5 Stars
Audio CD (paid link)
When this wonderful album was first released in June 1970, it was reviewed by the very influential Rolling Stone magazine in an appalling manner. I will briefly quote from the beginning of that review.
“If this group makes it I’ll have to commit suicide. From the first note you know you don’t want to hear anymore. Uriah Heep is watered down tenth-rate. Jethro Tull only even more boring and inane.”
One wonders how this unnamed journalist feels now that Uriah Heep are celebrating 50 years in the business and over 100 million album sales. Probably walking very gingerly round sharp objects and reviewing Mozart.
No such rash judgment from this dog, though, as I’ve always rated this album very highly since buying it for its cover alone, having never heard the music before.
“…Very ‘Eavy…Very ‘Umble” charges in with an opening belter. All time Heep favorite ‘Gypsy’ here in its original 6 minute 55 second version before it was drawn out to nearly 20 minutes in the stage show to allow lead guitarist Mick Box and keyboard Wizard Ken Hensley to stretch out. Or just possibly so they could sort their hair out. This was the seventies, remember.
But the star of the album has to be lead vocalist Dave Byron. In the world of heavy rock, nobody had a voice with such range. Just listen to him pleading on ‘Come away Melinda’ or riding the magic carpet ride of ‘Dreammare.’
Although Uriah Heep are still going strong, the lineup has never been stable (they went through three drummers just trying to get this album down).
Mick Box (still looking like one of the wacky characters from W.W.F.) leads the band today after four lead vocalists, five keyboard players, and umpteen bassists and drummers, but last year’s offering charmingly titled ‘Living the Dream’ was one of the year’s best Prog / Rock master pieces.
Uriah Heep were:
Mick Box- Lead Guitar, Vocals
Ken Hensley – Keyboards, Vocals
Paul Newton, Bass Guitar, Vocals
David Byron- Lead Vocals
Keith Baker/ Nigel Ollson / Alex Napier – Drums
needed huge banks of keyboards.
Tracks Listing:
1. Gypsy. The all-time Heep stomper. Hard, progressive rock doesn’t get much better. Still in their live set today!
2. Walking In Your Shadow. Another stomper and Ken’s first slide guitar work for Heep. Excellent vocals from David.
3. Come away Melinda. Lovely, gentle anti-war piece wonderfully played by Mick. David’s emotional reading of this will bring tears to your eyes. Beats the pants off the UFO version from around the same time.
4. Lucy Blues.
5. Dreammare. Outstanding! The first Heep tune to deal with magic. Great harmonies.
6. Real Turned On. One of Mick’s best riffs, with lots of hot soloing from both Mick and Ken, who turns in some more great slide work. Love the ending.
7. I’ll Keep On Trying. Another prog number similar to Gypsy with lots of tempo and mood changes. Again, more of those beautiful Heep harmonies atop a heavy riff with a beautiful Beach Boys-like break.
8. Wake Up (Set Your Sights). Probably the best song on the album. A stunning piece of work.
Written by Mott the Dog
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