Another one of my school day’s discoveries. This was actually released in 1972, although it would be two years later until it found its way into my universe. Thanks to Barry Leaf, wherever you may be, for introducing me to them. They were considered on par with Deep Purple at the time as the similarities were there for all to see. A Hammond Organ, a great guitar player, and an amazing vocalist. Put all that together, and add in an amazing Roger Dean cover, and 14 year old me was in awe.
What a way to open an album, with the classic Sunrise. Amazing vocals from Dave Byron, and great Hammond playing from Ken Hensley, and those harmonies…just perfect. More standard fare next with Spider Woman, a straight up rock song with a cool descending section. The Hensley penned Blind Eye is next with a great dual guitar melody to open the song and a great melody and hook. They sure knew how to write great songs. Echoes In The Dark has quite an epic beginning, and coupled with another amazing vocal from Byron, the song builds to an epic ending. Rain closes out Side 1, and starts with just piano and vocal, a beautiful piece with an almost gospel feel.
Over to Side 2 we go and two stone cold Heep classics are waiting for your pleasure. The first of which is opener Sweet Lorraine, with the weird keyboard intro and a hook and melody that stick in your head before we head to a great instrumental section. Tales is next and is another Hensley penned slow build tune with great harmonies. On to the second classic and close out tune, the title track, The Magicians Birthday. This was always the center piece of the live show as it had so many sections to it, an absolute monster of a middle section, which culminated in a monster solo from Mick Box. Lyrically it was totally in Prog rock territory with wizards and fantasy. They never quite reached the heights of this album with subsequent releases as for this line up, tragedy would strike, with the death of bassist Gary Thain and later vocalist Dave Byron, both from substance abuse.
If you don’t have any Uriah Heep in your life, this would be a good place to start.
9/10 from The Grooveman.
