The Crazy World of Arthur Brown- The Crazy World of Arthur Brown(SIDE 1) (REACTION//DISCUSSION)

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Album Link: • The Crazy World of Art...

[@tedsmith7814]

Listening to this again…I just realized Arthur is making literal AND figurative soul- music. He is all-in.

[@alex-E7WHU]

That voice is pure heaven.

[@lewisc.3024]

I was born in '71 and I remember listening to this song on my mum's 45rpm record of this song... so as "Addams Family" as this sounds, this song really brings back happy childhood memories!

[@MarkMaloney-tk9en]

I remember this song when it was new. My step father had the 45 (wish I had it now!). I loved the song then at 9 years old, but only this month discovered the album on KZbin, then other albums. I'm obsessed and now I want to see him live. There's so much great music already made, waiting to be discovered. Glad I "discovered" this gem!

[@patrickdoake6022]

Arthur brown a rock hero what a voice saw him few yrs back in his mid 60s small man massive voice! Legend ✌️😎 could do with someone like this now to liven up scene ‼️

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Psychedelic rock is the foundry in which a thousand genres were forged.

[@markspooner1224]

He used to sing Fire with a burning helmet which sometimes burned his head. I'm so glad you liked this, you would surely enjoy his Kingdom Come albums too. The main producer Kit Lambert was The Who's manager. Great stuff JP.

[@git606]

I had the honour to record with Arthur Brown as he is quite local to me. This was about in the early 2000’s but he still had that vocal range, he would just go operatic, it was amazing, such a great voice.

[@avlisk]

Loved "Fire" as a 45 back in the day, but never heard anything else until this video. This was a real treat.

[@steveconnor746]

You must search out the video. It adds a whole new dimension.

[@cadanrichards2615]

This is a mad psychedelic journey of an album weird and amazing. Carl palmer used to play for him before he joined ELP

[@chefren77]

He did a stint in Atomic Rooster in between also

[@carrerlluna66]

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Arthur Brown is incredible, the songs, the vibe and that voice. His backing band with Atomic Roosters Vincent Crane on organ and the band is frikkin on fire literally. Arthur Brown was the originator of the sound and image with wild make up and a burning brazier on his head that was later used by Alice Cooper, Kiss, King Diamond and singers like Ian Gillan of Deep Purple. Thank you man. Side 2 is different in that they are separate ideas, still very cool. Side one is about as perfect as can be.

[@gergelystechnicmodels8565]

First time listening. Seems like a mix of the doors, frank zappa, and some suspicious medication. Sounds great!

[@gpreactions3194]

I remember a story one of my neighbours told me. When he was younger he worked at the university I work at now, only back then it wasn't a university, it was still a polytechnic. Anyway, he worked in a bar. One evening the Crazy World of Arthur Brown was to perform at the bar. As he took to the stage wearing a cloak and this big hat and began his performance .... "I am the God of hell fire. .." he then set his hat on fire. At this point someone came over with a fire extinguisher and put out the fire on his head.

[@herb6677]

this happened more often and more often beer was used to kill the fire

[@JohnSmith-gi5ok]

I worked as a doorman in a nightclub in Brighton in the 90's. The venue was great, having many great different gigs - and old bands often played. One night we had Arthur Brown - looking even crazier than he did in the 60's - During his second song, he stopped midway through and said 'This is too much man'. With that he dropped the microphone and walked straght though the crowd and out the front door. Class.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

That was a banquet of psychedelic goodies. I think a lot of the big rock singers of the seventies point to this album as inspirational. I’m so glad you played that whole piece, I don’t think I’ve ever heard it all. Thank you JP this was perfect, makes me wish I wore my “I’d Rather Be Tripping” Tee shirt this morning.

[@ianwilkinson4602]

Was, still is, one of the greatest voices in rock music, but don't expect it to be easy listening. Such power and total class.

[@gelsol]

I LOVE the three (there's technically a fourth album too) Kingdom Come albums with Arthur Brown. Basically audio acid trips. I know LSD was involved a bit with that band. Their third album, Journey, uses a drum machine instead of a drummer, which was pretty crazy back then. Vincent Crane (organist) went on to form the fantastic Atomic Rooster.

[@jfergs.3302]

What a surprise!. I've heard 'Fire' a zillion times (AB with his burning hat), and now realised that's all i'd ever heard. This was pretty great. So 60's it's untrue, so of its time, and yet I think it stands up incredibly well. Excellent flow, great tunes, keys, and loved the orchestration. Every track a winner, but my fave 'Come and Buy'. Vocals likewise spot on, and again particularly on 'Come and Buy'. That fast delivery, almost proto rap 🙂 Even the spoken word worked a charm here, and that I find quite rare. Loved this.

[@tmountain1]

You need to check out what Arthur is doing these days. He's never rested on his laurels - he's been creating experimental blues / psychedelic / theatrical music up to now. He's insane in the most delightful way, somewhere between Frank Zappa and George Clinton. Also check out Screaming Lord Sutch. That dude was a trip.

[@canadianstudmuffin]

I've been doing a video series of CD exchanges with a friend and I've come to the conclusion that Arthur Brown is an amazing talent as is the band he has with him. I don't have this album (yet) but his 3 albums after this one with his band Kingdom Come are amazing and way ahead of their time. Update: His new album Long Long Road is amazing. He is now 80 years old and his vocals haven't changed at all. I'll be reviewing the album soon on my channel.

[@pilesovinyl]

Imagine if you will that single being played on top 40 AM radio back in the day, and it was! He was a very odd person, and while this may be considered a concept album, this is who he was. In 1968 the really heavy metal sound hadn't arrived yet, and the years 68/69 were heavily charged with brass backing/arrangements, thus the horns backing the crescendo. The organ was also very prominent in artist's music like the Doors, Steppenwolf, Iron Butterfly, Rascals etc. so it was heavy for 1968 but yet comparatively cool by todays standards.

[@AriadneJC]

I've been aware of "Fire" for as long as I can remember, but never experienced any other Arthur Brown output. Quite surprised, in a good way, to hear a bigger range and tone than just wild craziness, all tinged with psychedelia throughout. Nice one!

[@Kombi-1]

Oh, and the Kingdom Come albums are on a whole different level!! A sea of bliss..

[@matto9734]

Same here, I just know "Fire". Good decision by Justin to embed that song with the whole side1. Absolutely worth the listen!

[@GrilloTheFlightless]

I’ve been privileged to see Arthur Brown live a few times. He’s still got it. He has such an amazing range. I’ve heard rumour that the drummer at this time, Drachen Theaker, could easily out-Moon Keith Moon in his unpredictable behaviour on an off stage. He is no longer with us. They were once kicked out of Italy and told never to come back after Arthur took all his clothes off on stage at the Palermo Festival and got arrested. Earlier in the tour they played at a Mafia-owned club which refused to pay after the gig, so they set the place on fire (allegedly) This album is remarkable because it’s a really credible piece of experimental rock yet uses no lead guitar. Track Records insisted that the get a guitarist to pad out the sound but they weren’t keen to, so Pete Townsend, who more or less discovered them and got them on Track’s rosta, suggested they use strings, reed and horns instead, and it really really works. But a lot of it is due to the remarkable keyboard talents of Vincent Crane which really drives the album and brilliantly compliments Arthur’s amazing ever falling, rising, swooping and fluttering vocals. The first part of the album originally came from a concept called The Fevered Nightmares of Heironymous Anonymous (or something like that) in which the hero would be taken through the different stages of the afterlife. They only really got as far as his journey into Hell and then abandoned it, which is why the earlier tracks on the album sound like they belong on a concept album. He was well known for theatrical stage performances and spooky makeup, well before a Alice Cooper, bizarre dance moves and his trademark fiery helmet which was made using bits of metal attached to a colander with metal horns. A roadie would fill a dish on the top with petrol and set light to it and Brown would perform Nightmare, helmet ablaze, to the rapture of the audience. When Fire became a hit he performed it on Top Of The Pops on U.K. TV and used the flaming helmet, since when it was subsequently used on tour to perform Fire. The roadie in charge of the petrol was a drunk and his hands were rarely steady so much of the petrol often ended up all over Brown’s cape and hair. His head caught fire on more than one occasion. Whilst never really making it as big as he deserved, Arthur was a massive influencer. His horror theatrics and on-stage execution scenes, along with his makeup, were an inspiration to Alice Cooper, and the two have performed Fire together. Peter Gabriel was also hugely influenced by him. Brown attended an early Genesis live show. Before hand Gabriel said to him “you’ll see a lot of yourself in my performance”. Years later, in the 80s when Brown’s musical career was pretty flat, Gabriel attempted to lift Brown’s career by writing him a song and offering to produce, but Brown turned down the kind offer. The song, written with Brown’s voice in mind, was Sledgehammer. Both times that I saw him live he performed his set acoustically with just an acoustic guitarist and a bass player. He opened with a remarkably brilliant and eerie rendition of Dylan’s ‘A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall’ and had me mesmerised from the outset. He’s always trying different stage makeup ideas with designs inspired by different cultures (his early makeup with blacked out eyes and black lines around the mouth and on the tip of his nose was based on Mexican skull designs and, minus the nose makeup, was a forerunner of the makeup design Alice Cooper used from the mid 70s onwards) He also incorporated mime, robotic moves and experimental dance. Some of his more recent albums are a bit hit and miss for me, but that’s what happens when you take risks and experiment with your craft. But at his best he is phenomenal, with a remarkable vocal range. A true original who is more interested in artistic integrity than in fame and money. Just one more thing of note, some years back he contributed to a Peter Green tribute album with an amazing rendition of Green Manalishi. Vincent Crane was a musical genius, and was one of the founders of Atomic Rooster. He was sadly plagued all his life by mental health issues and was in and out of mental institutions. Sometimes when he was at a really low ebb Brown would get in touch and give him a project to do to lift him, which is how he got involved in Arthur Browns album Chisholm In My Bosom, and was also how they came to do Faster Than The Speed Of Light, which is an amazing album which sounds like it could have been from the soundtrack of a high-class west-end stage musical, and deals a lot with Crane’s experiences with depression. Sadly Vincent Crane took his own life. It’s the worlds loss. I rate him above Keith Emerson any day of the week.

[@davidgale7384]

Thank the hell out of left field for this info. Where the hell did you come from? My uncle turned me on to this album (I was 14) in 1970 ... Blew my mind, and started my journey into progressive music (he also filled my ears with Chet Baker and Coltrane)

[@herb6677]

Drachen (German for "Dragon") Theaker was a noisy drummer, he was not able to keep the time and at some point Vincent Crane had him thrown out ("either him or me"), the gap was filled with a 17 year old Carl Palmer. On the second side there is a beautiful track called Child of my Kingdom, where Jon Hisemen had the honor to replace him.

[@tomgirldouble3249]

Brilliant info 😊 thanks

[@tomgirldouble3249]

Vincent Crane's definitely a name I recognise, how sad 😔

[@a.k.1740]

The amazing Arthur Brown (79 years old, soon to be 80 in June) and still active, is one of the precursors of shock rock and had a considerable influence on Alice Cooper, Kiss & Co. not to mention his incredible and versatile voice which inspired Ian Gillan, David Byron and Bruce Dickinson. You should also listen to the three albums he made with his band Kingdom Come in the early 70s (not to be confused with the 80s German metal band of the same name) which leans more towards progressive rock but still just as interesting as The Crazy World of Arthur Brown. Great artist often forgotten but nevertheless important and influential !

[@tomgirldouble3249]

Amazed to hear he's still active saw him several times in the 70s, great artist & glad to hear he's still on planet😀😉

[@cometogether999]

Arthur Brown also does vocals on Alan Parsons Project - "Tell-Tale Heart" from the Tales of Mystery and Imagination of Edgar Allan Poe. I urge you to do a full album listen to that. You've already done the "The Raven" but not it's prelude "Dream Within a Dream."

[@JamesHowe]

As I was listening to this I was trying to remember where else I had heard his voice. I also agree that JP should do full album listen of 'Tales of Mystery and Imagination'. Great album

[@a.k.1740]

@@JamesHowe Tales of Mystery and Imagination remains the very best APP album for me.

[@danbrett7246]

@@a.k.1740 Yep had this comment about Tell Tale Heart ready to go! Arthur sounds so good on that track going to listen to it now! Yes more AP JP..lol

[@amercadodf]

+1 vote for the whole Tales Of Mystery And Imagination album!! You deserve it, JP!!

[@dalt992]

One of my favorite albums of all time. I saw the vinyl in a record store one day in the late 80's. I remembered I loved the song "Fire" so I bought the album. WOW! I was blown away by his voice, the vibe that each song gave out and the AMAZING Hammond organ sounds from Vincent Crane who at that time, I didn't even know about Atomic Rooster (another awesome band!). So cool to hear you experience this JP! Listen to side two!!

[@steveconnor746]

Arthur Brown came from a place only a short bus ride away from where I live. Whitby. The Dracula Town. They have goth festivals twice a year. Great atmosphere.

[@kirbywilliamson2942]

The originator of theater rock, predecessor to the likes of David Bowie , Alice Cooper ,and Peter Gabriel in Genesis. His lyrical content shows a visual predisposition. His concerts were almost pagan rituals ,with an old world edge.

[@aderyncoch3346]

Screamin' Jay Hawkins was a big pioneer too.

[@cazgerald9471]

Originator? Side 2 of this album starts out with a cover of "I Put a Spell on You" - Screamin' Jay Hawkins was quite theatrical.

[@dennispope1355]

I'm glad you listened to this whole side. It IS a definate journey. Side 2 is not part of the concept, but still excellant. There was nothing quite like this album at the time. Arthur went on to record three albums under the banner "Artur Brown's Kingdom Come". I like them quite well too. They're loaded with eccentric weirdness. Great reation. Thanks.

[@disconsolatemoose6637]

Your instincts were absolutely correct! Glad you listened to the whole "suite." A 60's psychedelic classic.

[@murdockreviews]

Cool. "Fire" opened up a mix-tape my uncle gave me as a kid (well, he was clearing out his tapes, and asked if we wanted them; my parents were less enthused), so it's great to finally sit down and listen to the rest of the album this came from 😈 This dark side of psychedelia certainly is worth exploring.

[@manualboyca]

Apparently, this drummer left shortly after this album and the touring drummer was Carl Palmer (pre-ELP). I would LOVE to hear one of those live shows with Palmer!

[@brucebrown73]

Carl is the man

[@a13xxgrey12]

Hello, thank you for the video. I advise you to make, if you haven't done it yet, a reaction to the wonderful young singer Diana Ankudinova. This girl will surprise you with her artistry and rare timbre of voice. She has covers of famous songs, and also performs her own songs.

[@happilyeggs4627]

You need to check out the albums he made as Arthur Brown's Kingdom Come. The album Journey is superb. Every track is a gem. "Superficial Roadblocks of the Mind", "Time Captives", the glorious "Spirit of Joy", "Gipsy", Triangles", "Conception", "Come Alive".

[@canadianstudmuffin]

Yes! Became a huge fan of Kingdom Come in the past year! All three albums are excellent.

[@maruad7577]

In 1968 "Fire" hit the AM radio waves locally and it was like absolutely nothing else. I loved the song but have never heard the remainder of the album. What a trip! To think this song was released at the same time as Sargent Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is mind blowing. There must have been something in the water in those days.

[@donaldb1]

This witty, eccentric psychedelia makes me think a little of The Bonzo Dog Doodah Band, which you should definitely check out.

[@martinpaterson6535]

Wow! Thanks so much for this unexpected reaction, and an amazing coincidence because I was about to recommend Arthur Brown to you in a comment on your Harmonium reaction yesterday. The reason being that I was thinking of the other French prog rock bands, Magma, whom of course you’ve been listening to, and Ange, whom as far as I know you haven’t. Anyway, I saw Ange supporting Arthur Brown’s Kingdom Come, the third gig I ever went to (after Genesis and King Crimson!) Happy, youthful days! Ange were amazing and weren’t allowed to leave before an encore. Anyway, Arthur Brown too was an astonishing performer, and I love Kingdom Come’s 2nd album, entitled just Kingdom Come. Journey is pretty good too, but suffers somewhat by pioneering the drum machine rather than employing a drummer. As usual you and your enthusiastic reactions take me back to being a teenager, and reacting with similar emotions myself forty years ago. Thanks again.

[@BrianR.]

Love this!! Arthur Brown influenced so many great artists, he never quite got his proper due. Arthur is a very down to earth open guy, don't be surprised if he sends you a message.

[@tomgirldouble3249]

Saw him in the 70s glad to hear still active & on planet 😄

[@davidchaplain6748]

Wow. Thank you for doing the whole thing. It was a first listen for me too, and I can't imagine breaking that up into 5 videos. You would lose all the continuity. Loved it.

[@henryfitch8710]

The video from 1968 is extraordinary in many ways. This deranged English singer wore a fire helmet depicted, covered his face in way which influenced Alice Cooper and danced like Mick Jagger. He called himself, too, the God of Hellfire but he is one hit wonder because he is so eccentric.

[@makalu877]

That album is a gem, I love everything on it. I bought the album in 1968 for the song "Fire" but was gratified to find the whole album was great.

[@onsesejoo2605]

The keyboard player Vincent Crane who partially composed this song and drummer Carl Palmer formed later the Atomic Rooster and asked certain Steve Howe to join. However the drummer on this is Drachen Theaker, who had to quit due to aviophobia which obviously limited his ability to tour. He was replaced by Palmer.

[@blitztim6416]

Vocal gymnastics. I’d only ever heard ‘Fire’ since it was a hit song. Crazy stuff, but it’s good. Stretches the boundaries of music. His voice is like a mix of Peter Hamill and Ian Gillian. Thanks.

[@ljsites]

I was really young when this came out on the radio somehow we thought we were listening to something too risqué to be played on AM radio back then.. of coarse we couldn’t wait to hear it again!

[@JamesHowe]

I've always loved 'Fire'. I heard that song many times growing up and just the way it starts really grabs you. As I listen to this I can see the influence on other singers such as Ian Gillian of Deep Purple. Both of these singers do what I call 'screaming in tune'. I've only heard Fire, so I'm glad you did side 1 and hopefully you'll do side 2 soon.

[@Whiteshirtloosetie]

Totally love this!! Sorry JP How come I've somehow missed this and it didn't come up until now Doh!. 1968 The Crazy World of Arthur Brown album has to be the most awesome Album ever created. Carl Palmer from later ELP hidden because he wasn't in the music union. The Crazy World of Arthur Brown one hit awsomness that created groups like Emerson Lake and Palmer, Led Zeppelin, Atomic Rooster and in my view the next stage leading towards heavy metal and prog rock. I've been an absolute Arthur Brown fan since December 1967. Arthur is an absolute legend and even now is still doing tours and totally loved. Whether The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, or Arthur Brown's Kingdom Come. Arthur played at ROTW in Hitchin and what must be three or even four generations of people went totally ballistic. I've even when the album Zim Zam Zim came out crowd funded am so bloody proud my name is among others on that album. The stangest album I totally love has to be Arthur Brown's Kingdom Come "Galactic Zoo Dossier". The genius of Arthur Brown in my opinion over many decades is knowing taking music so far then knowing when to take a step back. Example: Take the year 1999 Kular Shaker and Mystical Machine Gun which is on you tube. Awesome presence or what. Arthur Brown turns a great song into epic. Arthur and Alice Cooper have been on stage together. That seriously has to be the ultimate fantastic thing imaginable.

[@An_Cat_Dubh]

This album continues to be a fun listen - after all these years.

[@papalaz4444244]

NIce one. A bit of Atomic Rooster, next, we hope :)

[@robertreid3556]

The First Band I saw live, haven't been the same since, Glad you liked it.

[@ErikGoosen]

It isn’t called the Grazy world of Arthur Brown for nothing! Always wanted to dive deeper into his energetic madness. Not disappointed at all. You should look for a live performance on KZbin with his burning crown on his head. Also interesting is his cooperation with Klaus Schulze. They made 2 albums together: Dune and a live double album. Well worth a listen.

[@mrwomby5007]

Yes , to fully appreciate him you have to see him performing. There are several clips on KZbin although as they are 50 years old they're not the best quality.

[@herb6677]

Klaus Schulze took his music very seriously an didn't allow humor on stage, which was quite a pain for Arthur, to say the least. Nevertheless his totally improvised lyrics on that records is fantastic.

[@cometogether999]

I'm glad you got your proof that Rolling Stone doesn't have a clue when it comes to music.

[@brucebrown73]

Yeah, RS always criticized ELP as if they were void of talent

[@Pstephen]

"Fire" was the first record I ever got after asking for it; before that there was Pinky and Perky - string puppet pigs - doing early Beatles songs, which I didn't ask for. Fire is still great.

[@glenndespres5317]

Awesome comment/story 😂

[@sns2112]

I saw Arthur Brown in 2019.....he was the special guest on the Royal Affair Tour (YES, Asia, John Lodge of the Moody Blues and Carl Palmer's ELP Legacy). Unfortunately he only did a few songs. Carl played the drums with him.

[@j.dragon651]

I want the opening line to Fire as my ringtone so I can go to church and have people call me.

[@silvertube52]

Glad you listened to it as intended! Fire by itself is just part of a suite. Side two isn't quite as good, but they do a great cover version of "I Put A Spell On You".

[@Tsongkapa1]

You know, if you like this I recommend "The Four Horsemen" by Aphrodite's Child from their album "666"

[@dalt992]

Justin, when you listen to side two (you know you will!) be prepared for perhaps Vincent Crane's most incredible Hammond organ performance of all time on the song "I've Got Money". Vincent BLAZES on the keys! it's breathtaking and awesome!

[@nomisnestral6956]

Unique blend of freakbeat, rock'n'soul, cabaret storytelling and pure Screamin' Jay OTT-ness, as is made obvious by his cover of "IPASOY". His legacy is huge, and arguably more interesting overall, considering his influence can be felt from glam to postpunk to metal to electro. Like Scott Walker, goes well with Nick Cave...

[@Umbrella2]

I think I might have been someone who recommended Arthur Brown, he is amazing.

[@billraufmann8918]

Stumbled across this reaction and was so happy I did that, love Arthur Brown And it was so great to see you enjoying it and appreciating him And so many people still appreciating the man and his music. I also like the kingdom come albums Sunrise off of Galactic zoo dossier is Epic (so is the album) and Spirit of joy off of Journey is epic as well and that album certainly was ahead of its time. I remember when his “Dance” album came out I was just happy to see he was still putting out music back in the day, Great vocalist that should’ve had more success then he was given! At least he was appreciated by a lot of people and a lot of musicians reference him.

[@palantir135]

Very familiar music from decades ago when I was young. First kind of glam rock.

[@krisdoggett483]

Wow, this was a trip! I have heard Fire before and dig the groove for sure. I saw the video for it as a kid and it kind of scared me a little, lol. I get what you mean about hearing elements of Zappa and a darker Moody Blues vibe in spots. I can definitely hear the Doors in there and Brown's influence on Deep Purple's Ian Gillan when he hits those high notes. Also, I had no idea Pete Townshend produced this album. Fun fact: Carl Palmer joined the band after the original drummer left. This was excellent and informative. Thanks , JP.

[@jerrypetrillo2903]

Wow - what a bonus : I've recommended Fire for quite some time , convinced you would find it an unforgettable experience once you heard it . To see you get around to it is one thing - to then see you decide on the fly to check out the entire album side was fantastic . That was a lot of fun - really glad you not only enjoyed Fire but also went the extra mile on this . Btw - always seemed to me that Deep Purple may have been influenced by this album . Also , one BBC documentary on the history of prog begins with crediting Arthur Brown as a pioneer / influencer to the movement

[@67Svenski]

This album has some passages that sound like Deep Purple, especially the organ. I remember this song and enjoyed it on the radio. Thanks JP.

[@avantprog6902]

There is a live performance of Fire in which you can see Carl Palmer tearing it up on drums. I always saw a semblance between Arthur Brown's and Ian Gillan's operatic banshee crys and thought Gillan may have gotten it from Brown. It seems as they were contemporaries as Deep Purple's debut album came out the same year.

[@a.k.1740]

Yes, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown was released in June 68 and Deep Purple's debut studio album Shades of Deep Purple was released in July 68 but no trace of Ian Gillan in the band at this stage as Rod Evans sang on the first three Purple albums (while Ian Gillan and Roger Glover were in Episode Six at that time) but Ian Gillan has never hidden Arthur Brown's influence on his singing (even calling him his rock god !).

[@barriehull7076]

Only ever heard the single back in the day so enjoyed this side.

[@jimhardiman3836]

We always joked about the way the blood curdling vocal intro leads into a bit of a flaccid sounding verse of Fire. Interesting that you picked up on that. I saw Arthur Brown in 2017 his first US tour in 47 years! The band was fantastic and Arthur Brown was in fine voice hitting all his high operatic notes with ease. A vocal range that comes close to matching Ian Gillan. Too bad I was mugged after the show in Downtown LA. Also see his manic performance on The Tell-Tale Heart from Alan Parsons Project Tales Of Mystery And Imagination.

[@carlomercorio1250]

Vincent Crane on organ; at one stage Carl Palmer drummed for Brown

[@j.dragon651]

I am a guitar player of over 50 years and although there is no guitar on this recording it is one of the biggest influences on my style of writing and playing. Arthur and Tom Jones sound a lot a like if you take a good listen. The orchestration was added later. If you buy the CD it has the first side without the orchestration then with the orchestration.

[@halyomorpha]

Highly recommend Galactic Zoo Dossier by Arthur Brown's Kingdom Come - quite a great 70s prog experience

[@thefoss5387]

Psychedelia with an anticipation of prog, is the vibe I get from TCWOAB. The concept of the album is that fire can purify, and free one from the worldly possessions that hold one back. The main lyric of Fire hints at this: You fought hard and you saved and earned But all of it's going to burn And your mind, your tiny mind You know you've really been so blind Now's your time, burn your mind You're falling far, too far behind

[@wendyt7958]

Wow yes...amazing artist. So unique and an awesome and his vocal range is "FIRE!" lol

[@erikahlander3489]

I think I suggested you the song Fire about a year ago... But I had myself only heard that song, and was stuck by the strength of it in the 60s! I am happy that you made this choise and presented the full side! Totally new for me! The impact of this hit was however clear to me. You should check the video! (which reached me first with the internet and KZbin) But I had heard about his burning helmet already in the 60s (Swedish radio then: "popvärldens Lucia" please google Sweden and Lucia!). I have heard an interview with Arthur Brown, made some years ago only - a deep guy! Still making conserts but also art preformances - connected with philosophy and religion. Thanks, you made my day!

[@glensheppard71]

Whitby - Yorkshire - capt Cook , Dracula and Arthur Brown. For me he is the original prog rock voice. He is the preacher baptising people in the church of Marilyn (Tommy - film). JP you need to listen to "Sunrise" by Arthur's next band- Kingdom Come as they are the most emotional vocals you might ever hear.

[@carlomercorio1250]

Check out his band Kingdome Come

[@avantprog6902]

I hear sections that remind me of Egg, though this obviously was years earlier.

[@lemming9984]

Yes, very much!

[@bobholtzmann]

The vocal lead reminds me of Ian Gillan of Deep Purple (since 1969) and the original Jesus Christ Superstar. I'm sure that Arthur influenced Ian's vocal screams.

[@bobholtzmann]

JP actually listened to "Child In Time" featuring Ian's vocal screams which parallel Arthur Brown's - it was last March, and there was lots of music since then, so I guess it didn't appear in JP's mental card index. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ony8YqqnYtelprM

[@Rhiannon011]

JustJP, Fire song is almost as good as Alice Cooper's "original" band "Love it to death album" song "The Ballad of Dwight Frye", only from this album though, no live video's in later years when Alice changed it a lot, only the original "Ballad of Dwight Frye" from "Love it to death" album. If you don't believe me then I dare you to play it! IT WILL BLOW YOU AWAY! I love watching people's reaction when I play "The Ballad of Dwight Frye" they are like "oh my god" plus the guitar and "spacey affects" of a man gone insane is epic!

[@BaldJean]

A few interesting facts (as you seem to like it when we come up with them): Vincent Crane later became the keyboarder of Atomic Rooster; you did a reaction to the title track from their second album "Death Walks Behind You". Actually a track from the first album ("Winter") is cited in one of the tracks from this album ("Come and Buy"). This first album exists in two versions; one of them has heavy guitar added for the American market. We have both versions but actually like the album better without that heavy guitar; it just doesn't fit. Arthur Brown and Vincent Crane actually formed an unlikely coalition with German electronic musician Klaus Schulze (of whom we highly recommend his 1979 album "Mirage") for "Time Actor", the first album of his side project Richard Wahnfried, a band that occasionally released albums throughout the years; "Time Actor" is from 1979. Arthur Brown also sang on Klaus Schulze's 1979 release "Dune" and his 1980 release "... Live...". Draken Theaker replaced Roger Hadden in the band High Tide when Hadden developed a psychosis. Of High Tide we highly recommend their first album "Sea Shanties" from 1969. It is extremely heavy for its time and is most notable for the almost constant dueling of the electric guitar of Tony Hill and the electric violin of Simon House. Definitely an album you should listen to. Simon House later joined Hawkwind. You did not like the only track you listened to of them ("Assault and Battery / The Golden Void") and found it too monotonous (an opinion we don't agree with because a lot is going on throughout the song, and the screeching electric violin of Simon House in "The Golden Void", which you probably mistook for synthesizer, is just awesome). Hawkwind are one of our favorite bands; we think you should return to them and recommend either "Steppenwolf" from their 1976 album "Astounding Sounds, Amazing Music" or "Damnation Alley" from their 1977 album "Quark, Strangeness and Charm"; the electric violin of Simon House features prominently in both tracks. Simon House also joined the band of David Bowie, by the way, and played on his 1978 live album "Stage" (which also features Adrian Belew, who joined King Crimson in the 80s) and his 1979 studio album "Lodger". On a completely unrelated side-note: An artist we highly recommend is French singer Mylène Farmer. Not really because of her music, which is not really up our alley (with exceptions; some of her tracks are brilliant, and we love her angelic voice) but because of her videos and live shows that are just out of this world. Her videos always tell stories and are sometimes very long; trust us when we say Michael Jackson videos pale in comparison to hers, and that's saying something because we definitely have his videos in high regard. They are little movies that are often very surreal, very violent and very erotic, sometimes all three in the same video (with full nudity; the French are no prudes); the videos to "Libertine" and the sequel "Pourvu qu'elle soient douce" ("As long as they are sweet") are together almost half an hour long ("Libertine" is almost eleven minutes long, "Pourvu qu'elle soient douce" almost eighteen minutes) and have lots of violence and nudity, including catfights between Mylène and another woman in both videos. The second video begins where the first one ended; so they belong together and tell a story. Lots of moments without music in the videos; they are real works of art. Mylène Farmer is a superstar in France; she is the top-selling musical artist there and has been so for over 35 years. You should definitely have a look at these two videos (and other videos of her; she did one with Sting and one with Seal, by the way), even if you can't do reviews of them here due to the nudity. Her live performance of "Dernier Sourire" ("Last Smile"), a song about the death of her father (who, judging from the lyrics, died in pain), will move you to tears, even if you don't understand a word; her singing is so extremely emotional in that song. Her entrances in her live shows are absolutely insane; it takes many minutes before she finally arrives on stage; excellent examples of her entries are the intros to her 2000 Mylenium ( a little wordplay) tour, her 2006 tour and her 2009 tour. All of the mentioned videos, and many more if these videos kindle your interest in her, can be found on KZbin. We can't recommend her highly enough.

[@progger53]

I actually bought sea Shandy's about 10 years ago it was excellent.

[@auntieprimrose4138]

Deffo needs a return to Hawkwind. Although I would recommend something with Lemmy playing. Time We Left is a perfect example of the bass taking the place of a lead guitar in playing the riff. Or Hugh Lloyd Langtons soaring guitar on Levitation.

[@paulbangash4317]

Killer album 💫

[@brianbowie2551]

Such a great album

[@AntonyFleck]

Arthur , bloody crazy old school Hippie, love him!!... Had a Band 'Kingdom Come' early 70s, they possibly had the first ever drum machine? Wonderful Psychedelia!!! Sitting on my bean bag, headphones and off my tits !!!.....

[@tomgirldouble3249]

Totally enjoyed 😉

[@spongo]

I'm another longtime fan of the single "Fire" who many years later was fortunate to find a copy of this album in the dollar bin. Singular. Epic. Probing. An incredible debut and a cornerstone of psychedelia. HIs is a crazy world I'm happy to visit.

[@gemini2012100]

The original shock rock artist. Well, one of the originals anyway. His look was definitely an inspiration for Alice Cooper.

[@steevenfrost]

Listen to the mono version of Fire Poem as it's a little longer and introduces song Fire better. The whole album is tour de force.

[@jamesmatthew7557]

Have you heard any Atomic Rooster yet JP? Vincent Crane's next band, with Carl Palmer on drums for the 1st album.

[@lemming9984]

I love the first three Rooster albums. In Hearing Of is my favourite.

[@doplinger1]

I am very familiar with the song "Fire", been hearing it all my life, but I never listened to any of the rest of his stuff. VERY cool! I'm going to have to get that album. "Rolling Stone" is a rag, I have zero respect for any of their opinions.

[@RedGiraffe1]

Really awesome video JP. Loved the song, and I appreciate you always uploading videos like this. Keep up the great work. If you are scrolling the comments, You Are Awesome. Have a great day everyone!

[@geniousatqw]

Your music mirrors your mind Song suggestion: Tell Tale Heart Album: Tales of Mystery and Imagination (Digital remix) Band: Alan Parsons Project What ever happened to Arthur Brown? Was he "fired"? (Album cliff notes)

[@mrwomby5007]

Loved watching your reaction to this craziness! Although side one of the album has a theme, side two is just unconnected songs. Although I haven't listened to this album for 40 years, as soon as it started I could remember all the lyrics. Isn't the human brain an amazing thing?

[@damirhlobik6488]

I want to see the look on your face when you hear "I put a Spell on You" by AB

[@-davidolivares]

Your audible paid off. Reminds me of Ian Gillan’s wailing in Deep Purple… not a bad thing. I know it’s the other way around. Like others, I only know Fire, this is a much needed look into his other songs. Weirdly dramatic fun. Doors meets Purple maybe… Peace and deeper violet Music

[@kenl2091]

Saw Arthur Brown maybe 4 years ago having only been aware of Fire and his reputation as an offbeat 60s act with some proggish tendencies thereafter. Wow, was he entertaining! I doubt if he'll get to your neck of the woods soon but, if he does, I thoroughly recommend that you get a couple of tickets.

[@kenl2091]

btw, hopefully by now, you'll realise that Rolling Stone magazine's judgements on music can be safely disregarded.

[@shemanic1]

I watched him at Glastonbury Festival about 6 years ago & his voice was still superb, I met his manager who told me Arthur was opera trained & still spent hours on his voice. His version of the hippy hit song "Kites" (original by Simon Dupree & the Big Sound) is awesome.

[@chrissilverhand1]

And Simon Dupree & The Big Sound later morphed into Gentle Giant.

[@longhairkev1]

Carl Palmer was Arthur Brown's drummer for a bit.

[@Eduardo-Ferreira1982]

Ah, be sure you listen Giant Squid before you fall in the hell of Octopus. Are you ready, Justin?

[@Tsongkapa1]

The entire "666" album is worth a listen. Vangelis started with them and then later went on to work with Jon Anderson.

[@IllumeEltanin]

I've been asking for Aphrodite's Child's 666 (The Apocalypse of John 13/18) for awhile now. Justin says it's definitely on his list. We were supposedly going to get it for Halloween, but timing of doing a whole double album interfered. I'm confident that Justin will get to it one day.

[@sns2112]

Yes yes yes. Aphrodite's Child is awesome.