For years Captain Beefheart fans have salivated over the prospects of a proper release of the original Bat Chain Puller album. The original sessions were recorded for Frank Zappa’s DiscReet Records, and shelved due to legal issues, but have escaped over the years on shoddy sounding bootlegs and even a few semi-legit releases (like the not-so-great sounding Dustsucker CD).

The album that ultimately came out in 1978, Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller) was a rerecording of these tracks, and of course, is considered a classic. However, even accounting for the layers of sonic muck added by generation upon generation of hand to hand tape transfers, the original versions have an edge on the released album. Especially the title track, which to me, sounds harder, bouncier, and just… more better.

Apparently there has been some good news on this front. at least according to the Wikipedia entry on the album:

There will be an official release in January 2011. This was stated during a Q & A session at the Round House Chalk Farm London, by Gail Zappa at the Frank Zappa 70th Birthday event 5th - 7th November 2010.

Hooray! Below, a fan-made animation by Geritsel for “Bat Chain Puller”:
 

 
H/T Mark