The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown is the self-titled debut studio album by the English psychedelic rock band The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, released in June 1968. The album was produced by The Who’s manager Kit Lambert, with the collaboration of Pete Townshend. The album was released in June 1968 by Lambert’s Track Records in the United Kingdom, with its distribution in North America handled by Atlantic Records. The album was released in the United States in September.

It was the only album released with the band’s original line-up, namely Arthur Brown on vocals, Vincent Crane on organ, piano and vibes, Drachen Theaker on drums, Nick Greenwood on bass and John Marshall replacing Drachen Theaker on drums on two occasions. A second recording was made in 1969 but was not released for two decades.

The album peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart, number 2 on the UK charts, and number 6 in Canada. The album’s lead single, “Fire”, became a worldwide hit, reaching number 1 in the UK in August 1968, number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in October 1968, number 1 in Canada in October, and number 19 in Australia again in October.

The Crazy World of Arthur Brown is considered a classic album of the late 1960s psychedelic scene and a major influence on progressive rock, featuring a full side of original songs focusing on the horrors of hell, including Brown’s signature song, “Fire”, which features Crane’s organ, brass instruments, and Brown’s powerful, wide, and operatic voice.

The second side of the album contains a mix of original songs and covers, including Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ “I Put a Spell on You” and James Brown’s “I’ve Got Money”. The album’s musical form reflects a compromise between Brown and the band’s producer and manager Kit Lambert. Brown’s original intention was to create a rock opera like the material on the first side of the album, while Lambert wanted to create a more overtly commercial album, including a cover featuring scenes from the band’s live performances.

Following the success of the single “Fire”, which I select, the press often referred to Brown as “The God Of Hellfire”.
 
Tracklist

Side A
1. “Prelude-Nightmare” 3:28
2. “Fanfare-Fire Poem” 1:51
3. “Fire” 2:54
4. “Come and Buy” 5:40
5. “Time/Confusion” 5:15

Side B
6. “I Put a Spell on You” 3:41
7. “Spontaneous Apple Creation” 2:54
8. “Rest Cure” 2:44
9. “I’ve Got Money” 3:09
10. “Child of My Kingdom” 6:11