Scarce URIAH HEEP SALISBURY UK 1971 Hard Heavy Prog

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                URIAH  HEEP

                  SALISBURY

\                                            British  - Bronze - ILPS 9152 

Scarce old vintage pressing in colorful SMOKE & TANK gatefold that blows away the USA pressing...recorded in 1971 the 2nd Uriah Heep album, takes up where the first began you get twists and turns of classic Heep harmonies, heavy rhythms,  gushing organ and razor guitar in tracks that generally work well.

This British pressing contains a different and decidedly better track ("Bird Of Prey") than the USA issue 

SALISBURY was the second album from Uriah Heep. The only personel change was Keith Baker who came in for Nigel Ollson who went to join Elton Dean..

For this album they have built on the templates created on the first album. The only genre that they have dropped was the blues orientated song. That was a logical step because it did not work.

Firstly we have two songs that took of where Gypsy started. The first song is "Bird of Prey" which became a huge favorite. With its heavy organs, riffs and aggresive vocals it was commercially a huge success. Then there is also "Time to Live" which is a lesser success at songwriting. The guitarsolo in the middle is stunning. Secondly we have the two mellow tracks. One of the best is "The Park" It is a a ballad-style song built on a light blend of acoustic guitars and ethereal keyboards. It has a gentle, appealingly psychedelic feel that is topped off by David Byron's falsetto vocal and some soaring harmonies from Byron and Ken Hensley. This was defnitely Heep's best song to date. The second mellow song is "Lady in Black". This was possibly the surprise of the album. Consisting of only two chords and now rods but "la la la" for the chorus, it became a huge hit in Germany and South Africa. It is said that they even use this song in German schools to teach the children English. It is also the biggest favourite at gigs.

Thirdly there is the guitardriven song that continued the example set by Dreammare on the previous album - that is: "High Priestess". The harmonies and the twin guitars are brilliant on this song.

Lastly there is the long prog epic. On Very 'Eavy very 'Umble they had "Wake up" which was a prog song with complex moves. On this album they traded it in for Prog with classical influences. Salisbury is the forementioned track - an 16 minute epic with lots backing arrangement.  This was possibly Heep's answer to Deep Purple's Concerto. It is a good jamming session and preparation for songs to come like "Paradise/The Spell"

Salisbury is a very important album in the development of Uriah Heep's sound.

1 Bird of Prey  4:13
2 The Park  5:42
3 Time to Live Box  4:01
4 Lady in Black  4:44
5 High Priestess  3:41
6 Salisbury  16:12

CONDITION:The cover is VG++ to "EX" (excellent) upper levels and solid all over; no seam splits, but with some light shelf wear on back cover (only a 'touch' on front) the colorful smoke & tank graphics are clean, small delete drill, otherwise no problems and easily makes for a great collection rarity... 

The vinyl is all clean and glossy M- plays strong/enjoyable ...one look and you see completely clean as are both labels ... 

      A cool addition to anyone's music library!

SEE: SELLERS OTher items for similar cool sounds for "head" people...

EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING

All imperfections are noted both cover & record