Listening to it now I’m reminded of how seductive the simplicity of classic crock can be, when it’s lyrically about a man just trying to get by and find his way through the lonely avenues of love. It’s by far the most immediate song on the album, with the keyboards pressing hard against the rolling riffs and the walking swing of the baseline. If there’s a “hit” on the album it’s probably “Easy Livin'” and you can immediately hear why. There’s not a lot to Uriah Heep’s song structure” “Traveller” is literally two verses and a chorus of two simple lines, but there’s a power and conviction in its simplicity, and the way the bridge comes in to reinforce that yes: this man IS IN FACT A TRAVELLER IN TIME and if you don’t believe him then you can fall prey to the stellar bass playing of Gary Thain, who makes his debut with the band on Demons and Wizards. “Traveller in Time” is a balls out rocker in its opening seconds…and then Byron’s high voice kicks in with the wan of the guitar and you’re not sure what to make of it, except that it’s catchy as hell.
It’s magic, pure and simple…the magic of a wizard coming and showing you the way. And then that giant break for the chorus, when the electric guitars pop and Byron’s voice blends with the falsetto of the backing vocals (also Byron and the band). But you can already hear odd cracks in the perfect classic rock frame: the way Byron’s voice echoes at the end of each verse, and the gradual build in the second verse with the drums (courtesy of drum giant Lee Kerslake).
“The Wizard” couldn’t possibly start any more classic rock: the acoustic intro accompanied by David Byron intoning about the wizard who came and drank his wine. It starts with an acoustic guitar, as all things should.
0 kommentar(er)
