![]() Kicking things off is the classic 'July Morning' from ‘Look At Yourself’ (1971) before the ten minute Prog Rock epic title track 'The Magician's Birthday' from the ‘The Magician's Birthday’ (1972) album. His fourteen selections are picked from 1971 - 1982. Kerslake joined Heep in 1971 and stayed with them until 2007, he features on sixteen studio albums. The second CD was compiled by drummer Lee Kerslake. The temperature rises even further with the mesmerising 'Sunrise' from the magnificent ‘The Magician's Birthday’ (1972) album before the infectious 'Sweet Freedom', the title track from the ‘Sweet Freedom’ (1973) album concludes Hensley's selections. The smoothness continues with the piano lead ballad 'The Easy Road' from the ‘Wonderworld’ (1974) album, before the pace rises with the chugging 'Falling in Love', another pick from ‘Fallen Angel’ (1979). This was the last of three albums to feature vocalist John Lawton (Lucifer’s Friend). Proceedings take a further smooth turn with 'Fallen Angel', the title track from the ‘Fallen Angel’ (1979) album. The atmospheric 'The Park' from the second album ‘Salisbury’ (1971) tantalises the senses before the dramatic 'Echoes in the Dark' from the ‘The Magician's Birthday’ (1972) startles with its majestic grandeur! On a lighter note, 'Misty Eyes' is another bright ballad from the ‘High and Mighty’ (1976) album. The sensational 'July Morning' from the third album ‘Look At Yourself’ (1971) is one of Heep’s best-loved songs, with some exquisite vocals from Byron and dexterous Hammond from Hensley. The powerful Hammond heavy 'Circle of Hands' is another great track from the classic ‘Demons and Wizards’ (1972) album. 'Rain' is a beautiful piano ballad from the classic ‘The Magician's Birthday’ (1972) album. Byron was sacked soon after for his excessive drug and alcohol usage which was affecting his performance on stage and unreliability in the studio. This is a more commercial sounding album, but with less great songs, probably due to the strained atmosphere within the band at the time, not one of their best. The sweet ballad 'Weep In Silence' is from original vocalist David Byron’s last album with Heep, ‘High and Mighty’ (1976). Kicking off with the slow burn of 'Paradise' before segueing into the monumental bombast of ‘The Spell', both from one of Heep's best loved albums ‘Demons and Wizards’ (1972). His fourteen selections are all from the albums he features on from 1971 - 1979. Hensley was with Uriah Heep from 1969 - 1980 and appears on thirteen studio albums, sadly he passed away in November 2020. The first CD was compiled by original member Ken Hensley. This collection of seventy seven tracks is completed with six art cards which carry personal notations from each band member and their reproduced signature. Created with the full collaboration of Uriah Heep themselves and curated by guitarist and founder member Mick Box, the six discs include personal selections from original keyboards/guitar/songwriter Ken Hensley and classic era drummer Lee Kerslake, who both sadly passed away in 2020, original bass player Paul Newton, current keyboard player Phil Lanzon and current lead vocalist Bernie Shaw, who have both been with the band for thirty five years. This compilation features a personal selection of Uriah Heep hits and deep cuts from across the band’s fifty two year and twenty four album career. British Hard Rock stalwarts Uriah Heep are set to release a 6 CD 'Choices' box set this Friday 24th September through BMG.
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