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Product Description
Digitally remastered! Dramatic 1972 LP, reissued with 5 rare BONUS tracks.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By William J. Walker
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD
I don't feel I can add much to what has been written by the previous reviewers about the album itself except to say this is probably the best starting point for those looking to buy their first Uriah Heep album.
However I can't believe none of them have mentioned the bonus material, more specifically the track 'Why'.
Now normally I'm not a huge fan of the duff demos, lame out-takes and single-versions(often inferior, clumsily edited versions of the original) that make up the majority of bonus material found on 'expanded and remastered' editions, but there are exceptions and boy is this one of them. Apparently this track was unearthed while compiling this version of the album and such is its obscurity no one even knows who played bass on it.
The track itself is amazing; 10 minutes of stunning interaction between guitar, organ and bass all overlayed with the Uriah Heep's trade mark multi-part harmony backing vocals. The amazing thing is it doesn't sound like any thing else on the album and yet is so definitively 'Heep'. The Bass in particular stands out, powerful and ,at times, almost funky; it drives the piece along thrillingly.
If you don't own the album but have an interest in the music of this era (Deep Purple and Wishbone Ash come to mind) then it is an essential purchase.If you already own a copy of this album without the bonus material then I suggest(and I would never normally do so) it is worth getting this version if only for 'Why'.
However I can't believe none of them have mentioned the bonus material, more specifically the track 'Why'.
Now normally I'm not a huge fan of the duff demos, lame out-takes and single-versions(often inferior, clumsily edited versions of the original) that make up the majority of bonus material found on 'expanded and remastered' editions, but there are exceptions and boy is this one of them. Apparently this track was unearthed while compiling this version of the album and such is its obscurity no one even knows who played bass on it.
The track itself is amazing; 10 minutes of stunning interaction between guitar, organ and bass all overlayed with the Uriah Heep's trade mark multi-part harmony backing vocals. The amazing thing is it doesn't sound like any thing else on the album and yet is so definitively 'Heep'. The Bass in particular stands out, powerful and ,at times, almost funky; it drives the piece along thrillingly.
If you don't own the album but have an interest in the music of this era (Deep Purple and Wishbone Ash come to mind) then it is an essential purchase.If you already own a copy of this album without the bonus material then I suggest(and I would never normally do so) it is worth getting this version if only for 'Why'.
26 of 28 people found the following review helpful
By fields21
Format:Audio CD
Not knowing what to expect I bought this album on the acquaintance of 'Easy Living'. But the album has more good solid hard rock songs, although mosthave a lesser tempo than 'Easy Living'. What struck me most is the warm, catching sound of the album, without much editing, overlaying, overproducing. Here's a band that 'got it together'. Nothing outrageously rocking, screaming or bonking, no whimsical balladry; but great songs, never over the top.
The lyrics however are strictly "Fantasy" and concern demons, knights, wizzards and lots of 'wisdom'. They don't entice me, but they're no album killer either.
Bonus tracks add little; one or two good tracks in line with the album.
A jewel of seventies hard rock, never dull and great playing.
Recommended.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By luco
Format:Audio CD
This is simply the best cd ever produced by Uriah Heep and the one disc that got me into their music. This is not to say, that there are other cds produced by this band, that could match this one, such as "Wonderworld" (an album produced with a lot of pressure and only 6 months in betwen their last cd and tour). I dont understand how this guys got so much music and energy to create and record a new cd every 6 or 8 months: they did it (a similar case is Elton John). This disc opens with a great song: "The Wizard", a song about a better world that captures the magic of this band and gave them a musical concept for the next cds. It is a very powerful and produced song, its got a great structure and the vocal armonies along with the acustic guitar and sinthesizer played in just one note all over the song....extraordinarie!!!
"Traverler in time" is one of two songs not credited to Ken Hensley, who by then, was the main creative force in the band, and gives you the "harder edge" of the band. By the third song, UH produced a big smash hit with "Easy Living", today a rock classic. The rest of the album, combines a piano ballads like "Rain" and the superb "Circle of Hands", with slow rock like "Rainbow Demon" and the original closers. All of their time as a group, this line up, created the best of the band but with a very sad ending for two of their band members: Extraordinarie bassist Gary Thain died electrocuted and singer David Byron also died some years after he exited from the band. Other great cds from this band are: Magicians Birthday (the follow up to Demons and Wizards), "Wonderworld" (superb cd recorded under heavy pressure), and "Return to Fantasy" (with John Wetton replacing the already dead Gary Thain).... Read more ›
"Traverler in time" is one of two songs not credited to Ken Hensley, who by then, was the main creative force in the band, and gives you the "harder edge" of the band. By the third song, UH produced a big smash hit with "Easy Living", today a rock classic. The rest of the album, combines a piano ballads like "Rain" and the superb "Circle of Hands", with slow rock like "Rainbow Demon" and the original closers. All of their time as a group, this line up, created the best of the band but with a very sad ending for two of their band members: Extraordinarie bassist Gary Thain died electrocuted and singer David Byron also died some years after he exited from the band. Other great cds from this band are: Magicians Birthday (the follow up to Demons and Wizards), "Wonderworld" (superb cd recorded under heavy pressure), and "Return to Fantasy" (with John Wetton replacing the already dead Gary Thain).... Read more ›
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I bought this album because I heard that Heep had supported Deep Purple on tour once and I am bloody glad I did. This is an excellent album with instant corkers such as Easy Livin', Rainbow Demon and The Wizard as well as more subtle tracks that will grow on the listener such as Traveler in Time, Paradise and my personal favourite The Spell.
The rythum and bass section of Lee Kerslake and Gary Thain respectively is excellent. Mick Box churns out simple but satisfying riffs on lead guitar, Ken Hensley's Organ (and occasional guitar) and David Byron's vocals intertwine beautifully with the amazing harmonised backing vocals provided by the rest of the band,
This is not a HARD rock album but is certainly a classic. It is easy to listen too and extreemly pleasureable and has hooked me on Uriah Heep and caused me to buy another 10 of their albums.
If you are a classic rock fan and havn't heard Heep and want a change you can't go wrong with this album.
The rythum and bass section of Lee Kerslake and Gary Thain respectively is excellent. Mick Box churns out simple but satisfying riffs on lead guitar, Ken Hensley's Organ (and occasional guitar) and David Byron's vocals intertwine beautifully with the amazing harmonised backing vocals provided by the rest of the band,
This is not a HARD rock album but is certainly a classic. It is easy to listen too and extreemly pleasureable and has hooked me on Uriah Heep and caused me to buy another 10 of their albums.
If you are a classic rock fan and havn't heard Heep and want a change you can't go wrong with this album.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Jon T
Format:Audio CD
As a teenage Uriah Heep fan in the early 70's, I liked all their albums when they were issued, but it has to be said some have stood the test of time better than others! For me, the one that stands out from this period is "Demons & Wizzards" which saw the band at the top of their game with what was IMO the definitive lineup. Particularly worthy of mention I feel are the late David Byron's great vocals, Ken Hensley's accomplished songwriting and the ever impressive Mick Box on guitar.
If you missed this album the first time round, give it a listen... you won't believe it's now 38 years old!
If you missed this album the first time round, give it a listen... you won't believe it's now 38 years old!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love it
Almost worn it out, I have played it everyday since I got it and it just gets better and better.
Published 11 days ago by Karen Boag
5.0 out of 5 stars
Uriah Heep
Great cd, was and still is one of the best heavy rock bands around, heavy rock doesn't get any better than Uriah Heep.
Published 2 months ago by tintin
5.0 out of 5 stars
demonds and wizards
the best music they have ever done,( but only tracks 1 to 9,not the bonus tracks). I seen them live in the seventies when they sang D&W and they were FANTASTIC its the only disc to... Read more
Published 2 months ago by martinhook
5.0 out of 5 stars
Definitive Heep
This is a masterpiece of early seventies british rock. It's a visual and aural journey from the cover to the opening D chord of the first track. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Simon Says
3.0 out of 5 stars
Worth a try
I remember listening to Uriah Heap as a kid as my dad had a few of their albums. I always thought they were ok and this album carries that opinion on. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Smartin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Couldn music in the 1970s have been better?
An absolutely exceptional album, by one of the classic UH lineups.
Okay they produced a number of 5 star albums, but this is simply one of the best. Read more
Okay they produced a number of 5 star albums, but this is simply one of the best. Read more
Published on 11 Jan 2011 by ColinD
5.0 out of 5 stars
Greatly appreciated!
My Dad loves Uriah Heep from back in his younger days....from reading reviews about this album i chose this one and it appears i chose well as my Dad has loved it. Read more
Published on 10 Jan 2011 by bgbaby
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastico!
Um dos melhores albuns dessa magica banda dos anos 70 em uma edição sensacional. Encarte repleto de imagens e textos dos principais membros da banda, além das letras das... Read more
Published on 10 Jan 2011 by Vladimir
5.0 out of 5 stars
A week of constant playing
I only bought this a week ago, and haven't stopped listening. I'd not knowingly heard a track from here until then, though knew "Gypsy" from an earlier album. Read more
Published on 10 Dec 2010 by Martin J. Brown
5.0 out of 5 stars
cd
different class. Takes me back to when I seen them in 1976.They were a great band back then.
Published on 2 May 2010 by MRS EDITH WESTWOOD
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