Uriah Heep: Celebration

Uriah Heep and I both have a birthday coming up. Heep will be celebrating their 40th year and I can only wish that I was just hitting 40 too. Uriah and I have been together for that whole period of time also. Like most relationships, it has been a tumultuous affair.

In the early days things were great as we got to know each other. Later on we hit some rocky times as our outlook changed and we seemed to be going in different directions. We survived those troubling times and going through that period has brought us closer together as we both can look back and see that overall, it has been a very gratifying union.

So on this anniversary, it is time for a Celebration. Looking back on a career that spans 40 years in this business is a miracle in itself but to do so in the way that Heep does it on this disc is something special.

Taking 12 of their most well known songs from the whole span of their career, the band has re-recorded them and given us a fresh look as some very old and dear friends. Along with that they have 2 brand new songs for this disc to tempt you with.

The current line-up of the band consists of:

Mick Box – Guitar
Trevor Bolder – Bass
Phil Lanzon – Keyboards
Bernie Shaw – Lead vocals
Russell Gilbrook – Drums

This is one of the most powerful line-ups the band has ever had. Although there is no way to replace the magic of a Ken Hensley, I have to give it to Mr. Lanzon, he has put his own unique stamp on the band but he has done so with a reverence to who had been there before him. For a long time I held against the lead singer the fact that they were trying to replace David Byron. Of course this is totally unfair and when this realization came to me, I was able to look upon the post Byron eras with a whole new perspective. There is some great music there!!

So this all brings us to today and the release of Celebration. For the second time in recent days I am going to use this term: What is old becomes new again! Uriah Heep has been able to update and bring into the modern age some of their best material. Most of the songs have stood the test of time but with a little tweaking in the arrangements and Bernie providing his powerful vocals, Heep's current line-up has put their own stamp on the rich history of the band. Who else could do a cover album better than the band itself!

Such classic songs as "July Morning", "Lady In Black", "Bird Of Prey" and "Sunrise" really show how the new band can make these tunes their own while still holding true to the originals. Then there are versions of "Easy Livin'", "Stealin', and "The Wizard" where they have put a whole different spin on the songs. Either way that they do it, long time fans will appreciate the gift that the band has given to us.

The two new songs also reflect the longevity of the group. "Only Human" kicks off the disc and with its organ crescendo as the first thing you hear off the album it is hard not to think of old school Heep from way back. "Corridors Of Madness" is very much later day Uriah. I can almost believe that it might have been a holdover from the Wake The Sleeper sessions. Both of these songs solidify the diversity of the band and the reverence they have for where they come from as much as where they are going.

This is an album for the fans. It is not just a greatest hits disc it is just what the title says it is. A Celebration of one of the founding fathers of the music that we love!

Track listing:

1. Only Human
2. Bird Of Prey
3. Sunrise
4. Stealin'
5. Corridors Of Madness
6. Between Two Worlds
7. The Wizard
8. Free Me
9. Free and Easy
10. Gypsy
11. Look At Yourself
12. July Morning
13. Easy Livin'
14. Lady In Black

Added: March 20th 2010
Reviewer: Scott Ward
Score:
Related Link: Band's Official Site
Hits: 3684
Language: english

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