First a little back
story, when I was 10 my cousin gave me Uriah Heep Wonderworld I wore that album
out in just a few days then I bought the vinyl album Live 1973 and later the
first 8 track I got for my car was The Magicians Birthday. Uriah Heep was the
band that started me on my long journey of loving music. Which down the road I
was a roadie and got a degree in sound engineering. Through all these years I
have never had the chance to see the band live until now. Gypsy started to show
with its bombastic sound and awesome feeling of power and glory.Look At Yourself could be considered one of
the first prog speed songs ever and just rocked the house. Shadows of Grief is
a very classical oriented piece off of Look At Yourself and over the years I
have watched many live dvds and have never heard them play this song so that
was an excellent surprise.Stealin is
one song that everyone growing up in the seventies will recognize and sing
along to as it brings back great memories. The Law was a newer song off the
2014 Album outsider and shows that the band can produce songs that kick just as
much ass as they did back in their prime. Sunrise was awesome and it brought
back many memories as it was the first song off of live 1973 that I have
listened to many times over the years. The Magicians Birthday (Long Version)
this was extra special to me as before the tour started I was talking to Mick
Box and had asked if either Magicians Birthday of Wonderworld could be played
and the guys didn’t disappoint as each musician showed off their chops and
rocked the house to the ground.The
Wizard next off of Demons and Wizards was the Wizard with its mellow acoustic
guitar and great chorus vocals before the band kicks in at the end to a
crescendo. One Minute is a another great song off of the Outsider album and if
given a chance would be a great radio hit with its excellent sing along vocals
and catchy riffs.Between Two Worlds
is a song not played in a while and it just rocked the house with hands in the
air and the entire crowd singing along. July Morning from the very first not
the crowd went crazy for this classic song that sounds just as good now as it
did in the early 70s. Lady in Black no concert of Uriah Heep would be complete
without this classic acoustic guitar sing along song that has so much emotion
it’s hard to contain. Easy Livin ended the show with its awesome riffs pounding
rhythms and sing along vocals. I have to say after 40 years of concerts this
may have been the best concert I have ever seen, Bernie sounds just as good as
when he joined the band, Mick rocked the house and I have never seen anyone
that seems to enjoy themselves more on stage. Phil played the keyboards with
such power and majesty and Russel pounded the skins at such a pace I don’t know
how he does it but he just plain kicked ass and David held down the groove with
amazing power and grace and I would say him and Russell have to be one of the
best rhythm sections around today. After the show I had the pleasure of going
backstage and meeting the band along with getting a guitar signed what an
amazing group of guys and a must see show if they come to your area.
-Xroadie
*Pictures by my lovely wife Kim
