2021 - 10 - 20 - SideShow Gelato

Days Of Wine And Roses (Henry Mancini)Vibraphone Cover

On January 26, 1971, Richard Einhorn interviewed Don Van Vliet -- aka Captain Beefheart -- in a motel room in New York, for radio station WFMU. Also present for the conversation were Mark Boston ("Rockette Morton"), Art Tripp ("Ed Marimba"), and manager Grant Gibbs. Einhorn, who has since gone on to become a composer of some renown, was nineteen years old at the time. 

In 2001 Einhorn unearthed the tape while digging through his archives, and generously made CDs of the interview available to members of The Fire Party, the internet Captain Beefheart discussion list (http://www.beefheart.com/community/fire-party-discussion-list/). The discs did not circulate widely, however, so I asked him for permission to make the recording available again. He agreed, with the proviso that I "please be sure to spread it far and wide." Thanks to Soundcloud, I can honor that request.

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Since my original posting, I’ve unearthed a letter from Mr. Einhorn about his experience. Here is an excerpt:

“At the time I was a dj for WFMU—FM, a 'progressive radio station' in New Jersey that pioneered the 'free form format'. I had been a Beefheart fan for several years and when concerts were announced for early '71 in the city, the station arranged for me and another staffer (I forget whom) to interview him.

Based on info from the timeline website (my tape boxes just say 'beefheart interview'), the interview took place on January 26, 1971 in a Holiday Inn in Manhattan. The site said that the hotel was on the east side, but that may be wrong. According to my recollection, most likely it was the Holiday Inn in the west 50's on Eighth Avenue, the scene somewhat later on of the capture of the fugitive radical Angela Davis.

Perhaps the most interesting thing from my perspective (and the reason I dug it out) is than Don seems very generous, if somewhat paternalistic, towards the band's contributions and throughout the interview stresses their autonomy, their musicianship and their personal musical growth. This appears to contradict Bill Harkleroad's memoir. When I read it, I wanted to check if my recollection was right. (I suspect that Bill is accurate about the lack of formal credit and also 'eyeball to eyeball acknowledgement' but had no idea how much Beefheart praised the band during at least this interview. This is not to say that he doesn't deserve more credit. If Bill was the man doing most of the arranging/ rehearsing, he has been woefully under—appreciated and underpaid. Nevertheless, the genius behind the music is, to my ears, obviously Don).

A little bit about the New York shows. According to the timeline, they took place at 'Ungano's' in New York and there were two shows (I may be wrong but I think the club was actually called Ungaro's). My distinct recollection is that in fact there were four shows, two a night. I recall going to all four and meeting Jan and Don briefly after the last set of day 2 (which was probably after our interview on the 26th). I don't recall the lost instrument disaster, but I do remember seeing Ornette at one of the shows. More importantly, I remember that the group played so well that I was in tears. Apparently Gary Lucas was there too, I didn't know him then, but I can corroborate his perception of Harkleroad. He was simply awesome. As was Don. As were they all.”

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To learn more about Mr. Einhorn's music, visit his web site at www.richardeinhorn.com where you'll find much information about his prodigious output, including music samples. To read Einhorn's touching eulogy for Don Van Vliet, visit http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/in-memoriam-don-vliet-by-tristero.html. 

Obtain the file here: http://bit.ly/1Km08PD

Captain Beefheart Interview by Richard Einhorn for WFMU, January 26, 1971

Ethiopian Tigrigna New Music 2013  Negasi Melese Ft  Abrehet Abedu  Shew Neadey ሸው ሽው ንዓደይ

Kongress' Vampire Classic featuring Aristedes DuVal & Otto von Ruggins on vocals & the video return of Geoffrey Crozier who has come back to tell, there is no Prison after Death, no Hell. Don't be frightened by the 'Eyes of the Witness' - © Words & Music Otto von Ruggins - Penned last century before Vampire Musicians or synthesizers even existed. Kongress other 'witnesses' that day - Axsus - Guitar, Bob O'Keefe - Bass, Tony Carr - Drums, Otto von Ruggins - Farfisa Organ Recorded in WBAI's Former Church Studio!

Eyes of the Witness

Female vocals by Catalus
Song written for my friend in Kuwait
Music video: https://youtu.be/1uZI2NFnYNE

الحب قادم

(Love is coming)

أعلم أن الحب قادم قريبًا
(I know love is coming soon)

I know you're feeling lonely
I see it in your eyes
You're smiling, acting happy
But I know it's a disguise
Because the pain never lies

Sometimes you're scared you'll never
Find a love that's true
But I know that you will find it
It's what you were born to do
And it's coming to you

أعلم أن الحب قادم قريبًا
أعلم أن الحب قادم قريبًا

(I know love is coming soon)
(I know love is coming soon)

أنا متمسك بالأمل

(I hold onto hope)

أنا متمسك بالأمل

(I hold onto hope)




أعلم أن الحب قادم قريبًا
أعلم أن الحب قادم قريبًا

(I know love is coming soon)
(I know love is coming soon)

Your friends love you completely
And when things getrough
We send our love to you but
I know it's not enough
It's no what you dream of


أعلم أن الحب قادم قريبًا
أعلم أن الحب قادم قريبًا
أعلم أن الحب قادم قريبًا


(I know love is coming soon)
(I know love is coming soon)
(I know love is coming soon)

الحب قادم (Love is coming) - feat. Catalus

Psychophono, a phenomenal Milan-based DJ trio spinning rare, psychedelic ethno-folk vinyl, put together some Balkan records for us. 

TRACKLIST
1-Alexandru Titrus - Invirtita de la feleud (ROMANIA) 2-Romica_puceanu - Saraiman-mmi (ROMANIA) 3-Ion Constantinescu - Ca la breaza + sirba lui (ROMANIA) 4-Toni Iordache - Doina Olteneasca = Hora Lautareasca lui toni(ROMANIA) 5-Vasile Pandelescu - Brează De La Hulubești(ROMANIA) 6-Ion Nicodim - Cintec de prietenie pentru ariana si hora lui (ROMANIA) 7-Farimita lambru - Hora Argintareasca (ROMANIA) 8-Orchestra Paraschiv Oprea & Sofia Vicoveanca - Du-Te Dorule-n Pustie (ROMANIA) 9-Димо Колев - Хасковски Мелодии И Ръченица = Haskovo Region Melodies And Rachenitsa (BULGARIA) 10-Bulgarka Vocal Trio - Ой, маце, маце (BULGARIA) 11-Tsvyatko Blagoev's Folk Group - Loveshko Horo (BULGARIA) 12- Мюмюнали Киришев – Турска Народна Игра (BULGARIA) 13-Илия Аргиров - Убавото Стойне (BULGARIA) 14-Bulgarian folk ensemble - Kyustendilsko Horo (BULGARIA) 15-Валентин Чинчири - Сам си седя (BULGARIA) 16-Ангел Георгиев И Б. Киришев – Влюбен Съм В Тебе (BULGARIA)


PSYCHOPHONO - DIGGING INTO ROMANIAN AND BULGARIAN FOLK ARCHIVES

An intimate sonic portrait of Odesa, a Ukrainian city along the Black Sea. Produced by Ivan Samokrutkin, with support from the podcast Here There Be Dragons, this densely layered sound collage weaves together raw and haunting field recordings (audio documents of air raid sirens, the hum of a restless city, the distant murmur of the sea, snatches of conversation, and mechanical pulses), remixed local sound art, and processed samples of acoustic instruments (bayan, kalimba, flute, tambourine, psaltery, and more) to create a shifting and fractured soundscape of a city marked by war, tension and stillness. 

Many thanks to Ivan Samokrutkin, Jess Myers, Adriene Lilly and Olivia Bradley-Skill. 

@dragons_podcast  
@systemnapotvora

HERE THERE BE DRAGONS - ODES[S]A

Speed the Plough performing at Prototype 237 in April, 2025, accompanied by harpsichordist Anna Clemente (via backing track).

Poison Dart

Bill Harkleroad (Zoot Horn Rollo) interview, plus music from his many ensembles.

Zoot Horn Rollo Interview - FreeForm NW 06-04-25

In 2004, I did an Orgy of Jason Molina's music for the Record Hospital on WHRB, 95.3FM in Cambridge. An Orgy is a block of programming dedicated to the entire oeuvre of an individual band or artist. I played every recording I could find of his work, including all live sets I was able to scour on the internet. As part of the program, I interviewed him on the street outside of the Great Scott in Allston while he was on tour with the Magnolia Electric Company. This recording is a version of that interview cleaned up by Auphonic.

20041005 Jason Molina interview with Record Hospital

Host of WGXC 90.1-FM's "Snackpoint Charlie"
https://wavefarm.org/radio/wgxc/schedule/zabnt9

Captain Beefheart Interview by Richard Einhorn for WFMU, January 26, 1971

Hell's Donut House