Captain Beefheart: Paris 77 US review

http://annecarlini.com/ex_cd.php?id=947

Title - 'Le Nouvel Hippodrome Paris 1977' Artist - Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band Don Van Vliet was an American musician, singer-songwriter and artist best known by the stage name Captain Beefheart. His musical work was conducted with a rotating ensemble of musicians called the Magic Band (1965–1982), with whom he recorded 13 studio albums. Noted for his powerful singing voice with its wide range, Van Vliet also played the harmonica, saxophone and numerous other wind instruments. And so now, and much to the excitement of Captain Beefheart fans worldwide, Gonzo Multimedia has just released - on DBL CD - a rare live recording of the Captain in concert at the Le Nouvel Hippodrome in Paris on November 19, 1977. Indeed, Gonzo seem to setting off on some sort of series of live Beefheart releases as this is the second and follows the style set by the first one, 'Live from Harpos, 1980. The artwork is almost exactly the same apart from changes for the venue and band details and even the sleeve notes are the same with only a variation in the last sentence. With Captain Beefheart's music a series of blended rock, blues and psychedelia combined with contemporary experimental compositions, this may well be bootleg quality - with regard the sound - but the songs are a pure, unadulterated delight to once again behold. Showcasing songs from the new album at the time, Bat Chain Puller (recorded 18 months before, but which wasn’t destined to be released until over 30 years later!), some of the highlights on this double CD include, said same title track, 'Bat Chain Puller’, ‘Floppy Boot Stomp’, ‘A Carrot Is As Close As A Rabbit Gets To A Diamond’ and ‘Owed T’Alex.’ Even better than that this is also a rare outing for ‘The Blimp,’ performed by Don’s then manager, Harry Duncan, who also plays harmonica on several songs. One of the fact / myths about Beefheart was that he was "known" for exercising an almost dictatorial control over his supporting musicians, but here on 'Le Nouvel Hippodrome Paris 1977' it seems everyone is in perfect harmony. www.GonzoMultimedia.com CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT GONZO: Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver 1973 CD - £9.99 Le Nouvel Hippodrome, Paris 1977 2CD - £11.99 The Lost Broadcasts DVD - £9.99 Harpo's Detroit Dec 11th 1980 CD - £9.99 Lunar Notes - Zoot Horn Rollo's Captain Beefheart Experience Book - £9.99