“The Spotlight Kid” is the sixth studio album by Captain Beefheart. Originally released in 1972, it is the only album credited solely to Captain Beefheart rather than Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band, although every member is featured, and its material is considered part of the band’s repertoire. Released for RSD 2024 as a 2LP in gatefold jacket with milky clear coloured vinyl.
Captain Beefheart’s sixth album, “The Spotlight Kid”, is often referred to as his “commercial” album. Admittedly, such a claim is easier to make when one considers that it arrived in the slipstream of such courageous titles as “Trout Mask Replica” and “Lick My Decals Off, Baby”, but even allowing for that,
“The Spotlight Kid” is atypically linear and accessible by Beefheart’s usual arcane standards. Despite lacking an official credit for The Magic Band, Don Van Vliet’s usual crew were all present and correct for the recording, which includes numerous highlights – not least “I’m Gonna Booglarize You Baby”, “Grow Fins” and the splendidly titled “Alice In Blunderland”. Taking its place among the best Record Store Day 2024 vinyl releases, “The Spotlight Kid” now returns to the limelight on “milky clear” double vinyl and in a smart gatefold sleeve.
The Fat Angel Sings 