“This train with grey tubes that houses people’s thoughts. Their very remains and belongings!”

After being promised a while back, and then delayed a few times, the Zappa Family Trust have given the world the original Bat Chain Puller album by Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band. It’s only for sale at Zappa.com.

Stuck in the vaults due to legal limbo for some 35 years, this is the 1976 vintage Bat Chain Puller of legend (and furiously traded bootlegs of varying quality). Van Vliet re-recorded the Bat Chain Puller tracks for Warner Bros. Records in 1978 and that album was titled Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller).

This official release sounds pristine and has far less tape hiss compared to all previous versions. Apparently Beefheart himself didn’t want these recordings released. There are three bonus tracks.

Don Van Vliet died on December 17th, 2010 of complications from MS.

The title number, “Bat Chain Puller,” was based upon the rhythm of Van Vliet’s car windshield wipers.
 

 
An awe-inspiring live “Bat Chain Puller” from French TV, 1980.