We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago……
“Look At Yourself”, which came with a foil front cover giving you the funhouse look at your own face, was the second LP released in 1971 from the English band Uriah Heep. It, along with 1972’s ‘Demons & Wizards”, were the high water marks of the bands career. And if you like a mashup of heavy metal and prog rock, this will be right in your wheelhouse.
Featuring the driving organ of Ken Hensley and the biting guitar of Mick Box, the album ticks most of the boxes that fans of the genre were looking for. Plus Hensley and David Byron deliver the soaring vocals that prog rock demands.
The stand out tracks for me are the title cut which is written and sung by Hensley….and the song “July Morning” written by Hensley and Byron, with Byron’s vocals rising from quiet to piercing. The song was inspired by a Bulgarian holiday called “Julaya” where folks gather on Black Sea beaches to watch the sunrise. At over 10 minutes the song gives the band a chance to stretch out and also features an interesting Moog synthesizer solo from guest Manfred Mann.
“Tears In My Eyes” is another good one featuring some slide guitar from Box.
The production from Gerry Bron and Peter Gallen is really clean with the guitars and vocals jumping out at you.
Here ‘s a live version of July Morning from the following year. It features new bassist Gary Thain who replaced original member Paul Newton who left after this album.
This is a band that is locked in and really cooking. Enjoy.
