Captain Beyond
Band members Related acts
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line up 1 (1971) - Bobby Caldwell -- drums, percussion, keyboards - Lee Dorman (RIP 2012) -- bass, backing vocals - Rod Evans -- vocals, percussion - Lewie Gold -- keyboards - Larry "Rhino" Rheinhart (RIP 2002)-- lead guitar
line up 2 (1971-73) - Bobby Caldwell -- drums, percussion, keyboards - Lee Dorman (RIP 2012 -- bass, backing vocals - Rod Evans -- vocals - Larry "Rhino" Rheinhart (RIP 2002) -- lead guitar
line up 3 (1973) - Lee Dorman (RIP 2012) -- bass - Rod Evans -- vocals NEW - Guille Garcia --- percussion NEW - Brian Glascock -- drums, percussion (replaced Bobby Caldwell) - Larry Rheinhart (RIP 2002) -- lead guitar NEW - Lee Wynans -- keyboards
line up 4 (1973) - Lee Dorman (RIP 2012) -- bass - Rod Evans -- vocals - Guille Garcia --- percussion - Larry Rheinhart (RIP 2002) -- lead guitar NEW - Marty Rodriguez -- drums, percussion (replaced Brian Glascock) - Lee Wynans -- keyboards
line up 4 (1973) - Bobby Caldwell -- drums, percussion - Lee Dorman (RIP 2012) -- bass - Rod Evans -- vocals - Larry Rheinhart (RIP 2002) -- lead guitar
line up 5 (1976) - Bobby Caldwell -- drums, percussion - Lee Dorman (RIP 2012) -- bass - Jason Cahoon -- vocals (replaced Rod Evans) - Larry Rheinhart (RIP 2002) -- lead guitar
line up 6 (1976-78) - Bobby Caldwell -- drums, percussion NEW - Willie Daffern (aka Willie Dee) -- vocals (replaced Rod Evans) - Lee Dorman (RIP 2012) -- bass - Rod Evans -- vocals - Larry Rheinhart (RIP 2002) -- lead guitar
line up 7 (1998-2000) NEW - Jeff Artabasy -- bass (replaced Lee Dorman) - Bobby Caldwell -- drums, percussion NEW - Dan Frye -- keyboards NEW - Jimi Interval -- vocals (replaced Willy Dafern) - Larry Rheinhart (RIP 2002) -- lead guitar
line up 8 (2000-03) - Jeff Artabasy -- bass - Bobby Caldwell -- drums, percussion - Dan Frye -- keyboards - Jimi Interval -- vocals NEW - Steve Perey -- guitar - Larry Rheinhart (RIP 2002) -- lead guitar
line up 9 (2013-15) NEW - Don Bonzi -- guitar, backing vocals NEW - Allen Carmen -- bass NEW - Jeff "Boday" Christensen -- guitar - Bobby Caldwell -- drums, percussion NEW - Jamie Holka -- NEW - Simon Lind -- vocals, guitar, keyboards
line up 10 (2015-) NEW - Jeff Artabasy -- bass - Don Bonzi -- guitar, backing vocals - Bobby Caldwell -- drums, percussion - Jamie Holka -- guitar - Simon Lind -- vocals, guitar, keyboards
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- Armageddon (Bobby Caldwell) - Carmen (Brian Glascock) - Chakras (William Daffern) - Deep Purple (Rod Evans) - Derringer (Bobby Caldwell) - The Favorite Sons (Brian Glascock) - The Gods (Brian Glascock) - Head Machine (Brian Glascock) - The Hi Numbers (Brian Glascock) - Rod Evans (solo efforts) - G Force (William Daffern) - Hunger (William Daffern) - Iron Butterfly (Lee Dorman and Larry Rheinhardt) - The Juniors (Brian Glascock) - The Maze (Rod Evans) - MI5 (Rod Evans) - The Motels (Brian Glascock) - The New Englanders (Bobby Caldwell) - Noah's Ark (Bobby Caldwell) - Octopus (Brian Glascock) - Pandemonium (Reese Wynans) - Pipedream (William Daffern) - Larry Rheinhart (solo efforts) - The Second Coming (Larry Rheinhart) - The Stan dells (William Daffern) - Toe Fat (Brian Glascock) - The Touch (William Daffern) - Turk (William Daffern) - Steve Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - Zoom Lenz (William Daffern)
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Genre: rock Rating: 4 stars **** Title: Captain Beyond Company: Capricorn Catalog: CP
0105 Country/State: Los Angeles, California Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: original with 3D cover Available: 1 Catalog ID: 190 Price: $60.00
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For a band that has never attract broad popular recognition, or sold many albums, Captain Beyond and particularly their 1972 debut album, have an incredibly reputation amongst those in the know. Yes, that fan base tends to be older (I'm in my mid-'60s), but I'm amazed at how much information is out there on the band. There are FaceBook sites including: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialCaptainBeyond/info?tab=page_info
The band even have their own web presence: https://officialcaptainbeyond.com/
The web reflects thousands of reviews of their debut album. Out of curiosity I looked on Amazon and saw the CD reissue of the debut has 600 reviews. (It gets a four-and-a-half stars review.)
Perhaps this is one of those rare instances where your elders actually have a clue. By the way, if you are going to buy the debut album, find an original copy with Joe Garnett's cool 3-D cover art.
Blind Faith was such a long lasting and commercially successful band (LOL). It was no wonder the music industry threw itself on the concept of "super groups" with such enthusiasm. Among those initiatives - Captain Beyond. On paper this one should have been a monster. Founder, front-man and vocalist Rod Evans had been Deep Purple's original lead singer. Drummer Bobby Caldwell had been a member of Noah's Ark and Johnny Winter's band. Bassist Lee Dorman and guitarist Larry Rheinhart had Iron Butterfly stints under their belts. Those four members were rounded out by unknown keyboard player Lewie Gold, though Gold was gone prior to their debut album being recorded.
The quintet came together in 1971. They were quickly signed by Capricorn; an odd label for the band given Capricorn's reputation for signing Southern rock groups like The Allman Brothers Band. Perhaps urban legend, but the decision to sign with Capricorn apparent stemmed from the late Duane Allman. Caldwell had worked a little with Allman who apparently suggested Capricorn would be a good match for the band. In fact, the debut album carried a dedication to Allman.
Anyone
expecting to hear a collection of Southern rock was going to be surprised by
1972's self-produced "Captain Beyond."
Perhaps that shouldn't have come as a shock since the album reflected a
series of three extended "suites" with one composition
effortlessly blending into the next track. Admittedly that made needle
drops a challenge. Moreover, titles like 'Dancing
Madly Backwards (on a Sea of A
Unfortunately arguments over musical direction, disappointment over Capricorn's lack of support and personality clashes raised their ugly heads and what was the start of a debilitating, career-long series of personnel changes. First out the door was Caldwell who joined Rick Derringer's band. He was quickly replaced by Brian Glascock, who was then replaced by Marty Rodriguez, percussionist Guille Garcia and a new keyboard player in the form of Lee Wynans.
"Captain
Beyond" track listing: 1.) Dancing Madly Backwards (on a Sea of Air) (Bobby Caldwell - Rod Evans) - 4:02 rating: **** stars It wasn't Southern rock, but in spite of the clunky title 'Dancing Madly Backwards (on a Sea of Air)' rocked with an unexpected intensity. Powered by Evans' growling voice and Caldwell's frenetic drums, the song effortlessly managed to incorporate blues, jazz and hard rock influences. 2.) Armworth (Bobby Caldwell - Rod Evans) - 2:57 rating: **** stars One of the album's more commercial and radio friendly performances, 'Armworth' had a great melody, some subtle anti-war lyrics, some nice harmony vocals and would have made a prime FM staple. Only complaint was the song was too short. 3.) Myopic Void (Bobby Caldwell - Rod Evans) - 3:31 rating: **** stars Showcasing Rheinhart's slide guitar and Caldwell's martial drumming 'Myopic Void' was a dazzling tune. Not that I have any experience in the realm, but I can see folks getting stoned to the atmospheric first half of the track. Not sure what happens to those folks when the song abruptly returns to the no-holds-barred opener 'Dancing Madly Backwards (on a Sea of Air).' I guess it's a warning ... "I no longer saw colors only gray. Only gray ...". 4.)
Mesmerization Eclipse (Bobby Caldwell - Rod Evans) - 3:48 rating:
**** stars 5.) Raging River of Fear (Bobby Caldwell - Rod Evans) - 3:47 rating: **** stars Another classic slice of '70s hard-rock, 'Raging River of Fear' found the band adding a funky element to the mix. It also revealed a nice knack for sweet harmony vocals. Hey, more cowbell please !!!
(side
2) If there was a progressive track on the album, then my nod would go to the beautiful 'Thousand Days of Yesterdays' introduction. Powered by a sweet Rheinhart acoustic guitar riff and the band's group harmonies, the track was mesmerizing. Just too short. 2.) Frozen Over (Bobby Caldwell - Rod Evans) -3:46 rating: **** stars Worth the admission price just to hear Rheinhart's blazing solo ... This one gives a new meaning to the description "angry guitar." Come to think of it Evans sounds pretty ticked off as well. Another track that would not sound out of place on a contemporary hard rock album. 3.) Thousand Days of Yesterdays (Time Since Come and Gone) (Bobby Caldwell - Rod Evans) - 3:57 rating: **** stars In the wake of the blistering 'Frozen Over', 'Thousand Days of Yesterdays (Time Since Come and Gone)' sounded almost pastoral. Easily the album's most conventional and commercial performance, this was another performance showcasing Rheinhart's dazzling technique. Do I hear a touch of Duane Allman in the mid-section? Evans and company scatting ... OMG. Almost a jazzy flavor on some of Rheinhart's work and also Caldwell's work. The track was released as a single in the US and a couple of other countries:
- 1972's 'Thousand Days of Yesterdays (Time Since Come and Gone)' b/w 'As the Moon Speaks (Return)' (Capricorn catalog number CPR 0013) 4.) I Can't Feel Nothin' (Part I) 3:06 rating: **** stars The opening found the band seemingly poised on the edge of jazz-rock fusion, but Evans jumped in and rescued them from that fate with one of his most impassioned vocals. From there the tune evolved into another prime example of Rheinhart's economic, but classic style. And yeah, maybe it's my old, abused ears, but darn of 'I Can't Feel Nothin' (Part 1)' wouldn't sound good on the radio today. The sound and video quality is poor, but filmed at a April 30, 1972 show in Montreux, Switzerland, YouTube has a clip of the band performing this song and the other four tunes that composed the second side of their debut album: Support :15 (youtube.com) More cowbell Rod ... 5.) As the Moon Speaks (to the Waves of the Sea) (Bobby Caldwell - Rod Evans) - 1:27 rating: **** stars Opening with another beautiful melody, Evans' treated spoken word segment gives 'As the Moon Speaks (to the Waves of the Sea)' a lysergic tinge, before seamlessly diving headlong into the driving 'Astral Lady'. The same YouTube includes a performance of 'As the Moon Speaks (to the Waves of the Sea)' and 'Astral Lady'. It starts around the three minute mark. 6.) Astral Lady (Bobby Caldwell - Rod Evans) -1:15 rating: *** stars To my ears 'Astral Lady' was the album's most conventional tune. Nothing wrong with, it but hardly their moment of glory, though it did fade into the wonderful 'As the Moon Speaks (Return)' melody. The Montreux performance starts around the five minute mark. On the Montreux video this one starts around the 4:40 minute mark. 7.) As the Moon Speaks (Return) (Bobby Caldwell - Rod Evans) - 2:16 rating: **** stars Okay, the lyrics weren't going to save mankind from devastation, but the lysergic effects make me smile. The "reprise" had two other things going for it: 1.) Evans' surprisingly enjoyable "crooner" voice, and 2.) one of Rheinhart's prettiest performances. The Montreux performance starts a the 5:56 mark. 8.) I Can't Feel Nothin' (Part 2) (Bobby Caldwell - Rod Evans) - 1:11 rating: **** stars Opening up with some growling Dorman bass and an unexpected outburst of Latin percussion, the album concluded with a return to the powerhouse rocker I Can't Feel Nothin' (Part 2).' Fine way to end this classic album. This section kicks in around the 6:40 mark of the Montreux tape.
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ir)',
'Myopic Void' and 'Thousand Days of Yesterdays (Time Since Come and Gone)'
certainly didn't reflected
your typical Southern-rock subject matter. The good news is anyone
thinking this was going to be a ponderous collection of naval-gazing musical
farts was flat out wrong. The song titles may have been pompous, but
exemplified by tracks like 'Mesmerization Eclipse'
and 'Raging River of Fear'
these guys could
rock out with the best of the best. True,
the arrangements were surprisingly sophisticated and technically
challenging, but boy did the album rock. To
my ears Evan's had the perfect rock voice; Rheinhart was a powered, but
economical player, Dorman showed a sophistication Iron Butterfly never
allowed (check out his work on 'Mesmerization Eclipse') and there was little
doubt Caldwell was one of rock's overlooked powerhouse drummers. The
four principals may not have liked each other on a personal level, but they
sure could churn out a quality rock song. Yes,
spacey lyrics and themes like 'Myopic Void'
were a bit much to take, but the music
was so strong, I ultimately didn't care. By the way, although
all seven tracks were credited to Caldwell and Evans, they were actually
group compositions. Contractual issues associated with their Iron
Butterfly work did not allow Dorman and Rheinhart to be shown as
songwriters.