Album

Bongo Fury

Zappa / Beefheart / Mothers

1975 · Rock

25 collectors on Gatefold own this

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Bongo Fury by Zappa / Beefheart / Mothers

Bongo Fury is a Rock album by Zappa / Beefheart / Mothers, originally released in 1975. On Gatefold: 96 pressings tracked, owned by 25 collectors.

About

Frank Zappa briefly reunited with Captain Beefheart in the spring of 1975 for a few live shows that form the nucleus of this almost completely live album. It is notable for featuring the first LP appearance of drummer Terry Bozzio, who would perform with Zappa throughout the late 1970s. Beefheart is spotlighted for his crazy narratives, "Sam With the Showing Scalp Flat Top" and "Man With the Woman Head," while his harmonica highlights the studio recording, the bluesy "200 Years Old." "Advance Romance" stretches out, throwing Napoleon Murphy Brock into the driver's seat. "Debra Kadabra" plays out like one of Zappa's comedy sketches, but with Beefheart tearing into the heart of surrealism. "Carolina Hard-Core Ecstasy" tunefully captures Zappa's twisted vision of pop, jazz and rock. He breaks down the genres until they can be considered nothing but Zappa music. A playful country vibe underlines "Poofter's Froth Wyoming Plans Ahead." Fewer instrumental workouts, but interesting, unorthodox songs throughout.

via Apple Music

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Tracklist

Side A

  1. A1Debra Kadabra3:54
  2. A2Carolina Hard-Core Ecstasy6:02
  3. A3Sam With The Showing Scalp Flat Top2:50
  4. A4Poofter's Froth Wyoming Plans Ahead3:06
  5. A5200 Years Old4:34

Side B

  1. B1Cucamonga2:24
  2. B2Advance Romance11:20
  3. B3Man With The Woman Head1:29
  4. B4Muffin Man5:37

Sound DNA

  • Rock
  • Blues Rock
  • raw
  • chaotic
  • bohemian

Album notes

Discogs page for these notes (opens in a new tab)

Official Release #21
Official Release #133 for 2026 50th Anniversary expanded Reissues.
Never the shrewdest businessman, in 1974 Beefheart had somehow managed to sign contracts with more than one record label at the same time, causing all kinds of legal problems. Consequently, Virgin records blocked the British release of Bongo Fury which appeared in America and elsewhere on Zappa's own DiscReet label through Warner Bros.
The album was allocated a UK Warner Bros catalogue number (K59209) and was even pictured with this number on music press tour ads, before Virgin called the lawyers in and the British release was cancelled. UK white label test pressings do exist, but that's as far as it got. US copies were easily found in the London import stores, but Bongo Fury was not officially released in the UK until the CD era many years later.
The cover image of this issue is mirrored, as can be seen in the sign above Frank Zappa's head on covers with more background visible. See Bongo Fury (Germany) (opens in a new tab) or Bongo Fury (Germany) (opens in a new tab) for examples - note the words 'Chocolate Sundae'. The cover photo was shot at Sandy's Hamburgers on Barton Springs Road in Austin, Texas (a block away from where the record was recorded) in May 1975.
Guide to different US pressings with catalog number DS 2234 and similar Discreet labels:
Bongo Fury (US 1975) (opens in a new tab) - release pressed at (WW in the runouts)
Bongo Fury (US 1975) (opens in a new tab) - release pressed at (JW in the runouts)
Bongo Fury (US 1975) (opens in a new tab) - release pressed at and mastered at ("KENDUN" stamp)
Bongo Fury (US 1975) (opens in a new tab) - release pressed at and mastered at ("KENDUN" stamp)
Bongo Fury (US) (opens in a new tab) - unknown pressing plant, reissue with no mastering info in the run outs
Bongo Fury (US 1975) (opens in a new tab) - reissue, unknown pressing plant

Credits

The people behind it.

Performers

  • Bruce FowlerMUSICIAN , TROMBONE TROMBONE TROMBONE, OTHER
  • Captain BeefheartBLUES HARP BLUES HARP , VOCALS, OTHER BLUES HARP , VOCALS, PERFORMER
  • Denny WalleyMUSICIAN , SLIDE GUITAR SLIDE GUITAR SLIDE GUITAR, VOCALS
  • Frank ZappaGUITAR, VOCALS LEAD GUITAR LEAD GUITAR, VOCALS
  • George DukeKEYBOARDS KEYBOARDS, VOCALS MUSICIAN , KEYBOARDS
  • Napoleon M. BrockMUSICIAN , TENOR SAXOPHONE , LEAD VOCALS SAXOPHONE SAXOPHONE , VOCALS
  • Terry BozzioDRUMS DRUMS, OTHER MUSICIAN , DRUMS
  • Tom FowlerBASS BASS, OTHER BASS, PERFORMER
  • Chester ThompsonBAND , DRUMS DRUMS
  • Michael BraunsteinVOCALS
  • Unknown ArtistVOCALS

25 collectors on Gatefold own this · 96 pressings tracked on Gatefold

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