Sweet Freedom
Encyclopedia
Sweet Freedom is the sixth studio album released by British rock
band Uriah Heep
.
The original vinyl release was as a gatefold
-sleeve, reproducing the lyrics within. There was also a central page with a photograph of each band member. The album's sound is similar to that utilized on The Magician's Birthday, which preceded it.
It was the first album of Uriah Heep's to be released by Warner Bros. Records
in the USA.
Arguably the best-known song from Sweet Freedom is "Stealin' ". On the Billboard charts
, Sweet Freedom was received #33 in the U.S., and #18 in the UK
Sweet Freedom was certified Gold
by the RIAA on March 5, 1974.
except where noted.
The 2004 Remastered version on Sanctuary UK, adds 6 unreleased tracks:
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Uriah Heep
Uriah Heep (band)
Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969 and regarded as a seminal classic hard rock act of the 1970s. Uriah Heep's progressive/art rock/heavy metal fusion's distinctive features have always been massive keyboards sound, strong vocal harmonies and David Byron's operatic vocals...
.
The original vinyl release was as a gatefold
Gatefold
A gatefold is a type of fold used for advertising around a magazine or section, and for packaging of media such as vinyl records.- LP covers :...
-sleeve, reproducing the lyrics within. There was also a central page with a photograph of each band member. The album's sound is similar to that utilized on The Magician's Birthday, which preceded it.
It was the first album of Uriah Heep's to be released by Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
in the USA.
Arguably the best-known song from Sweet Freedom is "Stealin' ". On the Billboard charts
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
, Sweet Freedom was received #33 in the U.S., and #18 in the UK
Sweet Freedom was certified Gold
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
by the RIAA on March 5, 1974.
Track listing
All songs written by Ken HensleyKen Hensley
Kenneth William David Hensley is a keyboard player , guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer best known for his work with Uriah Heep during the 1970s....
except where noted.
- "Dreamer" (Mick BoxMick BoxMichael Frederick Box , better known by his stage name Mick Box, is the lead guitarist of British rock group Uriah Heep, having previously been a member of The Stalkers and Spice, both with original Uriah Heep vocalist David Byron. He is the only member from the band's founding in 1969 who is...
, Gary ThainGary ThainGary Mervin Thain was a rock bassist, best known for his work with British band, Uriah Heep.-Biography:Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, Thain was part of the rock trio The New Nadir, and with the drummer Peter Dawkins, he travelled from New Zealand to London, and once jammed with Jimi Hendrix...
) – 3:41 - "Stealin'" (HensleyHensleyHensley may refer to:People with the surname:* Hensley Companies with the name:* Hensley & Co., a beer distributor in ArizonaIn places:* Hensley, Arkansas...
) – 4:49 - "One Day" (Hensley, Thain) – 2:47
- "Sweet Freedom" – 6:37
- "If I Had the Time" – 5:43
- "Seven Stars" – 3:52
- "Circus" (Box, Lee KerslakeLee KerslakeLee Kerslake is an English musician, best known as the longtime drummer and backing vocalist for the rock band Uriah Heep, in addition to his work in the Ozzy Osbourne band...
, Thain) – 2:44 - "Pilgrim" (David ByronDavid ByronDavid Byron -Early Life 1967-1969:From mid-60's to early 70's David Byron did a lot of session work for a company called Avenue Recordings singing lead and backing vocals...
, Hensley) – 7:10
The 2004 Remastered version on Sanctuary UK, adds 6 unreleased tracks:
- "Sunshine (Outtake)"– 4:48
- "Seven Stars (Extended Version)" – 7:03
- "Pilgrim (Full Version)" (Byron, Hensley) – 8:29
- "If I Had the Time (Demo)" – 6:02
- "Sweet Freedom (Live)" – 6:48
- "Stealin' (Live)" – 5:41
Personnel
- David ByronDavid ByronDavid Byron -Early Life 1967-1969:From mid-60's to early 70's David Byron did a lot of session work for a company called Avenue Recordings singing lead and backing vocals...
– vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Ken HensleyKen HensleyKenneth William David Hensley is a keyboard player , guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer best known for his work with Uriah Heep during the 1970s....
– keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s, Vocals - Mick BoxMick BoxMichael Frederick Box , better known by his stage name Mick Box, is the lead guitarist of British rock group Uriah Heep, having previously been a member of The Stalkers and Spice, both with original Uriah Heep vocalist David Byron. He is the only member from the band's founding in 1969 who is...
– Guitar - Gary ThainGary ThainGary Mervin Thain was a rock bassist, best known for his work with British band, Uriah Heep.-Biography:Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, Thain was part of the rock trio The New Nadir, and with the drummer Peter Dawkins, he travelled from New Zealand to London, and once jammed with Jimi Hendrix...
– bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Lee KerslakeLee KerslakeLee Kerslake is an English musician, best known as the longtime drummer and backing vocalist for the rock band Uriah Heep, in addition to his work in the Ozzy Osbourne band...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
, vocals
Singles
- "Stealin'"/"Dreamer"(U.S. only)
- "Sweet Freedom (single version)"/"Seven Stars"(U.S. only)