Uriah Heep
Totally Driven

I suppose you have to be totally driven in order to keep making music for over forty years and to keep going around the world performing that music in front of audiences. This what the legendary band called Uriah Heep has been doing, they released their debut album back in 1970 and their latest album came early last year. This collection of rerecorded songs was recorded back in 2001 by the longest running line up of Uriah Heep amongst others featuring the late Trevlor Bolder. It was originally released back then as well under another name and it ran out of print very quickly so this may be for all of you who didn’t get the collection when it first was released. So, what shall we then say about this collection of 27 classic Uriah Heep songs from their illustrious career?

Well, we can say that the songs bear their trademark and should we really need to bring you an introduction to how the band sounds? Anyway, lots of organs of course, heavy songs, powerful songs, strong vocals from Bernie Shaw, great variation and two hourse of well put together song material. I think this is a testament to the longevity of great songs, this was recorded fifteen years ago and is still fresh and interesting and some of these songs were written more than 40 years ago and still works brilliantly today. One cannot really say anything but great production about this double album that features some of the band’s greatest hits very nicely updated.

Excellent! That is the thing we can claim when talking about this new album, the songs are wonderful and many of them can be described as timeless classics. It is really the only Uriah Heep release you need as it contains what make this band great and it has enough music to keep you occupied for a long time, and on the subject of time the two hour playing time is very manageable when it comes to this release. I really like it and can play it over and over again. Sure it has been released before and sure we have heard the songs before so we cannot claim originality hear but the collection is so wonderful that if you haven’t already got it, it should be a great addition to your record collection.

27 great songs and picking favourites isn’t the easiest but there are some Uriah Heep songs that have made a greater impression on me, like Return to Fantasy with great drive and character, Easy Livin’ is another great song and I also really enjoy Look at Yourself a little extra – the three mentioned can be said to be a little bit standout amongst the rest but that is a very little bit as the entire album is really great. With slight reservations for the fact that it is remade songs and the album has been released once before I recommend this album and I know that I will buy it.

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