Captain Beefheart - Bat Chain Puller (1976) {2012 Vaulternative Records Remaster}

Captain Beefheart - Bat Chain Puller (1976) {2012 Vaulternative Records Remaster}

Rock / Experimental Rock

A long-lost Captain Beefheart album is to finally be released, on what would have been Don Van Vliet's 71st birthday. Bat Chain Puller was recorded in 1976 but shelved later that year, due to a dispute between Frank Zappa and his former manager, Herb Cohen. Bat Chain Puller was originally intended to be the follow-up to 1974's maligned Bluejeans & Moonbeams, after Vliet recruited a new band. Zappa produced the sessions, and tracks like Owed t'Alex and The Floppy Boot Stomp made it all the way to Beefheart's label, Virgin, as well as several journalists. Unfortunately that's as far as things got. When Zappa sued Cohen, Bat Chain Puller was caught in the litigation and the album was shelved. Although many of Bat Chain Puller's songs were re-recorded for subsequent Beefheart releases, the original record has only been available among fans, as a popular bootleg. More than three decades later – and just over a year after Vliet's death – Zappa's estate has announced that Bat Chain Puller will officially see the light of day. The album is available for pre-order on CD, a release that comprises the 12 original tracks and three bonus cuts. It will arrive on shelves on 15 January, Vliet's birthday. "The tape is owned by the Zappa estate and although Don didn't want it released they've been true to the work," explained Beefheart biographer Mike Barnes. Liner notes have been composed by Magic Band members Denny Walley and John French, who mixed the album. Vliet died on 17 December 2010, of complications from multiple sclerosis. Personnel: Captain Beefheart (Don Van Vliet) – vocals, harmonica, soprano saxophone John "Drumbo" French – drums, percussion, guitar, music director Denny "Feelers Rebo" Walley – guitar, accordion Jeff Moris Tepper – guitar John Thomas – piano, Rhodes electric piano, Mini Moog tracklist: 01 - Bat Chain Puller 02 - Seam Crooked Sam 03 - Harry Irene 04 - 81 Poop Hatch 05 - Flavor Bud Living 06 - Brick Bats 07 - Floppy Boot Stomp 08 - Ah Carrot Is As Close As Ah Rabbit Gets To Ah Diamond 09 - Owed T' Alex 10 - Odd Jobs 11 - Human Totem Pole (The 1000th And 10th Day Of The Human Totem Pole) 12 - Apes-Ma 13 - Bat Chain Puller (Alternate Mix) (bonus track) 14 - Candle Mambo (bonus track) 15 - Hobo-Ism (bonus track)