SALISBURY

"Salisbury" is the first peak in the huge Uriah Heep's discography. From a prog point of view it is also the most consistent album they ever recorded.

The backbone is made by three memorable tracks: the heavy opener "Bird of Prey", the perfect archetype of the UH's aggressive rock song (with their multi part choruses trademark), "Lady in Black", the anthem everyone in the world knows, and the closer selft/titled epic, 16 mns of lush orchestration and large scale composing (very brass and woodwind oriented).

The remaining three songs are less known but at the very same level of quality: "The Park" is an introvert and melancholic number with sparse jazzy tinges and "Time To Live" is the heaviest song on the album, based on Mick Box's wah wah guitar. Last but not least "High Priestess" that is probably the most catchy tune, starting off very laid-back, then moving into a breezy fast tempo rocker.

This is one of the band's most diverse recordings, a highlight and one of the most overshadowed of the rock/orchestral crossovers that were fashionable at the time. Furthermore, the typical Hensley's hammond organ-led sound began to take shape.

Easily a five stars rating.