Release date: 28-07-2008 (originally from 1975/6 recording )

Limited to 500 copies

2008 UK strictly limited edition 19-track 2-LP set pressed on 180gram GREEN VINYL, containing the Captain's original '75/'76 versions of songs that subsequently appeared in re-recorded form on the 'Shiny Beast', 'Doc At The Radar Station' & 'Ice Cream For Crow' albums, plus 6 live recordings and a version of 'Well Well Well' featuring Rockette Morton, presented in deluxe hand numbered gatefold sleeve, housed in PVC sleeve) 

Tracks:        
01. Bat Chain Puller
02. Seam Crooked Sam
03. Harry Irene
04. 81 Poop Hatch
05. Flavor Bud Living
06. Brick Bat
07. Floppy Boot Stomp
08. A Carrot Is As Close To A Diamond As A Rabbit Ever Gets
09. Owed T'Alex
10. Odd Jobs
11. 1010th Of The Human Totem Pole
12. Apes Ma
13. Bat Chain Puller
14. Harry Irene Reprise
15. Flavor Bud Living Reprise
16. Floppy Boot Stomp Reprise
17. Owed T'Alex Reprise
18. Well, Well, Well
19. My Human Gets Me Blues 

Featuring the original recordings of Bat Chain Puller, created with the assistance of Frank Zappa (well, he provided the studio), this is a 2-LP set of “lost� Beefheart recordings. Including outtakes and live recordings, these songs preceded the subsequent, commercially-released Shiny Beast album, itself sub-titled “Bat Chain Puller�, which featured a revised band line-up and a different tracklisting.

This new release is contentious, however. It’s supposed to be the legitimate release of an oft-bootlegged master tape. However, it seems odd that Frank Zappa, whose company apparently still holds rights to the production, is not credited anywhere and the live tracks, which feature absolutely no explanatory details whatsoever, resemble popular bootleg versions out there. Regarding the sleevenotes, Denny Whalley is, in fact, Denny Walley. He also never appeared in the “Bongo Fury Band�, but did appear in the Magic Band, on the Bongo Fury tour. Beefheart fans who don’t own the bootlegs should grab this “official� vinyl, but maybe we should look towards the Frank Zappa Estate for the definitive release version.