Uriah Heep: Live In Armenia

With four recent live releases from the Official Bootleg series already documenting the 2010 and 2011 Uriah Heep tours, it is more than likely that Live In Armenia is a release only liable to appeal the Heep faithful willing to part with their cash for five live releases with similar track listings. However putting that to one side Live In Armenia is actually a damn fine document of a band who have found an extremely rich vein of form in recent years. Recorded before their most recent studio effort Into The Wild saw the light of day, Armenia finds The Heep still promoting the fantastic Wake The Sleeper opus, although the set is actually a perfect mix of old and new.

Opening with the double whammy of "Wake The Sleeper" and "Overload" it is clear from the start that Heep stalwart Mick Box is on top form on guitars, while singer Bernie Shaw hits every note with power and precision. Of the old tracks the likes of "Gypsy", "Easy Livin'" and a stonking take on "Look At Yourself" prove why this is a band who have been revered for their 40 years plus – something that on this showing looks set to continue. While it is always preferable to be presented with full uncut shows, Live In Armenia could benefit from the merest of editing, with Shaw's asking fans to "Stop using cameras and not to film tonight's performance", becoming rather irksome after repeat listens. However this is a small gripe and one that is easily forgivable given the standard of performance that the band treat us to and the unquestionable standard of the songs, whether they be recent or classic.

Just how many Uriah Heep live albums you really need I'll leave up to you. However Live In Armenia is undoubtedly an excellent example a truly classic band in full flow.

Track Listing
CD1
01. Wake The Sleeper
02. Overload
03. Tears Of The World
04. Stealin'
05. Book Of Lies
06. Gypsy
07. Look At Yourself
08. What Kind Of God
09. Angels Walk With You
10. Shadow

CD2
01. July Morning
02. Easy Livin'
03. Sunrise
04. Sympathy
05. Lady In Black

Added: November 12th 2011
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Uriah Heep Online
Hits: 2401
Language: english

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