Tarotplane, a blues collage by Captain Beefheart
Jim Leftwich
from an email dated
Thu, Mar 20, 2014, 4:39 PM
captain beefheart's epic psychedelic blues is an improvisational collage.
it's not like he was stealing from the old bluesmen, it's more like he was
making direct references to them so his mainly young white audience
could discover them for themselves.
a lot of us learned about the blues by listening to 60s bands like cream
and led zeppelin (and many others). we would see names like blind lemon
jefferson, skip james, mckinley morganfield (aka muddy waters), chester
burnett (aka howlin wolf) and then we would find their records.
Tarotplane, Captain Beerheart (Mirror Man 1968)
Baby Percy told Elixir Sue
Listen to me baby
I’m gonna tell it to you
Gonna need somebody on your bond
You gonna need some bodies on your bond
Just you bear this in mind
True friends is hard to find
You gonna need some bodies on your bond
Gonna need somebody on your bond
You gonna need some bodies on your bond
Just you bear this in mind
True friends is hard to find
You gonna need some bodies on your bond
I say bear this in mind
I say bear this in mind
Just you bear this in mind
True friends is hard to find
You gonna need some bodies on your bond
Ya done put mice in the radiator
Razors in the clay
Well, they keeps us working all night
Don’t give us no pay
Don’t give us no pay
Automatic Sam told Everready Betty told Prestone Millie
With the long…
Automatic Sam told Everready Betty told Prestone Millie
With the long black wavy mane
With the long black…
With the long black wavy mane
Little girl, Little girl
Gonna take you for a ride in my Tarotplane
I wanna take you for a ride in my Tarotplane
For a fly, for a fly
Baby Percy told Elixir Sue
Oh, listen to me baby
I’m gonna tell it to you
You ain’t too old
Oh, you ain’t too old
Just what you been heard – just what you been told
You gonna need somebody on your bond
You gonna need some bodies on your bond
Just you bear this in mind
True friends is hard to find
You gonna need some bodies on your bond
Baby Percy told Elixir Sue
Listen to me baby
Mice in the razors, clay in the heaters
Mice in the razors, clay in the heaters
You gonna need somebody on your bond
You gonna need some bodies on your bond
Just you bear this in mind
True friends is hard to find
You gonna need some bodies on your bond
Automatic Sam told Everready Betty told Prestone Millie
With the long black wavy mane
Oh listen little girl don’t you understand?
Oh, you ain’t too old
No you ain’t too old
Well you ain’t too old
As long as you can boogie you ain’t too old
Little girl, little girl
Little girl, little girl
Gonna take you for a ride in my Tarotplane
Gonna take you for a ride in my Tarotplane
You goin’ flyin’
You goin’ flyin’
Come on little girl
Gonna take you for a ride in my Tarotplane
Come on little girl
Gonna take you for a ride in my Tarotplane
Come on little girl
Gonna take you for a ride in my Tarotplane
In my Tarotplane
In my Tarotplane
In my Tarotplane
In my Tarotplane
In my Tarotplane
You gonna need somebody on your bond
You gonna need some bodies on your bond
Just you bear this in mind
True friends is hard to find
You gonna need some bodies on your bond
Terraplane Blues, Robert Johnson (1936)
And I feel so lonesome, you hear me when I moan
And I feel so lonesome, you hear me when I moan
Who been drivin' my Terraplane for you since I been gone?
I'd said I flash your lights, mama, you horn won't even blow
Somebody's been runnin' my batteries down on this machine
I even flash my lights, mama, this horn won't even blow
Got a short in this connection, hoo well, babe, it's way down below
I'm goin' heist your hood, mama, I'm bound to check your oil
I'm goin' heist your hood, mama, mmm, I'm bound to check your oil
I got a woman that I'm lovin', way down in Arkansas
Now, you know the coils ain't even buzzin', little generator won't get the spark
Motor's in a bad condition, you gotta have these batteries charged
But I'm cryin', please, please don't do me wrong
Who been drivin' my Terraplane now for you since I been gone?
Mr. highway man, please don't block the road
Please, please don't block the road
'Cause she's reachin' a cold one hundred and I'm booked and I got to go
Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
You, you hear me weep and moan
Who been drivin' my Terraplane now for you since I been gone?
I'm gon' get down in this connection, keep on tanglin' with your wires
I'm gon' get down in this connection, oh well, keep on tanglin' with these wires
And when I mash down on your little starter, then your sparkplug will give me fire
You're gonna need somebody on your bond, Blind Willie Johnson (1930)
Well, you're gonna need somebody on your bond
You're gonna need somebody on your bond
Lord, Just wait in the midnight when death comes slippin' in your room
You're gonna need, ah, somebody on your bond
I heard the voice of Jesus saying Come unto me and rest
Down the weary one lay down thy head and rest
You're gonna need somebody on your bond
You're gonna need somebody on your bond
Lord, 'ust wait in the midnight when death comes slippin' in your room
You're gonna need, ah, somebody on your bond
When you was a gambler, nobody would go your bond
Fell on your knees and began to pray, 'Called Jesus to go your bond.'
You're gonna need somebody on your bond
You're gonna need somebody on your bond
Lord, Just wait in the midnight when death comes slippin' in your room
You're gonna need, ah, somebody on your bond
I came to Jesus as I was, weary and wounded and sad
Found in Him a resting place and he has made me glad
I've got somebody on my bond
Lord, I've got somebody on my bond
Lord, Just wait in the midnight when death comes slippin' in your room
Lord, I've got somebody on my bond
Grinnin' in Your Face, Son House (1965)
Don't you mind people grinnin' in your face
Don't mind people grinnin' in your face
You just bear this in mind, a true friend is hard to find
Don't you mind people grinnin' in your face
You know your mother would talk about you
Your own sisters and your brothers too
They just don't care how you're tryin' to live
They'll talk about you still
Yes, but bear, ooh, this in mind, a true friend is hard to find
Don't you mind people grinnin' in your face
Don't you mind people grinnin' in your face
Don't you mind people grinnin' in your face
Oh, just bear, ooh this in mind, a true friend is hard to find
Don't you mind people grinnin' in your face
You know they'll jump you up and down
They'll carry you all 'round and 'round
Just as soon as your back is turned
They'll be tryin' to crush you down
Yes, but bear this in mind, a true friend is hard to find
Don't you mind people grinnin' in your face
Don't mind people grinnin' in your face
Don't mind people grinnin' in your face, oh, Lord
And just bear this in mind, a true friend is hard to find
Don't you mind people grinnin' in your face
