VERY 'EAVY...VERY 'UMBLE

Very 'Eavy, Very 'Umble was the fine debut by Uriah Heep that got slaughtered by critics at the time. I love the variety on this album. Some find it mostly rooted in blues rock but there are many subtle hints of various influences, proving they were a proficient outfit with some craft and imaginaton. We are presented with throbbing organ on "Gypsy" as well as some nice acoustic work on the sensitive "Come Away Melinda". But it was David Byron's wailing vocals that set most of these songs apart from anyone else's. I don't find anything short of good on the album. Mostly recorded in 1969, it naturally has more late 60's tinges, setting it apart a little from the group's later releases. It's always impressive to hear how quickly band's developed those days. As for styles, 'Lucy Blues" is a pretty competent blues track, "Real Turned On" is a hard bluesy rock and roller and "I'll Keep On trying" is a rock song that has a very soulful bridge. The best of all though, is the jazzy "Wake Up (Set Your Sights)" which closes the album off. (The guitar work is very beautiful too on that track). Perhaps their early sound came somewhere close to classic Deep Purple, but Uriah Heep's songs were different and with more of a mixture of ideas as I said, and they still never got the same credit. This isn't the band's best of the classic albums, three of their greats followed this one. I like the album cover a lot, and it is Byron hidden beneath the cobwebs! Three and a half stars.