Uriah Heep
Magic Night

THE REVIEW

The Uriah Heep are like good wine. . . they get better with age.

By now, the line-up has been stable since 1987, and the solidity, as well as the cohesion, have positively impacted the group: an example of this is the extraordinary performance captured in “Magic Night,” a concert from November 8, 2003.
Not having to promote any specific album (the last being “Sonic Origami” from 1998), the quintet is free to mix their classic hits with any song from their vast repertoire, playing pieces that hadn’t been heard live in decades.

However, the start is in the name of tradition... a drum roll from Kerslake introduces the inevitable Easy Livin', probably the band’s best-known piece. It’s an energetic execution, but very traditional.
But here comes a little gem: eerie and sharp keyboards, along with a fierce guitar, kick off Shadows Of Grief (from “Look At Yourself,” 1971)... a song that, with its mix of progressive and psychedelia, elevates the entire live performance. Here Bernie Shaw proves to be the best Uriah Heep singer since the incomparable David Byron. This is followed by the honest hard rock/AOR of Cry Freedom, where the keyboards are slightly emphasized (with echo effects) to stay in theme and give the composition a more prog appearance.

Just a moment of pause, and here comes another great revival. It’s Pilgrim (from “Sweet Freedom”), where Phil Lanzon manages not to make us miss the legendary keyboardist Ken Hensley. The perfect chemistry between the members makes this version almost more exciting than the original. The next track is the newer Bad Bad Man: despite being a simple song, the arrangement used in this concert, which sees some guitar parts replaced by keyboard and piano, greatly enhances it. Then we return to the ‘70s with Devil’s Daughter... here the execution is undeniably good, but nothing transcendental. It can be found, played much better, in “Spellbinder” from 1995.
Continuing, we encounter Wise Man. The piece, soft and delicate, is performed impeccably. However, the different vocal approach between Shaw and Lawton (very à-la Byron the first, decidedly deeper and more bluesy the second), makes me prefer the original on “Firefly.”
Another small break introduces us to a delightful acoustic section composed of Firefly, Heartless Land, Free Me, and The Wizard. In particular, the latter is superbly readapted and receives significant approval from the audience.

As usual in recent years, the band invites several guests for the concert’s concluding part. The beautiful voice of Heather Findlay appears, duetting with Shaw in the tender Love In Silence.
But the highlight is yet to come... John Lawton (the group’s singer from 1977 to ’80) enters the stage amidst the ovation of all the heepster, performing the epic Been Away Too Long. With Lawton and Shaw continuously exchanging the singer’s role, the sensation of power is ensured: another track that makes this live a must-have. The two also alternate in Stealin’, another old piece that, besides being one of the band’s best known, at the time enjoyed much success among American FM radio stations.
After saying goodbye to Lawton as well, we return to the traditional lineup for the evening’s encore: the closing is the inevitable The Other Side Of Midnight, practically ever-present since 1983 onward... also played absolutely impeccably.

In conclusion, I strongly recommend this concert: it’s indeed a first-rate performance that even those who are not crazy about this band will appreciate. Moreover, the disc comes in SACD format, and owners of a Dolby system will enjoy an even more satisfying experience.

Rating: 9/10
Happy listening...