The quality of New Worlds Fair is perhaps best expressed by Brian Tawn in his book Dude's Dreams: The Music of Michael Moorcock - I couldn't put it any better...
I have to hold up my hands and admit to being very much a fan of Michael Moorcock's work, but even allowing for my rose-tinted glasses, I think I can safely say that this is truely a great album. I still play it regularly, more than twenty years after its release and, enjoy it as much as ever.
The basic concept of the album is based around a fair, a la those found by the British seaside. The fairgoers continue to enjoy the fair, oblivious to the fact that the world is crumbling around them - most likely due to nuclear war. The concepot itself, reminds me in a way of that of the novel The Brothel in Rosenstrasse. The fair is, in a sense, a microcosm of society - the participants utilise increasingly more ingenious methods of ignoring the condition of the world around them.
The primary band members, beside Michael himself were Graham Charnock (who wrote for New Worlds) and Steve Gilmore. The Full lineup consisted of many others who played bits and peices.
Have a look at the lyrics for New Worlds Fair that were written by Moorcock.
Aside from the songs listed in the lyrics section, there were several other songs which did not make it onto New Worlds Fair. In the original release, Dodgem Dude was not included in the album, due to the length restrictions of vynl. Happily, though, it was included in the Griffin CD re-release of the album. The lyrics for Kings of Speed were composed for the album, but never recorded. The lyrics were taken up by Dave Brock of Hawkwind and later used on the album Warrior on the Edge of Time. Lastly, there were two songs of which the lyrics were only half completed:- Victim of the Whip and another with no title (though, if the chorus is anything to go by, it could be called "The Fairground's Leaving Town").
