Very 'Eavy... Very 'Umble

by Uriah Heep

Overview

This album was the debut of Uriah Heep, an English band that would become one of the Titans of the '70s heavy metal sound. Despite their eventual hard-rocking reputation, Very 'Eavy... Very 'Umble finds the band trying on different stylistic hats as they work towards finding their own sound. At this juncture, their music falls halfway between the crunch of heavy metal and the dramatic arrangements of prog rock. When this style jells, the results are quite powerful: "Dreammare" blends psychedelic lyrics and a complex vocal arrangement with a stomping beat from the rhythm section to create an effective slice of prog metal fusion while "I'll Keep on Trying" presents a head-spinning, complex tune with enough riffs, hooks, and tempo changes to fill three or four songs. However, the album's finest achievement is "Gypsy": this heavy metal gem nails the blend of swirling organ riffs, power chords, and leather-lunged vocal harmonies that would define the group's classic tunes and remains a staple of the band's live performances today. Unfortunately, the focus of the album is diluted by some unsuccessful experiments: "Lucy Blues" is a dull, unmemorable stab at a Led Zeppelin-style heavy blues tune and "Come Away Melinda" is an overproduced, melodramatic cover that tries to marry the band's full-throttle musical style to a message song. Despite these occasional moments of stylistic schizophrenia, Very 'Eavy... Very 'Umble is a likable album that shows the promise that Uriah Heep would soon realize. Those unfamiliar with Uriah Heep may want to try out Demons and Wizards or a compilation first, but anyone with a serious interest in Uriah Heep or the roots of heavy metal will find plenty to like on Very 'Eavy... Very 'Umble. The American edition of this album was retitled Uriah Heep and omits "Lucy Blues" in favor of the track "Bird of Prey" from Salisbury. ~ Donald A. Guarisco

Product Details

Release Date:	01/28/2022
Label:	Sanctuary
UPC:	4050538689785
Rank:	61989

Tracks

1. Gypsy
2. Walking in Your Shadow
3. Come Away Melinda
4. Lucy Blues
5. Dreammare
6. Real Turned On
7. I'll Keep On Trying
8. Wake Up (Set Your Sights)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Uriah Heep   Primary Artist
Ken Hensley   Organ,Piano,Vocals,Mellotron,Slide Guitar
David Byron   Vocals
Mick Box   Guitar,Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic)
Keith Baker   Drums,Percussion
Colin Wood   Keyboards
Paul Newton   Vocals,Guitar (Bass)
Al Napier   Drums
Ollie Olsson   Drums,Percussion

Technical Credits

Ken Hensley   Composer
Peter Gallen   Mixing,Engineer
Mike Brown   Mixing
Gerry Bron   Producer
Fred Hellerman   Composer
Andy Pearce   Remastering
David Byron   Composer
Tom Coyne   Mastering
Mick Box   Composer
John Craig   Cover Design
Malcolm Brown   Producer
Peter J. Olliff   Mixing
Desmond Strobel   Art Direction
Gerald Minkoff   Composer
Paul Newton   Composer
Peter Smith   Photography
Fran Minkoff   Composer
Garrick   Composer
Minkoff   Composer
Matt Wortham   Remastering