Zappa.com

Yes, it is true - Gary Lucas is working with the Metropole Orchestra, a 60 piece Dutch orchestra, to present the music of Captain Beefheart in a symphonic presentation. Yes, this will be a LIVE performance. Yes, there will be a DVD for those that can't afford air fare to Amsterdam. FYI - Here is some info on releases by the Beau Hunks, which is essentially the same thing as the Metropole Orchestra, but on a smaller scale. It is the same group of musicians at the core, but augmented for certain projects. Very entertaining, I have the DVD where they accompany a silent Laurel and Hardy film, watched it again last night. These musicians are quite serious and accomplished, and their mission is to make the public aware of overlooked/forgotten composers of the 20th century. It is not about the money, it is about the music - They have done works by Raymond Scott, Fred Grofe(whom I had never heard of), and others. The people that arrange their music are amazing. The Laurel and Hardy/Our Gang stuff was done, not with acetates (there aren't any), but by watching the films, and meticulously trying to transcribe the background music while the dialogue was going on. They have the spirit for sure. Beefheart in their repetioure with obscure Gershwin? Yes it is!
I am VERY excited about what they will do with Don's music.
Orchestral Ella Guru?

http://www.bastamusic.com/CatalogueDeta ... 1&IDCat=15

http://www.bastamusic.com/catalog/the-m ... -orchestra

http://www.bastamusic.com/catalog/raymond-scott

Dig the sound bites! Raymond Scott was essential for the Warner Brothers cartoon library- Carl Stahling was good, but Mr. Scott was the inspiration. Also the sounds for baby music---what the hell -- Eno didn't invent Ambient music, Mr. Scott did!
I remember as high school kid, when I first bought Trout Mask, my buddies and I would sit around and laugh about how someone should do Trout Mask like the Hollyridge Strings did the Beatles...little did we know that someday....

This project sounds interesting, thanks for the heads up.

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Thanks for the music Frank.

Well I'm about to get sick from watching my TV

Indeed. Certainly not making the trip, but would certainly be interested in purchasing a copy.

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“The power of pop music to corrupt and putrify the minds of world youth are virtually limitless."

When and where is the performance? Could be fun trip!

Here is the poster

http://garylucas.com/www/dates/wocb.pdf

WOW!
Just got the word, bird! The Beefheart Orchestral performance will be a Live Streaming affair - listen online while it happens! Former Beef Guitarist Gary Lucas is handling this, so expect wonderfulness! I am curious about the setlist-

here's the deal-
The World of Captain Beefheart

The World of Captain Beefheart is a tribute to the American musician and painter Don Van Vliet, aka Captain Beefheart. He made ​​himself immortal by the monumental double album Trout Mask Replica in 1969 was produced in collaboration with Frank Zappa and is seen by many as one of the highlights of the 20th-century rock music.

Leading soloist in this tribute is guitarist Gary Lucas, who from 1978 to 1982 was part of Beef Hearts Magic Band. The Metropole Orchestra conducted by Anthony Weeden accompanies some big Beefheart fans as Nona Hendryx and Jolene Grunberg, who earlier this season collaborated with Gary Lucas in a wonderful tribute to Jeff Buckley.

The World of Captain Beefheart is a co-production of Radio 6, NTR and producer Co de Kloet. The concert will be later in the season, aired on Radio 6.
Metropole Orchestra

Sunday, February 17, 2013
Start Time: 20:30
Amsterdam: Paradiso
Conductor: Anthony Weeden
Broadcasting: NTR: radio

Ella Guru!

Thanks for the update, Johnny! Wish I could go...

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If I'm not alone... How long have I been asleep?

This sounds fucking mad to me.
The strange appeal of Beefheart, to me at least, is that it sounds a bit random- although DVZ 'composed' it meticulously.
Hearing it played by an orchestra where the arrangements are manifestly orchestrated and choreographed might make it lose its sense of chaos.

I'll watch with guarded interest.

That's exactly why it's a great IDEA


If it doesn't get chaotic, it'll still be very good - and if it becomes chaotic that's okay too! Of course it could be a fiasco, but well worth trying IMO. I hope they go on a tour!

Gary Lucas on guitar!

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If I'm not alone... How long have I been asleep?

setlist :

Sure nuff 'n yes i do
My head is my only house
Too much time
I'm glad
Her eyes are a blue million miles
When it blows its stacks
Sun zoom spark
Suction prints
Veteran’s day poppy
Tropical hot dog night
Sugar ‘n spikes
When big Joan sets up
The past sure is tense
Ice Rose
Harry Irene
Evening bell
The Smithsonian institute blues

from
http://www.paradiso.nl/web/Agenda-Item/ ... Weeden.htm

All great ideas sound fucking mad at first-
Though the music sounds random at first, it is incredibly transcribed with no room for improv or embellishment. I was amazed that when I saw CB in 71 that the band could actually and faithfully reproduce the music from the records exactly.

Yeah. I wasn't necessarily using 'mad' as a pejorative.
I wonder if it will be as good as the symphonic Zeppelin stuff?

Beefheart LIVE FEED!

ON SUNDAY! LIVE FROM AMSTERDAM! THE WORLD OF CAPTAIN BEEFHEART. With Gary Lucas, Nona Hendryx and 60 piece orchestra.
Live radio streaming on NL6 Radio : Here is the linkhttp://www.radio6.nl/programma/357.html

Now to figure out what time - can't wait to hear this

Looks like it happens at 8:30 PM Amsterdam time, which is 12:30 PM Central US time this Sunday the Feb 17th

Guess it's not streaming live after all.

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“The power of pop music to corrupt and putrify the minds of world youth are virtually limitless."

WRONG! I forgot daylight saving time BS - It happens in 25 minutes at 1:30!
YOW! This is tight

Beefheart preconcert conversation going on NOW with Gary Lucas - but it is in a weird language

Same link posted above is still good?

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“The power of pop music to corrupt and putrify the minds of world youth are virtually limitless."

yes! click on the little speaker at the top to open the full streaming window -

Seems no. Someone on Zappateers said they are NOT streaming it live, but will mix and stream it in March sometime.

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“The power of pop music to corrupt and putrify the minds of world youth are virtually limitless."

HOT RATS! Damn! They keep announcing it, but wander off to something else - thanks for the tip - I will continue to listen another 30 minutes then give up I guess. Thanks for the tip-

That's a bad link. No worky.

cut and past it without the "link" part stuck on the front and it works.

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“The power of pop music to corrupt and putrify the minds of world youth are virtually limitless."

OK, but there's no stream. Right? I can't decipher the dutch text.