I don’t want to hear nothin’ about how Uriah Heep were the poor man’s poor man’s Deep Purple. I don’t want to hear nothin’ about the swell clothes the band is sporting in this clip. And I don’t want to hear *nothin’* about the out-of-control inverse relationship between quality of music and quality of poon on display in this clip. What I *do* want to hear are all the nice things you have to say about this particular performance. Extra credit if you can say something nice about the lyric to this song, “Wizard.”
I’ll start: what, it’s okay to pump your fist along to “What’s So Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love and Understanding,” but taking the time to show your solidarity with Heep’s message of universal brotherhood is for losers? These guys were *way* ahead of the Hands Across America curve!
Your turn. And remember, if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all!
HVB
First of all, why can’t I say something nice about those fine, fine ladies? I guess you want us to say something else nice about this performance. Well, I’ll start by saying I cracked up as soon as that opening line was sung. The lyrics are to die for. I wish I could hop a plane to see my old friend and bandmate, Mike F, with this clip in hand. We could do something with this material. God, the singer’s Look is so sincere. I like how he manages to stay homely and dorky looking even with that piled hairdo, ‘stache, and those pants. It’s a brilliantly failed Look.
The bassist’s hairdo is vastly underrated in the annals of rock. It’s like he took Bev Bevan’s Veronica Lake peekaboo-do and went one better. Fascinating, too, how he seems to be 75% legs. He’s like one of the characters from Fat Albert – Rudy, I believe.
The SG-playing guitarist sitting on the stool is interesting. Was he punished or otherwise banished to that position? Nevertheless he makes the most of it.
Great find, Hrrundi!
Great hair all around!
Thanks, BigSteve and Mod. You guys are super nice!
HVB
p.s.: I agree, Moddie — this is a *choice* find. Like the Kossoff rock/porn face clip, I feel like it must illustrate *some* key Rock concept or another.
I still think “Mick Box” is possibly the greatest name in rock and roll history, and I would be crushed to learn it was not his own.
So, comments about the clothes and the poon are off limits, eh? Alright… I like the fact that this song harkens back to a simpler time when the Hammond was the go-to keyboard for filling in the sonic vacancies in a song (as opposed to the cheesy-ass keyboards and general studio chicanery of the past 20 years or so).
cdm, that is one insightful — and nice — observation. I couldn’t agree more. G48, thanks for noticing Box. You’re right, that’s a nice name.
In search of further Uriah Heeling,
HVB
How about the ability and/or willingness to mime without irony? They’re obviously not playing live, but no one in the band is winking at the audience. They’re sincerely trying to act like they’re playing. And they’re doing it while singing about a fucking wizard. Brilliant.
If I don’t look and try not to listen to the vocals and lead instruments, the rhythm section here seems really pretty decent.
I like the fuzzy bassy guitar during the break. That’s about it
I like how no drum heads were injured during this filming.
I like when that green haze appears over an instrument, like the player has been blessed by the Wizard!
I liked it. I know it’s just a dumb song about a wizard, but that album has Easy Livin’ on it, too. I like David Byron’s pants, too. I bet Eva Longoria would like a pair of those.
i like the heap’s ability to valiantly ask the profound questions that have plagued mankind, lo these centuries: why can’t we listen to the voices in our hearts?
I also like their wizard-like ability to make a crowd full of maidens (1:45 shows the fairest of them all) dance to a non-dance song. it’s like magic! cast a spell they have.
Sat, you have great taste in maidens! She’s my favorite too.
No one’s yet mentioned the “VJ,” who swings around just so at the beginning of that clip. I wish I could slow it down and see him better. I get a strong Michael Palin vibe out of his Look.
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Man, you are all so darn NICE! Nice work, fellow townspeople!
Except for you, Townsman Massimo.