Ken Hensley & Uriah Heep
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URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=125298
Printed Date: November 23 2024 at 03:28
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Topic: Ken Hensley & Uriah Heep
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Subject: Ken Hensley & Uriah Heep
Date Posted: January 30 2021 at 09:17
It's time to celebrate the music of the Very 'eavy, Very 'umble Ken Hensley & Uriah Heep. Ken was the driving powerhouse force behind Uriah Heep between 1970 and 1980, featuring on no less than thirteen studio albums. Who can forget the fiery vision of the tank rolling across Salisbury Plain on their second album cover, or the reflective silver third album cover where you could quite literally Look At Yourself in the mirror. Ken Hensley has always been one of the Demons and Wizards of heavy keyboard prog, and his song-writing skills were put to full use with the concept album, The Magician's Birthday, featuring fantasy cover artwork by Roger Dean. Ken is a Free Spirit who's always Eager to Please his devoted fans, and he relished the Sweet Freedom to pursue his dream in the magical Wonderworld of prog. In 1973, it was a Return to Fantasy for Ken's first solo outing, Proud Words on a Dusty Shelf, a High and Mighty album of hard and heavy prog which burned briefly but brightly like a Firefly. All was not well in the Uriah Heep camp though with singer David Byron - the Innocent Victim of alcohol abuse - being replaced by John Lawton. The three albums with John Lawton From Time to Time offered a Glimpse of Glory, but no one could quite match the epic soaring vocals of Fallen Angel David Byron. Finally, Ken Hensley left Uriah Heep behind in 1980, embarking on a new series of Conquests in his burgeoning solo career.  All Highlighted albums by Ken Hensley & Uriah Heep in (roughly) chronological order.  ==================================================================  Uriah Heep Albums  1970: Uriah Heep - Very 'eavy, Very 'umble - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJTAVb1bdOBimEATQ447W_pFiL2BOEL2J" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJTAVb1bdOBimEATQ447W_pFiL2BOEL2J 1971: Uriah Heep - Salisbury - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL44kuYYS8ykui5_rMODOeZAQAxcgzt3d" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL44kuYYS8ykui5_rMODOeZAQAxcgzt3d 1971: Uriah Heep - Look at Yourself - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIcNEkIwDXAXC03bZP2QAFNOemqIjkjph" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIcNEkIwDXAXC03bZP2QAFNOemqIjkjph  1972: Uriah Heep - Demons and Wizards - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNR0EZiOkOBsQxAVwFMABHrRprfW4kPYE" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNR0EZiOkOBsQxAVwFMABHrRprfW4kPYE 1972: Uriah Heep - The Magician's Birthday - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbIN9DHtOfK9HSd2QkG6b7b243dKJbWDV" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbIN9DHtOfK9HSd2QkG6b7b243dKJbWDV 1973: Uriah Heep - Live - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLO2DpnSLxoYXnY7Et3EvUw2ac1pBGwrgz" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLO2DpnSLxoYXnY7Et3EvUw2ac1pBGwrgz 1973: Uriah Heep - Sweet Freedom - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz6cAheObZchWBY2T5G208TnLUWKNWoAO" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz6cAheObZchWBY2T5G208TnLUWKNWoAO 1974: Uriah Heep - Wonderworld - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz6cAheObZcija3YOQ0r1B8yjXTljLt24" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz6cAheObZcija3YOQ0r1B8yjXTljLt24 1974: Uriah Heep - Live at Shepperton - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gxj3uFURum0" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gxj3uFURum0 1975: Uriah Heep - Return to Fantasy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2o-CSc0j3dE" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2o-CSc0j3dE  1976: Uriah Heep - High and Mighty - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNQc2VtFeS2l049MTt0RxSHvLVg1B4Efn" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNQc2VtFeS2l049MTt0RxSHvLVg1B4Efn 1977: Uriah Heep - Firefly - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJTAVb1bdOBhacKMXA8rRHGfhtowpWQyr" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJTAVb1bdOBhacKMXA8rRHGfhtowpWQyr 1977: Uriah Heep - Innocent Victim - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbIN9DHtOfK8B2QUQ6sEVqc14ZYvE_uw5" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbIN9DHtOfK8B2QUQ6sEVqc14ZYvE_uw5 1978: Uriah Heep - Fallen Angel - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNQc2VtFeS2mjw7nnjlFzmosu9klUPFGs" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNQc2VtFeS2mjw7nnjlFzmosu9klUPFGs 1980: Uriah Heep - Conquest - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbIN9DHtOfK8TJqO3vHXSTodLi_1xF-Mc" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbIN9DHtOfK8TJqO3vHXSTodLi_1xF-Mc 1982: Uriah Heep - Abominog - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbIN9DHtOfK8298n7i9cw58BQmDI0f1Og" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbIN9DHtOfK8298n7i9cw58BQmDI0f1Og 1983: Uriah Heep - Head First - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNQc2VtFeS2lLaWUcOwQpIDrRQI4Pe7UN" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNQc2VtFeS2lLaWUcOwQpIDrRQI4Pe7UN 1985: Uriah Heep - Equator - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lBM9rmq6cnBTWEsyFuyWOSEA54-BZtT_I" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lBM9rmq6cnBTWEsyFuyWOSEA54-BZtT_I 1985: Uriah Heep - Live in Camden Palace, London - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0Jw5hvg1Sk" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0Jw5hvg1Sk 1989: Uriah Heep - Raging Silence - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc0rvJSZS2E" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc0rvJSZS2E 1991: Uriah Heep - Different World - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-KNummzH6g" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-KNummzH6g 1995: Uriah Heep - Sea of Light - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkWC2crXaev9gNNf2ITgNA0io4sO-RWOO" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkWC2crXaev9gNNf2ITgNA0io4sO-RWOO 1998: Uriah Heep - Sonic Origami - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_ns6c24qgWznGajkXIlcrF76Ko7uPLddxM" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_ns6c24qgWznGajkXIlcrF76Ko7uPLddxM 1999: Uriah Heep - Future Echoes of the Past - The Legend Continues - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_m4TKv-6s84azRfq_4ref_N-4m7RUZ83Ec" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_m4TKv-6s84azRfq_4ref_N-4m7RUZ83Ec 2000: Uriah Heep - Acoustically Driven - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ng87jEQ14s8&t=3054s" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ng87jEQ14s8&t=3054s 2001: Uriah Heep - The Magician's Birthday Party - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAqgdghW1y8" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAqgdghW1y8 2002: Uriah Heep - Live in the USA - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHCgyQZQllQ&t=2466s" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHCgyQZQllQ&t=2466s 2003: Uriah Heep - Magic Night - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFSAfXYoZfA" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFSAfXYoZfA 2008: Uriah Heep - Wake the Sleeper - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM0RmfcfvGiZyDS9V0TUZEln5re6oPBkz" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM0RmfcfvGiZyDS9V0TUZEln5re6oPBkz 2009: Uriah Heep - Celebration - Forty Years of Rock - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaLhfEXmJLnlwDbDNpmREWMm3u_rSZFxs" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaLhfEXmJLnlwDbDNpmREWMm3u_rSZFxs 2011: Uriah Heep - Into the Wild - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM0RmfcfvGiYpSGOG9CjZ86fw_-ToIsYw" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM0RmfcfvGiYpSGOG9CjZ86fw_-ToIsYw 2014: Uriah Heep - Outsider - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLczf3u_5QwOafXrMLzUyTyRN0VZ4ajBpR" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLczf3u_5QwOafXrMLzUyTyRN0VZ4ajBpR 2015: Uriah Heep - Live at Koko, London - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dW_2TGar9wo" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dW_2TGar9wo 2018: Uriah Heep - Living the Dream - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kg9bfxhluduQnpIS6Ej7g9flDxdiJGxT0" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kg9bfxhluduQnpIS6Ej7g9flDxdiJGxT0 2023: Uriah Heep - Chaos & Colour - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nuWYX_2jyclsQ6Nf8FgiQ76urvIRnomoM" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nuWYX_2jyclsQ6Nf8FgiQ76urvIRnomoM
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Replies:
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: February 01 2021 at 09:04
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This thread began as a Top 7 Uriah Heep albums poll, but due to the underwhelming response, it's now become a Very 'eavy, Very 'umble Ken Hensley & Uriah Heep tribute thread. 1970: Very 'eavy, Very 'umble - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzDs3nss_WmNxNWVwkrZlgFt" rel="nofollow - |
Posted By: Heart of the Matter
Date Posted: February 01 2021 at 10:16
Ken at Helsinki, 2019 (Wiki) Recommended solo albums: Proud Words on a Dusty Shelf (1973) Eager to Please (1975) |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: May 25 2021 at 05:27
^ Great picture!  1971: Salisbury - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzCxKqhXztiZPpoC8BkR5F0B" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzCxKqhXztiZPpoC8BkR5F0B Bird of Prey - (for ProgJourney)  |
Posted By: ProgJourney
Date Posted: May 25 2021 at 05:36
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doesnt get much better than this. bird of prey is amazing.
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Posted By: Spaciousmind
Date Posted: May 25 2021 at 05:42
| Paul if you are featuring Ken Hensley, you should include Weed self titled from 1971. |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: May 25 2021 at 05:51
Thanks for the heads-up! I'll definitely have a listen to Ken Hensley's Weed album later on today and feature a track from it here. It's just in the Nick of time too, as I can now include the Weed album in chronological order. I noticed it's listed amongst Ken Hensley's albums here on PA as well as Head Machine's 1970 "Orgasm" album.
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Spaciousmind wrote:Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: May 25 2021 at 07:24
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Heep's Live album from 1973 is fantastic. ------------- ...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology... |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: May 25 2021 at 08:37
I'm listening to Weed's album right now and it's really growing on me.
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Posted By: Spaciousmind
Date Posted: May 25 2021 at 10:52
I like it too
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: May 25 2021 at 11:31
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Pre-Uriah Heep bands and albums featuring Ken Hensley 1968: Spice - The Lansdowne Tapes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwnZfuiJ64I&list=OLAK5uy_kF0KvDpGGJ98fLKdrVU9LjqcxKnQ7_frs" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwnZfuiJ64I&list=OLAK5uy_kF0KvDpGGJ98fLKdrVU9LjqcxKnQ7_frs 1968: The Gods - Genesis - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5OqHVmDcRU&list=OLAK5uy_kKewXemZGvb6ClosLqtUdDu_zwCpjzvnM" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5OqHVmDcRU&list=OLAK5uy_kKewXemZGvb6ClosLqtUdDu_zwCpjzvnM 1969: The Gods - To Samuel a Son - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRk4CntKAMg&list=OLAK5uy_kAo13yoikFjOgYc-Syh7gn64sllLNDggY" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRk4CntKAMg&list=OLAK5uy_kAo13yoikFjOgYc-Syh7gn64sllLNDggY 1970: Head Machine - Orgasm - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlZaFY3nBmA" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlZaFY3nBmA 1970: Toe Fat - Toe Fat - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9af0T94_Fg" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9af0T94_Fg 1971: Toe Fat - Toe Fat Two - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-8E36hB3yE" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-8E36hB3yE 1971: Weed - Weed - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEl7hdFI5pk" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEl7hdFI5pk |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: May 26 2021 at 10:12
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The Heep.....everything up through Firefly was decent..after that not so much. The debut is still my favorite though the next 4 are all good. I have The Gods on cd ..never heard of 'Head Machine' nor 'Weed'.....I have an original vinyl of the first 'Toe Fat '. Still looking for a good used copy of the second...though Hensley is not on that one. Head Machine on original label goes for big bucks these days $300-1,000...incredible what people want for these old things. You can get a reissue on cd and vinyl for $30. Same with 'Weed'... big money on first vinyls...but they are out there on cd and reissue. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: May 26 2021 at 10:24
Head Machine were The Gods under a different name, and if you like Heavy Prog, then I'm pretty sure Weed will grow on you, just as it did with me after hearing the album again yesterday.
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Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: May 26 2021 at 11:10
I listened to both Head and Weed....not bad ,typical proto prog for that time......I have the Gods -Genesis cd...with 4 bonus tracks and I will eventually get To Samuel a Son on cd. Some trivia info...originally The Gods were Mick Taylor, Hensley, John Glascock(Tull later) and Brian Glascock..then Taylor quit and Hensley reformed the band with Newton, Kerslake, and Konas..,then Greg Lake joined and ready to record some muisc...Lake left to form Crimson. They did 2 lp's and two singles(these are the 4 tracks on the cd reissue) Then they became Toe Fat...etc..backing Cliff Bennett.,,,before Hensley, Newton did Heep. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: May 26 2021 at 11:46
I only have The Gods "Genesis" album on CD out of the seven pre-Uriah Heep albums listed above, but now I've found the YouTube playlists, I can look forward to listening to all seven albums and then over-rating them, as per usual.
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Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: May 29 2021 at 20:00
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Used to have most of their 70’s releases, but whittled it down to my favourites. The Magician’s Birthday forever. Rain being the weak track for me, but the rest more than makes up for that one. |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: June 02 2021 at 13:24
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1968: Spice - The Lansdowne Tapes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwnZfuiJ64I&list=OLAK5uy_kF0KvDpGGJ98fLKdrVU9LjqcxKnQ7_frs" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwnZfuiJ64I&list=OLAK5uy_kF0KvDpGGJ98fLKdrVU9LjqcxKnQ7_frs If you're in the mood to Spice up your life with some Heavy Prog, then this is Ken Hensley at his very 'eavy, very 'umble best! Lady in Black Thanks again to Spacious Mind and Dr Wu for reminding me to include Ken Hensley's pre-Uriah Heep albums on this thread.
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: June 03 2021 at 08:54
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1968: The Gods - Genesis - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5OqHVmDcRU&list=OLAK5uy_kKewXemZGvb6ClosLqtUdDu_zwCpjzvnM" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5OqHVmDcRU&list=OLAK5uy_kKewXemZGvb6ClosLqtUdDu_zwCpjzvnM The Prog Gods will be graciously appeased with this outstanding Genesis album!
Looking Glass |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: June 04 2021 at 11:12
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1969: The Gods - To Samuel a Son - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRk4CntKAMg&list=OLAK5uy_kAo13yoikFjOgYc-Syh7gn64sllLNDggY" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRk4CntKAMg&list=OLAK5uy_kAo13yoikFjOgYc-Syh7gn64sllLNDggY Eight O'Clock in the Morning |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: June 09 2021 at 12:02
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1970: Head Machine - Orgasm - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlZaFY3nBmA" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlZaFY3nBmA Make the Feeling Last |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: June 10 2021 at 11:24
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1970: Toe Fat - Toe Fat - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9af0T94_Fg" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9af0T94_Fg That's My Love for You |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: June 13 2021 at 13:14
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1971: Toe Fat - Toe Fat Two - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-8E36hB3yE" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-8E36hB3yE Don't be put off by the banjo player at the beginning. It's not George Formby, it's Ken Hensley.
Stick Heat |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: June 14 2021 at 08:31
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I'd like to find a used vinyl of that 2nd Toe Fat....found the first in a little record/comic shop in Valparaiso ,Indiana about 6 years ago. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: June 14 2021 at 08:51
Toe Fat Too is well-worth getting and sounds just as good as the first album. It was thanks to your earlier post that I discovered these awesome pre-Uriah Heep albums, all of which sound better than any Uriah Heep album recorded after Ken Hensley left the band, although that's probably no great recommendation. 1971: Weed - Weed - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEl7hdFI5pk" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEl7hdFI5pk Sweet Morning Light |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: June 14 2021 at 09:30
I have the fitst 9 Heep on original vinyl (and first 5 on cd)...only bought Return and High and Mighty because Wetton was on them. Never heard any of the later ones. I would buy the Brit cover of the very first if it showed up in a local shop but I have the worm cover US version of course. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: June 14 2021 at 10:31
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^ I have the first eight Uriah Heep albums on CD, but I would swap all of them in a heartbeat for the eight pre-Uriah Heep albums featured here.
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: June 30 2021 at 11:09
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1970: Very 'eavy, Very 'umble - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzDs3nss_WmNxNWVwkrZlgFt" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzDs3nss_WmNxNWVwkrZlgFt Come Away Melinda |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 03 2021 at 06:17
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1971: Salisbury - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzCxKqhXztiZPpoC8BkR5F0B" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzCxKqhXztiZPpoC8BkR5F0B A gentle ballad from Uriah Heep celebrating the beauty of nature. Yes, really! The Park |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: July 04 2021 at 12:13
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Going to the local shop on Tuesday to get some more vinyl....will pick up this one,,, saw it there the other day.. 'Eager To Please' by Hensley.  ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 04 2021 at 13:09
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^ I haven't yet heard Ken Hensley's Eager to Please, but I'm sure I'll like it, as I'm easy to please.
=========================================================== 1971: Look at Yourself - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBqZgJUJnX7CW4Rc16cKSnP" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBqZgJUJnX7CW4Rc16cKSnP When you Look at Yourself in the mirror tomorrow, remember it's always good to wake up on a July Morning, especially if you're looking for love. |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: July 04 2021 at 14:04
It's on you tube...kind of Heep lite...pleasant but not too heavy. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 04 2021 at 14:15
I like both Heep-lite and very 'eavy Heep, and July Morning (posted above) has the best of both Wonderworlds.
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 06 2021 at 09:55
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1972: Demons and Wizards - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzB4G6hOhA6CUHd-vt5TeNIi" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzB4G6hOhA6CUHd-vt5TeNIi One of the best Uriah Heep songs from the best album.... The Wizard |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 08 2021 at 14:33
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1972: The Magician's Birthday - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBIxA1U_KsEK8gw6ucSsaur" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBIxA1U_KsEK8gw6ucSsaur I'd forgotten just how brilliant this album is, which is pretty amazing considering it was recorded and released just six months after the previous Demons & Wizards album.  Echoes in the Dark |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 11 2021 at 06:50
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1973: Live - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBZ2qWWmpCVOhHaWI8QEprI" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBZ2qWWmpCVOhHaWI8QEprI Wake up and smell the coffee. It's Sunrise! |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 16 2021 at 06:11
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1973: Sweet Freedom - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzCHTrFGYbd1kUhn-TqTiydO" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzCHTrFGYbd1kUhn-TqTiydO Welcome to the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival (the largest in the world). where everyone has the Sweet Freedom to fly their colourful balloon. The festival lasts for nine whole days every October - not just One Day a year. |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 25 2021 at 09:27
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Pete Pardo's affectionate tribute to the much-missed Ken Hensley (1945-2020). |
Posted By: omphaloskepsis
Date Posted: July 25 2021 at 10:49
I've always wondered if Uriah Heep influenced Queen.
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 25 2021 at 11:06
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^ Is this the real thing, or is this just a Return to Fantasy? ..... Now you come to mention it, I can hear definite shades of Bohemian Rhapsody in Bird of Prey.
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 26 2021 at 03:38
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1974: Wonderworld - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzC99-7rru_9xfwU53Yd3i1j" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzC99-7rru_9xfwU53Yd3i1j Wonderworld |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 29 2021 at 10:54
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1974: Live at Shepperton - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBv3H5H3OSD8nlV7qAIiRWf" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBv3H5H3OSD8nlV7qAIiRWf Easy Livin' |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: August 12 2021 at 08:36
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1975: Return to Fantasy - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBVaZkma3xzYppltOhWfXDw" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBVaZkma3xzYppltOhWfXDw Beautiful Dream |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: August 13 2021 at 01:07
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The last Uriah Heep album featuring singer David Byron and bassist John Wetton..... 1976: High and Mighty - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzCKR7YZQu8eqTy3meKu8ASv" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzCKR7YZQu8eqTy3meKu8ASv Misty Eyes |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: August 14 2021 at 00:10
The first of three Uriah Heep albums with new singer John Lawton (wearing more mascara than Joan Collins in the video below), and bassist Trevor Bolder, who remained with the group until passing away in 2013.  1977: Firefly - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzDTiNKsRoQs3H0ZIblViM-O" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzDTiNKsRoQs3H0ZIblViM-O Wise Man |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: August 17 2021 at 00:30
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1977: Innocent Victim - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzCpEKDr_ZNdA6vSaJDJsLo6" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzCpEKDr_ZNdA6vSaJDJsLo6 Flyin' High |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: August 18 2021 at 11:53
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1978: Fallen Angel - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzC8_PNYSa9x4mT0Th-JstSw" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzC8_PNYSa9x4mT0Th-JstSw Falling in Love
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: August 20 2021 at 12:14
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1980: Conquest - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzDdDP0CGCZnKjBjD87qelac" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzDdDP0CGCZnKjBjD87qelac The first Uriah Heep album with new vocalist John Sloman and the last album with founder member Ken Hensley at the helm, which sadly means it's the last Uriah Heep album worth featuring on this blog, but don't despair, because we'll be Flyin' High again with Ken's solo albums shortly. Feelings |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: September 23 2024 at 04:18
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KEN HENSLEY Ken Hensley (1945-2021) is the thundering keyboard powerhouse that drives the High and Mighty sound of Uriah Heep. He's been involved with a number of "very 'eavy, very 'umble" bands during his early years, including two albums with The Gods: "Genesis" (1968) and "To Samuel a Son" (1969), one album with Head Machine: "Orgasm" (1969), a self-titled album with "Toe Fat" (1970), and another self-titled album with "Weed" (1971). Ken Hensley appeared on thirteen Uriah Heep albums in a row, from their first album, "Very 'eavy, Very 'umble" in 1970, right through to their "Conquest" album in 1980, when he left the band he'd founded shortly afterwards due to the age-old band problem of "artistic differences". In the mid-1980's, Ken Hensley appeared on two albums with the American Southern Rock band Blackfoot: "Siogo" (1983) and "Vertical Smiles" (1984). He's also recorded two Live albums each in 2001 and 2002 with his two former Uriah Heep bandmates, John Lawton and John Wetton. More recently, he's recorded two studio albums under the name Ken Hensley & Live Fire: "Faster" (2011) and "Trouble" (2013). Ken Hensley launched his solo career in 1973 with "Proud Words on a Dusty Shelf", when he was still very much the driving force behind Uriah Heep. Two of Ken's Uriah Heep bandmates featured on the album: Gary Thain on bass and Lee Kerslake on drums. He's since recorded eight more studio albums with his most recent solo album "Love & Other Mysteries" arriving in the record stores in 2012. It's time now to take Ken Hensley's loud and proud first solo album off the shelf and blow off the dust and wipe away the cobwebs and give it a listen. The album opens in magnificent style with a tremendous power ballad: "When Evening Comes". Ken Hensley is in fine voice here and he's a very accomplished guitarist too, as he demonstrates here with some phenomenal soaring power chords and glittering glissandos. This dramatic refrain is just as strong and powerful as anything Uriah Heep have ever done, representing a dazzling entrance onto the solo stage for Ken Hensley which he can feel justly proud. Stunning debut albums like this one only come along "From Time To Time" and that's the title of our next song. It begins as a gentle strumming acoustic guitar number and blossoms out into a high and mighty passion play of stupendous sonic splendour, in true Uriah Heep style. Think of the magnificent majesty of "July Morning", and that's the kind of epic song you have here, only without David Byron's extravagant high-pitched vocals. When the dynamic keyboards appear at the midway point, that's when the song really reaches up into the stratosphere. It's back down to earth for "A King Without a Throne", a fairly routine and plodding Blues- Rock number without any great Demons and Wizards keyboard histrionics. It's time to put the umbrella up now for "Rain", which features Ken in full romantic balladeer mode. It's a gorgeous piano ballad featuring these moving heartfelt lyrics:- "It's raining outside but that's not unusual, But the way that I'm feeling is becoming usual, I guess you could say, The clouds are moving away, Away from your days, And into mine." ..... The moment when the gorgeous choir joins in is truly inspirational. This mellifluous romantic melody is guaranteed to brighten up the dullest of rainy days. We've reached the halfway point now with "Proud Words", a rousing and rollicking rock & roll song with a boisterous attitude. Ken Hensley's clearly not in the mood to stand for any nonsense here as he loudly and proudly urges us all to:- "Stand up and fight, Or you'll lose your right, Do you want to stand in a line, Fightin' hard to hold on to your mind." ..... It's a rockin' good song to close Side One, which sounds like a rousing call to arms. We've struck lucky and hit musical gold with "Fortune", a resonant reverberant refrain with High and Mighty Ken Hensley at his exhilarating and exuberant best. It's a true Return To Fantasy in a glorious Wonderworld of classic Uriah Heep pomp and passion. It's a song with all of the storming power of a tank rolling across Salisbury Plain. This is where we get to hear the booming and bombastic sound of Ken Hensley having the Sweet Freedom to do what he does best of all - delivering dynamic and dramatic Hard Rock with all of the explosive power of a stick of TNT. It's very 'eavy, but not so very 'umble. There's a nice change of pace for "Black Hearted Lady", an uplifting romantic ballad with Ken Hensley wearing his heart on his sleeve with these bittersweet lyrics:- "Reading between the lines I find, You don't mean what you say, You cheated and you lied, And how you made me hurt inside, You turned my days into darkest nights, And re-arranged my dreams, You're just not what you seem, Black-hearted lady." ..... It sounds like Ken was writing from bitter personal experience with those emotionally-wrought lyrics. It's time to "Go Down" now for a lovely acoustic guitar ballad. It's a charming heart-warming song carried along on a harmonious wave of rich golden guitar chords and with Ken Hensley in fine impassioned voice. In an album that's choc-a-bloc full of great songs, the penultimate song "Cold Autumn Sunday" represents the highlight of the album. It's a passionate power ballad that pulls out all the stops, featuring a glittering display of stratospheric guitar riffing and a rousing honey-voiced choir that's guaranteed to lift the spirits up into the heavens. This is THE BIG anthemic number on the album with all of the grandiose splendour and magnificent majesty of a great royal occasion. And finally, here comes the real shocker..... Ken Hensley goes Country! Yes, really! "The Last Time" is the last song on the album and it's a twangy Country song, adding a countrified string to Mr Hensley's versatile musical bow - although it's hard to picture Ken Hensley wearing a Stetson hat and cowboy boots. "Proud Words on a Dusty Shelf" is a magnificent debut for Ken Hensley and it's an album that any discerning connoisseur of classic Prog-Rock can feel proud to have on their dusty shelf. You don't HAVE to be a Uriah Heep fan to love this stunning album, but it might help. It's not as hard and heavy as Uriah Heep, but it's an album bursting at the seams with pride and power and romantic passion. 1973: Ken Hensley - Proud Words on a Dusty Shelf - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_keNEV6L1KU8YFfo40oB4bCTANhI5xxHzI" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_keNEV6L1KU8YFfo40oB4bCTANhI5xxHzI 1975: Ken Hensley - Eager to Please - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kcA0qwyh-QOMvx-sAn7le1C6uBszZ_S_o" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kcA0qwyh-QOMvx-sAn7le1C6uBszZ_S_o 1981: Ken Hensley - Free Spirit - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nMnT_EUXRc74JSOunVv66fHOAppHFw8Ow" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nMnT_EUXRc74JSOunVv66fHOAppHFw8Ow 1999: Ken Hensley - A Glimpse of Glory - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mjoopPWJCRKtYEsDsQCJLeCWkx5WVjUMA" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mjoopPWJCRKtYEsDsQCJLeCWkx5WVjUMA 2002: Ken Hensley & John Wetton - More Than Conquerors - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bbZVaA0seA" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bbZVaA0seA 2002: Ken Hensley - Running Blind - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mH_lYLGWC9OeaQx7R0ZHKlPKLtPcwubiU" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mH_lYLGWC9OeaQx7R0ZHKlPKLtPcwubiU 2003: Ken Hensley - The Last Dance - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n13x5VATvtPY30tTs1w12FEs5F3xumOxc" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n13x5VATvtPY30tTs1w12FEs5F3xumOxc 2005: Ken Hensley - The Wizard's Diary, Vol. 1 - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mbbliS_h8CjLIPAA84Z7Sh8GageMDNfqU" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mbbliS_h8CjLIPAA84Z7Sh8GageMDNfqU 2005: Ken Hensley - Cold Autumn Sunday - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mYF3crgjeEiE25-BJLP2VX_h52CSVPUsw" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mYF3crgjeEiE25-BJLP2VX_h52CSVPUsw 2005: Ken Hensley & Live Fire - Live in Norway - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XMC0b_lTX8" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XMC0b_lTX8 2007: Ken Hensley & Live Fire - Blood on the Highway - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mxf41FAFBYQ6MjMJmwgfRuRehqArv-5pw" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mxf41FAFBYQ6MjMJmwgfRuRehqArv-5pw 2011: Ken Hensley & Live Fire - Faster - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kwrDwpHqt3AApAdtvMLIuwwfl1eTcAcrU" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kwrDwpHqt3AApAdtvMLIuwwfl1eTcAcrU 2013: Ken Hensley & Live Fire - Trouble 2013: Ken Hensley - Live Tales 2018: Ken Hensley - Rare & Timeless - 2019: Ken Hensley & Live Fire - Live in Russia - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_niKfCx_5WivQY_iuQjcXZ8bNJNCkP_1Vc" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_niKfCx_5WivQY_iuQjcXZ8bNJNCkP_1Vc 2021: Ken Hensley - My Book of Answers - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_msTv7KYbdaO2kWA5EdXQ6CytHBfHwfCfE" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_msTv7KYbdaO2kWA5EdXQ6CytHBfHwfCfE |