The Crazy World of Arthur Brown
29th July 2016. 8.00pm
Tickets
£10.00 from Cavern Pub
0151 236
4041
LIVERPOOL
BRACES ITSELF FOR THE RETURN OF THE GOD OF HELLFIRE
Those
immortal and infamous lyrics, which made a nation stop in their tracks, pets
scamper for cover and little old ladies drop more than a stitch, I AM THE GOD OF
HELLFIRE AND I BRING YOU FIRE! will boom out in Liverpool`s own Cavern in Mathew
Street when the bizarre yet very very real Arthur Brown arrives on stage in his
own distinct tall form sporting his trade mark long hair and beard.
Arthur, the Icon of psychedelic rock, shock rock, weirdness (the definitions and
categories he both crosses and embraces appear endless), which record company
moguls hoped to originally mould and patent as some alternative to Tom Jones (no
offence to Tom Jones fans) still bucks trends and indeed influences music and
trends by providing a clear alternative to the `catch of the day`.
A great
sense of apprehension and anticipation will dwell over the Cavern audience on
29th of July prior to Arthur's visitation on stage like an aspiration from an
alternative world and culture which leaves audiences captivated, bemused, amused
and elated and by the end of his show both exhausted and fulfilled from the
shear energy of the music and his voice and movements so distinctly powerful yet
perversely disturbing and refreshing.
Oh yes
when the Crazy World of Arthur Brown's Fire! was broadcasted for the first time
on Top of the Pops viewers were drawn into group hysteria and shock to find
their T.V. invaded by a strange figure with macabre painted body and face with
real flames leaping from the twin horn helmet mounted on his head supported by
an equally strange bunch of exceedingly excellent musicians garbed in
strange costumes and make up all joining Arthur in gyrating and
rocking to and frow to pounding supersonic flowing unearthly music,
drums and sharp quick flowing keyboards. The studio audience trying to
respectably look cool, found themselves in a rather confused and very hot frenzy
whilst trying to maintain the customary dignity - composure no longer was the
order of the day for Arthur Brown and his Crazy World had truly arrived. In
households across the nation those not already viewing were summoned to attend
the spectacle with screams of "Come and see THIS!", "GOD! You
must see THIS! and possibly a few more adjectives throw in to give residence to
their cries of amazement Viewers were left aghast on the edge of their
seats others then fell back in total disbelief whilst other members of
households quickly rushing in only to be greeted with cries of "Out of the
way, let me see" whilst many others stood in total silence or simply held
their hands to their faces in total disbelief. With this one single event in t.v.
history the stage was set, the Crazy World of Arthur Brown was rooted deep
within the British way of life, no household was ever the same, worldwide fame
followed and the enigma of Arthur Brown was implanted forever.
Many will
recall Arthur's unique performances at national festivals such as Glastonbury,
Isle Wight and Guilfest which maintains the legend of Arthur Brown's
esteemed profile in the public domain, whilst many festival goers give the clear
statement "It's not a Festival if Arthur is not on the bill." Others
will recall that at one of the first Glastonbury the very talented Crazy World
of Arthur Brown mutated to Arthur Brown's Kingdom Come in an all out shock rock
band with theatre often to excess (and long before the likes of Alice Cooper and
Marilyn Manson). Again Arthur was surrounded by very talented and like himself
innovative musicians with pounding rock, mayhem and very masterfully created
profound gentle cosmic rock. Again unique music and light shows fuelled the
order of the day as well as some bizarre happenings ranging from Arthur finding
himself on stage pinned upon a cross, to singing from within a large syringe
like object. If that was not enough, once the drummer had departed from the
band, Arthur, innovative as ever, arrived on stage as vocalist and drummer not
with your average or indeed above average drum kit but with a box - what was to
become known as the Bentley Drum Machine. A first for rock history yet
subsequently adapted and widely bought into us for Dance and other electronic
based music forms. Which raises the question would dance music happened if no
Bentley Drum Machine or more to the point if no Arthur Brown! On one notorious
occasion the Bentley Drum Machine malfunctioned, leaving Arthur with the
question "Do we play on or interrupt the performance by switching it
off." Arthur decided to play on! What ensued was total mayhem for the
remainder of the performance, the machine played on and on and on, faster and
faster and faster and so did the Band. Arthur's vocals reached a new peak
unattainable by any normal vocalist and so did his dance movements and the
audience loved every minute.
All Arthur
Brown gigs have their own story to tell as any of Arthur's ever increasing army
of young and the more seasoned fans will tell. Arthur's gig at the Cavern
promises to be yet another spectacular moment in the career of a man who not
only sold in excess of 22 million records but also could count among his fan the
likes of Jimi Hendrix and Salvador Dali. Accompanied by Musicians extraordinaire
Chris Byrant on guitar, the multi-talented Nick Pynn on some very strange
instruments the sound of which most will not have heard the likes of before; The
powerful sound of The Crazy World will boom out of the Cavern on Thursday
29thJuly. With special guest keyboard player set to join the band on this night
make sure you do not miss out on one of the most spectacular, unpredictable and
amazing nights in the history of the Cavern. The man with the greatest voice in
rock approaches.
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