by Mott the Dog
***** 5 Stars Rating
Although this actually goes down in chronological order
as Uriah Heep’s fourth album, it could in many respects be put down as
their first. It was the first time the nucleus of the band, vocalist David
Byron, lead guitarist and cheeriest man on the planet Mick Box, plus the
man with the keyboard patent on heavy rock Ken Hensley, had found a
compatible duo to fill the roles of bassist and drummer to form a rock
like rhythm section: ‘The Thin Man’ Gary Thain, and behind the bins
the hard livin John Candy look-a-like Lee Kerslake, who is still in the
band today after only a two year break at the end of the seventies.
Something of a clean sheet for a band that have had 6 bassists, 6
vocalists, and 4 keyboard players, and, surprisingly, the present lineup
of Uriah Heep is probably their best, certainly musically, and their most
stable having been together now for sixteen of the band’s thirty-two
year career.
But in the heady days of 1972, although the band had
laid down the template of the Uriah Heep sound with songs from their first
three albums, noticeably “Gypsy” from ‘Very’ Eavy Very’ Umble’
(70), “Bird Of Prey” and “Lady In Black” from ‘Salisbury’
(71), and the title track plus the epic “July Morning” from ‘Look At
Yourself’ (71). It was only six months later, after three years of
saturation touring and recording, that this classic hard rock album was
released to the public with its much imitated Roger Dean artwork. This
album broke the band worldwide leading to Uriah Heep selling over 30
million albums globally. “Demons & Wizards” reached number 20 in
the British charts, but, more importantly, was the first of five
consecutive albums to go top 40 in the massive selling American charts.
The music stands up today as well as it did at the
time. Opening song “The Wizard”, with its acoustic opening before
stepping up with rock guitar and keyboards, is the perfect opening for any
album. The humour of the first lyrics leave you knowing that the band have
tongue firmly in cheek.
“He was the wizard of a thousand things
And I chanced to meet him one night wondering
He told me tales and he drank my wine
Me and my magic man are kinda feelin fine”
“The Wizard” was actually co-written with Ken
Hensley by Uriah Heep’s previous bassist Marke Clarke, who, though
typically only in the band for three months, has left his impression on
the band by writing one of their classic songs sung by every vocalist who
was ever in the band and is still in the band’s live set today. “Hope
the royalties are still pouring in, Marke”. Marke Clarke went on to play
with Colosseum, Tempest, Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, and Ian Hunter.
Next up is the hard rocker “Traveller In Time”
featuring all the guitars in the band. “Easy Livin’” is a thundering
express train of a song, these days used to bring Heep’s shows to a
rousing conclusion, and it was also a surprise hit single in the States.
“Poets Justice” showed off the amazing vocal range of Heep’s
vocalist David Byron (one of the finest front men this dog has ever
witnessed live on stage), from throaty bass rumble to ear-spilling
falsetto - all in full effect.
“Circle of Hands” is the first of the album’s
epics, showing Ken Hensley’s more subtle piano playing until Mick
Box’s guitar solo takes us to a rousing conclusion. “Rainbow Demon”
is very reminiscent of early Atomic Rooster with its dark and gloomy
keyboard led riffs, which beat their way into your brain waves, and
perhaps the album’s most memorable track. After the light relief of the
short sharp “All My Life”, the album closes with two Hensley penned
epics in “Paradise” and “The Spell”, both using all of Uriah
Heep’s many assets. “Paradise” is the softer side before “The
Spell” comes rushing in.
Uriah Heep have never been the critics’ darlings.
Listen to the music yourself before you make up your own mind.
Musicians
Gary Thain - Bass Guitar
Lee Kerslake - Drums and Percussion
Mick Box - Guitars
Ken Hensley - Keyboards, Guitars, Percussion
David Byron - Vocals
All other voices by Uriah Heep
Track Listing
1. The Wizard
2. Traveller In Time
3. Easy Livin’
4. Poet’s Justice
5. Circle Of Hands
6. Rainbow Demon
7. All My Life
8. Paradise
9. The Spell
To contact Mott the Dog email: [email protected]
Mott’s CD review: