Very 'eavy... Very 'umble
Encyclopedia
Very 'eavy... Very 'umble is the debut album of British hard rock
band Uriah Heep
.
It was released in the United States as Uriah Heep with alternate sleeve artwork, and with "Bird of Prey" in place of "Lucy Blues." The album is notable for being rooted more in raunchy blues rock than the band's subsequent albums, a sound which would evolve into straighter hard rock on later releases.
The album was generally panned by the mainstream critical press upon its release, although it has since been acknowledged as an early classic of the heavy metal
genre. The harshest critic was Rolling Stone
magazine reviewer, Melissa Mills, who began her review, "If this group makes it I'll have to commit suicide
. From the first note you know you don't want to hear any more."
The original vinyl release was a gatefold-sleeve, featuring David Byron
on the front sleeve, almost unrecognisable beneath the cobwebs.
The album was first released on the Vertigo label in the UK, as was the follow-up Salisbury
, but both were quickly reissued by Bronze when the band signed to that label.Seething proto-metallics blended with organ-whipped psych and blues, Very 'Eavy Very 'Umble finds the infant Uriah Heep still attempting to escape from the all-pervading influence of Vanilla Fudge and early Deep Purple. But David Byron's vocals are already among the most distinctive around, and Mick Box's guitar is already shredding eardrums. In other words, it was certainly very ‘eavy, but ‘umble was never a term that one would associate with Uriah Heep, not even in early 1970, fresh out of the youth center where they used to rehearse alongside the young Purple. Three songs opening side one of the band's debut album tell you everything you need to know about Uriah Heep's ambition -- the still-staggering "Gypsy," the mighty "Walking in Your Shadow," and, changing the mood without altering the intensity, the balladic "Come Away Melinda" -- add in "Lucy Blues," included on U.K. pressings of the album (it was replaced by "Bird of Prey" in the U.S.), and Heep stepped fully formed into being with this disc, and needed only to refine their vision to emerge triumphant. Unless, of course, you believed what you read in Rolling Stone. "If this group makes it," wrote Melissa Mills, "I'll have to commit suicide. From the first note you know you don't want to hear any more."
US Release Only:
1996 remastered CD:
This remastered CD added three bonus tracks and extensive liner notes:
The bonus track "Gypsy" was released for the "Best Of Uriah Heep" (1991 CD) and then remastered for "Rarities From The Bronze Age" (1995 CD).
The two other bonus tracks were originally recorded in 1969 by SPICE just prior to Ken Hensley's entry to the band.
2003 expanded deluxe CD:
This expanded deluxe CD added eight bonus tracks and extensive liner notes:
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
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...
.
It was released in the United States as Uriah Heep with alternate sleeve artwork, and with "Bird of Prey" in place of "Lucy Blues." The album is notable for being rooted more in raunchy blues rock than the band's subsequent albums, a sound which would evolve into straighter hard rock on later releases.
The album was generally panned by the mainstream critical press upon its release, although it has since been acknowledged as an early classic of the heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
genre. The harshest critic was Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
magazine reviewer, Melissa Mills, who began her review, "If this group makes it I'll have to commit suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
. From the first note you know you don't want to hear any more."
The original vinyl release was a gatefold-sleeve, featuring David Byron
David Byron
David 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...
on the front sleeve, almost unrecognisable beneath the cobwebs.
The album was first released on the Vertigo label in the UK, as was the follow-up Salisbury
Salisbury (album)
Salisbury is the second album released by British rock band Uriah Heep.Although the majority of tracks are clean hard rock, more so than on the previous Very 'Eavy Very 'Umble, the album features forays into both jazz-fusion on "The Park", and square progressive rock on the band's first foray into...
, but both were quickly reissued by Bronze when the band signed to that label.Seething proto-metallics blended with organ-whipped psych and blues, Very 'Eavy Very 'Umble finds the infant Uriah Heep still attempting to escape from the all-pervading influence of Vanilla Fudge and early Deep Purple. But David Byron's vocals are already among the most distinctive around, and Mick Box's guitar is already shredding eardrums. In other words, it was certainly very ‘eavy, but ‘umble was never a term that one would associate with Uriah Heep, not even in early 1970, fresh out of the youth center where they used to rehearse alongside the young Purple. Three songs opening side one of the band's debut album tell you everything you need to know about Uriah Heep's ambition -- the still-staggering "Gypsy," the mighty "Walking in Your Shadow," and, changing the mood without altering the intensity, the balladic "Come Away Melinda" -- add in "Lucy Blues," included on U.K. pressings of the album (it was replaced by "Bird of Prey" in the U.S.), and Heep stepped fully formed into being with this disc, and needed only to refine their vision to emerge triumphant. Unless, of course, you believed what you read in Rolling Stone. "If this group makes it," wrote Melissa Mills, "I'll have to commit suicide. From the first note you know you don't want to hear any more."
Track listing
- "Gypsy" (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...
, 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...
) – 6:37 - "Walking in Your Shadow" (Byron, Paul NewtonPaul Newton (musician)Paul Newton was the original bass guitarist for Uriah Heep, and played on the band's first three albums. He subsequently played for a band called "Carnival" for several years on the Mecca Palais circuit and also worked as a studio musician and appeared on various recordings...
) – 4:31 - "Come Away Melinda" (Fred HellermanFred HellermanFred Hellerman, born in Brooklyn, New York and educated at Brooklyn College, is an American folk singer, guitarist, producer and song writer, primarily known as one of the members of The Weavers, together with Pete Seeger, Lee Hays, and Ronnie Gilbert...
, Fran MinkoffFran MinkoffFrances "Fran" Minkoff was an American lyricist.She is best known for her songs co-written with Fred Hellerman of The Weavers...
) – 3:46 - "Lucy Blues" (Box, Byron) – 5:08
- "Dreammare" (Newton) – 4:39
- "Real Turned On" (Box, Byron, Newton) – 3:37
- "I'll Keep On Trying" (Box, Byron) – 5:24
- "Wake Up (Set Your Sights)" (Box, Byron) – 6:22
US Release Only:
- "Gypsy" (Box, Byron) – 6:37
- "Walking in Your Shadow" (Byron, Newton) – 4:31
- "Come Away Melinda" (Hellerman, Minkoff) – 3:46
- "Bird of PreyBird of Prey (Uriah Heep song)"Bird of Prey" is a song by British progressive rock/hard rock band Uriah Heep, from the group's 1971 album Salisbury, a different version of the song would also appear on the 2003 remastering of Very 'Eavy... Very 'Umble. Although not released as a single, the song is regarded by many fans as one...
" (Box, Byron, 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....
, Newton) – 4:05 - "Dreammare" (Newton) – 4:39
- "Real Turned On" (Box, Byron, Newton) – 3:37
- "I'll Keep On Trying" (Box, Byron) – 5:24
- "Wake Up (Set Your Sights)" (Box, Byron) – 6:22
1996 remastered CD:
- "Gypsy" (Box, Byron) – 6:37
- "Walking in Your Shadow" (Byron, Newton) – 4:31
- "Come Away Melinda" (Hellerman, Minkoff) – 3:46
- "Lucy Blues" (Box, Byron) – 5:08
- "Dreammare" (Newton) – 4:39
- "Real Turned On" (Box, Byron, Newton) – 3:37
- "I'll Keep On Trying" (Box, Byron) – 5:24
- "Wake Up (Set Your Sights)" (Box, Byron) – 6:22
This remastered CD added three bonus tracks and extensive liner notes:
- "Gypsy" (Single Edit) (Box, Byron) – 2:57
- "Come Away Melinda" ("Spice" version) (Hellerman, Minkoff) – 3:42
- "Born in a Trunk" ("Spice" version) (Box, Byron) – 3:45
The bonus track "Gypsy" was released for the "Best Of Uriah Heep" (1991 CD) and then remastered for "Rarities From The Bronze Age" (1995 CD).
The two other bonus tracks were originally recorded in 1969 by SPICE just prior to Ken Hensley's entry to the band.
2003 expanded deluxe CD:
- "Gypsy" (Box, Byron) – 6:37
- "Walking in Your Shadow" (Byron, Newton) – 4:31
- "Come Away Melinda" (Hellerman, Minkoff) – 3:46
- "Lucy Blues" (Box, Byron) – 5:08
- "Dreammare" (Newton) – 4:39
- "Real Turned On" (Box, Byron, Newton) – 3:37
- "I'll Keep On Trying" (Box, Byron) – 5:24
- "Wake Up (Set Your Sights)" (Box, Byron) – 6:22
This expanded deluxe CD added eight bonus tracks and extensive liner notes:
- "Bird Of PreyBird of Prey (Uriah Heep song)"Bird of Prey" is a song by British progressive rock/hard rock band Uriah Heep, from the group's 1971 album Salisbury, a different version of the song would also appear on the 2003 remastering of Very 'Eavy... Very 'Umble. Although not released as a single, the song is regarded by many fans as one...
" (Box, Byron, Hensley, Newton) – 4:05
- "Born in a Trunk (Alternate Version)" (Box, Byron) – 4:31
- "Come Away Melinda (Alternate Version)" (Hellerman, Minkoff) – 4:15
- "Gypsy (Extended Mix)" (Box, Byron) – 7:07
- "Wake Up (Set Your Sights) (Alternate Version)" (Box, Byron) – 6:32
- "Born in a Trunk (Instrumental)" (Box, Byron) – 4:31
- "Dreammare (Live at the BBC)" (Newton) – 3:08
- "Gypsy (Live at the BBC)" (Box, Byron) – 5:15
Band members
- 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...
– lead vocals - 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....
– pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, organOrgan (music)The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
, mellotronMellotronThe Mellotron is an electro-mechanical, polyphonic tape replay keyboard originally developed and built in Birmingham, England in the early 1960s. It superseded the Chamberlin Music Master, which was the world's first sample-playback keyboard intended for music...
, slide guitarSlide guitarSlide guitar or bottleneck guitar is a particular method or technique for playing the guitar. The term slide refers to the motion of the slide against the strings, while bottleneck refers to the original material of choice for such slides: the necks of glass bottles...
, 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...
– lead & acoustic 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...
, vocals - Paul NewtonPaul Newton (musician)Paul Newton was the original bass guitarist for Uriah Heep, and played on the band's first three albums. He subsequently played for a band called "Carnival" for several years on the Mecca Palais circuit and also worked as a studio musician and appeared on various recordings...
– bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, vocals - Nigel OlssonNigel OlssonNigel Olsson is an English rock drummer, who is best known for his work with Elton John. Olsson helped establish the Elton John sound as one of the first members of John's band, on drums, percussion and backing vocals. When not working with Elton, Olsson has taken up the role of a session musician...
– 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...
Additional musicians
- Alex NapierAlex Napier (musician)Alex Napier was the drummer for the musical bands Spice and Uriah Heep.-With Uriah Heep:*Very 'eavy... Very 'umble *The Lansdowne Tapes -External links:*...
- drums (tracks 1–3, 6–8) - Colin WoodColin WoodColin Arthur Wood is a British musician engaged in the field of jazz and rock music.Wood was born in Camberwell, South East London, & was moved to Somerset in 1950. He played jazz piano while still at school. In 1962 he went to Durham University to study mathematics...
- keyboards ("Come Away Melinda", "Wake Up (Set Your Sights)") - Keith BakerKeith Baker (musician)Keith Baker is a drummer. He played for Bakerloo, but left the group following the release of its only album. Baker became a member of Uriah Heep prior to their second album Salisbury, replacing Nigel Olsson when he joined Elton John as a drummer...
- drums ("Bird of Prey")