We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago…..
There are some who consider this album a classic. They say it belongs in the hard-rock and prog pantheon. There are others who say it’s an overwrought mess that has some high moments but too many misses as well.
The album is the second release in 1972 for the English band Uriah Heep…”The Magicians Birthday”
The critics at the time were not kind to this record. Modern day reviewers are more positive. As a postcard of its day the album is fine. It ticks off all the boxes of what we expected from the band at the time.
Great crunchy power chords and searing solos from guitarist Mick Box…skittering synth sounds from Ken Hensley…a solid bottom from bassist Gary Thain and drummer Lee Kerslake and stratospheric vocalizing from David Byron.
Can an album be bad if it gives us what we expect?
The songs range from cool power ballads like the opener “Sunrise” and the more acoustic but still rocking “Blind Eye”. A piano based ballad called “Rain” is a bit outside the box but the band delivers a classic in “Sweet Lorraine” and also delivers the 10 minute fantasy based opus title track in all it’s proggy glory. That it tends to wander in the middle can be forgiven I guess.
While certainly not as complete an album as their previous two, Uriah Heep continued to be a must hear for the hard rock guys of the period. I’m not sure we need to revisit it much these days.
1. “Sunrise” 00:00 2. “Spider Woman” 04:07 3. “Blind Eye” 06:37 4. “Echoes in the Dark” 10:17 5. “Rain” 15:11 6. “Sweet Lorraine” 19:13 7. “Tales” 23:32 8. “The Magician’s Birthday” 27:45
Uriah Heep: David Byron – lead vocals Mick Box – guitars Ken Hensley – keyboards, guitars, Moog synthesizer, kazoo (8) Gary Thain – bass Lee Kerslake – drums, percussion Additional musicians: Brian Cole – pedal steel guitar on “Tales”
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