Back to the Front

Magic Band | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 8, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atp Recordings
• ASIN: B00009V7Q0
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #260,324 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. My Human Gets Me Blues

2. Click Clack

3. Abba Zaba

4. I'm Gonna Booglarize You Baby

5. Sum Zoom Spark

6. Alice in Blunderland

7. Steal Softly Thru Snow

8. Dropout Boogie

9. Moonlight on Vermont

10. Circumstances

11. On Tomorrow

12. The Floppy Boot Stomp

13. Hair Pie

14. Nowadays a Woman's Gotta Hit a Man

15. When It Blows Its Stacks

16. I Wanna Find a Woman That'll Hold My Big Toe Till I Have to ...

Editorial Reviews

After 20 dormant years, Captain Beefheart's legendary group has reunited to play some shows and perform at the forthcoming ATP festival in LA. Features key members John ''Drumbo'' French, Gary "Mantis'' Lucas, Denny ''Feelers Reebo'' Walley, and Mark ''Rockette Morton'' Boston. Playing classic tracks from all the best albums such as 'Safe As Milk', 'Trout Mask Replica', 'Lick My Decals Off Baby', and Clearspot', this is something all Beefheart fans must have. Includes the bonus track 'Nuff 'N Yes I Do'. All Tomorrows Parties. Digipak. 2003.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The magic is back, July 8, 2003

By 

James Mann (Decatur, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Back to the Front (Audio CD)

Reunited for the All Tomorrows Parties event, this formation of Captain Beefhearts Magic Band amazes. John French, Gary Lucas, Denny Walley, and Mark Boston turn back the clock to the days of Trout Mask Madness (or look far ahead, depending on how you view Beefhearts music).

French's drumming is as incredible as ever, and when he sings, well, he sounds real familar to a voice we all miss. This is a far better record than it should have been, and considering it was recorded at a very early rehersal, it's nothing short of amazing. The Magic Band. Ain't nobody even close.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pickin up where they left off, September 2, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Back to the Front (Audio CD)

This disc is simply amazing and yet another chronicle for Beefheart fans who desire more. French's drumming and singing definitely captures the essence of years past.

I would recommend this as one of the more accessible, as well as introduction to the chaos and melody the Magic Band can inflict on the psyche.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I Feel Pretty Booglarized., January 2, 2005

By 

Joseph Kimsey "Fareastnibelung" (Pac NW) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Back to the Front (Audio CD)

The Crew without the Captain have put out a worthy disc, but it kind of pales next to the original versions of these fantastic songs. Don't get me wrong, nostalgia from The Magic Band is more relevant than 99% of the newly released stuff out there. It's just that I can't help comparing these to the originals, and the originals are the best rock music ever!

John French is an incredibly innovative drummer, and he is a credible Beefheart impersonator. He sounds pretty close on Circumstances and Dropout Boogie, but why impersonate a voice that is beyond duplication? Captain Don's voice was a force of nature. I don't mean to sound unkind, I'd see this band live in a second! It's just that I find the instrumental versions of these classics to be the most effective.

Speaking of which: the instrumental versions of My Human Gets Me Blues, Abba Zaba, and Steal Softly Thru Snow are simply incredible!! It's a pity that this band didn't perform more of the Trout Mask Replica tracks as instrumentals. I'd love to hear Ella Guru, Pachuco Cadaver, and Hobo Chang Ba in all their instrumental complexity !!! Hair Pie lacks the great Zoot Horn Rollo's aggressive technique, but it's still an incredible experience. Hopefully the new Magic Band will tour around our neck of the woods. I wouldn't miss it!