Album Review: Uriah Heep- Beautiful Dream (1975-1977)

Aaron ConnMusic, ReviewsLeave a Comment

Months after the release of The Shadows and The Wind, Cherry Red Records have released the next installment of the Uriah Heep remasters. The latest set, Beautiful Dream, is a set consisting of the band’s studio output from 1975 to 1977. As to be expected from Cherry Red releases, there’s some bonus tracks and liner notes that all Heepsters should enjoy.

A Little History
In early 1975, Uriah Heep parted ways with bassist Gary Thain. This marked the end of the classic line up’s tenure, which featured Thain, singer David Byron, guitarist Mick Box, drummer Lee Kerslake and keyboardist Ken Hensley. Replacing Thain would be John Wetton, fresh out of King Crimson. This line up would release the band’s next two albums in 1975 and 1976.

In 1976, Byron was fired from the band for his erratic behavior. Also around this time, Wetton would leave the band. By 1977, the band would take in former Lucifer’s Friend singer John Lawton and Spiders from Mars bassist Trevor Bolder. This line of with Lawton and Bolder would release two albums within the same year of 1977.

Note On The Remasters
Picking up where The Shadows and the Wind left off, these new remasters of the four albums are more like remixes of the albums. As stated in the review on the previous box set, Uriah Heep’s team are seeming to continue where they left off in 2017 with the remasterings of the band’s first five studio albums. While they aren’t drastically different like other remixes, these new versions of these albums don’t sound exactly like the ones that came out back in the day.

The Albums

Return To Fantasy (1975)
uriah heep return to fantasyComing off the underwhelming Wonderworld, Return To Fantasy was seen as a “return to form” for Uriah Heep. Throughout its nine tracks, Return To Fantasy has a good mix of prog rock numbers and hard rockers. While it does feel slightly commercial in parts, it’s a good album overall.

Favorite Songs: Shady Lady, Devil’s Daughter, A Year Or A Day, Return to Fantasy
Rating: 7/10

 

High And Mighty (1976)
uriah heep high and mightyThe band’s last album with David Byron is easily their weakest with him. The songs aren’t up to par compared to other releases and the album feels like a cluster of different ideas. Even then, there are some good songs on here.

Favorite Songs: One Way Or Another, Midnight, Footprints in the Snow, Misty Eyes
Rating: 6/10

Firefly (1977)
uriah heep fireflyServing as their first album with John Lawton, Firefly marked the beginning of a new era for Heep. Firefly offers a good mix of hard rockers and Lawton is in fine form. While Lawton’s vocals lean more towards the AOR side of things, Firefly is an enjoyable album from beginning to end.

Favorite Songs: Wise Man, The Hanging Tree, Sympathy, Firefly
Rating: 7/10

Innocent Victim (1977)
uriah heep innocent victimThe second outing with Lawton is more hard rock than progressive rock. Even then, Innocent Victim is a solid album from the band. Compared to Firefly, there’s more variations to the bands sound.

Favorite Songs: Free Me, Free N Easy, Keep On Ridin, The Dance
Rating: 7/10


Conclusion
Along with the albums, each disc offers a few bonus tracks. Some of these have been released before while others have not been released. There’s also a booklet, filled with newly written liner notes from Rich Davenport.

If you’ve enjoyed the new remasterings of the Uriah Heep albums, chance are that you’ll enjoy this set. As to if this series will continue, it would seem like a follow up would cover 1978-1980 and feature the following albums:

Fallen Angel
Live in Europe 1979
Conquest

Time will tell if this set happens. For now, Heepsters can enjoy Beautiful Dream.

Overall Rating: 7/10

(Visited 6 times, 1 visits today)