Search - Uriah Heep :: You Can't Keep A Good Band Down: The Miniatures

A Heeping Heep of Heep

Peter S. Davis | tempe, az United States | 05/20/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is absolutely the best box set I've ever seen. The miniature artwork is beautifully reproduced.
Why aren't more bands releasing their old albums in exact replica album covers? Original album artwork matters and in this case it is amazing! The program from Live is painstakingly reproduced. There's even a lil' mirror in Look at Yourself-Its like Dr. Shrinker got ahold of your records! The obvious problem with this set is the 3 albums missing between Live 1973 and High and Mighty(Sweet Freedom, Wonderworld and Return to Fantasy). Methinks there were some "other" label problems going on so what can you do?
If you're still listening to this stuff on vinyl (like I was up until a few days ago), do yourself a favor and replace those scratchy things with this set. And get yourself a magnifying glass to read Hensley's liner notes!"

Must Have For Any "Heep" Fan...

"The Woj" | Downers Grove, IL | 07/01/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you're like me with your Uriah Heep albums on vinyl stored away in the garage, do not let this collection slip by you.
Everything here is first rate from the sound quality, the cool mini-album reproductions and the overall packaging. The music? Uriah Heep is as great as your remember them and even better now with the upgraded sound.
This is also a great place to start for new fans. Greatest Hits collections are okay, but songs often need to be appreciated in the context of the original album. A good example here is the song "Traveler In Time" leading into the classic "Easy Livin'" from the "Demons & Wizards" album. In addition, Heep was never really a "singles" band; hence compilations do not really do them justice. The only reason for 4 stars and not 5 is the obvious lack of continuity in the album chronology. "Sweet Freedom", recorded in 1973 should be included in place of "High And Mighty". It obviously has something to do with the bands switch from the Mercury label to Warner Brothers for the "Sweet Freedom" album. Unfortunatley after the switch to Warner Bros., Heep was never the same. "High And Mighty" is an okay album (2 stars tops), but well below the previous 6 included here (although the first album is not far behind).
Yes, the set is a bit pricey, so just go zShops & eBay for a great price.
This set is right on par with Castle's Black Sabbath Box. Heck add both sets to your cart!."

DIRECT COPY RELEASED ON LP's

Alexander | 05/21/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Yes, I completely agree with previous reviewers concerning music itself and this particular box. But I would like to add a few words. This is a direct copy of the first six classic Heep albums of the Byron era issued as miniature LP's plus their 10-th High And Mighty album. Please note that all but two albums were previously released as mini-LP's separately in UK. The box released in 2002 but individual albums were released in 2000 and this is the same (and GOOD !) re-mastering as was on their 1995-1997 releases. As of 2003 there is again new re-mastering on enhanced editions. However Uriah Heep Live (1973 2CD) and High And Mighty (1976) are not commercially available as mini-LP's elsewhere but here with this box-set.

A brief overview of each release : Very 'eavy Very 'umble - gatefold sleeve, no lyrics, no inner sleeve; Salisbury - gatefold sleeve, no lyrics, no inner sleeve, original UK version, original UK TANK cover - not American !, Look at Yourself -single sleeve with mirror (original UK cover, not North American !) plus inner sleeve with lyrics, Demons And Wizards - gatefold sleeve, incert with full lyrics, The Magician's Birthday - gatefold sleeve plus original incert with full lyrics, Live - gatefold sleeve, original official programme, full colour pages, High And Mighty - original single (UK original) cover and ... WHERE IS ORIGINAL INNER SLEEVE with full lyrics and colour snaps of band members ? Please note that each CD contain NO BONUS TRACKS. If you need it you have to go for separate releases in ordinary jewelcases. The first 5 original albums were also released a few years ago in paper sleeves in Japan also and will be re-released (plus Sweet Freedom and Wonderworld) again in Japan only in August 2006. But their No.7 album in UK Return To Fantasy in paper sleeve is available only in Russia with all relevant bonus tracks. Yes, prior to Sweet Freedom release Heep switched over from Mercury label to Warners. But this was in the USA. In the UK they never changed their label Bronze untill Bronze went bankrupt in 1986. This is a Sanctuary Records release made in UK and why Sweet Freedom, Wonderworld and Return To Fantasy are skipped is behind me. The box also contain a 16-page full colour booklet with liner notes, plenty of colour photos, all info relevant to each of the album and full LP/CD discography. If three aforementioned albums skipped had been included this would have been definately 5 stars !"