Captain Beefheart Tribute - Odd Jobs video free download

Yesterday the Earth became a slightly sadder place with the death of Don Van Vliet, a.k.a. Captain Beefheart. Although rarely receiving the recognition he deserved, the significance of the Captain's contribution to the soundscape of the 20th century can hardly be underestimated. I have been a devoted fan ever since I first heard his song "Gimme Dat Harp, Boy" on the radio, back in 1969.

This video consists of a number of his paintings, accompanied by the tune "Odd Jobs", that was originally recorded for his album "Bat Chain Puller", but never officially released. It first appeared on the rarities compilation "Grow Fins", in two parts, the first consisting of the Captain playing the piece solo on piano, the second being the band arrangement. For this video tribute I have blended the two versions.

The Captain was not always completely honest in crediting the arrangement skills of his band members in order for them to be able to actually play his compositions. In the words of drummer "Drumbo", John French, of the original Magic Band:

"If Van Vliet built a house like he wrote music, the methodology would go something like this... The house is sketched on the back of a Denny's placemat in such an odd fashion that when he presents it to the contractor without plans or research, the contractor says "This structure is going to be hard to build, it's going to be tough to make it safe and stable because it is so unique in design." Van Vliet then yells at the contractor and intimidates him into doing the job anyway. The contractor builds the home, figuring out all the intricacies involved in structural integrity himself because whenever he approaches Van Vliet, he finds that he seems completely unable to comprehend technical problems and just yells, "Quit asking me about this stuff and build the damned house."... When the house is finished no one gets paid, and Van Vliet has a housewarming party, invites none of the builders and tells the guests he built the whole thing himself."

Nonetheless, as this blend of original composition and final band arrangement makes perfectly clear, the original vision was always Beefheart's and the band tried to stay as faithful to it as humanly possible.

Don van Vliet/Captain Beefheart, January 15, 1941 -- December 17, 2010.