FEATURED CD: Uriah Heep - Sweet Freedom

**Poisoned Youth** · 07-01-2016

Today's featured album is the 1973 release from Uriah Heep titled "Sweet Freedom".

Review from ProgArchives:

One might have forgotten or neglected this album as it did not generate a memorable hit like previous albums. But, we have to admit that musically this album is excellent - composition-wise as well as the band's efforts to push their musical boundaries. You can see it right from the opening track "Dreamer" (3:41) where it sounds a true rock song but the band has included groove music in it. It has made the music energetic, powerful. One noticeable difference is the way the instrument is composed whereby Ken Hensley put aside his soaring keyboard sound at the back and giving Mr. Mick Box more chance to demonstrate his hard-edge guitar riffs and melody. It's really stunning.

"Stealing" has become the band's legendary track where recent live set has always included this song-based composition in the set list. Those who have been familiar with how this track is played live in Magician's Birthday's Party or Live in Moscow would see the difference on how instrument is played. In this original version, Gary Thain provides much richer basslines. So powerful. Byron voice got a lot of power.

"One Day" (2:47) has its roots on unique choirs that become Heep sound. Hensley keyboard soars at the back putting it up together as rhythm section combined with rhythm guitar and solo - especially during transition segment. "Sweet Freedom" (6:37) lends itself the rhythm section and a bit of melody from the band's hit "July Morning" (from "Look At Yourself" album). Even though it has different beat and tagline melody, for sure this track is heavily influenced by the legendary hit.

"If I Had The Time" (5:43) is for me like a ballad rock song with a good melody, keyboard and vocal orientated song. It favors most ears, I think, be it a rock fan or any music buff would enjoy this song. As is the case with the other two tracks "Seven Stars" and "Circus".

If I am asked to vote what is the best song from this album I would definitely say that the album's concluding track "Pilgrim" is the only one. Yeah, this track deserves full five star rating (masterpiece) as it has a powerful composition, strong songwriting and excellent performance overall. In addition to that, this song is the only one which is really prog musically. I always repeat this last track whenever I play this album in its entirety. In terms of structure, this song has multi-part with different music styles but everything revolves around comprehensive tagline melody. This track blows me away from start with energetic opening and powerful choirs followed with rhythm section that combines great guitar rhythm and soaring keyboard sound. Evrything is glued together tightly with dynamic bass lines produced by one of the best rock bass guitar players, Mr. Gary Thain (RIP). Oh yeah, Ken Hensley still provides his magic sound through his finger punches. The song provides varied composition from simple to relatively complex segments. Oh . Mick Box guitar solo reminds me to his wonderful guitar solo in "Gypsy" (especially from "Live 73" version"). Byron really sings very high register notes at the end of the song. Wonderful!

So, what can I say overall? No doubt, I would recommend you to purchase this CD! This album has been under-rated so far. It deserves excellent rating. Keep on proggin' ..! LONG LIVE HEEP!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

**flowerking** · 07-01-2016

Really like the title track on this one but otherwise I don't listen to this one much.

**Canvas** · 07-02-2016

My very first album....

**grego** · 07-02-2016

Everything is good, except Stealin - the weakest track of the album. Fave songs are Circus, Sweet Freedom and One Day. Production is not as good, as on Demons & Wizards.

**Rufus** · 07-02-2016

Absolutely love this album, great songs and production. I remember even my friends who where into soul etc at the time liking it when played on my car cassette player!

**Finch Platte** · 07-02-2016

One of my favorites of all time. The bonus track, Sunshine, is killer and should have been put on the album to begin with.

To me, their decline began with Wonderworld. Wtf happened?

**JJ88** · 07-02-2016

Wonderworld was an inarguably weak album- my least favourite of the Byron albums. The title track, 'The Shadows And The Wind' and 'The Easy Road' are the only worthwhile songs IMHO, and only the title track is anywhere near classic status.

High And Mighty has a good first side, and the 2nd side has a few nice songs in 'Footprints In The Snow' and 'Confession'.

**Fracktured** · 07-02-2016

A great album but I hate the production.

**Finch Platte** · 07-02-2016

Originally Posted by JJ88

Wonderworld was an inarguably weak album- my least favourite of the Byron albums. The title track, 'The Shadows And The Wind' and 'The Easy Road' are the only worthwhile songs IMHO, and only the title track is anywhere near classic status.

Was that the last Byron album?

**grego** · 07-02-2016

Originally Posted by Finch Platte

To me, their decline began with Wonderworld. Wtf happened?

They feasted too much, probably.

**grego** · 07-02-2016

Originally Posted by Finch Platte

Was that the last Byron album?

High & Mighty is the last.

**Fracktured** · 07-02-2016

Originally Posted by grego

High & Mighty is the last.

I never bought that one. I thought Wonderworld had several good tunes on it. Return to Fantasy was where I totally lost interest in them until recently with Wake the Sleeper. I always heard that High & Mighty was pretty bad.

**Interstellar** · 07-03-2016

Sweet Freedom may be my favorite Heep album. I agree that the decline started with Wonderworld.
SF still has that magic, that freshness that make the classic era special. "Sweet Freedom", "If I had the Time", "Circus" are the stars for me.

**grego** · 07-03-2016

Heep's songs I divide into 3 categories
1) those where they sing 'aaaaaaa'
2) those without 'aaaaaa"
3) those that are suitable for 'aaaaaa', but they abstained from doing it.

**spacefreak** · 07-03-2016

Pilgrim is one of the best Uriah Heep songs ever.

**spacefreak** · 07-03-2016

Originally Posted by Fracktured

I never bought that one. I thought Wonderworld had several good tunes on it. Return to Fantasy was where I totally lost interest in them until recently with Wake the Sleeper. I always heard that High & Mighty was pretty bad.

If you're not biased to expect listening to the usual Uriah Heep heavy stuff, High & Mighty will pleasantly surprise you. For me it's one of the Heep albums, I'm usually revisiting. Frequent rotation since it's release date.

**Interstellar** · 07-03-2016

Originally Posted by JJ88

High And Mighty has a good first side, and the 2nd side has a few nice songs in 'Footprints In The Snow' and 'Confession'.

My opinion exactly. I find High And Mighty more interesting and daring than Return To Fantasy and Wonderworld. It may be one of the less rocking Heep albums, but it has its charm.

**spiderfeathers** · 07-03-2016

I think the next 3 with John Lawton are all great albums, but after that is when they became unlistenable.

**Finch Platte** · 07-03-2016

Originally Posted by Fracktured

I never bought that one. I thought Wonderworld had several good tunes on it. Return to Fantasy was where I totally lost interest in them until recently with Wake the Sleeper. I always heard that High & Mighty was pretty bad.

Wake The Sleeper was incredible! And then they went downhill after that.

**moodyxadi** · 07-03-2016

Originally Posted by Canvas

My very first album....

Imo of course. Not as great as D& W but the filler here is better than the ones on MB. My very first Heep CD...

I do can appreciate W for its better moments (and though I hate So Tired the first side is terrific).

From SF the meat still has a low percentage of fat. I like it that way.

Wetton albums? Both are weak ones with some great songs. Don't like RtF production. H&M has some bad arrangement in otherwise great songs (Footprinsts in the snow).

And I still apreciate a lot of the Lawton albums (though IV and FA could be mixed and made one good album, on pair with Firefly). What kills this incarnation was Lawton take on Byron songs. Maybe if Hensley took the lead things would run better to my ears. I can't stand Lawton's July Morning.

Have two Bernie studio albums. Only Sea of Light is played once a year. Live with Bolder they were great (but I'd prefered a Hammond alone instead of Lanzon's synths).

After this excursion, back to the OP: at least for my Brazilian ears SF was the last truly great Heep studio hour. And I agree with the fellow above about Sunshine.

**Trane** · 07-04-2016

Originally Posted by Finch Platte

One of my favorites of all time. The bonus track, Sunshine, is killer and should have been put on the album to begin with.

To me, their decline began with Wonderworld. Wtf happened?

Not the only time when a UH bonus track would've been better than many of the choices retained on the album's final list

Thinking of the superb Why? on Magician's BD.

AFAIAC, I'm not big on the Heep S&S and Dean albums... for me, their decline started after Salisbury and LAY