Arthur Brown - 2022 - Monster's Ball

(47:30; Cleopatra Records)






















There is no doubt that Arthur Wilton Brown will always be best remembered for one song he released all the way back in 1968, but personally I have always felt that to be totally unfair as he has always been a dynamic performer while his Kingdom Come albums are as exciting today as they were when they were released in the early Seventies. In recent years he has been found working with the likes of Hawkwind and Carl Palmer, while he has also released a few Crazy World albums, but this is actually his first “solo” album in 40 years. The theme of this is the macabre, and the songs are a combination of new numbers and some covers, and each one features guests who come from a very diverse background indeed. We get a cover of “I Feel Free” with James Williamson and Rat Scabies, and I guess it would be wrong for him not to revisit “Fire”, this time with James Williamson, Brian Auger and Carmine Appice.

I must confess that a large part of this album reminds me very much of “Monster Mash” by Bobby (Boris) Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers, and it just makes me smile. The album is never meant to be taken seriously, but the performances are bang on and it is just a load of fun and while Brown was 79 when he was recording some of this one would never know. It is obvious that various songs were recorded at different times as there are a few songs here which feature Roye Albrighton (Nektar) and he died in 2016, but they all fit together as a cogent whole. The bonus song is one which many will feel unexpected if they are not aware of his work with Palmer, as it is “Karn Evil #9 First Impression” with Jordan Rudess. This is the one song where his vocals do show their age, but it is great hear Rudess having obvious fun with this. Overall, this is a very enjoyable album indeed. The God of Hellfire still has much to offer.

Kev Rowland, May 2023

Links:
https://www.thegodofhellfire.com/
http://cleorecs.com/

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