Uriah Heep - Live At Koko 2014 (2015)

×

Uriah Heep - Live At Koko 2014 (2015)

Close

In January 2011, URIAH HEEP entered the studio to record "Into The Wild" and the band once again returned to the road for a worldwide tour. The group played in front of nearly 150,000 people in 58 different countries. On March 4, 2014, URIAH HEEP played in front of its "home" audience in London and performed an amazing show which was recorded in HD for a release in double CD/DVD and, for the first time, on Blu-ray.

"Recording a live DVD in London at Koko's was just fantastic. Our fans travelled from all over the world to be there, and be part of this magic night," says guitarist Mick Box. "This added so much to the atmosphere, and thankfully it was captured on camera. We debuted two songs from our new CD, 'Outsider', that night, and the reaction was just incredible, proving that we have the best fans in the world."

Originally founded by vocalist David Byron and guitarist Mick Box, URIAH HEEP has been through an incredible number of permutations, with Box always at the helm. Longstanding keyboard player Phil Lanzon and vocalist Bernie Shaw were recruited nearly thirty years ago in 1986. Drummer Russell Gilbrook who has now been with the band seven years, has recorded studio albums "Wake The Sleeper", "Into The Wild" and "Outsider". "Wake The Sleeper" heralded an exciting new phase for the band, taking HEEP's classic sound right into the future. The band celebrated its 40th anniversary with an aptly titled greatest-hits re-recordings album called "Celebration". Dave Rimmer, who had been standing in for Trevor Bolder (ex-David Bowie's SPIDERS FROM MARS), continues as the bassist, with the band's diary for the foreseeable future as full as ever

~ blabbermouth

Hands up, cards on the table, I was never a fan of Progressive rock. My musical diet growing up was listening to the likes of AC/DC, Led Zeppelin and Queen. I always found bands of the Progressive genre to be a bunch of smart asses who thought they knew better. I remember seeing Peter Gabriel dressed up as a bloody daffodil and thinking, why? Worse again, Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, decked out in tights and codpiece whilst brandishing a flute. Yes a flute, an instrument that has as much place in any brand of rock as a beer festival has in Iran. Oh and lets not forget Pink Floyd, with their brains protruding through their skulls, they always gave me the impression that smiling was for commoners, and probably came up with a maths equations before dropping some awfully awfully nice acid. But seen as I’m now older and wider, it’s time to give my progressive genre cynicism an education.

And that education begins with Uriah Heep. Formed in London in1969 by guitarist Mick Box, the band enjoyed the majority of their success in the 70’s. Despite this, they have still managed to shift 40 million albums worldwide. Not bad for a band who have maintained a mainly cult following for
the last 30 years. This double live opus was recorded at the famous Koko in London, formerly known as Camden Palace.

Against All Odds, from 1995 album, Sea Of Light, raises the curtain in typical progressive fashion. It’s complex, zany, but maintains a traditional rock feel. Mick Box’s beloved wah wah rains down on Overload, while Phil Lanzon’s organ masterclass provides a steely backbone on Traveller in Time. Bernie Shaw summons the Heep faithful for participation on a rousing Sunrise, then we are taken back to 1973 with the boogie blues rhythms of Stealin’. Heep’s last studio outing, 2014’s Outsider, gets an airing with the one, two, of Can’t Take That Away, and the sublime One Minute. The first half closes out with the full thoroughbred rock of Nail On The Head.

Into The Wild opens CD2, and bears more than a striking resemblance to Deep Purple’s Highway Star. Russell Gillbrook and Phil Lanzon’s teasing intro erupts into all out fury. Producer Mike Paxman has captured the bands live essence perfectly, especially on tracks like Gypsy, Look At Yourself and the wonderfully self indulgent Box Wah Box. My only real gripe is that the crowd sounds like their clapping five miles away. Nevertheless, the performance remains impeccable, Lady In Black and robust encores Free ‘n’ Easy and Easy Living are meticulously executed. If you’re a progressive novice like myself, the accompanying DVD will act as a handy tool in your tuition. I used to think Uriah Heep was a tropical sex disease, now I know that they are a bloody great live rock band, who’s enthusiasm for what they do is all over this album. And there’s no flutes.

~ myglobalmind

×

Uriah Heep - Live At Koko 2014 (2015)

Close

×

Uriah Heep - Live At Koko 2014 (2015)

Close

×

Uriah Heep - Live At Koko 2014 (2015)

Close