A classic acoustic set

Uriah Heep is one of the longest lasting rock bands of our day, and they just keep getting better. Although nothing will compare to the original line-up, this longest running line-up of Box, Kerslake, Bolder, Shaw, and Lanzon have come together to bring a truly enjoyable set of 'unplugged' classics. You don't have to be a Heep fan to enjoy this disc. The songs are great, old and new, but mostly old, and the fans clearly show their appreciation. Heep has dusted off some classics that haven't been played in over twenty years: Lonely Road, Wonderlworld, Shadows and the Wind, Circle of Hands, and many more. A truly enjoyable set from one of rock's finest bands.

A masterpiece!

"Yeah, sure", I was thinking, "every band now has to do the obligatory "Unplugged" album, so Heep's putting one out as well...". Of course, as a long-time Uriah Heep fan, I expected it to be a good, solid effort, but nothing prepared me for what I heard:

I've been a Heepster for years. I have virtually everything they've ever recorded, from 1970 onwards. And after playing this disc pretty much daily for the past two months, I'm coming to the conclusion that this might actually be the best thing they've ever done. A brilliant choice of songs (some famous, some obscure, some rarely, if ever played, some current) from throughout most of the band's history (although the John Sloman and Peter Goalby eras are not surprisingly omitted), brilliantly arranged, and performed with a whole host of guest musicians, ranging from a string quartet, a ulieann piper, and a host of female backup singers, to Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson on flute. Highlights include "The Easy Road", one of the band's most gorgeous ballads from 1974, on which vocalist Bernie Shaw practically channels the spirit of David Byron, "Circus" and "Blind Eye" with Ian Anderson, the Lee Kerslake-penned "Come Back To Me" with soulful female backing vocals, and all of the contemporary material, especially "Cross That Line", and "The Golden Palace". This is by far the best live album I have ever heard, by Heep or anyone else, and deserves a place in any rock fan's collection.

Heep never sounded so good!

Seriously, the first time I heard this, I got teary-eyed listening to these songs again in a way that I have always dreamed of hearing them. I'll admit right here that it took several years before Bernie Shaw's vocals grew on me. I always thought that David Byron was irreplacable. And he is I suppose, but Shaw has a great voice for Heep's style of music, and he really and truly shines on this album, as does everyone else. Sound quality is first-rate, rivaling the quality of studio recordings.

I had to dig out my old copy of the "Different World" album after listening to "Cross That Line" and "Different World" on this one. I didn't pay those songs much attention until I heard this live set. They really are beautiful songs.

Other favorites are "The Easy Road", "Shadows and the Wind", and "Wonderworld". All take on new life with this orchestral arrangement.

I played this for a friend of mine who thought that the musical arrangement reminded him of Andrew Lloyd Webber. He meant it as a compliment, as he is a Webber fan. I don't know much about ALW myself. But I think I see his point, as the arrangements are quite complex, yet sound simple.

Heck, I'd recommend this CD to anybody, no matter what kind of music they like! This has universal appeal.