CHISHOLM IN MY BOSOM

The second Arthur Brown solo album is somewhat more interesting then the previous album for the proghead, although one has the worst fears after the first few disco-funk tracks, but then comes a slow blues version (with Vincent Crane of Atomic Rooster on organ) of Screaming Jay Hawkins's I Put A Spell on You, that does bring chills in the spine but although not like it does in his recent years concerts, where it has become the centrepiece of the show along with Fire. The following track is also of interest, but the first side finishes on a bluesy-soul piece that can almost pass for the real thing mostly because of the Crane- Brown pair! Any experienced progheads will now have noticed, that side 2 is occupied by a 23 min track, and you are wondering why I have not gotten to it yet!! Well of course part of the reason is teasing you to death by writing useless sentences such as this one to say absolutely nothing, dragging on, dilute the context of this review until suddenly I drop (actually Arthur should drop it, not me the poor reviewer) on you the Bomb!!

Well no such luck, since there is no bomb to explode but it is no wet gunpowder either so a firecracker is a more fitting description. To call this track an epic is maybe pushing it a bit, but there are mellotrons, great synths, a good bass line and great singing and almost everything to please you, but this stays in a minor mode, Brown clearly exploring every corner of his imagination to be imaginative, but the usual madness that we were used to is not really present. But with this track, we are not far away from Kingdom Come, since two ex-members are among the participants, there are some real excellent moments , of course when the mellotrons appear - we are in 1977, sir and those were supposed to be un-hyp!

Chisholm In My Bosom is definitely a much better album than the previous Dance With, but unfortunately it is still too unfocused (the short tracks on side have nothing in common with the title track) for its own good. Should you choose to investigate this album, be prepared some major ups and down

Anyone looking for musical insanity? Yes? Well, maybe you ought to check out the Galactoc zoo dossiers instead, because Chisholm in my bosom isn't really that insane. Is it any good, then? The album possessess certain qualities and undoubted charm, that's for sure.

The first six tracks on the album are all listenable at variyng degrees. Nothing special or overly brilliant, just enjoyable pop-rock. The greatest effort and the track which makes the album worth every penny is the title track. It is not as crazy or wild as the earlier stuff by Arthur Brown but it is a lovely track, brilliant in it's own right and a delight to listen to.

For the last few days I have dedicated my attention to this particular track. It has got some wonderful progressive elements which strikes great chords with me. The lyrics are amusing, the vocal melodies great and the instrumentation fabolous (as expected). The british quirkiness is there, alongside a feel of inspiration, though maybe slightly forced.

Anyway, you could skip the first six tracks of the album, as far as I am concerned, and head straight for the title track. Get on board and make that journey towards Chisholm. I dare say you won't be disappointed.