SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: FRANK ZAPPA AND CAPTAIN BEEFHEART – BONGO FURY (50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION)

FRANK ZAPPA AND CAPTAIN BEEFHEART
BONGO FURY (50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION)
UNIVERSAL MUSIC

Beginning in 1973, until 1975, Frank Zappa achieved his greatest commercial success in the U.S. In fact he had his only top 10 album in 1974, (Apostrophe(‘). Bongo Fury, which would be the last album Zappa would release with The Mothers of Invention, was also a collaboration with Captain Beefheart. Beefheart (born Don Van Vliet) first met Zappa in the late 1950s in Lancaster, CA. They struck up a friendship based on their love of music and mutual admiration of each other. Zappa produced Beefheart’s third album, the classic Trout Mask Replica (1969), and arranged to have it released on Zappa’s Straight Records. Although he didn’t produce it, Zappa also released Beefheart’s next album, the 1970 release Lick My Decals Off, Baby.

Although their relationship was strained at times (Beefheart made several negative comments about Zappa in the press in the early 1970s), the pair remained friends and when Beefheart needed help, Zappa was there to support his old friend. Thinking the best way to help Beefheart was to raise some money, Zappa proposed the pair working together, both on tour and an album. Much of Bongo Fury is recorded live, with some studio overdubs, and the majority of the album comes from two shows recorded in Austin, Texas (Armadillo World Headquarters, May 20 and 21, 1975). Both of those shows are included in this new box set.

Bongo Fury is a brilliant album. Beefheart contributed two songs (“Sam With The Showing Scalp Flat Top” and “Man With The Woman Head”), both of which are pure Beefheart and quite wonderful. Beefheart contributes vocals and harp throughout Bongo Fury, which really becomes Zappa’s album. Songs like “Advance Romance” bring the incredible playing by Zappa and his band but adds that trademark Zappa humour. It is an album that mixes rock with a little jazz-leaning experimentation. The Mothers, who featured a couple of new members, namely Terry Bozzio who would play with Zappa over the next few years, is a fantastic drummer and delivers on all counts. Beefheart’s voice is wonderful and, of course, Zappa’s guitar is exceptional.

While the album is brilliant, it is the bonus live material that is included in the box set. Both shows in Texas feature exclusive songs, and some surprises. “The Torture Never Stops (Original Version)’, which had not yet been released is absolute genius and worth the price of admission. This version demonstrates the strength of the song prior to any additions Zappa made when he released it on his next album, Zoot Allures. It is also great to hear the original live performances and hear them before the studio work was completed. These shows must have been absolutely brilliant to witness in person.

Classic Zappa songs are included. “Montana,” “Camerillo Brillo,” and “Willie The Pimp” sound great and on par with other live versions. But it is the Bongo Fury that is the most intriguing, including the previously unreleased “Portuguese Lunar Landing,” which, for some reason, seems to have disappeared into Zappa lore. It is nice to have it in this collection. Because the album was basically a live album, there are no studio outtakes, but the rehearsals from the two shows recorded certainly make up for any studio omissions.

Bongo Fury is a fascinating album from Zappa. It was an interesting decision to release the album when he did, given the success he was experiencing, but then, Zappa was never one to pander to commercial success. Bongo Fury also signalled the last time Beefheart and Zappa worked together. It is a testament to Zappa that he turned helping a friend into a now classic album. And while the album may not have been the commercial success the record company wanted at the time, it served its purpose and served it well. It is also an album that has been overlooked over the past few decades, so this Anniversary Edition is very much timely and very welcomed.

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