Show Notes
THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN with special guest ARTHUR BROWN.
The eponymous ‘The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown,’ which included the smash hit single ‘Fire,’ was released in 1968. With Vincent Crane on keyboards, Drachen Theaker on drums and Nick Greenwood (billed as Sean Nicholas) on bass guitar, and with Brown’s extraordinary vocals, it was perhaps an album that could never be repeated and it remains an exhilarating slice of psychedelia at its prime and extremity.
Arthur Brown is a seminal figure in the realm of psychedelic rock. Emerging in the late 1960s, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown melded surreal stage antics with pioneering sounds, cementing their place in rock history. Brown's captivating persona, marked by his operatic voice and wild, face-painted performances (including wearing a flaming helmet during the rendering of 'Fire') became a hallmark of their shows, influencing future generations of theatrical rock artists. Their music remains a symbol of the experimental and boundary-pushing spirit of the psychedelic era, continuing to inspire with their enduring legacy and ongoing musical contributions.
Arthur Brown’s influence on shock, progressive rock and on electronic and heavy metal music also cannot be underestimated.
It was a fascinating interview with a fascinating man that included one of Arthur’s famous helmets being set alight on the CAT Club stage during the video screening of the legendary 1968 Top of the Pops performance of ‘Fire!’ The gathering culminated with a stunning live performance with Arthur singing ‘I Put A Spell On You’ along to the original backing track ripped from the featured album.
JASON BARNARD did an admirable job in the interviewer’s chair it must be said.
This event took place on 24th October 2024 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.
To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.uk
Happy Trails.
More from The CAT Club (Classic Album Thursdays)
The CAT Club presents a long playing vinyl record . . . PAUL WELLER – WILD WOOD with special guest DAN JENNINGS Released in 1993 'Wild Wood,' Paul Weller’s second solo album, confirmed his status as one of Britain’s greatest songwriters, blending pastoral folk, soul, and psychedelia into a landmark record. Dan Jennings is the founder of the acclaimed Weller podcast 'Desperately Seeking Paul' and the author of 'The Authorised Oral History, Paul Weller: Dancing Through The Fire.’ AMANDA COOK was in the interviewer's chair. “A massive thank you to everyone at The CAT Club for inviting me, to Amanda Cook for such a brilliant conversation, to Rev, Jason Barnard, Stacy and the whole team for making me feel so welcome, and to everyone who came along and made the night what it was. Genuinely blown away. What a night.” Dan Jennings. This event took place on 17 September 2026 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire. This podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasons. To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.uk You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Happy Trails.
The CAT Club presents a long playing vinyl record . . . THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE – AXIS: BOLD AS LOVE with special guest GRAHAM OLIVER In 1967 Hendrix and his group released their extraordinary second album, 'Axis: Bold As Love.' The record fits perfectly between 'Are You Experienced' and 'Electric Ladyland' with Hendrix at the fore with superb writing and melancholic nuanced musicianship. Founding member and former lead guitarist with Saxon, Graham Oliver is an acknowledged Hendrix aficionado. He returns to the CAT Club ten years after being our special guest for our first ever public gathering in 2016. The featured LP that night was 'Are You Experienced.' Our good friend Ian Clayton was on top form in the interviewer's chair. When you listen to this recording Graham reveals an unusual hobby not usually associated with great guitarists - but it does explain why he was overjoyed to receive The CAT Club mug and matching coaster. This event took place on 23 July 2026 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire. This podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasons. To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.uk You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Happy Trails.
The CAT Club presents a long playing vinyl record . . . FAIRGROUND ATTRACTION – THE FIRST OF A MILLION KISSES with special guest MARK NEVIN Released in 1988, 'The First Of A Million Kisses,' was the double platinum debut album from Fairground Attraction, a band originally formed with Mark Nevin and Eddi Reader. Largely written by guitarist Nevin, it blended folk, jazz, country and pop influences. At the 1989 Brit Awards the record won the British Album Of The Year, while 'Perfect' was named British Single Of The Year. Since Fairground Attraction split up the following year, Nevin has enjoyed a successful solo career as a songwriter and performer, working with many artists including Morrissey, Kirsty MacColl and Ringo Starr. Fairground Attraction reformed in 2024, recording a new album and returning to the stage. A fascinating interview with JASON BARNARD from The Strange Brew Podcasts. This event took place on 21st May 2026 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire. This podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasons. To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.uk You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Happy Trails.
The CAT Club in association with Route Publishing presents a long playing vinyl record . . . BOB DYLAN – BRINGING IT ALL BACK HOME Bob Dylan’s fifth album Bringing It All Back Home was released in March 1965. The introduction of electric guitar into his sound set off a wave of controversy that came symbolically crashing down at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester fourteen months later when some wag shouted ‘Judas!’ Ian Clayton, author of the bestselling memoir Bringing It All Back Home, was in a fascinating conversation with Ian Daley of Route publishing, who have re-issued CP Lee’s classic book, Like The Night to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the legendary concert. This event took place on 14th May 2026 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire. This podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasons. To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.uk You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Happy Trails.
The CAT Club presents An Appreciation of THE PRETTY THINGS With special guest, former band member WALLY WALLER The Pretty Things hold a unique place in the history of British rock. Formed in the early sixties from the same London R&B scene that produced The Rolling Stones, they began as one of the rawest and most uncompromising groups before evolving into one of its most adventurous. Over the course of the decade they helped chart the journey from beat group to album-led experimentation, pushing British rock into darker and more ambitious territory. Their later work produced some of the period’s most forward-thinking records, including S.F. Sorrow, widely recognised as the first rock opera, and Parachute, now seen as a defining statement of the era. Though rarely rewarded with sustained commercial success, The Pretty Things became a touchstone for musicians drawn to innovation over conformity. Wally Waller joined the band during this crucial creative period and became a central figure in their development as bassist, singer, songwriter and later producer. His work with The Pretty Things and beyond placed him at the heart of a remarkable era of British music making. Jason Barnard was in the interviewer’s chair. Another first class interview from JB which aided and abetted by many hours of research by his good self. A splendid time was had by all. This event took place on 30th April 2026 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire. This podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasons To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.uk Happy Trails.