Classic Heep: An Anthology

Classic Heep: An Anthology

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The missing link between Deep Purple and Queen, '70s Britrockers Uriah Heep had it all: epic rock anthems, quasi-operatic vocals, and gothic ax 'n' organ grooves that could send Quasimodo into paroxysms of air guitar. This 30-song collection mixes infectious frat-rockers such as "Easy Livin'" and "Sweet Lorraine" with attenuated anthems featuring more demons and wizards than you can shake a scepter at ("Magician's Birthday," "Rainbow Demon," "High Priestess," "The Wizard," "Paradise/The Spell" ... you get the idea). Heavy with just the right amount of histrionics, our Heep could even swing into ballad mode, albeit with mixed results: "Rain," penned by keyboardist Ken Hensley, is surprisingly gorgeous, whereas an early cover of the Weavers' "Come Away Melinda" is a bit overwrought. A band whose reach could exceed their grasp, Uriah Heep was the product of a less cynical and calculated time whose innocence and inspirations are well served by this anthology. --Billy Grenier

Tracks:

Gypsy
Come Away Melinda
Bird Of Prey
I'll Keep On Trying
High Priestess
The Park
Lady In Black
Look At Yourself
July Morning
Tears In My Eyes
Love Machine
The Wizard
Why
Traveller In Time
Easy Livin'
Circle Of Hands

Tracks:

Rainbow Demon
Paradise/The Spell
Sunrise
Blind Eye
The Magician's Birthday
Sweet Lorraine
Rain
Stealin'
Sweet Freedom
WonderWorld
The Easy Road
Return To Fantasy
Footprints In The Snow
Weep In Silence

Amazon.com

The missing link between Deep Purple and Queen, '70s Britrockers Uriah Heep had it all: epic rock anthems, quasi-operatic vocals, and gothic ax 'n' organ grooves that could send Quasimodo into paroxysms of air guitar. This 30-song collection mixes infectious frat-rockers such as "Easy Livin'" and "Sweet Lorraine" with attenuated anthems featuring more demons and wizards than you can shake a scepter at ("Magician's Birthday," "Rainbow Demon," "High Priestess," "The Wizard," "Paradise/The Spell" ... you get the idea). Heavy with just the right amount of histrionics, our Heep could even swing into ballad mode, albeit with mixed results: "Rain," penned by keyboardist Ken Hensley, is surprisingly gorgeous, whereas an early cover of the Weavers' "Come Away Melinda" is a bit overwrought. A band whose reach could exceed their grasp, Uriah Heep was the product of a less cynical and calculated time whose innocence and inspirations are well served by this anthology. --Billy Grenier

Customer Reviews:

The true highlights of the peak years.......2007-05-10

This double CD set has all of the important classics. While I was surprised that it only contained two selections from Sweet Freedom, it has nearly every song from their peak commercial and creative album, Demons and Wizards, plus the song "Why" which was never on an album, but was from this same era. A very good showcase of the David Byron years, which are what most people associate the group and sound with. Having the full 10+ minutes of The Magician's Birthday and the songs in chronological order, along with an insightful booklet, make this the Uriah Heep collection to own short of having all of the complete CDs.

Circle of Hands.......2007-05-03

If you read some of my reviews, you will know where I came from. An asian kid influenced by USAF Radio Station DJs and Local Rock Club catering to US soilders during the Vietnam war in Okinawa, "Japan". During my high school in that island we had a band and Traveler on Time, Easy livin medley and Circle of Hands were alomg the covers we did. This CD was a god send to me where I was able to return to my teen years and how I adored these songs. I had the fortune of seeing Uriah Heep in concert as a opening act for Jetro Tull - with out David Byron. But I still remember how great Ken Hensley was. Master of the Hammond organ. one of my favorite ballad Rain is here too. It's raining outside but it's not unusual but the way that I am feeling comming usual.

Get this CD as full reference of one of British Rocks great Uriah Heep

Great Uriah Heep.......2007-02-17

If you like the early Uriah Heep you'll love this collection. Great mix ...nice to kick back, relax and reminisce. Totally enjoyed this.

All the Heep you need?!.......2006-05-04

I love progressive rock, in fact I love guitar driven rock in general. This cd encompasses all of those quality's and more.

Uriah Heep is a band that is both worshiped by some and much maligned by others. They were indeed a unique band with a interesting style back then. Their sound is very 70's for obvious reasons, yet they seem to have been able to expand that sound somewhat with their vision as far as song writing goes. The tunes are all very good and even refreshing some 40 (give or take a few) years later. I just love the sound of those old Hammond organs, nothing sounds like that even with all the new technology today. The texture and good quality tracks that make great Prog rock are all here. It's classic stuff that deserves better treatment by the vast majority of critics.

For the casual Heep fan like myself, it's all the Heep you'll need. Diehard Heep fans probably have most if not all of what this set has to offer, although the liner notes are very cool. I guess in some ways, that alone might be worth picking it up for those who already own their entire cd catalog. It's just an interesting read.

So for those of you looking for a trip back in time by one of musics most misunderstood bands, here you go!

These guys are good.......2006-02-07

I had forgotten how good the Byron era was. This is as good as any enterprising music anywhere anytime, even approaching nearly 40 years later. This overview of the Heep's first era is great value but now that I've remembered how good they were, I'm sort of sorry I haven't investigated some of those early albums instead. What about those critics? "If this band makes it, I'll have to ........." Whatever happened to him? Did he do it? I still haven't heard one song done by any critic.