Album Review: Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band – The Mirror Man Sessions

 by G. Rock

The Mirror Man Sessions is the definitive 1999 expanded reissue of the 1971 album Mirror Man, compiling raw, live-in-the-studio recordings from late 1967. These sessions were originally intended as part of a double album called It Comes to You in a Plain Brown Wrapper, meant to follow the band's debut Safe as Milk. Label issues shelved the project, leading to re-recordings on Strictly Personal (1968) with unwanted psychedelic effects added by the producer. The 1999 version restores the original unadulterated takes, adds bonus tracks, and features vastly improved sound quality through remastering.

Overview and Sound

This is Captain Beefheart (Don Van Vliet) and the Magic Band at their most primal: extended psychedelic blues jams rooted in delta traditions but twisted into something hypnotic and avant-garde. The core four tracks—"Tarotplane" (19 minutes), "25th Century Quaker," "Mirror Man" (15 minutes), and "Kandy Korn"—are one-take performances with minimal overdubs, emphasizing groove over structure. Beefheart's vocals are sparse on the long jams, letting the band (including drummer John French and guitarist Jeff Cotton) stretch out in trance-like boogie rhythms. The bonus tracks include cleaner versions of songs later botched on Strictly Personal, like "Beatle Bones 'n' Smokin' Stones" and "Trust Us."Critics often hail the title track "Mirror Man" as one of Beefheart's catchiest and funkiest, with a hip-swaying groove and surreal lyrics. The album bridges the straighter blues-rock of Safe as Milk and the full experimental chaos of Trout Mask Replica (1969).Strengths

• Raw energy and instrumental interplay: The Magic Band's dual guitars and jagged drumming shine in these unpolished takes.
• Superior to Strictly Personal: No heavy phasing or echo; the clarity reveals the band's evolving genius.
• Historical value: A "lost album" glimpse into Beefheart's transition phase, with vibrant remastered sound.
• Accessibility: More groove-oriented and listenable than later avant-garde works, making it a great entry point for newcomers.

Weaknesses

• Length and repetition: The marathon jams (especially "Tarotplane") can feel monochromatic or underdeveloped to some, lacking the intensity builds of shorter tracks.
• Not for everyone: Beefheart's howling vocals and impressionistic lyrics demand patience; it's instrumental-heavy and unconventional.

Overall, The Mirror Man Sessions is essential Beefheart—raw, loose, and grooving hard. It's often ranked among his best for its primal blues power and as a cleaner alternative to the tampered Strictly Personal. If you love hypnotic jams with an edge of madness, this is grade-A Captain. Highly recommended for fans of psychedelic blues or anyone curious about one of rock's true innovators. Rating: 9/10.