VERY 'EAVY...VERY 'UMBLE

This debut album of Uriah Heep usually isn't presented as a perfect example of their best work but it consists one of my favorite song (not only Uriah Heep's but in general) - "Gypsy". In fact after this first impression we can notice that all album presents really solid music work. This is even my number 3 of this band (after "Look at Yourself" and "Salisbury"). So let me describe these songs step by step:

1. "Gyspy" - as I said before this is a real "opus magnum" of this album (maybe that's why it should be in the end of this record, but never mind.). It starts with magnificent and really fast intro and after this we can listen monotonous, almost pure hard rock organ-guitar riff and pompous, dramatic Byron's voice. After a while starts the strongest, wildest and most cacophonic Hammond organ solo I've ever heard (.and the best of course J I don't know how Hensley could imagine such a thing 'cause he was just after second The God's album where hadn't shown anything similar to this passionate organ playin'! To sum up: even Emerson wasn't so brave to did such a thing in his high days!

2. "Walking in your shadow" - after the previous song it can be a little surprise 'cause we don't have any organ here.but double guitars attack (Box + Hensley). But after all, this is really good song, closer to typical hard rock than prog-rock with this catchy, memorable riff.

3. "Come away Melinda" - (I've heard that this is a cover but I don't know the real version) Some people can say that this song doesn't fit the whole album (and this band in general) but I really like this soft, melodic and dreamy ballad. Acoustic guitar and mellotron waves are beautiful here. And delicate Byron's vocals, too. Pure melancholy.

4. "Lucy Blues" - this is second song which is usually said to be "out of place". But again I can't agree with this opinion 'cause it's really good example of bluesy & jazzy rock piano-driven song a la Led Zeppelin with fine organ and guitar solos. I think that it's a good situation when some band doesn't play only "typical" for them songs. Am I right?

5. "Dreammare" - it's much more typical Uriah Heep's rocker with all of these "la.la.la.la" and so on. And that's why I like it J. Pay attention to this Hammond organ intro!

6. "Real turned on" - this is another song without keyboards on this album (along with "Walking in your shadow"). But again guitars attack with really catchy riffs makes this song worth listening.

7. "I'll keep on trying" - another Uriah Heep's classic composition. It includes crazy guitar-organ intro and similar outro, fascinating guitar solo and even some peaceful part which makes this song more "magical". I can notice only one "weak point" of this song: lack of real Hammond solo, but in fact Ken Hensley joined the group during recording session so we can't be disappointed according his work on this album. He showed his full glory and exerted bigger influence in Uriah Heep's music in their next albums in fact.

8. "Wake up (set your sights)" - this is the most progressive composition on "Very 'Eavy.Very 'Umble" after "Gypsy". We have quiet organ waves, good Box's guitar playing and pathetic Byron's vocals here. After 3 minutes music suddenly changes to very atmospheric, mellotron-loaded part. In fact this is the track which can be the easiest called "an epic".

9. "Born in a trunk" (bonus track) - in fact I'm not surprised that this track didn't appear on the main album. It's a simple rocker, without any keyboards. Guitar playin' is sometimes annoying for me here and it isn't interesting song for me at all.

To sum up: this album maybe isn't a spectacular progressive gem full of long epics and never-ending, breathtaking solos but without doubt it's worth checking example of solid album made by band which showed his full power in next records. Besides it includes uncanny "Gypsy" which makes "Very 'Eavy.Very 'Umble" worth listening even if you won't take a liking to the rest album.

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