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URIAH HEEP – Wonderworld (1974)

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Wonderworld was URIAH HEEP”s seventh studio album, released in 1974.. it was the band’s 4th (and last) one featuring the “classic line up” (Mick Box, David Byron, Ken Hensley, Gary Thain, Lee Kerslake) as Gary Thain would be let go before the next one (and tragically passed away not too long after that). Wonderworld was also the band’s 2nd album for Warner Bros in North America, which likely meant big things were expected following Sweet Freedom. I am probably (and presumably) one of the many who thinks this album is full of classic Heep tracks but due to its sound – find it hard to take regularly..

Wonderworld was the 2nd Heep.album to be recorded outside of the UK, this time in Munich, Germany, and again for tax reasons. The band used German engineers Hans Menzel and Reinhold Mack (better known for working on a number of Queen and ELO albums). Some band members would later cite that the recording abroad caused a lot of the friction and less than stellar outcome.

Many songs were based around Hensley’s dreams, as the title “Wonderworld” referred to. The album’s cover art would feature the band posed as statues, a cover designed by Graham Hughes (cousin to The Who’s Roger Daltrey, and who had designed a number of Who album covers). I actually liked this cover, though Hensley, in particular did not. Asked about album covers, he once stated “I particularly dislike Wonderworld and Conquest, but nowhere near as much as I hate Toe Fat 1“. Some years ago when Ken was being acknowledged with a new statue of himself, I responded on social media if he would be re-enacting his Wonderworld pose, to which he responded in capital letters that NO, he would not be. Mick Box, who misread things, did not send in shoes for the shoot, so he is the only member barefoot on the cover.

More so than Sweet Freedom, Wonderworld saw Heep producing shorter tunes, ditching the lengthy epics, but still offering up quite a variation of tunes. The album opened with the title track, featuring a grand intro from Hensley, coming down to a soft piano before David Byron’s vocals come in softly. A near ballad that soars up and down between the verses to chorus and back, and an underrated classic in the band’s catalogue. Side one also contained 2 rockers, the classic “Suicidal Man” and “So Tired”. “Suicidal Man”, a favorite, would return to the live set in 1980, when longtime Heep fan John Sloman joined, and recommended it to be included. “So Tired” perhaps reflected the band’s state at the time, having such a non-stop recording-touring schedule at the time. It reappeared in the band’s live set in the early 2000s. The first side also includes the fan favorite “Shadows And The Wind”, which starts out soft and builds up, with the Heep choir adding a unique arrangement towards the end. “The Easy Road” ends side 1; this piano based ballad featured strings arranged by Mike Gibbs. It’s interesting (to me) that this type of ballad pre-Kiss’ huge hit “Beth”, which came a year later, and that it was never issued as a single! It did feature in the band’s live set at the time, and has been brought back periodically over the last few decades.

Side 2 opens with upbeat rocker And single, “Something Or Nothing” This is one of my favorite songs here, and a shame it doesn’t get more attention. The band adds some slower blues rock, with the guitar heavy “I Won’t Mind”; this one may have been better geared to the live show, featuring multiple guitar solos, but it kinda falls short in being an epic here. The album’s last 2 tracks are again something different in “We Got We”, and somewhat eerie (musically) closing track “Dreams”. The latter, again, was a chance where the band might’ve expanded this into something greater, like most closing tracks that came before, but instead it just ends with vocal lines mixed in from the track “Dreamer” (from the previous album), before grinding to a halt. All seeming a bit rushed, But not bad.

The single “Something For Nothing” was backed with the non-LP “What Can I Do”, a decent cut, that could’ve easily substituted for a few album cuts. The band’s 25th Anniversary box set Time Of Revelation, also included 2 outtakes from these sessions, the excellent acoustic track “Stones Throw”, as well as “Love, Hate, and Fear”, which sounds somewhat unfinished.

Despite a big promotional campaign and world tour, Wonderworld was seen as a disappointment to many fans, and is still a controversial album for some, due to the drop in sales, the aftermath of the album. It may not sit top 10 with many Heep fans (does it?), but it was the last Uriah Heep album to chart on the Billboard’s top 40 albums (only Return To Fantasy and Abominog would break the top 100). Wonderworld did reach the top 10 in a number of European countries, and #31 in Canada. It also made fans and influenced the likes of A-HA’s Morten Harket, and German guitarist/songwriter Axel Rudi Pell. The band were featured on US TV, filmed live at Shepperton studios (which was later transferred to being a live album release). Live At Shepperton featured a number of tracks from Wonderworld. A shame there was no 2nd single from this album, as the band went on break following the electric shock suffered by Gary Thain in Dallas on the Wonderworld tour, followed by his firing. But 1975 would become another very busy year for the band, between a line up change, new album, and solo projects.

Wonderworld is being reissued (again) as part of the 5-disc box The Shadow And The Wind – 1973-1974, in November.

WONDERWORLD – Uriah Heep – Warner Bros. W 2800
Always in demand as a top concert draw, Uriah Heep has proven over the past few years that it is indeed a viable’ recording act as well. With several Gold disks behind them, the fellows in Uriah Heep have reached a plateau of success that gets brighter and brighter with each new piece of work. Certainly this LP with its accent on strong bass and lead guitar riffs (not to mention Davey Byron’s vocals) will attract even more devotees to the Heep fold. Best cuts off this stunner are “The Easy Road,’ “Something Or Nothing,- and the mind boggling title track. (CashBox, 29-06-74)

URIAH HEEP-Warner Bros. WB 7836
SOMETHING OR NOTHING (prod. by Gerry Bron/
Bronze) (WB, ASCAP)
From their “Wonderworld” of hard rock, the group’s strongest single effort since switching labels. Gutsy get -down still leaves room for quite a catchy melody riff. (Record World, 1974-08-03)

Uriah Heep/WONDERWORLD/Warner Bros. ( Past Uriah work
has included some decent writing. Their power wasn’t excessive because of the substance. Here the power is empty as it drives too many songs with no reason to exist. Flabby.) (Walrus, 07-10-74)

Uriah Heep – Wonderworld

URIAH HEEP – new release compiles their 1973 – 74 period

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HNE (Cherry Red) is releasing a 5 CD box compiling URIAH HEEP’s studio and live recordings starting with the classic Live…January 1973 through to the live recordings from the Wonderworld tour. Not sure if there’s anything here that hasn’t been released before, but it seems likes an interesting collection. A busy period for Heep, featuring what most hail as the ‘classic line up’. Coming out November 28. *Track-listing below. Pre-order link at the end.

Following hot on the heels of Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath, British hard rock legends Uriah Heep released their debut album in June 1970. Featuring David Byron on lead vocals, Mick Box on lead guitar and Ken Hensley on keyboards, ‘Very ‘Eavy Very ‘Umble’ is quite rightly regarded as a major influence on the development of hard rock and heavy metal. 1970 was the centenary of Charles Dickens’ death, and having originally been called Spice, they switched to the more Dickensian Uriah Heep when Hensley joined their ranks after spells in The Gods and Toe Fat before recording their debut.

Like their hard rocking contemporaries of the 1970s, it was live on stage where Uriah Heep truly shone, and no self-respecting rock or metal band of the era could be without a classic double live album, and ‘Uriah Heep Live’ (CD1) is no exception. Recorded at Birmingham Town Hall in January 1973, and released three months later, it delivered their third gold record in a row in the States, it remains a testament to the classic line-up of Box/Hensley/Byron/Kerslake/Thain.

Back in the days when bands were expected to be prolific enough to release two new albums a year, Uriah Heep released their sixth studio album ‘Sweet Freedom’ (CD3) in 1973, by which time they had been joined by drummer Lee Kerslake (Ozzy Osbourne) and bassist Gary Thain, which many see as the most enduring line-up of the band. The album saw Ken Hensley develop as a songwriter, with the music a blend of proto heavy metal and progressive rock, consolidating their growing popularity at home as well as the all important US market. ‘Sweet Freedom’ was followed by ‘Wonderworld’ (CD4) in June 1974, with the hard rock attack of Mick Box’s guitar, alloyed to Ken Hensley’s keyboards and David Byron’s operatic vocal approach making the band a formative influence on bands such as Queen. With a significant dent in the charts on both sides of the Atlantic, ‘Wonderworld’ featured the single ‘Something Or Nothing’, but was the last studio album to feature bass guitarist Gary Thain.

It was the classic Box/Hensley/Byron/Kerslake/Thain line-up that would record ‘Live at Shepperton ’74′ (CD5) the same year. Issued in bootleg style artwork, the album wasn’t given an official release until 1986, and captures the band in a more intimate setting in front of a much smaller, invited audience. CD2 was originally released as part of a deluxe version of ‘Live 1973’ and features the band in 1974 with a US Radio show session, and with film mixes from the Shepperton show and on an extended ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Medley’.

Uriah Heep continued to tour and release new albums until the present day. In 2025 they launched their farewell tour, celebrating 55 years of music. The package includes liner notes based on new interviews with founder member, Mick Box.

DISC ONE

URIAH HEEP LIVE 1973

1  Sunrise

2  Sweet Lorraine

3  Traveller In Time

4  Easy Livin’

5 July Morning

6  Tears In My Eyes

7  Gypsy

8  Circle Of Hands

9  Look At Yourself

10  Magician’s Birthday

11  Love Machine Rock ‘N’ Roll Medley

12  Roll Over Beethoven

13  Blue Suede Shoes

14  Mean Woman Blues

15  Hound Dog

16  At The Hop

17  Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On

18  Blue Suede Shoes

DISC TWO

U.S. RADIO SHOW 1974

1  Something Or Nothing

2  I Won’t Mind

3  Look At Yourself

4  Gypsy

FILM MIXES USED FOR RADIO

5  Easy Livin’

6  So Tired

7  I Won’t Mind

8  Something Or Nothing

9  The Easy Road

10  Stealin’

11  Love Machine

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL MEDLEY ’74

12  Roll Over Beethoven

13  Blue Suede Shoes

14  Mean Woman Blues

15  Hound Dog

16  At The Hop

17  Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On

18  Blue Suede Shoes

DISC THREE

SWEET FREEDOM (1973)

1  Dreamer

2  Stealin’

3  One Day

4  Sweet Freedom

5  If I Had the Time

6  Seven Stars

7  Circus

8  Pilgrim

Bonus Tracks

9  Sunshine

10  Seven Stars (Extended Version)

11  Pilgrim – Extended Version (Previously Unreleased)

12  If I Had the Time (Demo)

13  Sweet Freedom (Alternative Live Version) 14 Stealin’ (Alternative Live Version)

DISC FOUR

WONDERWORLD (1974)

1  Wonderworld

2  Suicidal Man

3  The Shadows and The Wind

4  So Tired

5  The Easy Road

6  Something Or Nothing

7  I Won’t Mind

8  We Got We

9  Dreams

Bonus Tracks

10  What Can I Do

11  Love, Hate and Fear (Previously Unreleased Version)

12  Stone’s Throw (Previously Unreleased Version)

13  Dreams (Extended Version)

14  I Won’t Mind (Live Version)

15  So Tired (Live Version)

DISC FIVE

LIVE AT SHEPPERTON ’74

1  Easy Livin’

2  So Tired

3  I Won’t Mind

4  Sweet Freedom

5  Something Or Nothing

6 The Easy Road

7  Stealin’

8  Love Machine

9  Rock ‘N’ Roll Medley

10  Roll Over Beethoven

11  Blue Suede Shoes

12  Hound Dog

13  At The Hop

14  Blue Suede Shoes

Bonus Tracks

15  The Easy Road

16  Sleazy (Easy Livin’)

17  Easy Livin’

https://www.cherryred.co.uk/uriah-heep-the-shadow-and-the-wind-1973-1974-5cd-box-set

The Story Behind The Album Cover: The BYRON BAND ‘On The Rocks’, with LON GODDARD

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American artist LON GODDARD drew a number of album covers in the 70s and 80s,, one of which was the lone LP by the BYRON BAND ‘On The Rocks’, from 1981. this was the band lead by original URIAH HEEP singer David Byron (RIP) and featured a young guitarist and co-writer – Robin George (RIP), as well as former BADFINGER keyboard player Bob Jackson, bassist Roger Flavell (ex CHRISTIE), drummer John Shearer (Steve Hackett), and (sax player) Mel Collins . The album’s cover features a drawing of David, and came with a posted that featured a drawing of the band. On The Rocks didn’t fare so well, nor was it given a North American release. It is much loved by many fans of David Byron and robin George, however. The album has most recently been reissued as ‘On The Rocks…Again‘ via Cherry Red Records, as part of a 3 CD package, and featuring Goddard’s artwork again. Below Lon Goddard details his early days relocating to England, creating album covers, working at the record Mirror, and designing the Byron Band album cover.

How did you get in to a career as an illustrator and wind up in the UK for a good part of your career (Influences, jobs that took you there….)

• Left States at 17 in 1966, with a guitar on a whim, to accompany high school pal who had arranged a Drama course at Manchester University as a visiting student, intended to remain only for that summer and search for Donovan records. His music primarily inspired me to learn folk finger-picking Met him several times much later). Also enrolled in Manchester University studying English & American Literature. We hopped over to Paris for a month before school opening, as pal had been an exchange student and maintained friends in France.

Returning, became bored with University and hitched to London, went to address of Roy Harper, given to me by busker in Paris who said Harper put people up. He was right. Stayed, became friends with Roy, who first took me to Cousins, drew SOPHISTICATED BEGGAR art (always fair at cartoon caricature, via posters, helped many high school candidates achieve student offices) and played 2nd guitar on OCTOBER 12th and GOLDFISH. Picked up by Judith Piepe (who had helped Paul Simon kick-start) at Cousins, dossed at her Shadwell flat, but though she was very helpful, disagreed with her suggested plans for me to run a new folk club being started by a gay priest in St Martin’s In the Crypt. Instead, saw Melody Maker had cartoonist (the great Scots artist Jimmy Thompson, whom I later met) and took caricatures round to NME, RM, FAB 208, etc.. Record Mirror’s Peter Jones hired me as weekly cartoonist, followed by staff position as layout man (mentored by Norman Jopling), then became staff writer. With art examples, Peter and Norman accompanied me to the Home Office, where I was granted permanent Residency in UK. Denied dual citizenship by USA.

After 7-years, left RM in ’72 after being recommended for CBS Press Office by departing PR Mike O’Mahoney. From ’66 through to ’77, was RM staffer, Head of Press for CBS Records, editor of DISC, Head of Press
for Phonogram Records.

When heady days of pop music began to wane, took previous cartoons round to art agents and was accepted by Andrew Archer Associates, becoming a commercial illustrator. Left Archer’s for Folio Artists & Illustrators Agents, remained there till stupidly emigrating to Aussie in ’83. After a year Down Under and failed attempts at residency, wondered where the Hell I was, returned to USA. Had been gone 25-years.

You worked at Record Mirror for some years. What all did that entail?

• Interviewing music artists, drawing artists, laying out pages, babying weekly paper through printers in Banbury, attending endless stream of concerts domestic and abroad, receptions, gatherings, etc.. An endless
party.

How to you come to the task of creating the cover art for The Byron Band LP in 1981? (Connections at Creole, David Byron, etc…).

• Interviewed Byron for RM. He asked me to do the ROCKS cover art.

I still have the LP. Frankly, I thought it was a pretty good concept done very crudely by me.

Were you familiar with and/or have any past assignments involving David Byron (with Uriah Heep)?

• Only through RM interviews.

How did you approach the cover for On The Rocks? Was there any/much input from David, the band or management? Any inspirations?

• Figured ON THE ROCKS suggested ice, so submitted the idea of ‘freezing’ the band. Byron liked it. Sketched ideas, he watched and had input as ideas became visible. We set up a studio photo shoot (probablywith either John McKenzie or Alan Messer (from official RM photographer Dezo Hoffmann’s office), posed band in required positions, created airbrush illustrations at home art studio in St. Margarets.

Were you privy to hear the music ahead of time or hang with the band members while creating the cover-art or was it more so done with the help of photos to go from?

• Yes. In many cases, including this one, audio previews provided valuable mental pictures & ideas. However, as a music journalist, I had also accumulated extensive knowledge of most bands and singers, plus a giant record collection.

What exactly is happening on the front cover (with David appearing to punch through glass)?

• Busting through a freezer chamber window with his fist.

What was your art technique in creating the covers + poster (how was this all put on to canvas or paper?)

• Referenced metallic textures, sketched metal sections to LP size enlarged for later reduction to achieve finer detail; best to always work larger), posed band and Byron in photog’s studio, at home utilized projector to size photos of Byron & band into sketches on illustrator art board, rendered with inks by hand brush and airbrush.

Recall the poster that was included?

Yes indeed, the centerfold. The idea was to put them on ice. I was not good enough at airbrushing to achieve that effect.

You’ve done a number of other covers. What would be your favorite or most recognizable covers? (Roy Harper, Hoyt Axton, Hard Meat, Musical Youth)

• Roy’s was the most memorable, becoming surprisingly iconic. I’m very proud of its place in history and it was his first. Getting a deal with a small company (Strike Records), he had asked me to draw him for the cover, having seen other sketches. Rendered on paper on his floor, where I slept with four or five other dossers, I was lucky he was pleased with it. Also did art for releases by The Dubliners, Cat Stevens, The Coasters, Killing Joke (second favorite)… maybe more.

Aside from the album covers, what else has your career entailed, and what are you up to these days?

• As a professional illustrator, I worked mostly for advertising agencies, through my agents FOLIO. Usually given a brief, the pay amount and a schedule, I turned out a great deal of work over those years. I was represented at Folio (still in business) by Richard (Dick) Jordan, with whom I am still in touch and saw only last year in Wales. Dick and I both moved from Andrew Archer to Folio and remained there for many years. He was also the manager and booker for Klook’s Kleek, so Dick had a strong musical background

These days, at age 77, I am a musician. Turned full circle from listening to folk records back in my hometown of Elk Grove, Californi(just south of Sacramento) and trying to figure out how they did finger-picking, to finally putting that ability to use. I have about a dozen gigs per month as a guitarist/vocalist.

https://youtube.com/@longoddard7422?si=R6IY5jizIu9VYms3

URIAH HEEP – Top 10 album openers

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Well, another Heep list… My list of their best album opening cuts, ranked 1-11. These picks aren’t all necessarily from my favorite Heep albums, but those opening songs that are best representative of the album they’re from, and made the most impact to grab your attention. Feel free to disagree and put your own picks in the comments!

1 – Gypsy

The first song on Uriah Heep‘s first album, with that riff and Hammond organ. “Gypsy” is one of Heep’s most memorable tunes and set the tone for some of what was to come in the early days. Still a live favorite. This started it all!

2 – Sunrise

From The Magician’s Birthday. I love the gentle build up before the band and vocals come in, like a huge alarm. Imagine listening to the intro to this for the first time and not knowing what to expect!? It’s a ballad with a heavy dose of Heepy sound making this so intense.

3 – Too Scared To Run

After so many changes the band returned in ’82 with a new line-up, and an album – Abominog. This song kicked off the album and ’80s comeback. Penned by new singer Peter Goalby it’s one of the biggest and most memorable riffs in the Heep catalogue. This song really screams that the band is back. A fan favorite, and one from this era that still gets performed live. Such a ‘metal’ sounding riff, I can’t believe more modern metal bands haven’t covered this one!

4 – One Way Or Another

Opening 1976’s High And Mighty, which would be the last with David Byron, but surprisingly it’s sang by John Wetton (who also left after this album). It’s got a great opening riff and organ, sounding fresh and energetic. Just a great song. A shame it wasn’t given a global single release and promoted.

5 – Against The Odds

After a string of so-so albums and a bit of a break, Heep returned in 1995 with Sea of Light , which is lead by this killer tune. Another huge riff from Mick Box, and dynamite solos… one of the best tracks from the Bernie Shaw era. Fair to say I usually pick the lead-off track as my favorite on a number of Heep albums.

6 – Speed Of Sound

From 2014’s Outsider (hmm, cool name for a website!). Starting with Hammond organ, and as the organ comes up in volume the guitar and drums kick in before Phil Lanzon’s organ riff takes over. An uplifting tune a shame it didn’t get more attention. Followed nicely by the single “One Minute”.

7 – The Wizard

This acoustic based favorite was a very different start to the band’s classic Demons and Wizards album, a unique way to start an album back then (see also Golden Earring’s “Silver Ships”). The song is pure fantasy Heep from the start, and kicks off their biggest period.

8 – No Return

The lone album with John Sloman, and I love the start of this song and album right away. One of 2 songs penned (but not credited to) the new singer. I like the quiet built up intro, and although it’s not crushingly heavy, this is a very good song, my favorite from Conquest. Would have made a better first single as well, IMO.

9 – Bird Of Prey

From Salisbury (everywhere but North America where the album opened with “High Priestess”). Another trademark Heep classic with that powerful opening and high harmonies. This one kept up the weight and energy of “Gyspy”.

10 – Between Two Worlds

And my favorite track from Heep’s post-’90s era. Love the spooky keyboard intro , and the band coming in to a rockin’ and catchy classic Heep tune. Much like “Against The Odds”, it’s heavy on the guitar and hammond organ, with fantastic solos from Mick Box (love the lengthy outro after the last lyrics), and one of Bernie Shaw’s best vocals on a song with some cool story to it. I really liked Sonic Origami, but nothing else on the album comes close to this killer track.

11 – The Hanging Tree

And here I am at #11… A great start to the band’s first of 3 with John Lawton singing. A memorable little keyboard intro before the drums and rest of the band kick in. Not sure how Heep fans heard this at the time, but as a later Heep fan, I think Lawton did an excellent job at selling the new-look Heep right off the bat with his voice on Firefly. Ken Hensley would re-write and re-record this for his last album as “Right Here, Right Now”. It is worth noting that in Canada and the USA this song kicked off side 2, and the album started with “Been Away Too Long”. The Fallen Angel album also featured different opening cuts from various territories.

DANIEL BOONE – RIP British musician/songwriter

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British musician/singer/songwriter and producer Peter Green (best known as Daniel Boone) passed away January 27, in Paignton Devon, UK. Boone was best known for his 1972 international hit single “Beautiful Sunday”.

Born Peter Charles Green on July 31, 1942, the singer had a lengthy career dating back to the early ’60s with such bands as The Beachcombers and The Bruisers. He soon started using the name Lee Stirling, then Peter Lee Stirling, and recorded a number of singles under that name. Some of his songs were recorded by other artists during the ’60s as well.

In 1971 Green adopted the name Daniel Boone and recorded a number of albums, and having other such hits as “Annabelle” and “Sunshine Lover”. He’d also recorded for Avenue Records (cover versions), Bell Records (singles), and recorded rock albums with studio bands Rumplestilskin and Hungry Wolf.

Boone also had a working relationship with David Byron (Uriah Heep), and co-wrote and produced Byron’s 1978 solo album Baby Faced Killer. The pair also worked on a number of disco/dance releases under such names as Warlord, The Intergalactic Orchestra, and Technique – who scored a hit with “Michael Angelo”. During this time at Old Smithy Studios with Muff Murfin, Byron wrote under the alias Mark Oxford, while bass player Pino Palladino (uncredited) was also involved. Boone ended the ’70s with his 1979 solo album All My Own Work (a Canada only release).

In the ’80s, as Boone, he released a solo album in 1985 – I’m Only Looking, and played on Peter Green’s (ex Fleetwood Mac) 1983 album Kolors. He also co-wrote 2 tracks that appeared on the first Byron Band single, as well as co-wrote and appeared on releases by guitarist Robin George. In the ’90s he recorded with The Troggs. There are a few clips on youtube of him appearing on TV in Europe performing “Beautiful Sunday”.

LINKS:

http://www.brumbeat.net/bruisers.htm

http://www.davidbyron.net/

https://www.discogs.com/artist/1522711-Peter-Green-10

http://www.rtlmusic.co.uk/danielboone.html

http://www.california-ballroom.info/bands/peter-lee-stirling.htm

GALLERY:

URIAH HEEP – Demons & Wizards at 50 Years

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Demons & Wizards was Uriah Heep’s 4th studio album. A few days ago the album turned 50 years old. It was the follow up to Look At Yourself, an album which saw the band solidify a heavy hard-rock direction, and featured classics like “Love Machine”, the title track, and the epic “July Morning” – the latter 2 would remain in the band’s set list almost permanently, and the album has been argued as the band’s best by some critics & fans, but it did not have the commercial success that Demons And Wizards would. In the time after Look At Yourself the band went through more personnel changes, first dropping founding member / bass player Paul Newton. Newton was a key figure in the band’s formation and early days, as he had played with The Gods – which featured Ken Hensley and Lee Kerslake before moving on to Spice – which would become Uriah Heep with the addition of Ken Hensley, upon Newton’s recommendation. Newton was initially replaced by Colosseum bassist Mark Clarke, a friend of Hensley’s. Iain Clark, who was the band’s 4th drummer and played on Look At Yourself, left the band soon after Newton, and Lee Kerslake joined. With Clarke on bass the band recorded 2 tracks for a single release – “The Wizard” and “Why”. The latter had been around for some time, as the band had recorded it previously, much longer as “Why -14 Minutes?”, and it would never find a place on a Heep LP, but would become perhaps the band’s most popular non-album track. Clarke would also get a co-writing credit on “The Wizard”, with Hensley. The song featured acoustic guitar, the band’s harmonies, a mystical tale, and the whistle of a tea kettle! The idea to record the tea kettle was spontaneous in the studio and it fitted in perfectly. Clarke also sang the bridge in the song that was better suited to him than David Byron. Released in March “The Wizard” would chart in a few countries, a minor hit in Canada (#86), a top 40 hit in Germany, and a top 10 hit in Switzerland – where the band had previously had a top 10 hit with the single “Look At Yourself”.

Before the album would be completed though Clarke left the band while on US tour, with Gary Thain (ex Keef Hartley) brought in to replace him. “The Wizard” also became the first track on the album, an interesting way to start an album that would go on to be much heavier. (An interesting comparison is Golden Earring’s 1971 album Seven Tears, which begins with the acoustic track “Silver Ships”, as well as a unique lyrical subject). Side one would also contain “Traveler In Time”, and “Poet’s Justice” – the first featured in the band’s live show at the time, while the latter is one of the band’s great album tracks, rarely mentioned, and not featured on the Live ’73 album – just a classic tune, and and stellar performance from Kerslake – who would receive a co-writing credit on both of these tunes. “Circle Of Hands” is the track that had me going back to carefully drop the needle on that Ken Hensley organ intro, and listen through to the end with the David Byron’s vocal and Hensley’s slide guitar that plays out to the end. It is the Heep song that had me as an immediate fan, and remains my favorite Heep track. The band did a remarkable live performance of it on their Live ’73 album, and have occasionally revisited it in the live set since 1994, as it appeared on Spellbinder (Live in Koln) . “Easy Livin'” was the third track on Demons And Wizards, and the album’s 2nd single. It was short and full of energy, with that Hammond organ throughout with Mick Box’s fuzzy guitar tone. And again it’s full of harmonies, a great vocal from Byron, and the rhythm section of Kerslake and Gary Thain drove this one home. Kind of a cool follow up to the track “Look At Yourself” musically. It would be the band’s first (and only) top 40 hit in the US at #39, while in Canada it peaked at #25, and as put by one former Heep PR person “opened all doors” for them. It is among the most covered Heep classics, and is the band’s best known song globally, one of the few that still receives radio play on FM classic rock radio, and has rarely never been featured in the band’s live show.

Side 2 opened with “Rainbow Demon”, another song featuring a tale of fantasy, though darker and heavier than “The Wizard”, it was (obviously) the track used for part of the album’s name. This one has occasionally crept in to the band’s live set over the last decade or so, as well. “All My Life” was the album’s other short and furious rocker, featuring plenty of slide guitar (via Ken Hensley). A Box/Byron/Kerslake credited track that was, in many countries, used as the B-side to “Easy Livin”. Admittedly, this was the last song on the album that I really got in to. The album closes with the epic combo of “Paradise / The Spell”, 2 different tracks that are edited to blend together, and fit well, clocking in at over 12 minutes. While “Paradise” is an acoustic ballad, the weight and pace pick up as the it blends in to “The Spell”, a more upbeat saga of good vs evil with Byron and Hensley trading off vocal lines. Lots of changes throughout, a fantastic production. A shame this one was never performed in full during at the time it came out.

From RPM (Canada) – A surprisingly sophisticated set of uniquely produced avant garde rock. The group has matured considerably and this album is easily the high point of their careers. Listen particularly to “The Wizard” and “All My Life”. This one should do it for them.

Demons And Wizards would be the first of a pair of Heep’s classic albums to feature the artwork of Roger Dean, who was quickly becoming famous during the era having done album art for bands such as The Gun, Atomic Rooster, Lighthouse, Osibisa, and Yes by this point. The album made the charts in numerous countries – top 10 (#1 in Finland, #5 in Germany and Norway), top 20 (Australia, UK) … in the US it would be the band’s most successful, making it to #23 there and #22 in Canada, the band’s first to go ‘Gold’, With Heep’s hectic schedule at the time the band were on the road much of the rest of the year, breaking to record and release a follow up within 6 months! The Magician’s Birthday came out, rushed before the end of the year, and although the 2 albums are often seen as a classic pair for their fantasy themes, Roger Dean covers, and legendary tracks, the latter would not be as successful, nor would it contain that global hit single as Heep had with “Easy Livin”. But another awesome album to look at in the future.

The 50th Anniversary of the Heep’s most successful and famous album seems to have gone by without a huge deal , due largely to the pandemic that pushed back the band’s 50th anniversary tour from 2020. There was a limited edition picture disc LP release, but heck I would’ve loved to have seen a box set (ala Led Zeppelin style) marking such an iconic album. But the year is far from over, the band is touring, and have a brand new album recorded in the can, and there’s a few more classic Heep albums coming up over the next year that will deserve celebrating as well.

RIP: David Byron, Gary Thain, Ken Hensley, Lee Kerslake.

http://tralfaz-archives.com/coverart/U/U_Heep_wizard.html

https://www.discogs.com/artist/254059-Uriah-Heep

URIAH HEEP ANNOUNCE LIMITED EDITION VINYL RE-ISSUES – DETAILS HERE…

https://www.popsike.com/Uriah-Heep-Demons-And-Wizards-LP-180-Gram-2018-Reimagined-artwork/382724670780.html

Cover Star: Roger Dean Interview

URIAH HEEP – A Look At High and Mighty

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Among the Heep faithful there are 3 albums that tend to stir up the most controversy and conversation, and often one of them is cited as the band’s ‘worst’ album by many fans or rock historians. I’ve already written previously my support for Conquest and for Equator, both albums that land at the bottom of any Heep album ranking, and the 3rd in that trilogy would be 1976’s High and Mighty – the last to feature original singer & founding member David Byron. Frankly, none of these 3 land in the bottom 3 for me, in particular High and Mighty, an album I rank in the top half of the band’s catalogue.

High and Mighty came at the end of a very busy period for the band. In ’75 – the band had changed bass players, adding John Wetton in place of Gary Thain, who had been fired, and the band got down to releasing Return To Fantasy in the summer of ’75. Ken Hensley also had his 2nd solo album Eager To Please released not too far off from that. A huge world tour followed the release of that Heep album, followed by David Byron’s solo album Take No Prisoners, and a Best of Uriah Heep issued in most markets (except for North America). So, to say High and Mighty might’ve been rushed soon after is more than likely. Despite Return To Fantasy being a huge success in the UK, the band’s last few albums were selling less in North America, and with this perhaps was the motivation to ‘fire’ Gerry Bron as the new album’s producer and produce it themselves. But, where as RTF had many more band co-writes and member contributions, High and Mighty would consist of entirely Ken Hensley penned tracks, with Wetton getting 2 co-writes. Ken has stated in the past the album felt more like a solo album, and both he and Wetton noted that not much of the band were around at the time, leaving the 2 of them to take on most of the production, aided by engineer Ashley Howe.

John Wetton’s presence is felt immediately on the opening track “One Way Or Another”, in which he takes the lead vocal. A fantastic beginning to this album with the opening guitar riff coming in with a fresh new strong sound, before Wetton’s bass, then drums and organ join in. This is a standout track, and a shame it never got a proper single release. There would be no global single from this album, with this song being issued in the UK (limited), and nothing in North America. David Byron was apparently off with chicken pox at the time of recording this track, so that was the reason given for Wetton’s lead vocal. John recalled in an interview that when David did come back he went in to sing the song, part way through stopped, saying that it was fine the way it was. “Weep In Silence”, a heavy guitar driven ballad, with Hensley’s distinct guitar sound throughout and a great vocal from Byron remains a fan favorite from this album, though it was never played live. “Misty Eyes” starts out gently with Byron singing the opening lines alone before the band comes in softly with acoustic guitar, organ and drums. A good lighter pop song that would’ve made a catchy single, IMO. The first side ends with “Midnight”, the longest track on the album, and most progressive,. An often overlooked epic in the band’s catalogue, and although Wetton didn’t get a co-write on this Or on “One Way Or Another”, his performances (bass, guitar, keyboards, vocals or backing vocals) make these 2 tracks his greatest contributions to his time with the band.

Side 2 opens with the anthem “Can’t Keep A Good Band Down”, a response and dig at the band’s critics. A good upbeat rocker that would’ve (again) made for a fine single. A shame the song would never feature in the band’s live show back then or ever. Next up was the pop-rock of “Woman Of The World”; a good tune, tho’ a bit on the lighter side. Might’ve made a decent single, but like a number of tracks here it lacks an extended solo or something unique as the song merely fades out quickly after the last chorus. “Woman Of The World” would include the band’s message to Bron in the harmonies – You can stick this contract up your flue “Footprints In The Snow” is a favorite of mine on this album, co-credited to Wetton. Love the mix of acoustic and electric guitars organ, and harmonies. An underrated classic from the Byron era, IMO. From here, despite how much I love this album, I can see how critics might disagree with my enthusiasm, as the next 3 tracks drop off a bit, especially the funky keyboardy “I Can’t Stop Singing”. I never ‘got’ this song, and listening to it now, I still don’t. . tho’ it’s not bad, and David sounds convincing on the verses, but the chorus… meh…. “Make A Little Love” is a guitar blues n boogie number, featuring slide guitar. Sounds like it could’ve been a good old school jam rocker, but it ends too early, like a few tracks here, sounding rushed . This one did make it in to the live set on the High & Mighty tour, but like the rest of the album was never played again (aside from Ken resurrecting a track live with John Wetton). The album ends on a high note, but a sad one with “Confession”, with David delivering an apologetic lyric on Ken’s piano ballad. It’s an excellent, moving ballad that sits behind the band’s previous ballads “Rain” and “The Easy Road”. A shame it ends so soon.

In 1995 I interviewed John Wetton and he recalled no leftover tracks being recorded, but sure enough 2 outtakes would eventually be released. “Sunshine”, a good upbeat number; love Lee Kerslake’s intro and playing here. The other cut is the guitar heavy “Name Of The Game”. This song appeared in another version on Ken Hensley’s From Time To Time album in ’94 (an album of solo outtakes and demos), as Ken had recorded the track in the late ’70s with members of Bad Company. A great heavy riff to open this song, fantastic delivery from David and slide guitar from Ken. To me, this sounds like it wasn’t totally completed or mixed well enough, hence it’s lack of inclusion on the album, but a crying shame this wasn’t totally finished and cleaned up and included – could’ve made for a very different outcome of an album that is often brushed off as “lightweight”.

High and Mighty received a huge press bash at the time in Switzerland, where James Bond was filmed. But after that the album dropped – with no worldwide single, and little push. As the band toured the US before it’s release – with no single on the radio or record in the shops, High and Mighty was kinda doomed. The tour saw Ken Hensley leave the band and return, and David Byron fired at the end of the European tour. John Wetton had already made up his mind due to the internal conflict, and and left as well. Many fans wrote the band off after David Byron was dismissed, and the band’s profile and album sales would continue to sink in North America.

But really, I kinda love this album. I realize it may be seen as lightweight or too much of a Ken Hensley solo project by many old Heep fans, but to me it had a new fresh approach and sound following Return To Fantasy and Wonderworld. The band experimented, did something new, and High and Mighty offered up a number of tracks that would’ve made fine singles. With John Wetton having a major hand in it, it sounded much more modern in tune with UK nd Asia, and a forward step from the band’s previous albums. Heck, I even think the album cover art is pretty cool!

KJ, 02/’22