So, Friday just gone (8th March), was my first - The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown. My first memory of Arthur Brown was seeing the video for 'Fire' on the music show Dave Lee Travis used to do (a good few years ago now - hahahaha!) and it etched itself into my brain forever...but, I never really became a fan. When I noticed he was touring though, I instantly wanted to see him live - I mean really, who wouldn't?? 70 years old, playing a tour billed as "a celebration of Fire", in a venue I have never ever been to (The Ruby Lounge in Manchester) and costing £15 a ticket - my curiosity and love of music guided my hand to click 'buy ticket'...and besides, the man is a LEGEND!! With a fellow fan as my companion (one of my work friends/bosses) and stood in the venue - a sort of club/bar type setup - we really did not know what to expect...what we did not expect though was that this gig was to be one of the best we have ever been to!! Trojan Horse, Moulettes, The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown - this was the bill. Never heard of the 2 support acts and only owning the 1 Arthur Brown album...this was going to be interesting!
Trojan Horse came on the stage - guitar, bass, drums, keyboard - and exploded!! A cross between Opeth, Frank Zappa and early Pink Floyd (especially on keyboards), they only played about 4 songs - simply because the songs they played must have lasted 8-10 minutes each. Heavy, unexpected, mellow...damn good...the night had gotten off to a good start!!
Even before Moulettes had taken the stage, my curiosity was sky high as I watched a cello, bassoon and a double bass appear - I actually thought this was Arthur Browns equipment being set up! Moulettes came on stage - 2 male, 2 female - quietly introduced themselves and started. Something happened, my jaw literally dropped!! From the very first note that came from that cello - I was hooked. The music was impeccable (folk, prog, alt), the harmonies coming from the 2 girls were heavenly and the songs were brilliant and unique...I literally couldn't believe what I was seeing/hearing!! As soon as they finished and announced they would be selling their albums off stage - I bought both of them.
So, I found myself asking...myself, what is Arthur Brown going to be like? 70 years old and having to follow 2 brilliant support acts!! I was slightly worried.........but I shouldn't have been!! Covered in make-up, he took to the stage and owned it!! With several garments coming off throughout the show and several groovy dances and moves, Arthur Brown sang, looked and moved like a man possessed. In short, he was brilliant! Amazing songs, amazing band (especially the keyboardist), funny banter with the crowd and an intimacy sometimes lost at a live gig; it was stunning. The crowd (myself included) clapped hard, screamed loud and loved every minute of it. Artists like Arthur Brown have been going this long for a reason...because they are LEGENDS...and on Friday the 8th March, he proved it. I was privileged to see 2 of the best support acts EVER (I am now an official Moulettes fan) and then see an absolute living legend. It was, and will remain, a gig I will never forget and out of all the live bands/artists I have seen live, it is quite possibly the BEST...a bold statement I know...but...maybe...just maybe...very true!
