Search - Uriah Heep :: Firefly

A miraculous recovery

psychedelephant | Staten Island, NY United States | 01/18/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If 1974 was a difficult year for Uriah Heep, 1976 would prove even more disastrous. Former bassist Gary Thain would be found dead of a drug overdose in December 1975, an omen of things to come; relations between the band and manager/producer Gerry Bron grew sour, resulting in the band self-producing that year's largely ill-conceived "High and Mighty" album; and finally, what appeared to be the crushing and irrecoverable blow: singer David Byron, whose incredible voice practically defined the band, was spiralling down into a tragic abyss of alcohol abuse and increasingly erratic drunken behavior (including cursing out the stunned audience at one show), which finally resulted in his firing. (Byron would go on to attempt an unsuccessful solo career, before drinking himself to death in 1985). Recently hired bassist John Wetton, who was dissatisfied with the musical direction of "High and Mighty", and who was close to Byron personally, would quit shortly afterward, leaving the band in a state of near-collapse.



Miraculously, the remaining members, organist and primary writer Ken Hensley, guitarist Mick Box, and drummer Lee Kerslake, were not only able to resurrect the band phoenix-like from the ashes, but produce an excellent first effort from the new lineup, which would be rounded out by Trevor Bolder, who had played with David Bowie's Spiders From Mars, on bass, and former Lucifer's Friend vocalist John Lawton. (Bolder was a particularly inspired choice; except for a brief period in the early 1980s, he has remained in the band to this day). "Firefly", recorded in 1977, is an impressive debut, with some of Ken's best songwriting, and a much tighter and more focused approach with Gerry Bron back in the producer's chair.



Particular standouts (although every track is excellent) are "Who Needs Me", a rare (and fun) songwriting contribution from Kerslake, "Wise Man", one of Ken's prettiest and most inspiring ballads, with an absolutely amazing vocal from Lawton, who in some ways has a more powerful voice than Byron, although not as unique and emotionally moving, "Do You Know", a fun, fast-paced hard rocker, the moody "Rollin' On", "Sympathy", where Lawton practically conjures the spirit of David Byron near the end, and the epic multi-sectional closing title track, with Ken handling much of the lead vocals. Guitarist Mick Box particularly shines throughout the album, with tasteful and tasty guitar work on every song.



The bottom line: a surprising comeback that ranks as an excellent album; if not quite at the level of, say "Sweet Freedom", it certainly stands comfortably alongside, say, "Return to Fantasy". A must for Heepsters, and highly recommended to everyone else as well. 4 1/2 stars."

ROLLIN' ON

Michael Courtney | San Antonio, Texas United States | 03/20/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This release by Uriah Heep saw the departure of vocalist David Byron. He was replaced by John Lawton, who had been a member of Lucifer's Friend from Germany. This gave the band somewhat of a new sound, but their approach to music seemed to change little. Lawton added considerably to the lyrics on the release, also.This release sports 4 bonus tracks to compliment the original Warner Brothers release. They are B sides and alternate versions that sound fairly good. This release sports two tracks that should have been blockbuster songs, but weren't. They are both my favorites off the CD, "The Hanging Tree" and "Rollin' On". Other songs that are good to listen to include "Been Away Too Long", "Wise Man", "Firefly", and "A Far Better Way". The B-side "Crime of Passion" is also a good track.Even though Lawton did not stay with Uriah Heep long, his part in the band is unmistakeable. The musicianship is Uriah Heep as most people remember them, it's just the voice that has changed. With this release John Wetton[King Crimson, UK, Asia] left the band and was replaced on bass by Trevor Bolder from Spiders From Mars. This CD is a great earful and I would suggest it to those that like Uriah Heep, Lucifer's Friend, or good music from the latter 70's."