Gimme Dat Harp Boy

         

Mick writes:

My band Killing Floor's first gig was opening for Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band at Middle Earth club in London. Not a bad start. Although we were billed as 'Killing Flood' and captioned 'Policeman's Special' as our drummer Bazz's policeman brother had dropped in one afternoon and secured the gig for us.

Good times. Later, Bill, the singer, used to sit me down with a large spliff in front of his excellent Wharfdale speakers and play me Captain Beefheart records. I never quite got it.

But I always liked this track.. probably because it was a remnant of the Captain's blues band period, before he completely spaced out. So I thought I'd have a go, and even managed to find a few notes on my limited supply of harmonicas which just about fitted.

I like the track - good fun. And I like the Captain's stream of conciousness lyrics.. 'shiny moon white note'.. wish I could write like that. Later a cockney roadie friend of mine told me he had become a good friend of the Captain and visited him regularly at home, which brought things more into focus. Long live Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band. Gimme Dat Harp Boy.