After digging the music for over 30 years, and having cherished but fading memories of Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band playing live, it was an overwhelming joy and a vindication to see the reunited Magic Band playing that stuff live, with such enthusiasm, love and dedication. I was lucky enough to catch 5 of their shows, and to meet and become friendly with them. I even got to jam and record with Rockette, which was something like a dream come true.
I wanna thank them all from the bottom of my heart for all the hard work and time they put into the project, and for the memories that will stay with me forever.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Shepherds Bush Empire London 7/4/03

 
Met lots of Fire Party  members and other fans in the pub, and in the queue, and in the venue. All great people, all fired up n excited....had a long wait standing in anticipation before they came on...I got a great position, central, about four or five
body widths from the front ... they eventually took the stage to tumultuous cheers, whoops n clapping from the audience.

Rockette kicked off with the hair pie solo, dancing about all over the stage, not QUITE as energetically as in 1972, but
still pretty nimble for a guy his age and girth. I threw a pack of Rio 6 cigars onstage, hoping he'd spot them and light one
up, as he did in 72, but they were ignored till the end of the gig, (more later)
Drumbo looked cool and mean, white hat, dark shades, beard, and this mean look, which would crack into a friendly smile every so often... Gary Lucas had a black hat and a big grin on his face the whole time...Denny was more serious looking..

The 1st 3rd was instrumental...they were so tight, so into it, as good a playing as any previous magic band I've seen... Drumbo then handed over to Robert  Williams, and the rest of the set was with Drumbo on  vocals. He prefaced this section by saying something like ' I'm gonna sing some, cos there's some great lyrics that should be heard...but I'm not trying to emulate or replace Don in any way....I'm his No. 1 fan...so think of this as my vocal tribute to him'.
Started with Floppy boot stomp, dancing about, acting out the lyrics while singing, (e.g. 'square dancing farmer'  - does
square dance,..'flung his chalk right down' - flings imaginary chalk, etc etc ...He acted them all out this way... For china
pig he had a china pig prop...'Walking the blocks' with this pig, sticking in the fork etc..
Didn't so much sound LIKE Don, more like in the style of Don, with Dons inflections and mannerisms, but not his exact
timbre...mind you Drumbos own timbre is pretty awesome.... he also played harp on several, sounded pretty much like Don, but (dare I say?), with better timing...Well not BETTER, but more accurate...Click Clack was SO perfect.....
At one point Drumbo said. 'These are great songs aren't they? I just wish he could hear them'
Everyone played their arses off...The audience and band were caught up in an emotional exchange of love, honour and
respect...for the music, each other, and Don.

After the last number, (before the encore), Drumbo came down from the stage front, to touch hands with the audience...
he made his way along the barrier, touching hands for a few seconds... I pressed forward, and stretched out my hand. He took it and squeezed firmly for at least 30 seconds, smiling at me. This is captured on the DVD, you can't really see me, but when Drumbo says, ' I like that...does it open?'...he's talking about the zip on my head.
After the encore, Cormac and Zark Starfish  were trying to attract a roadies attention, cos someone had thrown a
Fireparty badge up for Gary Lucas....The roadie said, ' Someone threw a pack of cards up here as well...' and he picked up the cigars I had thrown earlier. We told him they were cigars for Rockette, and after a bit of argy bargy he put the cigars on
Rockettes amp and the badge on Garys amp....Hope they got em!

Me and Zark Starfish in front of the stage at the end of the show

Wot a great night! I didn't really get the Fall, but all my friends dug it. Magic Band were great of course, several 'new' numbers in the set, Diddy Wah Diddy, (the opener), Smithsonian (a highlight for me), Mirror man, Grow Fins, Electricity...several technical probs distracted, but failed to dampen the spirits. All played wonderfully, drummer Mike fitted in fine, though there was a  noticeable volume difference between him an Drumbo, who was a lot louder. In the interval, talking to Driftwood in the foyer, when a guy comes up who apparently recognized me, and gives me a backstage pass, then disappears before I find out who he was...so many thanks whoever you were!
So after the show I find myself at the backstage party. I get to talk with John, Gary, Denny, and Mark. All really friendly and genuine guys. Thanks for a wonderful evening to all.
Edinburgh will be on fire tonight!
 

In the lobby during the interval

The backstage pass

 

Bridgwater Hall

Manchester 24/6/04

 

Saw them last night at Manchester. I was supposed to be on the guestlist. The guy at the box office didn't have a copy to hand, but he gave me a free ticket anyway. Saw the support act from stalls row K, then during the interval I went outside the building for a fag. Who should be pulling on the door handle to come in as I was pushing to go out, but Rockette and Drumbo. I was greeted like an old friend, but they had to shoot off to prepare for show.
Saw most of the set from row K, but after a while I got fed up with the audiences reluctance to get off their arses, and wandered down to stage front for a bit of a bop. Denny noticed me and came over to shake my hand. I was the only person standing up for quite a while...at one point John French said over the PA, 'Ben, sit down!' I musta looked sheepish cos he then said, 'No, I'm just joking'. The last number was the accapella 'Orange Claw Hammer'. Rockette beckoned me to his side of the stage, and signalled to the bouncer to let me up. We watched John do the song together from the wings.
After that he took me backstage. There was no 'party', just some eats for the band, and I was the only audience member
backstage. They were hot and sweaty, and had lots of packing up to do, so after about 20 mins I said 'I'd gonna get going now, I can see you've lots to do' . Rockette replied ' No man, stay with us till we go, cos we don't get to see you very often..' So I hung around till the vans were loaded and waved them of on their way to the next gig.
All of them were real friendly and happy to chat. Got them all to sign my t shirt.

Took my wife to this one. The band had put us on the guest list. Got to talk to them a bit before and after the show. A great venue with a low stage, and a tightly packed, vociferous crowd made for a great  atmosphere and show.

 

Jam session m

Granary Studios E. Sussex 11/7/04

After the UK 2004 tour my band The Fourfathers met with Rockette Morton on the 11th July for an unrehearsed live studio jam session.
We managed to record 6 tracks, with Rockette on gtr. As you can imagine, we were overjoyed to have this opportunity, and Rockette was real friendly and charming, saying the honour was all his.
more at
http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~bgwaters/fourfathersjam.html
 
 
 

Fourfathers and Rockette after the session.  Dennis and I wearing our autographed shirts.

The resulting CD.

 

Great show last night, great atmosphere. Magic Band  tighter than ever, their enthusiasm for the music shows in every note, and the mutual love and respect between band and audience made for a Magic show.
A few new numbers in the set, Low Yo Yo Stuff, Gimmie Dat Harp Boy, and Kandy Korn. Kandy Korn was stunning, and Michael and Drumbo changed over drumming mid song without skipping a beat. Michael was especially brilliant tonight, he's fully established himself as an equal member, and his playing really drove everything along.
I went with Dennis Martian and we got a chance to meet with the guys before and after the show...a pleasure and privilege
as they are all such friendly charming people.

Poster signed by Rockette for my daughter Ruth

John French announces the decision to bring an end to the project.

Links
 

Benjamin Horrendous site index Magic Band at the Radar Station Magic Band merchandise at Amazon Magic Band Site Rockette Morton Site Gary Lucas site Michael Traylor site Fourfathers & Rockette