Uriah Heep Live at Koko London 2014 (Deluxe Edition 2 CD/DVD)
Released By: Frontiers Music
Release Date: 20th February 2015
Genre: Progressive Rock/Hard Rock
Line Up:
Mick Box – Lead Guitars
Phil Lanzon – Keyboards
Bernie Shaw – Lead Vocals
Russell Gilbrook – Drums/Percussion
Davey Rimmer – Bass
Tracklist:
CD1
01. Against The Odds
02. Overload
03. Traveller in Time
04. Sunrise
05. Stealin’
06. I’m Ready
07. Between Two Worlds
08.Can’t Take That Away
09.One Minute
10.Nail On The Head
CD 2
01. Into The Wild
02. Gypsy
03. Look At Yourself
04. Box Wah Box
05. July Morning
06. Lady in Black
07. Free ‘n’ Easy
08.Easy Livin’
Hands up, cards on the table, I was never a fan of Progressive rock. My musical diet growing up was listening to the likes of AC/DC, Led Zeppelin and Queen. I always found bands of the Progressive genre to be a bunch of smart asses who thought they knew better. I remember seeing Peter Gabriel dressed up as a bloody daffodil and thinking, why? Worse again, Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, decked out in tights and codpiece whilst brandishing a flute. Yes a flute, an instrument that has as much place in any brand of rock as a beer festival has in Iran. Oh and lets not forget Pink Floyd, with their brains protruding through their skulls, they always gave me the impression that smiling was for commoners, and probably came up with a maths equations before dropping some awfully awfully nice acid. But seen as I’m now older and wider, it’s time to give my progressive genre cynicism an education.
And that education begins with Uriah Heep. Formed in London in1969 by guitarist Mick Box, the band enjoyed the majority of their success in the 70’s. Despite this, they have still managed to shift 40 million albums worldwide. Not bad for a band who have maintained a mainly cult following for
the last 30 years. This double live opus was recorded at the famous Koko in London, formerly known as Camden Palace.
Against All Odds, from 1995 album, Sea Of Light, raises the curtain in typical progressive fashion. It’s complex, zany, but maintains a traditional rock feel. Mick Box’s beloved wah wah rains down on Overload, while Phil Lanzon’s organ masterclass provides a steely backbone on Traveller in Time. Bernie Shaw summons the Heep faithful for participation on a rousing Sunrise, then we are taken back to 1973 with the boogie blues rhythms of Stealin’. Heep’s last studio outing, 2014’s Outsider, gets an airing with the one, two, of Can’t Take That Away, and the sublime One Minute. The first half closes out with the full thoroughbred rock of Nail On The Head.
Into The Wild opens CD2, and bears more than a striking resemblance to Deep Purple’s Highway Star. Russell Gillbrook and Phil Lanzon’s teasing intro erupts into all out fury. Producer Mike Paxman has captured the bands live essence perfectly, especially on tracks like Gypsy, Look At Yourself and the wonderfully self indulgent Box Wah Box. My only real gripe is that the crowd sounds like their clapping five miles away. Nevertheless, the performance remains impeccable, Lady In Black and robust encores Free ‘n’ Easy and Easy Living are meticulously executed. If you’re a progressive novice like myself, the accompanying DVD will act as a handy tool in your tuition. I used to think Uriah Heep was a tropical sex disease, now I know that they are a bloody great live rock band, who’s enthusiasm for what they do is all over this album. And there’s no flutes.
Written by: Brian Boyle
Ratings: Brian 8/10
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