Wonderworld [1974].
The last Uriah Heep album to feature the great Gary Thain on bass. Not one of their most popular, but certainly still enjoyable to these ears with classic like the title track, the ballad "The Easy Road", and "Something Or Nothing". Among the 4 Bonus tracks are an alternate version of "Dreams", as well as a live version of The Easy Road.
"This CD was recorded in Munich. UH never felt happy about recording away from England. We never felt settled for some reason. The cover where I am wearing no shoes and shirt was because I thought they said to send in a pair of jeans to be concreted but they wanted a full stage outfit plus shoes.... "
Return To Fantasy [1975]
Heep's biggest charting album in England. This one featured a number of classics such as the title track, "Devil's Daughter" [featuring one Mick's most memorable riffs], "Your Turn To Remember" [the forerunner to Journey's hit "Lovin Touchin Squeezin"], and the thought-provoking "A Year Or A Day". The Bonus tracks include 2 of the best non-LP tracks Heep ever recorded in the rocks "Shout It Out" and "The Time Will Come"; as well as a demo of the eerie "Beautiful Dream".
"John Wetton appears on Bass Guitar..it was a very new period for us and John was an old friend. He comes from the same part of England as Lee (Bournemouth ) This is on the South Coast of England. The title track was a typical Heep shuffle."
High & Mighty [1976]
One of my favorite Heep albums, very under-rated, and the last to feature David Byron on vocals [as well as Wetton]. Wetton does a decent lead vocal on the opening rocker "One Way or Another", and the band [largely Ken Hensley's writing here] comes up with a very diverse, albeit bit lighter Heep album. "Can't Keep A Good Band Down" should be the band's anthem for the last 24 years. "Weep In Silence" [featuring Hensley on lead guitar] and "Footprints In The Snow" are 2 of the best things the Byron era Heep ever did! A bit poppy in places, but the diversity and freshness of this album make it a huge favorite here. Includes 2 great Bonus tracks as well in "Name Of The Game" and the bouncy "Sundown".
"A self produced CD that lacked any real rock tracks in my opinion. Mostly written by Ken Hensley in his soft period of writing. 'Weep in Silence' is a good track."
Firefly [1977]
The first of 3 studio albums to feature the strong voice of John Lawton. Again, mainly Hensley's songwriting here, as well as a lead vocal on the brilliant ballad title track. Features a number of faves such as "The Hanging Tree", "Sympathy", and the ballad "Wiseman". Among the Bonus tracks are an alternate take of the non LP track "A Far Better Way" [first appeared on the "Time Of Revelation" box set], as well as an alternate version of "Wiseman".
"I loved the title track and John Lawton gave the band a new dimension. It was never the same without David but John had a very powerful voice that stood on it's own and we had a big re-surgence in Germany."
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Innocent Victim [1977]
Considered by many o' Heep fans as this line-up's best work. Included the huge hit [in Europe!] "Free Me" - a catchy pop song, unlike anything the band had done before. Also includes a few excellent tracks written by American Jack Williams - "Choices" and "The Dance", and one blazing rocker in "Free N Easy"! Bonus tracks include the unedited version of "Illusion" / "Masquerade" , which were originally edited separately with Masquerade winding up as a b-side; as well as another excellent out take "The River"! Highly recommended! Never understood why there were so many great [better] songs left off the albums during the Lawton era!? Makes me wonder who was doing what around the round table at the time!?
"Good CD ( Fave track "Free n Easy" ) The Snake cover has Lees eyes on it to give it a human touch. We where going to use the whole cover as a stage set with the band inside the mouth and all of our equipment red but we never got around to doing it. It would have been cool with the eyes on the top of the lighting truss and lasers shining through them."
Abominog [1982]
A very different Heep line-up and sound here. Much more 'Americanized' '80s HR. Despite including a number of covers, Abominog is a pretty strong album, with 10 fairly powerful songs, great performances, etc.. This features the opening killer riff rocker "Too Scared To Run", as well as the MTV hit "That's The Way That It Is", and the Russ Ballard penned "On The Rebound". Bonus tracks include the 2 b-sides -- one of them being an excellent cover of the Small Faces "Tin Soldier"; as well as a few demos of album tracks.
"This was a good 80's type CD...We went top 40 with 'The Way that It Is' and we had high rotation with a video for the song on MTV. We did a world tour to support the CD."
Best of 2 [1997] >BR>
A fine intro to anyone who got out of Heep after the Byron years. This 20 track compilation pulls tracks from each era [4 singers in all!] to give a taste of just how good some of the post Byron stuff was/is. Includes the singles, as well as a few favorites, and a few oddities such as a few painful classics re-done with John Sloman on vocals.
Castle US is also preparing to unload a number of other URIAH HEEP Remasters in the US, featuring more post - '80 albums. The remasters are well worth having for any Heep fans or those looking to start up a Heep collection due to all the info and added tracks. Check 'em out, and keep an eye open for more to come!
For more info on these albums, line-ups, etc.. check out the Discography at www.uriah-heep.com
KJJ
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