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Rating: Serendipity. A word that cyclically appears in my life. Unexpectedly finding something while looking for something else, in a few words, a positive coincidence.
A glance at the desk calendar contradicts what I see beyond the glass; February 2010 is almost over.
I search through the disordered pile of CDs for something reflective, preferably instrumental, to accompany me and the book I'm about to start reading.
Then my gaze collides with the slightly more organized pile of vinyls. From the stack emerges a double album with a somewhat anonymous cover compared to the others, like those bound volumes of certain encyclopedias I've never opened.
The simple inscription says it all: "Uriah Heep Live January 1973". It can't help but catch your eye given the completely black color chosen by the band for this first live album. Black for mourning, I think.
Nothing to do with the more famous and celebrated black album by AC/DC, but another glance at the calendar reminds me that 25 years ago, a unique and influential character left this world: David Byron.
I wasn't wrong, but I certainly couldn't have imagined that in exactly three days (February 28, to be precise), it will be the 25th anniversary of that tragic event.
25, a round number. The few lines I jot down spontaneously are my personal tribute to him, to the songs written with the Heep, and obviously to his unique way of singing and interpreting a written text (by the way, I highly recommend reading the translations of the lyrics he wrote with Ken Hensley to understand their visionary/melancholic depth). I won't dwell unnecessarily on praises about the album; there’s little to say. The recording of the 1973 UK tour, mostly from Birmingham, was at the time considered the only "rival" to the masterpiece of live rock albums, known as "Made In Japan". The only one that could come close to what the fellow Purples had done a few months earlier.
Here, there is only one part of the two-hour concert the group held in those years, with a particular preference for tracks from "Look At Yourself".
It seems almost superfluous to mention its content, as there is an abundance of insights that could emerge, and I don't have all that time. The long versions of "Gypsy" (where finally Lee "the bear" Kerslake unleashes his often restrained impulses in studio recordings) and especially of "July morning" earn the album a place of honor in any discography. A tremendous setlist and too tempting an opportunity for Ken Hensley to improvise far and wide with his organs and synthesizers, something that punctually happens. A "Tears In My Eyes" with Mick Box on fire, the devastating "Look At Yourself" blasted at insane speeds, the poetry of "Circle Of Hands" ending with Gary Thain's "incredible" bass that reaches its peak in these grooves.
The rest is pure vintage hard prog with a final medley of famous 50-'60s rock'n'roll covers featuring a theatrical Byron as the real star. A medley that even today gives a real lesson to the myriad of bands that will come after them. That is, above all, before the money, before the fame, before the show, when you take the stage, the first rule of rock'n'roll is to have fun and not take yourself too seriously.
I am absolutely sure that even for those who only know Uriah Heep for their anthem "Easy Livin'" and the immortal riff of "Gypsy", listening to this album will be a revelation. You'll understand with your own ears why every music critic in the field loves this black album.
Make it yours, knowing that you have in your hands one of the definitive rock masterpieces of the seventies.
The only recommendation I make is that it is strictly prohibited to listen to it if you don't know the original studio versions of the songs. You will rob yourself of part of the pleasure, finding yourself face to face with something new. The improvisations of all the members, the impeccable live reproduction of the polyphonic choruses (a true trademark of the band), Byron's unmistakable voice among thousands, the torrential and much rougher versions of their classics. All the essentials to give a new outfit to what you already know.
A bit like in a darkroom while you hold the snapshot that gradually takes shape, thinking about the moment you took it, fearing you got the lighting wrong or moved your arm too much. Then all of a sudden, the subject of that shot appears. And you think: yes, just as I imagined it.
For today, the book can wait on the windowsill, checking that the calendar doesn't lie. While David Byron at the end of the album lets out a "Thank you very much, good night, God bless you!", I find myself with one more certainty, no small thing these days, I already feel a bit of spring on me.
And to think I was looking for something else.
The opinion of Commendatore Bossolazzi:
More than an album, a manifesto. "July morning" above all. 5 medlars.
Tracklist and Lyrics
02 Sunrise (04:09)
Sunrise, and the new day's breaking through.
The morning of another day without you.
And as the hours roll by
noone's there to see me cry
except the sunrise,
the sunrise and you.
Tired eyes drift across the shore.
Looking for love and nothing more.
But as the sea rolls by
noone's there to see me cry
except the sunrise,
the sunrise and you.
Sunrise, bless my eyes.
Catch my soul, make me whole again.
Sunrise, new day heed my song.
I'm tired of fighting and fooling around.
But from now until who knows when?
My sword will be my friend.
And I'll love you...love ya
for all of my time.
Sunrise, bless my eyes.
Catch my soul, make me whole again.
(Repeat)
Sunrise.
03 Sweet Lorraine (05:01)
Wouldn't you like to take this magic potion with me?
On a trip to a cosmic playground far beyond?
She understands, she's been there before.
It's in her hands to find the door.
Sweet Lorraine, let the party carry on.
You and I will swim the sea.
Sweet Lorraine, let the party carry on.
You and I can feel the breeze.
There is no time, no wealth, only I surround you.
The fortune of this guide is simply sincerity.
She understands, 'cause she's been there before.
It's in her hands to find the door. So
Sweet Lorraine, let the party carry on.
You and I will swim the sea.
Sweet Lorraine, let the party carry on.
You and I can feel the breeze.
(Repeat)
Sweet Lorraine Sweet Lorraine
(Repeat and Fade)
04 Traveller in Time (03:37)
Every day I have to look to the sun
To see where it was that I have come from
I have a feelin that there must be a time
When I'll get a chance to go home
'Cause I'm so tired of being here alone
But I'm just a traveller in time
Trying so hard to pay for my crime
If I could go back the same way I got here
And see the people that I once held so near
I'd do my best to find an answer for you
But first I must wait 'til I'm set free
And I don't know how long that's gonna be
'Cause I'm a man with a whole lot on his mind
Just out there somewhere travelling in time
Travelling in Time
I've tried for so long to find some way
Of helping mankind
Yeah!
05 Easy Livin' (03:00)
This is a thing I've never known before
It's called easy livin'
This is a place I've never seen before
And I've been forgiven
Easy livin' and I've been forgiven
Since you've taken your place in my heart
Somewhere along the lonely road I had tried to find ya
Day after day on the windy road I had walked behind ya
Easy livin and I've been forgiven
Since you've taken your place in my heart
Waiting, watching
Wishing my whole life away
Dreaming, thinking
Ready for my happy day
And some easy livin'!
Somewhere along the lonely road I had tried to find you
Day after day on the windy road I had walked behind you
Easy livin' and I've been forgiven
Since you've taken your place in my heart
Easy livin' and I've been forgiven
Since you've taken your place in my heart
06 July Morning (11:55)
Album: Look at Yourself
There I was on a July morning
Looking for love,
With the strength of a new day dawning
And the beautiful sun
At the sound of the first bird singing
I was leaving for home
With the storm and the night behind me
And a road of my own
With the day came the resolution
I'll be looking for you
La la la la...
I was looking for love in the strangest places
There wasn't a stone that I left unturned
I must have tried more than a thousand faces
But not one was aware of the fire that burned
In my heart, In my mind, In my soul
La la la la...
In my heart, In my mind, In my soul
La la la la... La la la la...
There I was on a July morning
Looking for love,
With the strength of a new day dawning
And the beautiful sun
At the sound of the first bird singing
I was leaving for home
With the storm and the night behind me
And a road of my own
With the day came the resolution
I'll be looking for you
La la la la...
07 Tears in My Eyes (05:02)
I thought noone could keep us from sharing the rest of our lives.
Like a fool I believed you were true and had no disguise.
There's a clear blue sky outside and the summer is fine,
but with tears in my eyes I'm no longer pretending you're mine.
It's the same ugly story of a woman abusing a man.
So I have to forget you though I'm not even sure if I can.
There's a clear blue sky outside and the summer is fine,
but with tears in my eyes I'm no longer pretending you're mine.
It's the same ugly story of a woman abusing a man.
So I have to forget you though I'm not even sure if I can.
There's a clear blue sky outside and the summer is fine,
but with tears in my eyes I'm no longer pretending you're mine.
08 Gypsy (14:06)
I was only seventeen,
I fell in love with a gypsy queen.
She told me - hold on!
Her father was the leading man,
said "You're not welcome on our land."
and then as a foe, he told me to go.
He took me to a little shack
and put a whip across my back
then told her - leave me.
I was out for quite a time,
came back with her on my mind.
Sweet little girl - she means all the world.
Though I want my gypsy queen,
will she still be torn between
her father and mother?
One day I will go to him
strong enough to fight and win.
The kind of a man that he'll understand
09 Circle of Hands (08:59)
Album: Demons and Wizards
Circle of hands
Cold spirits plan
Searching my land for an enemy
Came across love's sweet cost
And in the face of beauty
Evil was lost
Sky full of eyes, minds full of lies
Black from their cold hearts, down to their graves
Murdered the dawn, spreading their scorn
Cursing the sun of which love was born
We must keep them away
Or pretty soon we'll pay
And count the cost in sorrow
Sacrifice, the future has its price
And today is only yesterday's tomorrow
We must keep them away
Or pretty soon we'll pay
And count the cost in sorrow
Sacrifice, the future has its price
And today is only yesterday's tomorrow, tomorrow
Tomorrow, tomorrow
Tomorrow, tomorrow
Tomorrow, tomorrow
10 Look at Yourself (07:29)
I see you running, don't know what you're running from.
Nobody's comin', what'd you do that was so wrong.
Look back and turn back, look at yourself.
Don't be afraid, just look at yourself.
If you need assistance, or if all you need is love.
There's no point in hidin', tell me what you're frightened of.
You got a friend, just look at yourself.
Don't be afraid, just look at yourself.
12 Love Machine (03:27)
Lovely little lady, you've got me on the run.
You're a love machine and you say that I'm your gun.
But I don't care, cause I've got to know...
You said you were a loser, the kind that came up rusted.
So I had to try hard to satisfy your thirst.
But I don't care, cause I've got to know...
The only time she's happy is when the bullets fly.
and she'll make you feel you're better than any other guy.
But I don't care, cause I've got to know...
Lovely little lady, you've got me on the run.
You're a love machine and I'm trying to be your gun.
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