Record Reviews

ARTHUR BROWN ~ THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN (50TH ANNIVERSARY SUPER DELUXE EDITION) CHERRY RED AMERICA 001 (Barcode: 760137187219) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1965 - 1968 Released: 2018 This is a Box Set reissue, marking the 50th Anniversary of the release of one of the greatest Rock albums of all times, the debut release by the British vocalist / songwriter Arthur BrownFind albums by this artist and his group called The Crazy World Of Arthur BrownFind albums by this artist, which included organist / composer / arranger Vincent CraneFind albums by this artist, bassist Sean GreenwoodFind albums by this artist and drummer Drachen TheakerFind albums by this artist. The Box Set includes the original LP (stereo mix) and 3 CDs, as follows: CD1 presents the stereo mix version of the original album (eleven tracks) and seven bonus tracks originating from A and B sides of singles, which are mostly non-album tracks, except for two versions of “Fire”. CD2 presents the mono mix version of the original album (eleven tracks) and nine bonus tracks, which are alternate versions or alternate mixes. CD3 presents live radio broadcasts, six from BBC sessions and four from other radio sources, as well as four early recordings from 1965-1966. The music was all original and composed by Crane, who also wrote the orchestral arrangements, and Brown contributed the lyrics, except for two covers, which were brilliantly arranged to fit the sound and concept of the album. Side A of the original album was a six-part continuous suite. In retrospect, this album was a milestone of British Rock / Psychedelia and to some degree also early Jazz-Rock Fusion. Crane’s brilliant compositions and arrangements, which are soaked in Jazzy undercurrents and Brown’s theatrical, almost operatic vocals are absolutely unprecedented and pioneering in their sheer chutzpa of discarding stylistic limitations, norms and conventions. Despite the fact that the album was rather poorly recorded (the mono mixes are superior IMHO), which no remaster can revive or restore, the originality, energy and pure Genius of the music keeps it alive and kicking and fifty-five years later it remains completely unblemished. Brown continues to make brilliant music to this very day, but sadly remains underappreciated and his Art has a limited exposure, which is a crying shame. The premature death of Crane in 1989 robbed the world of one of the greatest organists and composers in Rock, and similarly the death of Theaker in 1992 took away a highly imaginative and original drummer. Overall, this is a superb tribute to one of the greatest Rock albums of all time, which lost nothing of its originality and sheer imaginative artistry in the span of the fifty-five years since it was released. It is a unique, one-time phenomenon in music, which should be celebrated by music lovers the world over, although Brown continues to make brilliant music to this very day, sadly not able to reach a wide audience he truly deserves. A timeless classic!

Updated: 11/03/2023Posted: 11/03/2023

3CD+LP 4 Box Set Essential Recommend To A Friend