THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN

The album starts off with "Prelude - Nightmare" with luxurious chords and tunes which pushes onto the keyboard-based verses with Arthur Brown's unique vocal style, similar only to that of Ian Gillan of Deep Purple. The following track "Fanfare - Fire Poem" employs more musical styles and texture to the album. The fanfare evolves into an excellently lively organ playing as Brown recites an extraordinary, deliciously psychedelic poem leading you into the classic track "Fire". This track probably needs no description as you've probably come across the song before but just in case, "Fire" is really the essence of the album crammed into 3 minutes and presented to you as a catchy psychedelic tune with multiple hooks throughout.

From here onwards, the album sort of starts to go downhill or is not really as consistent as before. "Come And Buy" is more steady going song and acts nicely as a break from the earlier musical chaos. The melody is also quite relaxing, with the occasional upbeat section, although the lyrics aren't as adventurous as I would have liked in some places. "Time" further brings down the album into a calmer state into a wonderfully psychedelic dream, with more loud occasional interruptions to keep the listener interested. This segues into "Confusion" where familiar tunes are heard. Nothing too different is heard here.

Starting Side 2, an excellent rendition of Screamin' Jay Hawkins' "I Put A Spell On You" is heard. The band really make it their own, and create a brilliant atmosphere through the wall of sound. The Great "Spontaneous Apple Creation" follows with a bizzare intro, more creative poetry and chord progressions. Intriguing effects are used to fill the air along with vivid drumming. Overall quite an odd song but fits in nicely to this album. "Rest Cure" is another more mainstream attempt as heard on "Fire" (of which it is the B-side of). It makes a great upbeat fun song onto the album but upholds the adventurous standards as heard previously.

"I've Got Money" - a James Brown cover - has incredibly soulful sections which the whole of the band contribute to greatly, especially as the keyboard chords build up to the chorus. "Child Of My Kingdom" was a little bit of a letdown, not as memorable as the previous songs but still good. The song carries some nice Canterbury Scene-esque verses, with honky-tonk keyboards and steadily rocking rhythms. Interesting little tunes fill in any empty sections in the solos towards the end, without making them too clustered, and in effect creates a well structured ending to the album.

A(+) - One of the greatest and most underrated gems of the psychedelic era. Must be heard by anyone who likes the song "Fire" or bands like Deep Purple.

Share this THE ARTHUR BROWN BAND review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Xonty
• Report this review (#1020839)
• Buy THE ARTHUR BROWN BAND music online with PA partners
• Show all THE ARTHUR BROWN BAND MP3/Stream
• Go to THE ARTHUR BROWN BAND page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for THE ARTHUR BROWN BAND related discussions