The word ‘legend’ is nowadays thrown around with reckless abandon but in the case of Cozy Powell, it’s perfectly apt. A cursory glance at my record collection reveals the depth of his legacy: Jeff Beck, Rainbow, Peter Green, MSG and Black Sabbath (amongst others) all had their sound anchored by Cozy’s thunderous drumming. By way of tribute Garry (Mägpie) Bowler has assembled an all star cast to rework Cozy’s 1974 top three single “Dance With The Devil”.
Originally penned by Phil Dennys and Michael Hayes (aka Mickie Most) “Dance With The Devil” drew inspiration from Sandy Nelson’s “Let There Be Drums” and Hendrix’s “Third Stone From The Sun” and was the perfect vehicle to showcases Cozy’s hard-hitting style. Now rechristened as “Dancing With The Devil” to symbolise its evolution this version is given a unique flavour whilst remaining easily identifiable and it’s a suitably drum heavy rendition that finds Garry Bowler busy nailing his kit to the floor. Garry’s career, like Cozy’s, has found him drumming for a diverse range of artists and he brings that ethos to this project and opens “Dancing” with a circular, tribal, almost Caribbean drumbeat.
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The cast that Garry’s pulled together for this release is pretty impressive with each member having played with Cozy at sometime in his career. That the drumming here reminds me of Tyr-era Black Sabbath is perhaps no surprise as Neil Murray lends his uncluttered bass style to proceedings and underpins the boisterous beat. The Rainbow connection is provided by David Stone who garnishes the track with some sublime keys while the legendary Bernie Tormé adds a lovely guitar riff. Rather pertinently this was to be his last ever recording and he delivers a decidedly distorted riff (nice one Bernie!) as vocalist Frankie Aiello completes the puzzle with an exuberant vocal display.
As we approach the anniversary of Cozy’s untimely death (5th April 1998) “Dancing With The Devil” does indeed make a fine tribute.
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Dancing With The Devil is released by 3Ms Music on 23rd April 2021
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ycx6qpnadEE
