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Questo disco che mi accingerò di recensire è una raccolta delle ballad più famose di una grandissima band degli anni Settanta: gli Uriah Heep. Il gruppo, penso, non abbia bisogno di presentazioni... se proprio non vi dice nulla vi potrei nominare tre degli album più belli, "The Magician's Birthday", "Demons & Wizards" e "Salisbury". Questa raccolta è uscita nel 2001 e il fù il primo disco degli Uriah Heep che acquistai a scatola chiusa, visto che ancora non avevo ascoltato niente di loro. I brani che contiene sono diciotto e vanno dal 1970 al 1978, racchiudendo così il primo periodo magico del gruppo. Ci troviamo di fronte a canzoni dolcissime e delicate come la commovente "Come Away Melinda", che con la sua melodia e passione sembra quasi accarezzare l'ascoltatore. Veramente una delle ballads più belle del combo britannico. Poi si prosegue con la famosa "Lady In The Black", un pezzo con un sound rock - folk tipo i Byrds, capace di incantare sin dalle prime note. "The Park" è introdotta da una sommessa tastiera che riesce a creare da subito una bella atmosfera e melodia, dove poi subentrano anche gli arpeggi di Mick Box. Un brano veramente particolare, dove a farla da padrone è la voce sensuale e quasi femminile dell'indimenticato David Byron, che rende il tutto molto malinconico e originale. Interessante anche "What Should Be Done", mentre si prosegue con la celebre "The Wizard", dove gli Uriah riescono a mescolare la melodia di una ballada con la potenza hard rock tipica dei seventies. Infatti la track inizia con l'acustica di Box e la voce perfetta di Byron, mentre successivamente si approda ai duri riff di chitarra e ad un susseguirsi di emozioni. "Rainbow Demon" ha un suono molto più cupo e tenebroso, quasi tipo gli Atomic Rooster, con la tastiera che supporta la voce accattivante di Byron, che esplode nel favoloso refrain. Una canzone veramente tosta! "Circle Of Hands" è un'altra perla della band, impreziosita dalla bella introduzione tastieristica e ai riff efficaci e precisi di Mick Box. La song, quando David inizia a cantare, riesce a esprimere energia da tutti i pori, grazie all'immancabile sognante melodia e pura bellezza. Da ascoltare solamente! "Rain" è una delicata ballad dove è difficile non emozionarsi davanti alla poesia e alla bravura che la band ci offre e ci dimostra. "If I Had The Time" ritorna sugli schemi hard rock di "Circle Of Hands", con la tastiera di Hensley che rende il tutto più godibile e originale, mentre Box & Co. sfornano riff e ritmi, rendendo il brano come un'altro esempio di vero rock. Dopo le mediocri, almeno secondo il mio parere, "Circus", "Why Did You Go?" e "The Easy Road", ci troviamo davanti alla irresistibile "Wonderworld" e al classic rock di stampo americano di "You Turn To Remember". Brani molto godibili e carini. "Weep In Silence" è introdotta da una bella sonorità dove la tastiera di Hensley e la chitarra di Box riescono ad "unirsi", prima che Byron ci incanti con le sue parole. Sublime. "Footprints In The Snow" è un brano interessante e che mantiene il disco ancora su livelli molto alti, mentre dopo "Free Me", arriviamo all'ultima song, ovvero alla disarmante e alla favolosa "Come Back To Me". Semplicemente magico e incredibile, oppure, come direbbero gli Uriah Heep, è un "vero ritorno alla fantasia". RETURN TO FANTASY!
Elenco tracce e testi
01 Come Away Melinda (03:50)
Daddy, daddy, come and look, see what I have found
A little ways away from here, while digging in the ground
Come away Melinda, come in and close the door
It's nothing, just a picture book, they had before the war
Daddy, daddy come and see, daddy, come and look
Where there's four orfive little Melinda girls
Inside my picture book
Come away Melinda, come in and close the door
There were lots of little girls like you
Before they had the war
Oh daddy, daddy come and see, daddy hurry do!
While there's someone in a pretty dress
She's all grown up like you, won't you tell me why
Come away Melinda, come in and close the door
That someone is your mummy, you had before the war
Daddy, daddy tell me if you can
Why can't things be the way they were, before the war began
Come away Melinda, come in and close the door
The answer lies in yesterday, before they had the war
02 Lady in Black (04:44)
She came to me one morning,
one lonely Sunday morning,
her long hair flowing in the mid-winter wind.
I know not how she found me, for in darkness I was walking,
and destruction lay around me from a fight I could not win.
Aaaaaaaaa, Aaaaaaaaa
She asked me name my foe then.
I said the need within some men
to fight and kill their brothers without thought of men or god.
And I begged her give me horses to trample down my enemies,
so eager was my passion to devour this waste of life.
Aaaaaaaaa, Aaaaaaaaa
But she would not think of battle that reduces men to animals,
so easy to begin and yet impossible to end.
For she the mother of all men had counciled me so wisely that
I feared to walk alone again and asked if she would stay.
Aaaaaaaaa, Aaaaaaaaa
"Oh lady lend your hand," I cried,
"Oh let me rest here at your side."
"Have faith and trust in me,"
she said and filled my heart with life.
There is no strength in numbers.
I've no such misconceptions.
But when you need me be assured I won't be far away.
Aaaaaaaaa, Aaaaaaaaa
Thus having spoke she turned away
and though I found no words to say
I stood and watched until I saw her black cloak disappear.
My labor is no easier, but now I know I'm not alone.
I find new heart each time I think upon that windy day.
And if one day she comes to you drink deeply from her words so wise.
Take courage from her as your prize and say hello for me.
Aaaaaaaaa, Aaaaaaaaa (repeat until fade)
03 The Park (05:42)
Let me walk awhile alone among the sacred rocks and stones.
Let me look in vain belief upon the beauty of each leaf.
There is green in every blade. The treetops lean, providing shade.
They are spining happy sounds, all nature's strength around.
And there's a horse that feels no pain,
its iron strength to take the strain.
Children rocking to and fro
and gayly drink its color glow.
Above, the sky, devoid of stars
thinks not to cast the thunder shroud.
And from this place, so full of joy,
a thing of gold that lies in blood.
"So why my heavy heart?" you say,
when tears would stain a sight so gay.
My brother's dreams, once hinted song,
until he died at the hand of needless wars.
04 What Should Be Done (04:14)
So you think you found a way of living
that prevents you losing any sleep.
Well, my friend, take this that I'm giving.
It's your piece of mind you aught to keep.
You'll run into trouble, for sure,
by living behind a locked door.
Well, you run the risk of being taunted
by doing what you want to do.
Or do you prefer to have your whole life haunted
by the ones who choose to care for you?
Where are their motives, my friend?
Take care your still there again.
Watch out for winter, it'll bite you with cold.
Black spirits trying hard to bribe you with gold.
Would you steal a nickel from a blind man?
Well right now, I do believe you would.
It's not the thought of you doing it that hurts me,
it's the mind behind it that's no good.
If this is your way, I don't want to know.
There's only so far I can go.
I won't go no further - not for you or anyone.
I have my own ideas of what should be done.
What should be done.
What should be done.
What should be done.
05 The Wizard (02:58)
Album: Demons and Wizards
He was the wizard of a thousand kings
And I chanced to meet him one night wandering
He told me tales and he drank my wine
Me and my magic man kind of feeling fine
He had a cloak of gold
And eyes of fire
And as he spoke I felt a deep desire
To free the world of its fear and pain
And help the people to feel free again
Why don't we listen to the voices in our hearts
'Cause then I know we'd find we're not so far apart
Everybody's got to be happy
Everyone should sing
For we know the joy of life
The peace that love can bring
So spoke the wizard in his mountain home
The vision of his wisdom means we'll never be alone
And I will dream of my magic night
And the million silver stars that guide me with their light
Show me the way
Ah ah ah
06 Rainbow Demon (04:24)
There rides the Rainbow Demon
On his horse of crimson fire
Black shadows are following closely
On the heels of his desire
Riding on in the mist of morning
No one dared to stand in his way
Possessed by some distant calling
Riding on through night and day
Rainbow Demon - pick up your heart and run
Rainbow Demon - lives for his sword and his gun
Riding on in the mist of morning
No one dared to stand in his way
Possessed by some distant calling
Riding on through night and day
Rainbow Demon - pick up your heart and run
Rainbow Demon - lives for his sword and his gun
Rainbow Demon - pick up your heart and run
Rainbow Demon - lives for his sword and his gun (repeat chorus to fade)
07 Circle of Hands (06:26)
Album: Demons and Wizards
Circle of hands
Cold spirits plan
Searching my land for an enemy
Came across love's sweet cost
And in the face of beauty
Evil was lost
Sky full of eyes, minds full of lies
Black from their cold hearts, down to their graves
Murdered the dawn, spreading their scorn
Cursing the sun of which love was born
We must keep them away
Or pretty soon we'll pay
And count the cost in sorrow
Sacrifice, the future has its price
And today is only yesterday's tomorrow
We must keep them away
Or pretty soon we'll pay
And count the cost in sorrow
Sacrifice, the future has its price
And today is only yesterday's tomorrow, tomorrow
Tomorrow, tomorrow
Tomorrow, tomorrow
Tomorrow, tomorrow
08 Rain (03:59)
Intro
It's raining outside but that's not unusual
But the way that I'm feeling is becoming usual
I guess you could say
The clouds are moving away
Away from your days
And into mine
Now it's raining inside and that's kind of a shame
And it's getting to me, a happy man
And why should you want to
Waste all my time
The world is yours
But I am mine
Rain, rain, rain, in my tears
Measuring carefully my years
Shame, shame, shame, in my mind
See what you've done to my life
Rain, rain, rain, in my tears
Measuring carefully my years
Shame, shame, shame, in my mind
See what you've done to my life
See what you've done to my life
10 Circus (02:44)
Walkin' around this concrete garden
Viewing all in vain
Thinking why a dream
Is driving everyone insane
Then someone will come
And make you feel
The master in control
Still you're picking up
And screwing anyone
Who's got a soul
I've been here
Far too long to remember
Sights and sounds
From this town of clowns
Makin' up, dressin' up
Walkin' around
Thinkin' that you're Greta Garbos
I'm sorry my dears
But we only sat down
And laughed and laughed in sorrow
But it was you
That opened the door
And it's that we thank you for
Everyone insane ...
Everyone’s insane
11 Wonderworld (04:29)
We freely speak of dreams
We marvel at what they conceal
But in my wonderworld
Each sleeping vision is so real
So I believe and hope
That all the things I see
May one day bring
Such truth and peace
As we can feel
Free from this waking world
Deep in sleep's mystery
My will is free to wander
Free to wander carelessly
At times it's not so far
From what we call reality
And at times I know I wonder
If it all could come true
Oh, mr. wonderworld
Don't be afraid
'cause dreams were made
Were made to dim the light
The torment day can bring
And leave you free
To laugh aloud and hear
Your heart bells ring
Oh, oh, mr. wonderworld
Wonderworld
Oh, mr. wonderworld
Don't be afraid
'cause your dreams were made
They were made to dim the light
The torment day can bring
And leave you free
To laugh aloud and hear
Your heart bells ring
Oh, oh, mr. wonderworld
Mr. wonderworld
Mr. wonderworld
13 Why Did You Go (03:51)
I woke up today
With my head in daze
‘Cause my love had gone
With nothing to do
Just to dream about you
And how we went wrong
But oh, why did you go
I loved you so, didn't you know
I walk into town
With my head hangin' down
Tryin' to hide my pain
The people I meet
As I float down the street
Tell me try again
When I remember how good it was
It makes me cry
'Cause my life's been
Turned upside down
All I want is someone
But how do you say
Please will you stay
Please will you stay
I’ll settle down to a life
Of a clown to remain alive
I’ll work till I bleed
And if I can succeed
Maybe I'll survive
14 A Year or A Day (04:23)
Seen from the height
Of a thousand miles
The earth looks the same as it did
How is it we can fly faster than day
But we can't find the things we need
Young man said the old man
Let the youth in your heart be at rest
We may all be dead
In a year or a day
When the devil is put to the test ¡
The day of creation
Was our finest hour
It's something we ought to defend
But it's been so abused
Since the first day of light
That no glory can come in the end
Young man cried the old man
There is victory in staying alive
And if you care so little
For the world we're in
Why and what do you
Want to survive
Can't we try
To let the past go by
With it's lessons firmly
Settled in our minds
To our children one by one
And before the darkness comes
Let us leave a world full of light
Of a different kind
In truth they should meet
And with love
Their hearts should beat
And with patience
Solve the problems of our time
It wouldn't be so hard to do
It's only up to me and you
Let us not bequeath
A life that is a crime
Young man cried the old man
Let the youth in your heart be at rest
We may all be dead
In a year or a day
When the devil is put to the test
Young man ...
15 Weep in Silence (05:06)
You who thought
Your eyes could tell no lies
So your life became a compromise
And it was you
Who had seen men dyin'
You heard their children cryin'
While their women weep in silence
And you who thought
You were so wise
Succeeded only in disguise
Now and then
You'd find a bridge to cross
Reach the other side
And you'd still be lost
Evaded by the sweet smell of life
And the people that you try
To show the way
Never believe you
Never believe you - no way
While your women weep in silence
Your women weep in silence
Women weep in silence
16 Footprints in the Snow (03:54)
Just like footprints in the snow
Who knows where my heart will go
Will it lead me to you
Or will I see another empty day
Seasons come and quickly go
Kinda makes me
Wonder if they know
Why my heart keeps
Running near and far
If only they could tell me
Where you are
If you've ever been in love
Then you'll know the rocky road
I've been speaking of
You'll remember when
The times were good
And the times
You had to do without
Think carefully my friend
It may look like a start
But it could be the end
I'm not trying to bring you down
I'm just so tired of hangin' around
I won't make
The same mistake again
17 Free Me (03:33)
Free me
Free me
Why don't you free me
Free me from your spell
Come on and free me
Why don't you free me
Come on and free me
Free me from your spell.
Why should I worry that you might not love
you're not
The only love that I've ever had.
Your sweet memory will always comfort me
So why should I be feeling sad
As far as I can tell
You knew so well
I was always at the end of the line
I've loved you as much
As any man can
But not enough to make you mine
So long easy rider
I know I'll miss you for a while
But sooner or later
I know that I'll forget you
And I tell your baby
Free me
Come on and free me
. . .
We let a good love die.
We let it pass us by
Through you tried to keep me hanging on
But with all this doubt
It'll never work out
So tomorrow I'll be travelling on
And saying so long easy rider
I know I'll miss you for a while
But sooner or later
I know that I'll forget you
Free me
oh yeah
Come on and free me
Why don't you free me
Free me from your spell
Oh yeah
Come on and free me
Why don't you free me
Free me from your spell
Free me
Oh bab' come on and free me
Free me . . .
18 Come Back to Me (04:19)
Alone again, I feel so alone again
With this emptiness I just can't hide
Picture me with a broken heart
See the tears run down my face
Everything I had has gone
Everything is gone
Loneliness still lingering on
Everything I thought was mine
Come back to me
Can't we try it one more time
Come back to me
I know I'll find another love in time
But you'll always be there
In the back of my mind
The power of love
Can bring such pain
I still love you, I just love you
Alone again, I'm so alone again
With nothing but you on my mind
Can't you see
What you've done to my life
What can I do to
Win you back again
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