howard-leese | Outsider Rock

HEAVEN And EARTH is the band lead by British born guitarist/ songwriter Stuart Smith, with the band name taken from Smith’s 1998 solo album. As of 2021, Heaven And Earth released 5 albums (including Smith’s debut), as well as a mini-album of new and previously released songs. In his younger years Smith played in a band (in England) named ‘Stallion’, who made some recordings (unreleased). He also became a friend to Ritchie Blackmore, who Smith learned from as a player. Needless to say if you’re a fan of Deep Purple and Rainbow, Heaven And Earth fits in that class, and is highly recommended . And like Blackmore, Stuart Smith’s band would. Change line ups from album to album, always featuring great players and singers.

From the time of the first album I interviewed Stuart then, and as well for the the next few after. I’ll try and add these links below. Choosing just 10 songs was a tough task, for this sort of retrospective of Heaven And Earth. The band has been put on pause since the last album, while Smith is working on other (non recording) projects, but here’s hoping we’ll hear more from the band (in some version) in the future.

Heaven And Earth

Way back around 1999, this debut solo CD from Stuart Smith was sent to me. I had no idea who he was at the time, but going through the album’s credits and seeing names like Glenn Hughes, Richie Sambora, Joe Lynn Turner, Chuck Wright, Carmine Appice and even Kelly Hansen (yes, I had the Hurricane albums!), I thought this might be good! And I wasn’t disappointed. A number of excellent songs and performances here, but it’s the album’s title track that I liked the most, and I think best represents the album. This one, sang by Joe Lynn Turner is kind of a power ballad,; reminds me of something that might have suited Deep Purple’s Slaves and Masters. Later editions of this CD (as Heaven And Earth, featuring Stuart Smith) included a number of bonus tracks.

Prisoner

I believe Kelly Hansen was intended to be the H & E singer after Stuart’s solo album, but when Hansen got the opportunity to join Mick Jones’ new version of Foreigner, Smith had to find someone else. So, new singer on 2000’s Windows To The World was Kelly Keeling (ex Baton Rouge, Blue Murder, MSG). I loved this album, it is packed with classic songs ala 80s Rainbow, Deep Purple, early Whitesnake…

A classic riff/intro leads in to a smooth melodic rock tune, not overly heavy, but a memorable chorus, brilliant solo. An easily likeable song. I really liked Kelly Keeling as the singer on this album, he really fit that Deep Purple family (closer to Coverdale, IMO) In another era this could’ve been a huge hit for a number of bands.

Politician

Another killer riff, and this rocker is another highlight here, taking aim at a politician Stuart disliked at the time. Windows To The World was produced by Howard Leese (Heart, Bad Co), who also adds guitar, bass, and strings to a few songs here. Richie Onori on drums, Marvin Sperling on bass, Arlen Schierbaum on keyboards , The Japanese edition (which I’d like to find), adds a couple of extra tracks, notably a cover of “I Don’t Need No Doctor”.

Windows To The World included a number of other good songs, a very solid album, including “Dogs Of War”, “World’s Apart” and “Away From Harm”.

Screaming For Redemption

Following Windows To The World, there was a brief phase with legendary LA singer Paul Shortino. This short lived line up recorded 4 songs as part of the Taste Of Heaven CD, which featured 4 previously released songs, as well. Dave Chamberlain on bass, Scott Warren (Dio) on keyboards.

Waiting For The End Of The World

When Dig came out in 2013, it featured another new line up. It included upstate New York singer Joe Retta. At the time Retta and Smith were also part of Steve Priest’s SWEET, and had released Live In America in 2009. Fantastic production on this album. There is lots going on in this track between the guitars, acoustics, synths and Hammond organ…It’s only 5 minutes, but feels longer. Reminds me a bit of Rainbow, a bit of Kansas…and although not on my list, I like the way the ending flows in to the next track “Sexual Insanity” .

House Of Blues

It was hard not to choose more from Dig,; the run of the first 8 tracks is awesome! In there are a few other greats like “Victorious” and “Back In Anger”. But this is another favorite, a heavy blues rock track. Excellent album, cover design / photography by Glen Wexler, cool band logo by Ian Wexler.

I Don’t Know What Love Is

This is the ballad from Dig. Such a grand production, with the backing vocals, strings, acoustic guitar, Stuart’s big solo and Joe Retta’s vocal. Not to forget Chuck Wright’s bass lines. Chuck was a huge part of this album, and a few others. Again, in another time this song could’ve been a huge hit for someone.

Hard To Kill

The title track to the band’s follow-up to Dig, (IMO, a hard act to follow!) When I initially got this album (1 of 2 H&E albums on vinyl), I liked it, but was pre-occupied at the time with personal stuff (moving, etc…), so I kinda put it on the back burner for a bit. It later became a fast grower of an album, and with the similarities n cover art, a nice partner to Dig. The title track is a great lead off rocker for this album.

Walk Away

Also from Hard To Kill, Stuart comes up with another fine riff and intro. This one is easily likeable, with a great, memorable chorus. As a follow up to Dig, Hard To Kill is a bit more blues rock, and a bit less polished, like the band has settled into a comfortable sound. Ty Bailie on keys, Kenny Aranoff on drums.

At The End Of The Day

From the last Heaven and Earth album ‘V’, released in 2021. A strange time for the band, as more changes occurred, most notably gone was singer Joe Retta. I gotta admit, the album caught me off-guard, not just because of the changes, but because what seemed like a lack of press at the time, and I was not overly floored upon first listen. Whether it was the overall sound, the change of singers, or whatever, it took me a while to warm up to this one, and it is the album’s last song that really stood out for me before anything else. There is a lot of good songs here like “Drive”, “Ship Of Fools”, and “Nothing To Me”, and the band sounds great, but this song here is classic, with Stuart’s opening riff/intro, and most significantly this being the best to feature the powerful vocals of Italian singer Gianluca Petralia here. Starting off as a ballad, and building into a heavy 70s styled rock epic, heavy on the guitar, bass, and Hammond organ. Joining Stuart Smith here were keyboard players George Barabas and Mike Mangan, bass player Lynn Sorensen (also credited as producer), and legendary drummer Simon Wright.