Captain Beefheart ~ Bat Chain Puller

[Jazzrook]

I was delighted to read in the current WIRE magazine(April) that the original version of Captain Beefheart's 'Bat Chain Puller' has finally escaped from the Zappa vaults but bitterly disappointed to discover that the CD is almost impossible to find. A trawl of the internet revealed one used copy at an exorbitant price.
Can anyone suggest where I might obtain a copy of this long lost gem?

[Bryn]

Try http://www.gandsmusic.com/BeefCDs2.htm

Run by a very enthusiastic couple who are real Zappa and Beefheart fans.

Still by no means cheap, but ...

[Paul Sherratt]

True public service.
Ta, Bryn.

[eighthobstruction]

There is a good version [probably the original] on An Ashtray Heart....plus many others recorded for Radio Shows in US and Canada on Left Field Media LFMCD514

[Paul Sherratt]

More public service from Radio 3 Forum members.
It should have its own station.

[Jazzrook]

Try http://www.gandsmusic.com/BeefCDs2.htm

Run by a very enthusiastic couple who are real Zappa and Beefheart fans.

Still by no means cheap, but ...

Many thanks, Bryn ~ Will have to fork out - this is probably as cheap as it gets!

[eighthobstruction]

I seem to remember on my original vynl of BCP, that Hot Head was featured....but not on this one offered by G & S Music ....????

....

[Bryn]

But the original recordings of BCP were never released on vinyl, surely?

[eighthobstruction]

I'm not that well up on this sort of thing really, BUT, I certainly had an album with BCP on the front and a DVV painting on the front that looked like one of those satanic creatures from Quater Mass....talking 1985

[Bryn]

I'm not that well up on this sort of thing really, BUT, I certainly had an album with BCP on the front and a DVV painting on the front that looked like one of those satanic creatures from Quater Mass....talking 1985

See, for instance, http://www.beefheart.com/datharp/albums/boots/bcp.htm

[eighthobstruction]

>>>>'It wasn't long before one or several of these found their way onto vinyl and eventually CD.'<<<<

....is that what you mean....?

....reason I remember it so well is one of my bands at the time covered Hot Head

[eighthobstruction]

AAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah now I remember.... it was called Doc at the Radar Station....

[Globaltruth]

Do you mean the 1980 Virgin release, Shiny Beast (subtitled BCP?) The track listing on that one is

Floppy Boot Stomp
Tropical Hot Dog night
Ice Rose
Harry Irene
You know you're a man
Bat Chain Puller

When I see Mommy (I feel like a Mummy)
Owed t'Alex
Candle Mambo
Love Lies
Suction Prints
Apes-Ma

This album is on spotify with a 2003 date.

Musicians:
Don van Vliet - vocals, harmonica, sax, whistling
Jeff Moris Tepper - Slide guitar
Bruce Lambourne Fowler - Trombne, air bass
Eric Feldman - Grand piano, bass, synthesizer
Richard Redus - Slide, bottleneck, accordion, fretless bass
Robert Williams - Drums, percussion
Art Tripp III - Marimba

The 'new' BCP looks like this
Tracks:
1. Bat Chain Puller
2. Seam Crooked Sam
3. Harry Irene (they sold wine like turpentine to painters, they took to social life like props to aviators)
4. 81 Poop Hatch
5. Flavor Bud Living
6.Brick Bats
7. Floppy Boot Stomp
8. Chariot (Ah Carrot Is As Close As Ah Rabbit Gets To Ah Diamond)
9. Owed T'Alex
10. Odd Jobs
11. Human Totem Pole (The 1000th And 10th Day Of The Human Totem Pole)
12. Apes - Ma
Bonus Tracks: 1. Bat Chain Puller (Alternate Mix) 2. Candle Mambo 3. Hobo-Ism

Musicians:
Don Van Vliet - Vocals, Saxophone.
Denny Walley - Guitar, Slide Guitar.
Moris Tepper - Guitar, Slide Guitar.
John Thomas - Keyboards.
John French - Drums, Percussion, Guitar.

[eighthobstruction]

<even more confused and embarrassed emoticon>.....where's Hot Head ??

[Bryn]

AAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah now I remember.... it was called Doc at the Radar Station....

A fine album, to my ears:

http://www.beefheart.com/datharp/albums/official/docradar.htm