Uriah Heep : 26 Albums Ranked and Reviewed - Expect Some Surprises | Now Spinning Magazine
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- Опубликовано: 14 июл 2024
- Uriah Heep : 26 Albums Ranked and reviewed by Phil Aston from Now Spinning Magazine.
The ranking video is based on the Uriah Heep albums I play the most interspersed with my personal memories and insights from the time. I am a fan of every line up of the band and some of my choice might surprise some fans!
This video is dedicated to all Uriah Heep fans and especially the memory of David Byron, Ken Hensley, Gary Thain, Lee Kerslake, John Lawton, Trevor Boulder and the current band who are still making stunning albums.
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Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
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Great review Phil, i always liked Uriah Heep and even though i dont know alot of their albums i also think Uriah Heep live is their best album. Since I'm from the USA growing up they hardly ever toured the US, but recently i got to see them live opening for Judas Priest and they were excellent. Thanks as always for a great entertaining review. Cheers from NY.
Enjoyed listening to your opinions very much. I like that you include live albums in your rankings. Most people who do ranking lists only include studio albums, which I find annoying. I think a band’s entire catalog should be ranked. I mostly agreed with your Uriah Heep rankings. However, one album I would place 4 or 5 spots up the ladder is Innocent Victim. I think it’s a far better album than most Heep fans give it credit for.
Nice to listen to your genuine views most of which I agree with. I have been a Heep fan since early 70s and collected each album as they were released and loved each one at their moment in time, I would find it hard to rank them as now I know that whichever album I play I will immediately be under the spell of their music . ❤
1. Demons and Wizards
2. Look at Yourself
3. Magician’s Birthday
4. Chaos and Colour
5. Abominog
6. Salisbury
7. Very Eavy, Very Umble
8. Living the Dream
9. Sweet Freedom
10. Innocent Victim
I like Sonic Origami very much. To me it feels like they accepted their age and just made a mature rock album that wasn't rooted in the past nor tried to sound "hip". I also think it contains the best vocal performances by singer Bernie Shaw. I would definitely place it in the top ten!
Yep , even the bonus track is good (sweet pretender) . 👍
My top ten:
1. Demons and Wizards
2. Magician's Birthday
3. Look at Yourself
4. Very 'Eavy, Very 'Umble
5. Wake the Sleeper
6. Living the Dream
7. Wonderworld
8. Abominog
9. Sweet Freedom
10. Salisbury
Excellent choices - thank you 🙏
Oh man I have grown to love Conquest!
Surprised to see "See of Light" that high on the list, just recently ordered it. It was the only one from the first run with Bernie Shaw that peaked my interest. Can't agree more here, the recent Heep albums are the closest to the classic era as possible, simply amazed at how good they are today. Just saw them last Friday, awesome show!
You will love Sea of Light !
@@NowSpinningMagazineWell, got it like a month ago, I can't see me ever ranking it as high as you did, but I see why you like it so much, it really is bloody good!
@@NowSpinningMagazineIn fact I currently have it cranking on the high fi, front door wide open sitting on the porch enjoying a frosty!
Hi!Great ranking and I agree with your view on Return to Fantasy.It's so great to see both
Uriah Heep and Deep Purple(my favourite band) releasing pretty high quality albums in their
late years.Chaos & Colour is my favourite album of 2023 so far and the great Mick Box shows
no sign of slowing down!.Brilliant show and have an absolutely fantastic weekend!
25 Equator
24 Raging Silence
23 Different World
22 High And Mighty
21 Head First
20 Return To Fantasy
19 Conquest
18 Abominog
17 Sonic Origami
16 Sweet Freedom
15 Look At Yourself
14 Outsider
13 The Magician Birthday
12 Innocent Victim
11 Wonderworld
10 Sea Of Light
9 Into The Wild
8 Fallen Angel
7 Chaos And Colour
6 Sailisbury
5 Very Easy Very Umble
4 Living The Dream
3 Firerfly
2 Wake The Sleeper
1 Demons And Wizards
Uriah Heep Live one of the greatest Live albums of all time along with Strangers in The Night UFO amazing albums.
I agree ufo is one of the best live albums ever...followed by uriah heep ❤😊
I've been a Heepster since the early 70's and I agree wholeheartedly with the #1 ranking of Live 1973. This album, along with UFO's Strangers In The Night, and Deep Purple's Made In Japan should be required listening for any band, or fan of rock music!!!
Chaos and Colour makes my top 5
Despite some surprises, such as Sweet Freedom's position, I loved your ranking of the discography of this band that I call glorious❤
Cheers Phil - Enjoyed the video very much! I remember getting Uriah Heep Live on 8-track when I was in Jr High (1974/75ish) and it was a revelation. Didn't get to see them until the Abominog tour; they were on tour opening for somebody (only playing big cities) and had a night off so they headlined a little club in my smallish town. Opening with "Sell Your Soul" - it just ripped your face off! I loved Pete Goalby's voice. Later in the 80's when they were looking for a new vocalist, they again played a small club in my town. I thought the young guy they were trying out was good (it wasn't Bernie Shaw) but when they played Easy Livin two people got up and danced. Lee Kerslake started laughing so hard he almost fell off the drum stool! After the show I asked him if he realized they were a dance band... He said "we've never had that before" - Good Times. Being in central California, they never really came around here much. I enjoyed your ranking, would have had Return To Fantasy much higher (it was the first time I ever got to see them live when they were on the Don Kirshner Rock Concert tv show over here). Look forward to future ranking videos!
Hi Brian, thank you for sharing your memories! Phil :)
Agree with your last 4, but love the 3 John Lawton ones, not a fan of the Pete Golby era at all, and apart from the the first 2 Bernie Shaw the latest version are just amazing.
Love how you ranked the albums Phil, as a massive fan of Heep since 1973, I agree with your appreciation of Heep, I think you and I could spend hours discussing Heep…I’ve seen them twice, been on stage with them, i have a massive Heep collection of vinyl, cds, dvds, blu-rays, books, picture discs, t-shirts, autographed merchandise, pictures with the band….
Wow, sounds like I could spend hours at yours going through your collection! Thank you for watching - Phil
@@NowSpinningMagazine forgot to mention all the box sets of vinyl and cd’s….can’t get enough of Heep…
My first ever concert, Uriah Heep on the Conquest tour. Feb, 1980 with Girlschool opening. Set me on my path so Conquest will always be dear to me
Great ranking. Nice to see some appreciation for Head First, High And Mighty, and Firefly. The first rock concert I ever attended was Uriah Heep supporting April Wine on the Power Play tour. UH was promoting their newly released Abominog album. An amazing concert that changed my life. I remember the shocked looks of my fellow students the next at school as I sported my Abominog tour shirt in all it's gory glory. I agree that Conquest is their weakest release. If you want to hear John Sloman singing to music that better suits his style, check out his session work on the 2003 album The Journey Goes On by Praying Mantis.
Thank you 🙏
I saw the Heap in Bristol on the Magicians Birthday tour i actually took a cassette recorder into the show and recorded the whole gig not knowing that it was being recorded for the album a few weeks later in Birmingham wish I still had the recording
Wow 🤩
AWESOME JOB......peace from Toronto .
My favorites are Abominog, Salisbury and headfirst (I love AoR and less prog, so that is why). I discovered u thanks to pete pardo been watching him for years. I hope you cover some of the more 80s guitarists too as I love the 80s (close being the 70s but 80s is just best decade for me). Thx.
The Wizard is a timeless classic, Blind Guardian's cover is magic to.
Ensiferum's version of Lady in Black brilliant to.
Kudos to a lot of black metal bands who cite Heep as an influence refreshing instead of the usual well you know what I mean.
So right about look at yourself Phil 🎵🎶👍its heeps heaviest album and my personal favourite...heep live is good number 1 . Well done for your review..that line up was awesome 🎵🎶🎹🎸so them many times..
Thank you 😊
Hi Phil,
Great ranking Phil. Love that your ranking mixed up old and new Heep especially in the top 10.
To me Heep have been a number of different bands Genre wise, incorporating Rock, Blues, Melodic Rock, Hard Rock, Prog Rock, Folk Rock (Lady in Black) and even AOR.
Rock is certainly the binding factor. In recent times Living the Dream is an album I simply couldn't stop spinning. Awesome album. Demons and Wizards and Look at Yourself are personal favourites and I still find myself listening to Magicians Birthday a lot, that prog title track is sublime. I listened to Abominog about May time this year and it just keeps getting better, and reminds me of happy times listening to the album in my teens. Most of the album is covers, but well picked songs executed superbly.
Thanks for this comprehensive video. Very interesting.
☮ Andy H
Great review Phil. Live is an absolute classic. My friend saw the very show at the Town Hall where this recorded. He said to me how on earth did this record come about ! The band were so loud it shook the foundations of the old hall. Ha. Brilliant
Wow! that is amazing - Phil
I love this band, and i thought your albums ranking, were amazing. You're right Phil. Take care !
hey Phil what a beautiful ranking for a seminal band, a band as precious as a diamond to be kept under a crystal case, let's keep them close and hope that they continue their career for other years because bands like this will never be born again
Inspiring words - thank you 🙏
I've been a fan since 1970 was first saw Heep just before they released Look at Yourself. I enjoyed your review and agree with much of your comments. I would rank the Sloman and Golby albums (except Abominog) the lowest though followed by a couple of the early Shaw albums. Innocent Victim has two of the my all time favourites (Illusion, The Dance) and should have been ranked higher in my view. Love their new stuff (Living the Dream, Chaos and Colour). Cheers from Canada.
Phil, loved watching your Uriah Heap personal rankings. I'm 73 so I've been a fan from the beginning. Favorites are probably the first 6 maybe and the last 5 or 6. You've got me reaching for some in the middle that I never gave a lot of consideration to. Great show!
Thank you - Phil :)
Fantasic video. Thanks Phil for all you do.
Look at yourself #1 Very Eavey Very Umble#2 Demons and Wizards# 3 Sweet Freedom #4 Magicians Birthday# 5 Uriah Heep Live 1973 #6 Salisbury#7 And finally David Byron historically is #1 Fred #2 Dio#3 The best New vocalist I've heard in many years is James Michael from SIXAM
Great stuff! Still can't get on with Live 73 so I'd put it last with Conquest!! Havnt yet got anything after Wake The Sleeper/celebration so must dig deeper. The Legend Continues was an excellent live set. Cheers!
Phil, Incredible list of Uriah Heep albums, of a group not known to me !!! Thank you for the run down, which narrows down albums one might want. I will check them out, all the best.
The mighy Heep! Was too young to see my favourite Byron era. I remember a lad at school walking around the playground with Uriah Heep felt tipped onto it. That piqued my interest and called into Rediffusion & asked them to play 'Stealin' in the listening booth. I initially thought it was a female vocalist but that song drew me in and became a massive fan. Must admit I have lots of gaps in their catalogue so unsurprisingly my top 10 is this!
1. Sweet Freedom
2.Demons & Wizards
3. Look At Yourself
4. Return To Fantasy.
5. Salisbury
6. The Magicians Birthday
7.Wonderworld
8. Sea of Light
9. Fallen Angel
10. Chaos & Colour
Thank you for watching and sharing! Great story as well ! Phil
A fantastic video. I love your insights. Ranking videos are much more fun when they are unpredictable and unexpected albums turn up high on lists.
I loved the stuff you did with Martin Popof and Sea of Tranquility too.
When it comes to rock I’m a big fan of 70s bands like Rainbow, Lizzy, Heap, Heart, Purple, whitesnake, Cheap Trick, Judas Priest and NWOBHM and Prog.
Keep up the good work
Thanks a lot for a great study about your opinion about the Heep album. I have been a die-hard Heepster since ´74 and of course I do not rate the albums like you do.
One album I put amongst the 5 best ever, is Sea Of Light, released in 1995, but sad to say, the album was never promoted like it should have been, and as far as I can remember, it was never released in USA. Still, you will not find Sea Of Light on Spotify, Tidal or Roon, so someone is holding back this great Heep album with such a nice sound for Hi-fi freaks like I am.
Sea of Light is amazing ! Phil :)
Phil totally agree they just get better.
Incredible that Bernie has been with the band for 35 years wow .
One way I started enjoying the Heep "Conquest" Album was to pair it up with Trevor Bolder "Spiders From Mars" band album. Ther one. It has a similar vibe that fits together. Reminds me I gotta get Spiders on CD.
To see and hear such obvious love for a band has been an absolute pleasure, and I thank you for this video.
You are very welcome - Phil :)
I saw Heep twice in the early 1970s
Sorry I'm in North Wales poor WiFi...I saw them twice in the early 1970s, I used to score the bands on my ticket stubs..Pass me my anorak!..the first time I scored them a Solid 8, i saw Deep Purple just before and they gor an 8 too.. but the second time they only managed a 4, er Dave Byron was er...shall we say...distressed..ahem
i 1st heard heep on the radio in 72 " the wizard " very cool. it was when i went to a record store ,they were playing " spider woman " from magicians b, day. that did it bought the lp. saw them a few months later live. at the corral in Calgary. the heep was deep inside of me. i saw them in 83? on the abominog tour. and got to talk with mick after the show. great guy. chaos and color is so much one of the best albums of last year.
This was a careful, insightful, loving, fantastic review. Thank you so much!
My ranking differs greatly - #1 for me is Magician's Birthday, which my brother introduced me to it at the age of 9. BTW, had no idea that Mannfred Mann played on July Morning!
"Conquest" is in my top 6 URIAH HEEP Albums!!!
That's ok and your thoughts on Conquest are just as valid as mine - The main thing is we both love the band - Phil :)
For me a top 10 album. Loved it from the first moment.
Hi Phil, your approach to ranking is unique, as it means that both the band and fans, old and new, benefit from having the spotlight shone on albums that may have been overlooked, so a massive thanks for that! It was good that you were able to mention favoured versions as well - as it happens I only got into Heep about four years ago and bought all the double discs, so I was releaved to know I'd got good versions :) I'm now listening to 'Sea Of Light' and am blown away! Cheers, Ian
Hi Ian, thank you 🙏 I was nervous about doing a ranking video as there are so many out there so it’s good to know I’m on the right track. Phil :)
@@NowSpinningMagazine You certainly are, Phil, and I've ordered a copy of Sea Of Light :)
Great video Phil, your enthusiasm bursts from the screen and reminds me yhat I still have to collect a few more, I predicted your number 1 and I was right, a few surprises but I agree that their recent run of great albums is up there with those first few from the beginning of the 70's, I'm off to listen to some 'Heep' Rock On!
Thank you 🙏
Thanks for sharing Phil. A great show! Lots of surprises. My ranking would be very different, but the love for all heep, not only Byron, I share. One of the few bands with a 50 years history with only a couple of weaker albums and so many great ones.
Thank you - Phil :)
Thanks again for this particular episode. It inspired me to track down all the two cd versions of Heep’s first five releases. Was able to purchase them from Amazon UK all new from third party sellers. Just beginning to enjoy all the bonus material. So far some great stuff here!!
Thanks for doing this Phil! Been looking forward to it. I do the same as you when I rank albums: they are my favorites not based on sales, popularity, etc.
Thank you 🙏
Really surprising ranking but thoroughly enjoyed it!Loved you sharing your personal recollections 👏🏻
Thank you for watching - Phil
Just starting to watch. #1 for me is Demons and Wizards and then Magician's Birthday. Their earlier albums are great but I gave up on them after Return To Fantasy and High n' Mighty, but I know they've released some great albums since those.
I need to focus on the entire catalog of Uriah Heep at some point soon, you definitely motivated me to do that! Pete Pardo has been talking the band up for years now and I have gone through most of the albums from the earlier period. Salisbury so far is my favorite - and it came out in 1971. I have a thing for especially checking out albums that came out the year I was born, haha.
Enjoy the journey!
Great review and insight into the album’s…just listened to Chaos & colour for the 1st time and I agree it’s brilliant. Fallen behind with their albums having 17 studio & 2 live. Have to catch up😂
I saw this video and found "spellbinder" (the live-album from 1996 that is shown early on) in my local record store the same day. I got it! Seems like a nice buy. I love live-records but they have to sound good as well.. Which some don't. The more I listen to music.. The more important the actual sound quality is.
If you like the live albums and haven't come across it, try Live In Kawasaki
@@davidlaurie1740 Looks cool! I will look out for it!
Wonderful show Phil and no argument from me about your top 3.
I saw Heep for the first time with my 2 best pals from school at the old Liverpool Stadium on the famous 73 tour. We became friends for life and saw the band many times over the years.
Sadly they both passed away a few years ago and I couldn't bring myself to listen to Heep again until I saw your recent weekly playlist show which included the 73 live album.
I forced myself to listen to it and have hardly stopped playing their albums lately.. We were in the front row at that 73 gig right in front of Ken Hensley. I can close my eyes and see us looking at each other with silly grins on our faces when he played the gorgeous opening notes to July Morning (our favourite track).
Thanks for bringing me home to Heep Phil.
Music truly is the Healer and the Doctor.
Hi Stephen, thank you so much for your comment, amazing to think you we’re actually there with you best friends. I am so sorry they are no longer with us but I am happy to hear you are playing the album again. Remember the good times and being at that gig was certainly one of them - Phil
Fantastic Phil thank you
Great Review, Thank You very much! I like the live 1973 album very much, but i have to say that i skip the rock & Roll medley everytime. Not my cup of tea. For me Totally Driven is a very very good album
The Rock'n'roll medley spoils it for me too.
Looking forward to this was always aware of them but only started listening about 6 months ago and I love their music, like deep purple I love the organ in the music.
Nice ranking. Good to see some of the lesser known stuff getting some love.
If I think about what I've probably played most in, let's say, the last 10 years, then I guess we're looking at Look at Yourself, Salisbury, Wonderworld, Fallen Angel and Sea of Light. Oddly enough, Conquest also gets a good look in.
My youngest son has become a huge Heep fan, and it was Sea of Light that was his gateway drug.
I love the Wizards/Magicians phase. Something unique within the history of Rock music. Demons And Wizards is probably my favorite Uriah Heep record, but each of the records that preceded it and those that followed The Magician's Birthday (especially in the Byron period) has its memorable moments. Cheers Phil Aston!!!
Thank you - Phil
Excellent ranking Mr. A. You can tell you like this band a lot. If you haven't already check out Heep's set from this year's Wacken Festival. They were excellent.
Thank you 🙏
Guess I'm going to have to get that live album...
It’s essential!
Really great video Phil ranking a catalogue that huge is no easy task for me I think the 1st 5 studio albums are essential after that it gets a bit patchy through the 70s firefly aside of course after abominog I can pretty much find stuff to like on all the albums
Paul Newton spoke about ken..interesting..great review Phil 🎶👍i think sweet freedom should have been in the top ten along with firefly..bit still apart from different options yours is still good..ill wait till the end..to be continued..
Having followed Uriah Heep since '73 I found this a highly entertaining survey of the bands diverse output. Obviously few would align entirely with the ranking but as you say, it is a personal subjective (and completely positive) view. I was surprised and pleased to see Sea Of Light rated so highly (the real return to form of the band) but I would have Living The Dream, Wake The Sleeper and Chaos And Colour above Into The Wild. On the subject of live albums, yes, Live '73 (recorded on one night!) is an underrated masterpiece. However, I would also recommend Live In Kawasaki as worth a mention. A double live CD featuring the best two tracks from the then current album Wake the Sleeper, Overload and Walk With Angels, the entire Demons And Wizards album (Mick Moody guesting) Love In Silence (the best track on Sea Of Light - and possibly since the days of Mr Byron himself) a beautiful version of Rain, along with all of their classic tracks.
I don't own 26 Yuri albums I own probably 7 or 8 I do actually like conquest I don't listen to it much so I guess I'm going to be ranking conquest as my bottom along with yours I don't know what happened to some of my older Uriah Heep I've loaned CDs out so obviously the ones that vanished I don't play anymore look at yourself I used to play it but I can't find it sea of light is my favorite thus it gets the most play different world I play quite a bit but I didn't like it at first it grew on me just like conquest you know sometimes you don't want to make an effort to get into an album
Favourite album: Demons and Wizards, favourite song :Pilgrim and the most representative Uriah Heep song may be Gypsy. In my opinion of course.
That album is majestic, I love circle of hands and rainbow demon just a little above the rest of the songs.
Hi Phil. Thanks for keeping the Heep thing going! As you know their my first love in Rock music. Must be the most underrated band ever
Thank you - Phil :)
The most beautiful memories with UH are in the time 1970 -1975 roundabout. Look At Yourself, Demons And Wizards, The Magician's Birthday, Sweet Freedom, Wonderworld, Return To Fantasy .To me they are stunning albums and in my heart forever. I love the whole output from this iconic band . To me Equator is so underrated. When Equator came out i was disappointed but now 40jears later i like it well. It is not my favorite Heep album but there are several excellent tunes on it. By the way my favorite Mick Box guitar solo is The Magician's Birthday. Mick and Lee did an awesome job. When the album came out i was 12 years old. It was a wonderful time.
Equator has "Night of the Wolf" on it, my favourite Heep song from the eighties.
ENJOYED YOUR LIST ! INTO THE WILD IS A GREAT ALBUM.
THANKS MATE !
SHAUL
ISRAEL
Phil, your enthusiasm and love for Heep shines though. I’m sure we could all quibble over some of the rankings but the main summary for me should be any Heep fans ignoring this century’s output should really give them a listen. They are missing out. Chaos & Colour is top 5 for me. Kind regards
Thank you - so pleased you enjoyed it - Phil :)
Wonderworld was my first album with Uriah Heep
Hi Phil ,one of my Favorite english rock Band of 70's, the name : Charles Dickens characters in David Copperfield, and a Voice on lead vocals ,a great guitar player, and keyboards , in the BEGINNING rythm section not fixed but when kerslake and thain arrived à great rock Band IS born !! Very great Band for me same power like PURPLE !!!❤🤗
Heap have a great catalogue, Abominog was my Heap album and I saw them live at Donington same year. Still one of the fave Heap albums. My overall fave Heap album is Wake The Sleeper. The title track is spectacular. My least fave album is Conquest. Poor album and Sloman wasn't' right for the band. However his song Think It Over is my favourite Abominog track so there you go...
We disagree good sir. Return to Fantasy is the Captain’s favorite Heep album. All good it’s a contrarian choice on my part. Great episode love The Heep to death. Cheers
Thank you 🙏
Hi Phil, VERY surprising ranking video but that`s what made it VERY enjoyable! I only have about half of those albums and would need to listen to them all again to do a proper ranking myself. However, without playing them I would like to say I agree with you regarding `Return To Fantasy` which for me lives on the reputation of the title track and it was really good to hear you praising `Sea of Light` which is an album I have always enjoyed. `Firefly` and `Demons` would rank higher for me but another one I agree with you with is `Magician`s Birthday` which although is gradually growing on me I don`t think it`s ever going to trouble my top five.
Thank you 🙏
Hello Jogi! Yes indeed when we discover an album has a big affect on us. Great to hear from you as always! 😀@@jogischulz2576
Would love to hear your take on all the work that Billy Preston has done through the years, I just discovered he did an album with an Italian band called Novecento and have been listening to it on you tube, he worked with just about everybody in the world in his career, Nat King Cole, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Ray Charles, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Natalie Cole , Mahlia Jackson, etc etc etc.
I didnt hear you say there was a live album in there and when I heard you say Look at Yourself 2nd? I’m like, aw wow but ok fair enough, it’s your #1 studio so that’s ok. July Morning is my favourite song of all time. What a beautiful and powerful masterpiece! It still gives me shivers up my spine. I’m not that familiar with the live version though.
This is a very helpful overview Phil. I have only dipped my toes ever so slightly into Uriah Heep's catalogue. I knew the big hits from the early-mid 70's via the radio only. My first purchase was Abominog, based partly on the fact that Bob Daisley (ex-Rainbow) was on it.....I really was expecting something completely different from what I was hearing. I had been craving some hard rock / metal but the record didn't come across like that at all. As a result I shied away from exploring the UH catalogue further. It's probably time to give them a new chance now. Those other albums you have mentioned, particularly the ones in your top 5 to 10 zone will be what I will focus on. Thanks very much for your insights!
U will be impressed as even though abominogue is great it's not typical of heeps style and sound.
Ah yes, good old Abominog love it or hate it mostly I think it's fine.👹Like with Head First, a curious time for the band and Goalby is such an underrated vocalist so why he's not up there mentioned in the same breath as say a Joe Lynn Turner, I'll never know. These days, Equator has risen quite a bit for me.
@@martymartin2894 Thanks. I look forward to checking out several of Phil's top picks.
@@LarryFleetwood8675 I guess I started out with the wrong one! Will check out some of the earlier albums next.
@@independenceltd. I guess I was deceived by the cover art into thinking I was going to be getting some very heavy UH....was I ever mistaken! Now time for me to go to the early catalogue and start listening properly from there.
Heep..one of the bands that lay the foundation for my love of rock music. I always cannot get past the Byron era as being th best period and then the Lawton era (which basically means Hensley era). I never really got into Heep after the disappointing Conquest and gave up for a time but then saw the band when they came here to Singapore in 2002 with the lineup of Box, Kerslake, Bolder, Lanzon and Shaw and loved their renditions of the classics including a full version of The Magicians Birthday...the highlight for me but I also liked the songs that were on the recent albums at the time. So I started again. I really loved the last 3 or 4 albums they did. And yes...they are Still Eavy, Still Umble!
Thank you for watching and sharing your story. Phil :)
OK, Uriah Heep Live '73 and Look at Yourself are at the top. I think we all agree with that. That was the real Uriah Heep. I personally like the Conquest album very much ! Was it still Uriah Heep? Probably not ! But there are real great songs. The band sounds fantastic. It's a little bit like Deep Purple's Come taste the band album. A great album but it wasn't Deep Purple anymore. The 3 Pete Goalby albums are for me at the top. A new fresh sound and Pete and the whole band are amazing. I never play albums like the first one or Salisbury. I don't know why I don't like them too much. The Fallen Angel album with John Lawton is also a favourite of mine. Return to fantasy has 2 great songs. The title track and Beautiful Dream and that's it. High and mighty was indeed a Ken Hensley solo album. I believe that he wrote all the songs. So everyone has his own ranking. Sometimes it surprises me that fans like albums that I don't like at all. But of course I respect all the opinions.
Interesting to hear someone else's assessment. Can't agree with every placement. (Certainly put Conquest above Equator) At least it's making me re -listen to Sea of light.
Storm Bringer is Deep Purple's best song.
Conquest is indeed their nadir. They have a few duds, to be sure. But their great albums - of which most of their albums are - more than compensate for that.
Great list. Of course we'd have to agree to disagree on the final dozen but we both agree Conquest (bit like UFO-Misdemeanor) is their worst. Cheers
has to be one of the most consistently good rock bands ever tho !
I have been waiting for this list since you announced it, and one of the biggest cliff hangers for me was what rank Sea of Light would get. I couldn’t agree more Phil, one of my favorites! Crossing all my fingers and toes we can get a picture disc of this album. I don’t believe it’s ever been released on vinyl….correct me if I’m wrong. Keep up the great work!
Thank you 🙏 Sea of Light would be great to have on vinyl and picture disc!
A five star favourite of mine, and yes, it was released originally on vinyl too
I had Fallen Angel on vinyl….I always liked it. I thought John Lawton was an excellent singer and a lot of variety on that album. Hard to get on CD but I hope to get it someday…..enjoy your channel!
Thank you 🙏
Exactly Phil no duffers just some better than others.
Same with Purple as you said, it happens with bands with massive back catalogues.
Living The Dream is ranked lower than Wonderworld despite the positive comments on the former and the comparatively negative comments on the latter which seems a little odd. However i enjoyed the video but never been a big fan of this band although for me Salisbury and Look At Yourself are superb albums. Maybe due to the fact my first exposure was their 80's pop / rock albums with that dreaded 80s affectations which seems to have severely dated music from that period. Also never really understood the Purple comparisons. Heep's music contained very distinctive vocal harmonising unlike Purple (and here is where I'm sure there will be much disagreement) musically Purple operate at a higher level. Comparing each musician in Purple to their Heep counterpart i would take the Purple member every time although Byron is possibly the equal of any Purple vocalist. Anyway thanks Phil i will try and give this legendary band another listen as i'm sure there is much i missed first time around.
Came to Uriah Heep very, very late despite hearing them at friends or parties through the 70s. My top albums would be the quartet of Wonderworld, Return to Fantasy, High and Mighty and Firefly. Otherwise it's the latter day material (as with Rush) that really shines for me (Yep, this is how late I came to Heep), Sea Of Light, Into the Wild and Chaos and Color. Of course, any Roger Dean LP cover is an iconic event in itself regardless of the music but that's (maybe) for another ranking video.
Thank you 🙏
Cool, helpful, video ... especially re putting the post Abominog albums into a ranked order that gives me a prioritised set of of "homework" to listen to .... personally, I was never a massive fan of the Live album (quite a bit of blethering between tracks, not the greatest sonic experience ... and was not a fan of the R'n'R medley) ... but I do have loads of time for Salisbury, Demons & Wizards, et al .... and I do like Abominog a lot (yup - dreadful cover) .... the original "Best of ... " LP makes a very strong case for the "greatness" of the band .... every track is a classic .... Thanks for the video ... CMcG, Aberdeen, UK .... p.s. and the replacement dinky sleeves do make it so much easier for you to dig out the booklets versus the jewel cases they replaced.
Hi Calumn, thank you for sharing your thoughts and watching. Yes the new sleeves have helped a lot ! Phil
Uriah Heep give out 26 studio albums thats a lot Phil
UH Live 1973 starts with: "England's Own Uriah Heep"
After all these years, I think, we can freely say: "World's Own Uriah Heep”.
I think every list would be full of surprises because UH is such a diverse band. I think the period from Sea Of Light forward is equally valuable as the Byron era. If not as good, than very close, so no wonder many of the later albums are positioned very high on your list. People who just listen to Byron era UH are missing a lot. I personally like Living the Dream and Outsider better then Into The Wild. They would be very high on my list. I completely agree with Sea of Light at #5. Such a great album. Mix of old classic Uriah Heep, some prog, some pop, some hard, some soft, excellent.
Thank you 🙏
Diversity is so important. I’d also add the 2001 Acoustically Driven live album recorded at the Mermaid Theatre in London in 2000 with strings, pipes and backing vocalists plus Ian Anderson drops in. I know live acoustic sets often get a bad rap but this is one of the very best out there I think, I really enjoy listening to this album still. I wonder if Phil saw any of their acoustic live shows?
@@maddysmith8846 Great album, I love it very much. I also love Electrically Driven from the same period
Wow Return To Fantasy so down on the list. Beautiful Dream on of Heep's greatest songs IMO
Good review though I disagree with it 😁 (as you said). I found Headfirst better than Abominog but to each his own.
If you had to pick one song from the band's catalogue that represents Uriah Heep better than anything else, what would it be?
circle of hands. live ,73.
Look at Yourself. Classic song
Hard to argue
All great suggestions, but I'd go with July Morning.
Rainbow Demon
For me this type of music is what Beethoven, Wagner and Mozart would be listening to .
I buy everything Heep, but since Abominog I've gone a bit luke warm with the only high point since then being "Sea of Light". I'm not really a fan of Pete Goalby or Bernie Shaw but maybe I like Byron and Lawton too much.
1) Demons and Wizards.
2) Very 'Eavy, Very 'Umble.
3) Salisbury.
4) Sea of Light.
5) Firefly.
6) Look at Yourself.
7) Fallen Angel.
8) Return to Fantasy.
9) Magician's Birthday.
10) High & Mighty.
11) Wonderworld.
12) Sweet Freedom.
13) Conquest
14) Innocent Victim.
15) Sonic Origami.
16) Wake the Sleeper.
17) Living the Dream.
18) Outsider.
19) Chaos & Colour.
20) Into the Wild.
21) Raging Silence.
22) Head First.
23) Abominog.
24) Equator.
25) Different World.
Great list, tho Abominog is my No.2, so I guess we all hear these albums a little differently!
I'm a Goalby and Lawton fan myself primarily, so I tend to gravitate there mostly although Demons and Wizards is my #1. Lawton I knew primarily from the Les Humphries Singers where he always seemed a bit out of place although he was a great voice there. Nice to see both Innocent Victim and even Conquest so high, I've always adored that goofy loveable snake monster on the cover...
Phil Uriah Heep are one of the greatest British bands ever
Ditto I have been a fan from the beginning.
The heddy days of Heep,Budgie, Wishbone Ash etc .
I loved Jon Sloman Lone Star saw twice maybe not right for Heep.
Thank you for watching and your comments - Phil
Wake the sleeper is an amazing album😃👍