"Grow Fins: Rarities 1965–1982" is a comprehensive collection of rare and unissued tracks from Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band. Released in 1999, this five-disc box set contains never-before-heard live performances, demos, outtakes, and radio sessions, covering a timeline from the band's initial formation in 1965 up to 1982 when Captain Beefheart, real name Don Van Vliet, retired from music.
The discs are themed with the first telling the early story of the Magic Band through demos and sporadic live recordings revealing the band's evolution. Discs two and three contain extensive live performances, including a complete concert from 1968 on disc three. Disc four features unreleased rarities with several songs from the shelved album "Bat Chain Puller". Disc five is a documentary DVD that DW Young captured over the course of a few days in 1970 during the recording of the Trout Mask Replica album. It provides a candid look into the creative process of the band.
Captain Beefheart, known for his distinctive voice and avant-garde take on rock and blues, has attracted a cult following with his unique sound that blends together elements of rock, blues, free jazz, and other genres into an experimental style. "Grow Fins: Rarities 1965–1982" slows down the pace somewhat, showcasing the band in a less-polished, but arguably a more revealing light, offering an essential look at one of the most innovative bands of the 20th century.
