Back to the Front

Rate It! Avg: 3.5 (11 ratings)
Sample Album
ALBUM INFORMATION

Total Tracks: 16   Total Length: 55:37

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magic band minus captain still equals magic band

SelfRisinMojo

denying these boys the accolades they are due as being members of the Captain's various bands is like giving Leo Durocher all the credit for Willie Mays, it's criminal dammit.Sure, the Captain was the visionary but these guys gave those visions the floppy boots. This music rocks in strange and unnatural ways and is certainly not for everyone, but those who like to boogie on the outer edge will find plenty of reasons to shake and holler. The song choice is excellent, the playing is superb and while the singer can't quite capture the Captain's Howlin' Wolf in a bear trap vocals, he does provide a serviceable growl.

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Better than the originals - REALLY!

Eyerock

I'd heard that the Magic Band reconvened without Don Van Vliet at the helm, but with John French (Drumbo) on lead vocals, and that they'd recorded a CD. And finally, on eMusic, I've found it!!! John French does a superlative job of capturing the manic Captain's essence, and the playing is ACCURATE and TIGHT. This isn't simple stuff; to pull it off live in the studio is really quite amazing. In addition, the sound actually is an improvement above the originals due to improvements in recording technology. This is a great album and in my opinion is preferable to the live one here on eMusic, in terms of pure listening pleasure. Thanks eMusic!

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They Say All Media Guide

More than 20 years after Captain Beefheart’s last musical outing, the Magic Band (sans the Captain) reconvened for the 2003 All Tomorrow’s Parties festival. Actually, it’s a Magic Band that never was, consisting of Drumbo (John French) on drums, vocals, and harmonica; Rockette Morton (Mark Boston) on bass; and guitarists Mantis and Feelers Reebo (Gary Lucas and Denny Walley, respectively). (For the live shows, Robert Williams — another Magic Band alumnus — took over the drum chair when Drumbo had to sing and play harp.) Of course, these guys knew the material, but they don’t just play the tunes, they attack them, summoning up the controlled chaos that made the original Captain Beefheart recordings such singular achievements. Drumbo’s vocals emulate the Captain to a great degree, but it’s not so much an attempt at mimicry as it is that the songs need to be sung like that to retain their power. The guitars slash and burn their way through the set as though their lives depended on it, clawing their way through the musical maelstrom. This is not a bunch of old fogeys waltzing their way through the hits; this is a tough band playing tough music that’s important for reasons both personal and historical. While this is an “official” album, it actually consists of recordings of the rehearsals the band had prior to its first live appearance. Back to the Front will never replace the original recordings of Captain Beefheart & the Magic Band. Even so, Beefheart fans will be thrilled to hear these songs come alive again. If you’re a fan, you need this. – Sean Westergaard

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