Crazy from the Heat?
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Artist:
Our favorite scholar/libertine Joxley went on a heated jag earlier in the week (http://mog.com/Joxley/blog/204635) - specifically ruminating over and listing songs about FIRE! And it immediately got me to thinking about the insistently catchy and hilariously demented hit single "Fire" by one of the looniest acts in the history of rock and roll: The Crazy World of Arthur Brown.
During the '60s, when all things seemed possible, when many things were bright and beautiful, and when alternative culture was in full flower, England's pop music scene spawned a bizarrely arty psychedelic-rock act led by a seemingly certifiable singer-songwriter/nut-job from Yorkshire named Arthur Brown. As stated above, his band was known as The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, and the members of the group definitely tried to live up to their name, performing in flamboyant make-up and arcane costumes and indulging in risky pyrotechnic displays on stage.
Their debut album The Crazy World of Arthur Brown was released in 1968. Produced by The Who's manager Kit Lambert and co-produced by none other than Pete Townshend of The Who, the LP included a creeptastic cover of Screamin' Jaw Hawkins' blood-curdling novelty tune "I Put a Spell on You," and reached #7 on Billboard's Pop Albums chart. The track "Fire," culled from the album, went to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. and all the way to the exalted #1 position in the U.K.
Brown never attained similar heights again. But he and his minions had a definite influence on heavily theatrical rockers such as Kiss, Alice Cooper, and The Tubes; his subsequent unit Kingdom Come put out a few albums and toured with some success, and he's still recording and performing live in various line-ups to this day.
Getting back to "Fire," take a peep at this vintage clip from the legendary BBC program "Top of the Pops." Marvel at the flaming donut on Arthur's head. Freak out at the hysterical arrangement and maniacal laughter. Dig the demented hippie dance that wouldn't be out of place on the Burning Man playa. Burning man? Apparently.
Locating MOG account...
Comments (13)
Wow. That's great. I have too look back through my Nuggets box, because I definitely recognise that onw. Nice little write up though.
Glad I could prompt another excellent post from you Mr Cutlery, slthough I can't hear that song without thinking of this risque cartoon cover...
\"The invariable, constant fidelity to something is not fruitful. Such fidelity is the result of laziness or extinction...\" Maybe, this idea of Igor Stravinsky is the miraculous key opening a door into the kingdom of images of his specific heir -- contemporary Belarusian composer Alexander Litvinovsky.
The creativity of Litvinovsky, as well as his great predecessor is the result of resistance to that laziness and extinction peculiar only to one already too settled and contented. He is in constant search for new metaphors, therefore he oversteps the bounds of the XX century style panorama.
Listening to his music, as if with the wave of a magic wand, you have an opportunity to set off on a surprising journey in time to the depth of centuries, feeling thus the dynamics of contemporaneity. Back to the future? It is quite possible.
Is he really post modernist? Certainly! His element are the original game of styles, the reconstruc<a href = "http://do
contra: Thanks. Surprised that it wasn't familiar, but anything that gets you sifting through Nuggets is worthwhile.
Jox: Pedofinder General! Excellent! Although, having been to two of the "Brits in L.A." School Disco parties this year, I fear that some might nominate me to be burnt at the stake, too.
meow256: Now, I need a shot of vodka...
The Crazy World of Arthur Brown and the English "pervy" School Disco scene go hand in hand, Sir Mike. Just don't tell us when you start sniffing bicycle seats. Kingdom Come also had its effect on subsequent bands, though none so poptacular as Alice, Kiss and The Tubes. Killing Joke comes to mind...
what a great combo of prog, garage, and psychadelia
some of those dance moves would be hilarious to see in a modern version of this vid with michael jackson's line dancers behind him mimicking his every move
Jonh: Scooter seats, buddy. Scooter seats. Just call me a mod in Bohemian's clothing.
Neil: Now that I'd pay to see.
"Brown never attained similar heights again."
Quite right that he never again attained such commercial heights, but his follow-on group, Kingdom Come, easily matched the weirdness and artistry of Crazy World. The group's first album, Galactic Zoo Dossier, is one of the strangest and most powerful progrock albums of all time. Make sure to listen with headphones to pick up all the inventive production ideas (and if you're listening to MP3s, make sure your player doesn't put a gap between tracks). The group's third album, Journey, is one of the first (if not the first) rock record to use a drum machine. A really primative drum machine.
troll: Yes, I was talking commercial considerations. And yes, the Kingdom Come recordings continued Brown's penchant for experimentation. And I'd add that Galactic Zoo Dossier and Journey sound downright prescient in retrospect.
Oh Mike......the first time I heard this song, I heard as a cover from Die Krupps!
It's "here":http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6647047278565386296&ei=byLqSPn_JJOwiAKQ8KivCA&q=Die+Krupps+fire&vt=lf&hl=en
...
I don't think I've ever heard the original song before your post, although I knew that the Die Krupps' version was a cover....................................
um i just remembered why i love your massive treasure trove of stories.......
Anna says: Now you can feast your ears (and eyes) on the insanity of the original! I'm so pleased!
indiepixie: It is said in Ecclesiastes, "There is nothing new under the sun." And I say, "Well, maybe. But check this out."
LOL!!!