes; sheriff of hong kong; kandy korn; suction prints

 

 
1981/01/25 concert Petaluma, California
Bass Solo - Hair Pie III, Nowadays, I Wanna Find A Woman, Hot Head, Ashtray Heart,  Dirty Blue Gene, Smithsonian Inst Blues, Safe As Milk, Flavour Bud Living, Her Eyes, Sue Egypt, Hey Garland, Doctor Dar, // My Human Gets Me Blues, Sheriff Of Hong Kong, Suction Prints, Big Eyed Beans
AUD 90 min  B+

 

 

 

1981/01/30 concert ‘Golden Bear’, Huntington Beach, CA
Bass Solo - Hair Pie III, Nowadays, Hot Head, Ashtray Heart, Dirty Blue Gene, Safe as Milk, One Red Rose, Sue Egypt, Dr Dark, Bat Chain Puller // My Human Gets Me Blues, Intro.s, Sherrif Of Hong Kong, Suction Prints, Veterens Day Poppy, Big Eyed Beans From Venus
SBD A-/B+  90 min

other '80-'81 tapes:

1980/--/-- concert ‘the venue’, london, uk, b, aud, 90 min.

1980/--/-- concert bristol, uk, b+, aud, 60 min. (reputedly not a good performance)

1981/01/24 concert ‘old waldorf’, san francisco, b+, aud, 60 min.

 

 

outtakes

 

this section has been a fairly large mess, due to the convoluted and contradictory nature of much of the information surrounding these tracks; i'm attempting to clear it up as much as possible.

 

1959 – 1963 studio z tracks, (from mystery discs, lost episodes, 1975

radio broadcast, various boots), sbd/fm, a-, 30 min.

lost in a whirlpool; do it in c (aka "ronnie sings?" from the lost episodes; no don involvement, although ronnie williams sounds remarkably like him on this track); i was a teenage maltshop: title song, status back baby, ned the mumbler; metal man has won his wings, story of electricity

 

1964 Demo?, SBD, A, 5 min.
Please Don't Take Our Love In Vain.   NB. From CD reissue of "Legendary A&M Sessions"
Who Do Yo Think Your Foolin,  NB. Alt Acetate version.

 

1965 Early Demos.  (Doug Moon Demos,)
Obeah Man, Just Come In From The City... etc  (On Revenant “Grow Fins” box)
 
1966 Safe As Milk *Acetate,  SBD A- 30m
Electricity x 2, etc 
 
1966/7, Safe As Milk OTs  SBD, A-, 15 min. NB. Bootlegged on "Another Chapter From The Life And Times Of...", plus some on Revenant Box Set.  ( Are these the Gary Marker Demos?) 
Call On Me, Sure Nuff N Yes I Do, Yellow Brick Road, Plastic Factory, (etc)
 
Strictly Personal OTs 1968, SBD, A-, 6 min.  NB. Bootlegged on "The Early Years 1959-1969", 
Korn Ring Finger etc.
 
Mirror Man, [#Alt Version 1968?] SBD, ?, 50 min.
Tarotplane, Kandy Korn, 25th Century Quaker, Mirror Man 
 
Trout Mask Replica House Tape, SBD, A-, 60 min.: *1st Gen Source Tape, NB. FULL Pre-studio recordings of Trout Mask Replica Tracks, mostly without Beefheart involvement. Parts bootlegged on "The Early Years 1959-1969" plus now in EDITED FORM on Revenant Box-Set.
Hobo Chang Ba (opening lick), Dachau Blues, Hair Pie (2 takes), Hobo Chang Ba, Dachau Blues, Old Fart At Play, Pachuco Cadaver, Sugar 'n Spikes, Sweet Bulbs, Frown land, Ella Guru, She's Too Much For My Mirror, Steal Softly Through Snow, My Human Gets Me Blues, When Big Joan Sets Up, The Blimp, Candy Man/China Pig, Hair Pie
 
Lick My Decals Off Baby Backing Tracks 1970, SBD, A, 40 min. NB. The complete set of backing tracks remixed by Henry Kaiser to remove Beef heart’s voice, harp, and sax. 
Lick My Decals Off Baby, Doctor Dark, I Love You, You Big Dummy, Peon, Bellerin Plain, Woe-is-uh-Me-Bop, Japan in a Dishpan, I Wanna Find a Woman That'll Hold My Big Toe Till I Have To Go, Petrified Forest, One Red Rose That I Mean, The Buggy Boogie Boogie, The Smithsonian Institute Blues (or the Big Dig), Space-Age Couple, The Clouds Are Full of Wine (not Whiskey or Rye), Flash Gordon's Ape.
 
Lick My Decals Off Baby OTs 1970, SBD, A, 20 min. NB Parts bootlegged on "If You Got Ears".
Japan in a Dishpan (3 takes), Flash Gordon's Ape (2 takes) Well Well Well. 
 
Brown Star/Kiss Me Demos / Spotlight/Clear Spot OTs & BTs - 1970-3, SBD, A to B, 180+ min.
Here I Always Am, (Don't Take Our Love In Vain) Kiss Where I Kain't, (Frying Pan, without vocal) Suzy Murder Wrist, Obenso Cinco, Witch Doctor Life, (alternate) Love Grip, No Flower Shall Grow, Your Love Brought Me To Life, That Little Girl, Campfires, 2 Rips In A Haystack, Pompadour Swamp, Kiss Me, (2 lips in a haystack) Don't Get Chicken Blues (Funeral Hill take 1) Funeral Hill take 2, Sun Zoom Spark Blues (2 x Acoustic and 1 x Electric), Scratch My Back (a few bars only), Going To The  The Bottom (Border or Brazos), Keys To The Highway, Natural Charm (early "past sure is tense'), Harry Irene, Seam Crooked Sam (2 x versions, one w/ harmonica and spoken, one electric), Pompadour I and II (early Suction Prints), Dual and Abdul (guitar instrumental), Open Pins (guitar and marimba duet), Odd Job, Dirty Blue Gene (different words and music), Drink Paint Run Run,  (different words and music, used later for Ice Cream for Crow), Flaming Autograph (instrumental), Semi-multicoloured Caucasian (early version), plus at least *12 Instrumentals, which feature the band without obvious Beefheart involvement but sound like Don wrote them.
 
Spotlight Ots - Tape 1 
 
Spotlight Kid OTs Tape 2 *** These are NOW edited onto 3 x CD Set All T/Listed w 20plus New Titles 
 
Spotlight OTs Tape 3
 
Clear Spot OTs 

 
(Note: lots of titles exist for various instrumentals.  I have no clue what the right ones are.  Anyone who wants to help me out is welcome to.)
 
INSTRUMENTALS/DEMOS/REHEARSALS etc 
Drink Paint Run Run (alternate "Ice Cream For Crow", from Life and Times.) 6:51), Seam Crooked Sam (harmonica, drums, & vocals, 2:06), Best Batch Yet (begins with "This is three" w/marimba, 2:04), A Carrot Is As Close as a Rabbit Gets to a Diamond (2:20), Funeral Hill (5:26, the "Don't Get Chicken" titling is probably from this take), Unknown instrumental (3:07, cuts on fade), Flaming Autograph (2:35), Kiss Me (Two Lips In A Haystack- takepeters out as Don says, "Ive gotta hear that thing, man", L&T version, 2:25), Alice in Blunderland (Ingber's guitar is mixed unreasonably low in this version, 3:26), Little Scratch (AKA Natural Charm, AKA Past Sure Is Tense, instrumental, 4:03), Dirty Blue Gene (different music & lyrics, 2:41), Clear Spot (instrumental, 4:28), Low Yo Yo Stuff (instrumental, 2:00, cut), Pompadour (loose jamming on themes that would become Suction Prints, Grow Fins, & Flaming Autograph, among others, takes are of lengths 4:18, 8:30 (cut), :44, :19 (false starts), 4:13, :52, and 5:30, respectively, total length 25:08), Sun Zoom Spark (L&T version, 3:53), Funeral Hill (2:00), Harry Irene (2:22), Funeral Hill L&T version, 3:39), Seam Crooked Sam (AKA Can't Do This on "Life and Times"- less harmonica than earlier version, 2:06), Dirty Blue Gene, L&T version, 2:40)
 
Sun Zoom Spark Acoustic jam (just Don & Bill, contains Sun Zoom Spark, (7:43), Scratch My Back (1:39), Going Down To The Border (6:14) & Sun Zoom Spark (7:51) for a total length of 25:46), Unknown instrumental #A (3:36), Unknown instrumental B (2:37), Unknown Instrumental C (3:40) Unconditionally B/Tracks  
 
Mallard Demos,
 
Train Crossing Track, 1975, SBD, B+, 2 min. The rhythmic inspiration for "Bat Chain Puller", w/Don whistling a bit.
 
Bat Chain Puller Demos, 1975?
Witch Doctor Life, Candle Mambo (2 versions), Run Paint Run Run, Suction Prints, When I See Mommy I Feel Like a Mummy 
*AMAZING QUALITY,
Witch Doctor Life, Candle Mambo (2 versions), Run Paint Run Run, Suction Prints, When I See Mommy I Feel Like a Mummy

Witch Doctor Life, Candle Mambo (2 versions), Run Paint Run Run, Suction Prints, When I See Mommy I Feel Like a Mummy


Orig Bat Chain Puller CD + Paris ’72 Fm Radio Show, (Original, unreleased Virgin Promo Tape.), 1975, SBD, A, 40 min.
 
Bat Chain Puller (original, unreleased), 1975, SBD, A, 40 min.
Bat Chain Puller, Seam Crooked Sam, Harry Irene, Poop Hatch, Flavour Bud Living, Brick Bats, Floppy Boot Stomp, A Carrot is as Close as a Rabbit Gets to a Diamond, Owed T'Alex (Carson City), Odd Jobs, 1010th Day of the Human Totem Pole, Apes-Ma.
 
Hoboism w/Denny Walley, 1976, SBD, A-, 8 min.
 
Hard Workin' Man (released "clean" version), 1978, SBD, A+, 5 min.

Hard Workin' Man  Promo LP Version.(movie version), 1978, SBD, A-, 5 min. Both Bootlegged on "If You Got Ears".
 
Ice Cream For Crow Rehearsals, 1982, SBD, A, 90 min.:  NB. Don and band discuss the ICFC video, 
Ice Cream for Crow, Cardboard Cutout Sundown, Semi-Multicolored Caucasian, Ink Mathematics (false start), Ink Mathematics (cut short), The Host,the Ghost, the Most Holy O, The Past Sure is Tense, Witch Doctor Life (false start), Hey, Garland, I Dig Your Tweed Coat (four takes), Jams/workouts on various riffs and themes from Semi-Multicolored/Ink Math/Hey,Garland/The Host.. plus Don discussing ICFC album and tracks, Witch Doctor Life (with vocal)
 
The Light Reflected Off The Oceands Of The Moon / Hey Garland (w Sax instead of vocals), 1982, SBD, A+, 5 min.
 
Evening Bell demo tape (used in "Low Yo Yo Stuff" documentary), 1982 (Actually 1967)
 
Dons Piano Tapes x 2,  1969(?)  SBD, B+, 1 min./5min.[ Piano tape w/Drumbo.]

Where’s The Beef 1 + 2 – 2 x C 90s inc All know OTs from Henry Kaiser Mix Tapes, *1st Gen Source.
 
 
 
VIDEO FOOTAGE
 
[ NB. This constitutes all footage I have, or have heard of.  Anything New would be greatly appreciated. Much I have circulated over the years thru Trades and I have done my best to trace as close as I can to source footage. . Thru my work on the BBC Documentary I was given some Source footage which I have listed. ]
 
59-63. “Lost In Whirlpool/Capt.s Fat Theresa’s Shows” H Movie Footage Don/Frank

1966/05/24 “Diddy Wah Diddy”/ “Who Do You Think Your Foolin.” (Edited from “Where The Action Is. “ aka. The Dick Clarke Show.)
‘66. - “9th Street West” - (*Unseen, possibly same footage Lip sync on Beach in California.)
 US NTSC - PAL, B+, 8min.
 
1968/05 Cannes Beach. French TV Show “Bouton Rouge” BBC *Master Copy, 8 min.
“Electricity”/ “Sure Nuff 'N Yes I Do” - *French Secam - BBC *Master Copy -Private Video. 
 
Rome Goes Pop - “Sure Nuff’ Yes I Do” Edit. From 30min BBC Master. Feat. Judy Driscoll/Move/Floyd etc. BBC *Master Copy -
 
Trout Mask Photo Shoot (Cal Schenkal’s Home Movies) - 8mm film of Beefheart/Band playing.
 soprano sax, dubbed w GTO’s “Capt’s Fat Therasa’s Shoes” [Edited excerpt from 5 x 240m Videos of Unused ‘Cal Schenkal Interview Project - mid 90s.] PRO, A-/B+, 2-3 min. *US NTSC

Trout Mask Promo Video - (8mm B&W footage dubbed to “Bass Solo”/“Old Folk’s Boogie”
 PRO, B, 5 min.
 
1969/10/25 - Amougies Festival. “My Human Gets Me Blues/Steal Softly..” 
 
“Lick My Decals Off, Baby” Commercial, B&W, TV, B, 1 min.
 
*Lick My Decals Off Baby promo 1970, PRO, B-, 5 min. 

*Spotlight Kid promo, PRO, B-, 5min. (Not Seen?)
 
What's On Cincinatti -US TV Show Detroit, B/B+, PRO 15min. *US NTSC 
“When Big Joan Sets Up” / “Woe Is Uh Me Bop”/ “Bellerin Plain”
1971 “Foot Dances” Silent Int w Band for Above Show,  PRO, 10 min., B+
(Silent footage of CB+MB's bare feet.)
 
1972/04/12 -Beat Club, 1972, “ I'm Gonna Booglarize You, Baby” - PRO, 5 min., A - *Master Copy  (rec on German TV)
 
1972/04/15 - Culture Rock, 1972, “Click Clack” Edit from Live Show Paris Bataclan Club 15/4/72.  A/A-, 2min. [*Source taken from French Secam 30min V/A TV Show - Shown in 94!  BBC *Master Copy. [Full Show 30min.)
 
73 - Old Grey Whistle Test, 1973 - “Big Eyed Beans From Venus” Edit from Rainbow Theatre, 73.
 
1974/06/06 - Manchester Free Trade Hall. BBC *Master Copy -  Never Shown in UK. *Master Copy - Private. A, 36 min. “Mirror Man, Upon the My Oh My, Full Moon Hot Sun, Crazy Little Thing”
“Sweet Georgia Brown, Peaches, Need Somebody On Your Bond.”
 
1974/05/24 -Paris Pop. (Live Manchester 1974 - ?) NB. Show as above from Euro TV.
 
1974/06/06 - “Peaches” (Shown on Old Grey Whistle Test. (*Source probably Free Trade Hall, Manchester.)
 B, 5 min.
 
OGWT ‘74 - Studio Live. “Upon The My-Oh-My” / “This Is The Day.”  A,  8min.
 
Dutch TV ‘74“Upon The My-Oh-My” -  (Lip Sync)

1996 Home Movie Footage “Taken by John French (Drumbo) Bat Chain Puller era 
 
  
 
1980/09/11 Paris Chorus TV Show, Live French TV (Secam) B+, 30 min.:
   “Nowadays A Woman's Got To Hit A Man, Best Batch Yet, Dirty Blue Gene”
   “Safe As Milk, Flavor Bud Living, Bat Chain Puller, Big Eyed Beans.”
 
Saturday Night Live 11/11/80, TV, A+, *Master Copy US NTSC. 10 min.:
   “Hot Head, Ashtray Heart”
 
1980/12/10 - Private Home Video “Mudd Club, NYC” - AUD, B+, 40 min.
   Shot by Gary Lucas in front of an extremely small audience,  contains the only known performance of "Making Love To A Vampire With A Monkey On My Knee".
NBC Profile 1980, TV, B, 10 min.
 
Ice Cream for Crow Video, PRO, A-, 5 min.
 
“Eyewitness.” Los Angeles TV Segment 1982, TV, B-, 7 min.
   (interview & rehearsal clips)
 
PM Magazine, 1982, TV, B, 10 min.
 
“Late Night With David Letterman. '82” US NTSC, A-, 10 min.
   ( To promote the Ice Cream For Crow album. )
 
“Late Night With David Letterman.” '83, TV, A, 10 min.
San Francisco News 1986 - US NTSC, B, 2 min.
 
“Late Show” -Beefheart Preveiw” - Unshown 30min Edit of “The Man Formerly Known As...’ inc Brighton Art Ex Opening etc. A, *Master Copy from BBC.
 
“Some Low Yo Yo Stuff” - NB. Beefheart documentary produced by Anton Corbjin for the Late Show, [*2 x Orig Stock Master Videos. ] A+, Master Copies, 15min (approx)
 
“The Man Formerly Known As Capt Beefheart.” BBC Doc.  A+, *Master Copies 
    broadcast at 11:15 PM on Aug. 19, 1997 on BBC2.

“The Late Show” - 25min BBC TV Documentary (Never Shown on TV) Master Copy

 

interviews:

 

1967 safe as milk radio ad, fm, b, 2 min.

1969 reprise interview w/meatball fulton, july, sbd, b+, 110 min.

1969 tmr comments w/zappa, fm, d+, 5 min.

1970 lick my decals off baby radio spots, fm, b+, 10 min.

1971 tour promo, fm, a-, 2 min.

1971 philadelphia interview w/tearson, sbd, b?, 20 min.

1971 vancouver, bc interview, fm, a-, 30 min.

1972/05 radio london int. w/andy hall, fm, b+, 11 min.

1973/04/24 john peel interview, fm, b, 20 min.

1973 vancouver, bc restaurant interview, fm, a-, ? min.

1973 khsu arcata, ca phone interviewfm, b, 22 min.

1975/04/18 wplr int. w/zappa, new haven, ct, fm, b+, 12 min.

1975/04/23- lecture w/zappa & george duke, sbd, a, 135 min.

1975/11/29 kwst interview w/fz, fm, b+, 45 min.

1978 dr. demento interview, fm, a, 20 min.

1978 houston, tx

1979/08/30 wxpn int. w/cal schenkel, fm, b, 30 min.

1980 john peel interview, fm, b+, 5? min.

1980 holland interview, fm, b+, 15 min.

1980/12 vancouver, cbc radio,  30min,  vg+

1980/12/11 private interview, b, 40 min.

1987/10/18 kcrw int. w/kristine mckenna, santa monica, ca, fm, a, 50 min.

unknown interview, recent, sbd, a, 5 min.

  about tmr fish-head; don does not sound well.

 

video:

http://home.earthlink.net/~dougjstacey/beef.html

 

 

-- (most of the) info: Paul Brown