This album is much in the same vein as Clear Spot, but lacks the same tight
feeling. Still very accessible, and a good purchase if you like Clear Spot. (Almost
a moot point, since they both come on one CD now.)
Graham Johnston:
Spotlight Kid contains some very heavy, slow and spacious blues. Although seen
as a disappointment by many on its release, due to its very restrained nature,
it really shines through today as being another Beefheart classic, containing
some of his most beautiful songs, such as Glider and Grow Fins, and a few live
favourites, such as Alice In Blunderland and Click Clack. The killer opening tune,
I'm Gonna Booglarize Ya Baby, never fails in its mission, no matter how many times
you've been booglarized before.
You can view the paintings and poems contained on the sleeve here.
Reviews:
Spotlight Kid by Colman Andrews,
from March 1972 Phonograph Record Magazine.
Spotlight Kid by Lester Bangs, from
30th March 1972 Rolling Stone.
1972 UK Original on Reprise K44162 - w/lyric sheet
1972 German Original on Reprise REP44162 - high gloss cover.
1972 German Original on Reprise REP44162 - White Label
Trade Sample with "Unverkäufl" (not
for sale) "Warenprobe ohne Wert" (sample without
value) "Echantillon gratuit" (free sample in French)
on centre label - w/lyric sheet
standard issue - w/lyric sheet
1972(?) Australian Original on Reprise(?) MS 2050 by CBS Records
Australia Ltd(?). (CBS MX 166199/200) - White Label Sample
Record with NOT FOR SALE SAMPLE RECORD Any person offering
this record for sale renders himself liable to prosecution under
the Copyright Act 1912-1950 printed in violet on centre label
(side 1) and on back cover. MS 2050 and CAPTAIN BEEFHEART
hand written in black felt tip on centre label - standard cover
has Manufactured and Distributed under Licence centre
bottom on back with no company details - clear plastic inner.
1972 US Original on Reprise MS 2050- White Label Promo
with PROMOTION NOT FOR SALE printed on centre label and
over stamped -> N.T.I.<- on centre label (side
2 only) - w/lyric sheet.
1972 US Reel-to-Reel on Warner/Reprise. Seven and one half inch
per second Magtec tape in card box. Full colour front cover and
black on white back cover stuck on box.
2000 180gm audiophile vinyl release from Scorpio Records, catalogue
number REPRISE 2050.
Spotlight Kid and Clear Spot combinations:
1975(?) South African vinyl on Reprise RRD 11703. 'Double Dynamite. 2 Originals' in white on the cover
19XX US CD on BMI 9 26249-2? Clear Spot/Spotlight Kid double
CD - very nice design.
This is the Clear Spot/Spotlight Kid CD BMI 0 26249-2
1990 German CD combination on WEA 7599-26249-2
199? Russian CD combination on Ars Nova AN-20313. Print on front
cover says "Ars Nova selections 500 COPIES"
1990 USA CD combination on Reprise 26249-2 - with US "long
box"
1990? US on BMI 26249-2DJ (Number on disc only) promo release
with no difference from the US double CD except for the CD artwork:
Promo BMI 26249-2DJ
The Spotlight Kid/Lick My Decals Off Baby Double:
1977 UK Reissue of TSK/LMDOB on Reprise K84006
Related Releases
1972(?) US Reel-to-Reel Radio Spots for the album's release.
Incorrectly listed as 'The Spotlite Kid'! A single :60 second
spot on seven and one half inch per second tape.
Help us out
If anyone is able to complete or update any of the information
above, then please do get in touch.