Brian riffs on the fourth studio album by Uriah Heep, “Demons and Wizards” from May of 1972 (The Wizard / Easy Livin' / Circle of Hands / Rainbow Demon). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: “Sitting Pretty” from the motion picture “Cabaret” STAFF PICKS: “I Saw the Light” by Todd Rundgren — Rob. “Run Run Run” by JoJo Gunne — Bill Cook. “Sweet Hitch-Hiker" by Creedence Clearwater Revival — Wayne. “Baby Blue” by Badfinger — Brian. COMEDY TRACK: “Troglodyte (Cave Man)” by The Jimmy Castor Bunch. **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
Formed in London in 1969, Uriah Heep released their fourth and (to this point) most successful album, Demons and Wizards in May 1972. This album would also see the debut of what is considered the classic lineup of Uriah Heep as bassist Gary Thain and drummer Lee Kerslake joined vocalist David Byron, guitarist Mick Box, and keyboardist/multi-instrumentalist/singer/songwriter Ken Hensley to form the group for this album. While the album cover and title suggest medieval fantasy, Hensley has stated that it was just a collection of songs, not a concept album. It is hard to deny the prog rock feel, however.
Uriah Heep is considered a forerunner of hard rock, heay metal, and progressive rock. They have developed quite the cult following over the years, having released 24 studio albums, 20 live albums, and 41 compilation albums.
Roger Dean created the cover art, as he did for a number of prog rock groups including Yes and Asia.
The name Uriah Heep comes from a character from Charles Dickens' "David Copperfield"
Brian is featuring this album. Friend of the show Bill Cook joins us in Bruce's place for this episode.
The Wizard
Former bassist Mark Clarke and Ken Hensley wrote this song, the opening track to the album and the first single released from the album. The lyrics are about a wanderer who meets "the Wizard for a thousand kings." It would be the first Uriah Heep song to be made into a video.
Easy Livin'
The second single off the album would be the only one to chart in the United States, making it to number 39 on the Billboard Hot 100. Surprisingly it did not chart in the UK. This is a common cover for party bands, though it was intended to be taken ironically.
Circle of Hands
This is a deeper cut from the album, starting strong with the Hammond Organ. With lyrics like "Circle of hands, cold spirits' plan, searching the land for an enemy," it is hard to not see a thread of fantasy running through the track.
Rainbow Demon
This track leads off side 2 of the album. "There rides the rainbow demon on his horse of crimson fire. Black shadows are following closely on the heels of his desire." This slow anthem continues with the strong organ work and combines it with a fuzzy guitar sound.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Sitting Pretty (from the motion picture "Cabaret")
Liza Minnelli and Michael York starred in this movie based on the Broadway show.
STAFF PICKS:
I Saw the Light by Todd Rundgren
Rob's staff pick was the lead-off track from Rundgren's third album, "Something/Anything?" and was placed there via inspiration from Motown's history of putting the hit songs first. Multi-instrumentalist Rundgren wrote the track in 20 minutes and credits the use of stimulants like Ritalin for his prolific songwriting at the time.
Run Run Run by JoJo Gunne
Bill Cook brings us a shuffle beat number by Los Angeles based JoJo Gunne, a band formed by Jay Ferguson and Mark Andes after they left the band Spirit. "We're all just papers in the wind."
Sweet Hitch-Hiker by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Wayne presents an underplayed swamp rock song from CCR. This is off their last album with John Fogerty. A restaurant called the Greasy King is referenced in the song, and that restaurant is in El Cerrito, the home town of the band members.
Baby Blue by Badfinger
Brian finishes off the staff picks with a song from an album produced by Todd Rundgren. Badfinger was the first group signed to The Beatles' Apple Records. This is the last top 40 hit in the US for the group.
COMEDY TRACK:
Troglodyte (Cave Man) by The Jimmy Castor Bunch
This is a funk novelty song hit number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song is the introduction of a character called Bertha Butt, who would recur in other songs from the Jimmy Castor Bunch.