Search - Uriah Heep :: Live at Shepperton 74

Great set list/god-awful recording

Robert Dumas | Pawling, NY USA | 01/23/2002

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Consider this a 2 1/2 star rating.This is a "live" Uriah Heep set from 1974 -- one year after the release of their much-acclaimed "Uriah Heep Live" 2-record set. If you already have this latter album, "Live at Shepperton, '74" would simply be an indulgence. Maybe an over-indulgenceThis particular recording was actually done on a sound stage for a small audience of friends, record company execs and some fans. (They had been scheduled to do a TV appearence in the U.S., but blew it off. Upon arriving back in the U.K. they found themselves contractually obligated to the U.S. TV show and had to tape it immediately. And that's what this is.) It was never intended for commercial release. In fact, band members didn't want it released -- and once you play it, you'll know why.The best thing about this session is that is includes several songs that are otherwise unavailable in a live version with original vocalist David Byron. The band had been in the middle of its recording sessions for the "Wonderworld" album when it stopped to do this show and decided to try out some of the new material in front of an audience. Consequently, the disc features live versions of burgeoning songs like "I Won't Mind," "Something or Nothing," and "The Easy Road." For die-hard Heep fans, these are true treasures.However -- and this a very big however, the sound quality for this recording goes beyond bad. I've heard Grateful Dead bootlegs recorded in the upper deck of arenas with hand held microphones and a Radio Shack cassette player sound better than this mess.The main problem is that someone forgot to record the guitars. What little guitar you do hear is being picked up from someone else's monitor. As a result, the guitars sound "other-wordly," distant and tinny. The bass, drums and organ absolutely pulverize them into obilivion.On a song like "The Easy Road," -- this flaw is a little less noticable because it's a piano-driven ballad with little, if any, guitar. Plus, Byron's voice soars like an angel on this version.But on a song like "I Won't Mind" -- a guitar-centric tune featuring both Ken Hensley and Mick Box on dualing slides, the results are nearly unlistenable. (There's a guitar in there somewhere!!)The band was in good spirits while recording this show and their good-natured banter between songs is fun and interesting to listen to (since there aren't a lot of live recordings -- good or bad -- out there featuring this classic line-up). However, a lot of the playing is sloppy, and some of the background harmonies are off.Unfortunately, these horrible production values make this a CD that is for diehard Heep fans and completists (like me!) only. A casual listner would be appalled. (And to be honest, as an ardent Heep fan, there's lots of other Heep material I'd rather trot out than this train wreck.)So, the 2 1/2 star rating is based on the point of view of a well-established fan -- simply because live versions of these songs with this line-up are rare and precious. However, an average fan would probably throw a sneaker through the speaker and storm from the room.Be forewarned. Decide what you are ahead of time."

Dumas does'nt know what he has reviewed!

memek | INA | 05/18/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"this recording is an rehearsal-audience the band recorded in front of their british fans at the Shepperton studio west london . The band rehearsed the new materials like the easy road, sweet freedom, I'm so tired for the upcoming Wonderworld album 1975 before the band went off for Münich germany. The whole set is not bad.....I know that the recording sound is a bit weak because the band just rehearsed the fresh materials for the WONDERWOLD album. And if you re listening to the Stones or the WHO, and Led zeppelin rehearsal albums, I'm quitely sure that the sound qualities are similar! need I say more?"