The Very Best of Uriah Heep [Sanctuary]

Performer: Uriah Heep
Distributor: Ryko Distribution

Notes: Compilation producers: Steve Hammonds, Bas Hartong. Recorded between 1977 & 1991. Includes liner notes by Joe Geesin. All tracks have been digitally remastered. Liner Note Author: Joseph Geesin. Castle Communications chose to call this set, mostly compiled from recordings of various editions of the band, The Best Of, but it's a misnomer. That's not to say David Byron, the band's classic vocalist in its best era, is not here. He appears in live and studio places, but this collection is so ragged, and some of the live material is so unflattering to one of the great melodic heavy rock bands, that it basically should be avoided -- unless you are one of those Heepsters who must absolutely have everything. And even then, most of the material, if not all of it, has been released elsewhere and better. That said, Vol. 2 is much better -- start there, and then come here if you dare. ~ Thom Jurek Don't be misled; no matter how you slice it, this is definitely not the very best of Uriah Heep. It is actually a selection of tracks from the years 1977-1991; in other words, when they were well past their prime. In fact, most of the albums these songs are culled from (1977's Innocent Victim and Firefly, 1978's Fallen Angel, Live in Europe 1979, Abominog from 1982, 1983's Head First, 1989's Raging Silence, and 1994's Different World) retain only a small percentage of the band who had moderate success with albums on Mercury and Warner Bros. in the early to mid-'70s. By the time of these later releases, only guitarist Mick Box and drummer Lee Kerslake were aboard from the original crew, and although the sound was vaguely similar, the absence of songwriter/organist Ken Hensley and founding singer David Byron resulted in a lack of a defined or innovative sound that proved debilitating. Compare the live versions of "Look at Yourself," "Easy Livin'," and "Gypsy" included here to the originals and the difference is immediately discernible. Since those who remained fans of the prog/hard rockers probably already own the albums these songs are on, it's unlikely there is much of an audience left who would want this collection. For curiosity seekers, this is a sensibly selected although poorly annotated hour-long compilation from a group long past their peak. It shows only glimpses of their old firepower, and in cases like the bland, commercial AOR rock of "Lonely Nights," is an indication of just how far they fell. ~ Hal Horowitz

Despite a Spinal Tap-like inability to secure a drummer, British band Uriah Heep has continued to roll with the punches since 1969. Their eclectic approach to rock folds Tolkeinian dragons-and-dwarves imagery into grand musical themes that draw on prog, metal, acid rock, and pastoral folk. The band were fairly popular in the U.K. in the '70s, and their albums charted respectably in the U.S. during this time as well. As the musical landscape shifted in the later '70s, the band's popularity died down, but they have continued to release albums (their live discography is rather lengthy) and tour, and remain popular in Eastern Europe and Japan.

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