If I said ‘The Crazy World of Arthur Brown’ to people my age they’d probably shout I am the god of hell fire! at me in response – they probably only found that song through the Prodigy sampling that particular part of it. Certainly I was in that camp.
I only really opted to go see his performance because the excellent Moulettes were supporting and Cat and I really enjoyed them when they played before the Levellers acoustic gig up in Buxton. So missing the very start of their set, and it only being 30 minutes long, was a bit of a pity in many ways (but still very enjoyable, of course!). Here’s their final song of the night, Requiem:
We both treated Arthur Brown with some degree of caution – I’ve since discovered he’s seventy years old and these days looking rather like a psychedelic Terry Nutkins, but still pretty spritely as he cavorts around the stage for a good hour or so. Some of it went a bit too ‘far out’ but for the most part it was awesome… culminating obviously with Fire. Below he is performing my personal highlight of the night, ‘Kites’:
The song leapt out because I recognised it as a song from Sasha and Digweed’s Northern Exposure album. I never knew it was a cover, to be honest, so it was a bit bemusing for a while. It turns out the original song was by Simon Dupree and the Big Sound. I also hadn’t realised quite how long Arthur Brown has been performing for – so I do feel oddly privileged to have been able to say I’ve seen him in action.
Whilst the Rescue Rooms was by no means full there was a healthy crowd of people mostly older than me (which makes a nice change!). He mentioned he’s recording a new album early next year which he’ll be touring so if you happen to spot a date near you (or not near you) in 2013 then it’s well worth a gander. A top night’s entertainment.
Alan Fisher 
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