The Captain Beefheart Radar Station - Other Releases - assorted compilations, samplers and soundtracks

Captain Beefheart Discography

Other Releases

This is a list of compilations, samplers and soundtracks that individual Captain Beefheart songs have been released on.

Benefit Albums

2003 US Where We Live: Stand For What You Stand On on Higher Octave/Delabel/EMI
This is a benefit album with proceeds going to the environmental organisation Earthjustice which campaigns for the Universal Right to Clean Air & Clean Water

This is a significant release because it includes the first recorded work by Don since the poems that appeared on the 1993 Stand Up To Be Discontinued CD. It's not a new song, nor is it 'proper' recording as such. It's a 35 second version of Happy Birthday, called "Happy Earthday" sung by Don over the phone to the album's compiler, Mike Kappus.

Described as a 'soulful collection' this compilation also includes contributions from Mose Allison, Rubén Blades, Bob Dylan, Michael Franti & Spearhead, John Hammond (with Tom Waits), Norah Jones, Los Lobos, Maria Muldaur (with Bonnie Raitt), Willie Nelson, The Neville Brothers, Karen Savoca, Pops Staples (with Ry Cooder), Sweet Honey In The Rock, Tina Turner (with Robert Cray), and Dan Zanes (with Lou Reed & The Rubi Theater Company).

For more info about the album, and to buy a copy visit www.higheroctave.com

To find out more about Earthjustice, and to decide for yourself why Don sees it worthy of support visit their website - www.wherewelive.org

A&M Samplers

1973 US The A&M Bootleg Album Promo Sampler on A&MSP 8022 - Official Promo Double Album with tracks by A&M artists like Joe Cocker, Procal Harum and T.Rex etc. - labels have NOT FOR SALE - - Strange unprocessed cardboard g/fold sleeve with no writing, photos or track listing, just a white sticker on front with title printed using ransom note fonts like parody of a real bootleg - Side 4 has Beefheart's 4 A&M tracks from 1964.

1990 UK CD The California Connection: West Coast Rock 1966-1975 on A&M 397-064-2. Unusual CD examining the best of A&M's West Coast signings circa late '60s/early '70s, including 3 of the 5 Beefheart A&M songs - "Diddy Wah Diddy", "Moonchild" and "Frying Pan", plus stuff by The Tubes, The Flying Burrito Brothers (featuring Gram Parsons) and Gene Clark (of the Byrds).

Blue Thumb Sampler

19?? US All Day Thumbsucker - the History of Blue Thumb Records on Blue Thumb - Three record set on red, yellow & blue coloured vinyl, with double-sided poster. PROMOTIONAL COPY ONLY

1995 US CD All Day Thumbsucker Revisited - the History of Blue Thumb Records on Blue Thumb - "Safe As Milk" and "Son of Mirror Man - Mere Man"

Liberty Samplers

1969 UK Original of Gutbucket Sampler on Liberty LBX/3 - "Gimme Dat Harp Boy" (edited version)
19?? UK CD Gutbucket & Son of Gutbucket EMI 7243 8 30712 2 7. Both of these classic Liberty samplers on one CD. "Gimme Dat Harp Boy" (edited version)

Virgin Samplers

1975 UK Original of 'V' Sampler on Virgin VD2505 (double) (g/fold) - "Mirror Man" and "Upon The My-O-My" recorded live at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London, UK on 8th. June 1974. The entire concert was recorded (Engineer: Phil Newell) for proposed live album which was cancelled due to Unmagic Band and crap songs.
1978 UK Original of Dead On Arrival Sampler on Virgin VD2508 (double) (g/fold) - Luminous 'Black Light' Vinyl - "New Electric Ride" (also Mallard - "Desperados Waiting For A Train")
1980 UK Original of Cash Cows Sampler on Virgin MILK1 - "Dirty Blue Gene"
1980 Greek Original of Cash Cows Sampler on Virgin 2401 736 - Label has MFD. by G.P.I. S.A.410 and MADE IN GREECE. Cover has ROCK 81 logo.

Buddah/Buddha Samplers

1968 French vinyl Buddahrama on Buddah 0920038
"Sure Nuff n Yes I Do" and "I'm Glad"
1971 UK vinyl Buddah In Mind Sampler on Buddah 2349 008 (g/fold) - "Yellow Brick Road"
197? US vinyl Heavy Mix Sampler on Pickwick SPC-3324 - "Electricity" and "Plastic Factory"

19?? CD Best of Bubblegum. "Yellow Brick Road". A 2CD collection of late 60s bubblegum that Buddah specialised in at the time.

1988 Japan CD Real Rocks - alternative side of Buddah Kama Sutra on Teichiku Records 28CP-33 - "Dropout Boogie" and "Electricity"

1999 CD Have a Buddhaful Day on Buddha BDJ1. This was for promotional purposes only and sent out to select retail buyers. Packaged in a thick card sleeve it features "Sure Nuff 'n' Yes I Do". This collection also includes The Flamin Groovies, Henry Mancini, Louis Prima and Frank Sinatra!

Rhino Samplers

1991 US Bizarre / Straight sampler CD on Rhino PRO2 90086 - NOT FOR SALE - For Promotion Only on CD and inserts - art (psychedelic) CD - "I Love You, You Big Dummy"/"The Floppy Boot Stomp" . Also includes The GTOs "The Captains Fat Theresa Shoes".

Includes sleeve notes titled "My Bizarre Reflections" by ex-GTO and uber-groupie Pamela Des Barres which say in part:-

Captain Beefheart's cousin, The Mascara Snake, went to my high school in Reseda and changed my life, but that's another story. More importantly, Beefheart head Don Van Vliet came to the Bizarre label; he and Frank had gone to high school together, and it was a natural progression.

One of my fave-rave memories of Don Van Vliet occurred in Frank's famous basement. Don had just finished Shiny Beast and wanted to play his favourite track for me, 'Bat Chain Puller'. I settled in a comfy chair and Don got down on his knees in front of me, whispering all the words an inch from my face with menacing mirthful exhilaration: 'Bat Chain puller. Puller Puller'

Enigma Samplers

1990 US Tune-Master sampler CD on Enigma EPRO-300 - FOR PROMOTION ONLY - NOT FOR SALE on Cover - CD VIEWER like child's toy - "Floppy Boot Stomp''

Warner Samplers

1970 US The Big Ball Sampler on WB PRO 358 - "Ella Guru" (Time:2:23 edit?) - sleeve has extensive quote from LESTER BANGS's review of "TROUT" from ROLLING STONE. This Sampler also has ode to Beefheart's shoes "THE CAPTAIN'S FAT THERESA SHOES'' by The GTO's off Permanent Damage - "This is a song about a pair of crazed shoes Captain Beefheart wears"
1970 US Zapped Sampler on Bizarre/WB(Blue) PRO 368 - has first press photomontage cover - one has chocolate brown Bizarre inner sleeve with a dark picture of FZ and:

We make records that are a little different. We present musical and sociological material which the important record companies would probably allow you to hear. Just what the world needs another record company.

on one side and:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

on the other.

The other (later one?) has a plain inner and Big Ball promo insert - "Old Fart At Play" and "The Blimp(mousetrapreplica)"
1970 US Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies Sampler on WB PRO 423 - 3 LP Sampler in a Box with cartoon character on front and "That's all Folks" on back over multicoloured labels - Lost Leader inners - Beefheart is on Side 5 Avant and National Guard with The Mothers, Alice Cooper and Zappa - specially written text calls Beefheart a "poet, painter, screenwriter, novelist, humorist and super musician" - "Lick My Decals Off, Baby".
197? US The Whole Burbank Catalogue Sampler on WB PRO 512 - Back cover has earth from space and "Captain Beefheart calls it God's Golfball" - "Click Clack"
1972 US Display Case Ten 3 LP Promotional Vinyl Record Box Set - Warner Bros. Records new releases from artists in 1972 Compilation. Pressed and distributed by mail order in the USA only - "Too Much Time", and "Golden Birdies".
1975 US Give 'Em The Works Sampler on WB PRO 610 - Cover has large PROMOTIONAL COPY NOTE FOR SALE sticker and label has THIS IS A PROMOTIONAL ITEM - "Debra Kadabra"
1976 Dutch LiteraLuisterplaat Sampler on Warners 26040 - "Grow Fins"
19?? US PumpingVinyl on Warner Brothers PRO-A-773 - "Love Lies"

Compilations

1985 US Nuggets - Volume Six: Punk, Part II on Rhino Records RNLP 030 - "Diddy Wah Diddy"
1987 US More Nuggets - Classics from the Psychedelic Sixties - Vol.2 on RHINO R2 75777 - Compilation of 18 tracks including "Diddy Wah Diddy" which is down as a March 1966 hit - some more info inside.

1998 US CD Nuggets - 1965-68 Original Artyfacts from the Psychedelic Era on Rhino. 4 CD set combining the previous vinyl issues. "Diddy Wah Diddy"
1988 UK Dance Floor Disaster on Kent 076 - "Hard Workin' Man"
1990 UK CD Rock Festival 2 on Success 2080CD. "Abba Zaba"
1990 UK CD Psychedelic Years 1966-1969 on Castle Communications PSDCD 47003. A 3 CD set "Electricity"
1990 US CD Guitar Player Magazine presents Legends of the Guitar: Rock the '60s Vol One on Rhino Records RS2 70720. "Abba Zaba" included because of Ry Cooder's involvement.
1992 UK CD Psychedelic Years 1966-1969 on Sequel Records NXT CD 221. A reissue of the above on Castle
1992 UK CD Psychedelic Years Revisited 1966-1969 on Sequel Records NXT CD222. A 3 CD set with "Abba Zaba" and "Trust Us (Alternate Version)"
1992 UK Classic Rock Collection Vol. 5 FREE CD with Magazine RCD Vol.1 No.5 - picture inside (Spotlight Kid) and has potted history with 'one of music's most inspired madmen' - "Abba Zaba''
1993 UK Rebellious Jukebox. The CD Collection FREE CD with Melody Maker {issue unknown] - "Beatle Bones 'n' Smokin' Stones"
1993 UK CD The PYE International Story on Sequel NED CD 239 - 2CD set with "50 CLASSIC TRACKS" chronologically arranged from Richie Valens (1958) to Meri Wilson (1977) - "Yellow Brick Road"
1994 UK CD Psychedelia: 18 mind-expanding masterpieces on Music Collection International MUSCD021. Compiled by Mojo writer Jon Savage. "Electricity"
1996 UK CD Ocean of Sound 2 - Crooning on Venus on Ambient/Virgin AMBT 7245 8 41718 2 7. One of the excellent compilations from writer and composer David Toop to accompany his book Ocean of Sound. Includes an unusual selection, the wonderful "White Jam"!
199? UK CD Ocean of Sound 4 - Guitars on Mars on Ambient/Virgin AMBT 24. Another in the David Toop series

1996 UK CD Daytrippers on Dressed To Kill DTK BOX52. A 3CD set from Castle Communication with "I'm Glad" and "Dropout Boogie" .

1996 UK CD Psychedelic Frequencies on Temple/Telstar Records TMPCD027. A great psych collection that includes "Electricity"

1997 UK CD San Franciscan Daze on Debutante?polygram 553 672-2. "Diddy Wah Diddy" is included on this selection of groups that don't necessarily come from San Francisco.

1997 UK CD Sixties Apocalypse on Age of Panic AOP51. Another 2CD set from Castle Communication with "Gimme Dat Harp Boy" and "Mirror Man". Has a picture of Martin Sheen from 'Apocalypse Now' on the cover.
1998 UK CD Disraeli Years on Dressed To Kill A 5CD set with "I'm Glad", "Dropout Boogie", "Gimme Dat Harp Boy", and "Mirror Man". Any similarity with the above compilations is probably more than coincidental!

1998 US CD Feel The Buzz: Hit Time on Polygram. A collection of songs about dope and booze. Includes "Zig Zag Wanderer"

1999 UK CD Unconditionally Guaranteed. Various artists CD given away with UK music mag Uncut #27 : August 1999. "Electricity" - the Cannes Beach version taken from the 'Grow Fins' boxset

19?? US CD Sounds Of The Seventies: FM Rock 2 on Time Life. "Click Clack"

19?? US CD Classic Rock - Rock Renaissance IV on Time Life. "Abba Zaba"

19?? US CD Invasion of the Rock Zombies on BMG. "Mirror Man". 50 tracks on 3CDs from Judie Tzuke to Motorhead!

19?? US CD Journey Through The Underground on ???. "Safe As Milk".

19?? US CD Underground 4 Play on Buddah/RCA/BMG. "Abba Zaba", "Autumn's Child", "Dropout Boogie".

2000 UK CD Under The Influence on NME UTI. "Orange Claw Hammer". Sampler given away free with NME music magazine.

2002 UK CD Back To Mine on DMC BACKCD11. A collection put together by New Order. The CD version is specially mixed by the band while the triple vinyl version is unmixed. It kicks off with "Big Eyed Beans From Venus"

2002 UK CD Totally Wired on UNCUT 04. "Harry Irene" is included on this freebie given away by the UK music mag Uncut

2002 US CD Balling The Jack on Union Square. "Electricity" . An interesting collection that also includes a Gary Lucas track ('The Poison Tree') plus, among others, Tom Waits, Diamanda Galas and Billy Childish

2003 US CD An Anthology of Noise & Electronic Music, Vol #2, Second A-Chronology 1936-2003 on Sub Rosa. Celebrating the history of experimental electronics this 2 CD set, strangely, includes the Amougies Festival tracks already available on 'Grow Fins'.

2004 UK CD Prog Rock on EMI Gold. "Observatory Crest".

2005 UK CD John Peel - A Tribute '...and this one fades in quietly...' on WMS226. "Big Eyed Beans From Venus" is included on this excellent double album celebrating the musical legacy of the influential broadcaster who championed Beefheart and many other outsider artists over the years.

2006 US CD Creative Outlaws - U.S. Underground 62-70 on Trikont US0338. Strange choice of "Dachau Blues" for this 60's anthology which is supposed to present the real artists of Underground Music and their message, aims and overwhelming fascinations - anti-war, drugs, love, peace, revolution, freedom of expression, freak out, humour etc.

2006 Holland CD Marmalade Skies. The Ultimate Psychedelic Experience on Disky CB 903668. A 3CD compilation of mostly well known 'psychedelic' classics from the 60s. Includes 'Gimme Dat Harp Boy' and 'Abba Zaba'. Strangely, 'Abba Zaba' is a live version from the 1974 Cowtown, Kansas show and according to the sleevenotes has been 'licensed from Ozit Morpheus Records' (odd, I didn't think bootleggers could licence the music they released!).

2007 US CD Ah Feel Like Ahcid - 24 American Psychedelic Artefacts From The EMI Vaults on EMI/Zonophone. A interesting 2CD compilation of some of the less well known psychedelic music from the 60s. Not only is a named after the Strictly Personal song but it's also included as the final track.

2009 UK CD Late Night Tales - Snow Patrol on Late Night Tales. This is the 22nd release in this Late Night Tales series where an artist or band get to compile their own special collection of songs. Snow Patrol have included 'Observatory Crest' as the opening track to this one.

2009 US CD Where the Action Is! Los Angeles Nuggets: 1965-1968 on Rhino. 'ZigZag Wanderer' appears on the first of this four disc 101 track box set. There are other tracks with a Beefheart connection - The Rising Sons 'Take A Giant Step', The Factory 'Candy Cane Madness' and Fapardokly (aka Merrell & The Exiles) 'Tomorrow's Girl'

2009 CD Theme Time Radio Hour Season 2 with Bob Dylan on Ace Records. A wonderfully eclectic mix of tracks from Dylan's fascinating radio series. This two disc set includes 'Ice Cream For Crow'

Soundtracks