Arthur Brown (UK)

The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown - s/t.(1968, Polydor - 2010, Esoteric Rec.)[2CD Deluxe Edition]

Esoteric have truly excelled themselves with this definitive, deluxe edition of what can only be regarded as a cornerstone of proto-progressive rock.
The career of the `Crazy World' was a short one, "you're gonna burn!" sang Arthur on the Number One smash `Fire', and burn out they certainly did, so this remains their definitive recorded document. Hats off to the exemplary packaging here, it is a truly lovely artefact assembled with the utmost care. The slipcase features a wonderful photo of Arthur, head-dress ablaze at the height of his children-scaring powers. Within, of course, is the iconic original sleeve restored to perfection and second only perhaps to `In The Court Of The Crimson King' in impact. A foldout poster sleeve complete with all the ephemera you could wish for really makes this package something special.
Produced by Who manager Kit Lambert and overseen by Pete Townsend, the album is clearly divided. Brown was intending the whole album to be about fire (and of course the next three albums to be about the other elements in turn, this was 1968) Lambert, however, had other ideas and insisted on stage favourites `I Put A Spell On You' (Screamin' Jay Hawkins) and `I've Got Money' (James Brown) appearing alongside unrelated band pieces on Side Two. Ironically of course it was `Fire' which leapt out of the flames on side one's suite and all the way into the singles chart, making Arthur Brown a pop star overnight. I'd bet that few who saw his original appearance on `Top of the Pops' have been the same since.
It is the `Fire' suite on side one of which Brown is justifiably proudest. Whitby's finest has a scream to make Ian Gillan blush with shame, and Vincent Crane's well orchestrated organ and string arrangements carry most of the musical weight, backed by Drachen Theaker's drums (Carl Palmer was to join the band after Theaker's sacking in the USA, although he never recorded with them). The 5 song suite is held together musically by well thought out thematic reprises, over which the god of hellfire weaves his impressive poetic and vocal spell. There is a mystery, humour and charm here which makes it a delightful listen in these cynical times, and it can truly be said to qualify as one of the first progressive rock epics, released as it was in June 1968.
Side Two is no let down by any means, and although lacking in cohesion there is much to entertain, not least the bizarre `Spontaneous Apple Creation'. Just what were they ON? (don't answer that). The first disc retains the original album intact in re-mastered glory. The second disc is another 40 odd minutes of very worthwhile bonus material, including both sides of the pre-album single `Devil's Grip' with comedy B-Side `Give Him A Flower'. There's an intriguing first version of `Fire' replete with bizarre ending, BBC recordings featuring the plummy tones of Brian Matthew sounding not quite hip to the trip, and a worthwhile restatement of the Fire Suite in Mono.
This excellent package is all you could ever want to know about The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, and serves as the last word on this highly influential and entertaining album.

Arthur Brown's Kingdom Come - Galactic Zoo Dossier (1971, Polydor - 2010, Esoteric Rec.)

The "God Of Hell Fire" returns with a terrifying foreboding album full of dark progressive moods and psychedelic auras. I really had no idea that these guys were so good and so progressive. With Authur Brown on vocals, Andy Dalby on guitars, Michael "Goodge" Harris on organ, Julian Paul Brown on VCS-3 synthesizer, Desmon Fisher on bass, and Martin "Slim" Steer on drums these guys were able to create an incredible album that simple "lives". In case anyone listens to this album for the first time I warn you that you may suffer severe brain damage. I guess you could place it somewhere in the company of a cross of good ol' VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR with maybe hints of ATOMIC ROOSTER, PINK FLOYD and hints of VANILLA FUDGE. Arthur Brown was know as an artist that did the unexpected and on this album there is a track "Metal Monster" which was recorded for a portion backwards and sounds like it is skipping... this is in fact intentional and not a manufactures defect. The end result is a quirky monster prog album with some amazing warm tones and wild stuff abounding. One of Unger's favs and a necessary album to own in your collection. But again I warn you it may blow you mind !

Arthur Brown's Kingdom Come - s/t. (1972, Polydor - 2010, Esoteric Rec.)

The 3rd album by Arthur Brown and his acid infused band of Merrymen showcasing their strange prog/psych tendencies to the max ! Songs dip and doodle from the bizarre to the strange in that certain Arthur Brown style. Musically these guys were something special for sure.....Just listen to the track "A Scientific Experiment featuring the lower Colonic Irrigation" (highlight of the album for me) as it offers a bit of just about everything. The album is chaulked full of surprises ...from church mass to Zappa-esque instumentation to Canterbury tales with the end results feeling something like a mild ode to Jethro Tull's "A Passion Play" masterpeice.

Arthur Brown's Kingdom Come - Journey (1973, Polydor - 2010, Esoteric Rec.)

This one deserves the attention of every prog rock lovers, from every ages and styles. "Journey" is giant and represents what the "king of hellfire" has the best to offer. If "The Crazy world" represented a very original debut in a strange, fantastic and "theatrical" universe, this one reaches you into a deep psychedelic and "evil" world made of frightening, enigmatic made of remarkable musical moments. "Times Captive" with its oppressive, dark theme directly throws you into a spectral, bizarre adventure. Vintage synth parts and repetitive "electronic" drum sounds prevail. The instrumental "Triangles" has a strange medieval "dark" tone, always based on electronic structures. "Gypsy" is a mysterious exotic tune, illustrating "black magic" or something of this kind. The voice of Mr Brown is always as various, theatric, groovy and dramatic. "Spirit of Joy" & "Come alive" are two freak'n roll compositions. "Conception" is a gloomy, fantastic tune, nice feel! An all time classic album!.

Arthur Brown - Speak No Tech (1981) + Requiem (1982) [2010, Lemon Rec.]

Requiem is an end-of-the-world concept album that comes on
with a bang, not a whimper, and may well be the best thing
that Arthur Brown has ever done!
It's got all of the sonic excess you'd expect from the man who
gave us Fire , but Brown's ornate art-rock tendencies are
invariably backed up with enough visceral punch to make
them marvellously affecting, not merely affected, while
producer Earl Mankey handles the electronics well enough to
maintain an unusually high level of interest and detail.
Requiem is a remarkable album and well worth waiting for
and Speak No Tech is really hard to find, and now for the first
time is officially released on CD as part of this value two-fer
package. The original issue of Speak No Tech was limited to a
thousand copies in the States.
The basic material on Speak No Tech is the result of Arthur's
collaboration with Blondie producer Craig Leon, who was, as
the liner notes state, "laying down basic tracks" while Arthur
later overdubbed his part of the deal over them. It's purely
electronic, nothing but synthesizers and drum machines.
This special 2 for 1 issue comes with an interview with Arthur
by Classic Rock s Malcolm Dome and enhanced booklet, a
must for all Brown fans this album has been missing from the
great mans discography for years.