| ...Very 'Eavy ...Very 'Umble | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | June 1970 [1] | |||
| Recorded | July 1969 – April 1970 | |||
| Studio | Lansdowne (London) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 40:07 | |||
| Label | Vertigo | |||
| Producer | Gerry Bron | |||
| Uriah Heep chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Alternative cover | ||||
 US issue | ||||
| Singles from ...Very 'Eavy ...Very 'Umble | ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [5] |
| Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal | 9/10 [6] |
...Very 'Eavy ...Very 'Umble is the debut studio album by English rock band Uriah Heep.
The album was released in June 1970 by Vertigo Records in the UK. The original vinyl release was a gatefold sleeve,featuring frontman David Byron on the front sleeve,almost unrecognisable beneath cobwebs.
It was issued in August 1970 by Mercury Records in the United States as just Uriah Heep with different sleeve artwork (a centipede type monster),and with the track "Bird of Prey" in place of "Lucy Blues". The album was reissued by Bronze Records in 1971 after the band signed to that label. [7]
The album shows the band trying out various genres – a mix of heavy metal and progressive rock – rather than the hard rock that they would become known for on later albums. [5] Tracks 3 and 8 were recorded as Spice songs prior to the band's renaming as Uriah Heep,and featured session player Colin Wood on keyboards. [8] When Ken Hensley joined Spice in early 1970,the tracks were not re-recorded.
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. [6] Canadian music critic Martin Popoff classifies the album as "proto-heavy metal". [9] Rolling Stone magazine's Melissa Mills began her review by saying,"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." [10]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Gypsy" | Mick Box, David Byron | 6:37 |
| 2. | "Walking in Your Shadow" | Byron, Paul Newton | 4:31 |
| 3. | "Come Away Melinda" | Fred Hellerman, Fran Minkoff | 3:46 |
| 4. | "Lucy Blues" | Box, Byron | 5:08 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5. | "Dreammare" | Newton | 4:39 |
| 6. | "Real Turned On" | Box, Byron, Newton | 3:37 |
| 7. | "I'll Keep on Trying" | Box, Byron | 5:24 |
| 8. | "Wake Up (Set Your Sights)" | Box, Byron | 6:22 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Gypsy" | Box, Byron | 6:37 |
| 2. | "Walking in Your Shadow" | Byron, Newton | 4:31 |
| 3. | "Come Away, Melinda" | Hellerman, Minkoff | 3:46 |
| 4. | "Bird of Prey" | Box, Byron, Ken Hensley, Newton | 4:05 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5. | "Dreammare" | Newton | 4:39 |
| 6. | "Real Turned On" | Box, Byron, Newton | 3:37 |
| 7. | "I'll Keep on Trying" | Box, Byron | 5:24 |
| 8. | "Wake Up (Set Your Sights)" | Box, Byron | 6:22 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Gypsy" | Box, Byron | 6:37 |
| 2. | "Walking in Your Shadow" | Byron, Newton | 4:31 |
| 3. | "Come Away Melinda" | Hellerman, Minkoff | 3:46 |
| 4. | "Lucy Blues" | Box, Byron | 5:08 |
| 5. | "Dreammare" | Newton | 4:39 |
| 6. | "Real Turned On" | Box, Byron, Newton | 3:37 |
| 7. | "I'll Keep on Trying" | Box, Byron | 5:24 |
| 8. | "Wake Up (Set Your Sights)" | Box, Byron | 6:22 |
| 9. | "Gypsy" (single edit) | Box, Byron | 2:57 |
| 10. | "Come Away, Melinda" (Spice version) | Hellerman, Minkoff | 3:42 |
| 11. | "Born in a Trunk" (Spice version) | Box, Byron | 3:45 |
This remastered CD added three bonus tracks and extensive liner notes:
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Gypsy" | Box, Byron | 6:37 |
| 2. | "Walking in Your Shadow" | Byron, Newton | 4:31 |
| 3. | "Come Away, Melinda" | Hellerman, Minkoff | 3:46 |
| 4. | "Lucy Blues" | Box, Byron | 5:08 |
| 5. | "Dreammare" | Newton | 4:39 |
| 6. | "Real Turned On" | Box, Byron, Newton | 3:37 |
| 7. | "I'll Keep on Trying" | Box, Byron | 5:24 |
| 8. | "Wake Up (Set Your Sights)" | Box, Byron | 6:22 |
| 9. | "Bird of Prey" | Box, Byron, Hensley, Newton | 4:05 |
| 10. | "Born in a Trunk" (Alternate Version) | Box, Byron | 4:31 |
| 11. | "Come Away, Melinda" (Alternate Version) | Hellerman, Minkoff | 4:15 |
| 12. | "Gypsy" (Extended Mix) | Box, Byron | 7:07 |
| 13. | "Wake Up (Set Your Sights)" (Alternate Version) | Box, Byron | 6:32 |
| 14. | "Born in a Trunk" (Instrumental) | Box, Byron | 4:31 |
| 15. | "Dreammare" (Live at the BBC) | Newton | 3:08 |
| 16. | "Gypsy" (Live at the BBC) | Box, Byron | 5:15 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Gypsy" | 6.57 |
| 2. | "Real Turned On" | 3:47 |
| 3. | "Dreammare" | 5:10 |
| 4. | "Come Away, Melinda" | 4:01 |
| 5. | "Born in a Trunk" | 4:53 |
| 6. | "Wake Up (Set Your Sights)" | 6:56 |
| 7. | "I'll Keep on Trying" | 5:33 |
| 8. | "Walking in Your Shadow" | 5:11 |
| 9. | "Lucy Blues" | 5:20 |
| 10. | "Born in a Trunk" | 4:47 |
| 11. | "Magic Lantern" | 7:57 |
| 12. | "Bird of Prey" (Alternate U.S. Version) | 4:06 |
| Chart (1970-1972) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (Kent Music Report) [12] | 15 |
| Canada Top Albums/CDs ( RPM ) [13] | 84 |
| Finland (The Official Finnish Charts) [14] | 14 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [15] | 22 |
| Italian Albums ( Musica e Dischi ) [16] | 11 |
| Japanese Albums (Oricon) [17] | 41 |
| US Billboard 200 [18] | 186 |
Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969. Their current lineup consists of guitarist Mick Box, keyboardist Phil Lanzon, lead vocalist Bernie Shaw, drummer Russell Gilbrook, and bassist Dave Rimmer. They have experienced numerous lineup changes throughout their 55-year career, leaving Box as the only remaining original member. Notable former members of the band are vocalists David Byron, John Lawton, John Sloman, and Peter Goalby; bassists Gary Thain, Trevor Bolder, John Wetton, Bob Daisley, Paul Newton, and John Jowitt; drummers Nigel Olsson, Iain Clark, Lee Kerslake, and Chris Slade; and keyboardists Ken Hensley, Gregg Dechert, and John Sinclair.
Kenneth William David Hensley was an English musician, singer, songwriter and producer, best known for his work with Uriah Heep during the 1970s.
Salisbury is the second studio album by English rock band Uriah Heep, released in January 1971 by Vertigo Records in the UK and Mercury Records in the US. It was produced by Gerry Bron.
Demons and Wizards is the fourth studio album by British rock band Uriah Heep, released 19 May 1972 by Bronze Records in the UK and Mercury Records in the US.
Look at Yourself is the third studio album by English rock band Uriah Heep, released in September 1971 by Bronze Records in the UK and Mercury Records in the US. It was the last Uriah Heep album to feature founding member and bassist Paul Newton.
The Magician's Birthday is the fifth album by British rock band Uriah Heep, released in November 1972 by Bronze Records in the UK and Mercury Records in the US. The concept was "based loosely on a short story" written by keyboardist Ken Hensley in June and July 1972.
Sweet Freedom is the sixth studio album by British rock band Uriah Heep, released on 3 September 1973 by Bronze Records in the UK and Warner Bros. Records in the US.
Wonderworld is the seventh studio album by English rock band Uriah Heep, released in 1974 by Bronze Records in the UK and Warner Bros. Records in the US. Wonderworld was the last Uriah Heep album to feature bass player Gary Thain.
Return to Fantasy is the eighth studio album by British rock band Uriah Heep, released on 13 June 1975 in the United Kingdom by Bronze Records. It was the first of the two albums to feature John Wetton as the new bass player, who replaced Gary Thain in early 1975.
Uriah Heep Live is a double live album by British rock group Uriah Heep, released in April 1973 in the US by Mercury Records, and in May 1973 in the UK by Bronze Records. It was the band's first live album. The album was recorded by the Pye Mobile Unit, with Alan Perkins as engineer.
Innocent Victim is the eleventh studio album by English rock band Uriah Heep, released in November 1977 by Bronze Records in the UK and Warner Bros. Records in the US.
Firefly is the tenth studio album by British rock band Uriah Heep, released in February 1977 by Bronze Records in the UK and Warner Bros. Records in the US. It was their first album without lead vocalist and founding member David Byron, and the first of three albums with new singer John Lawton, formerly of Lucifer's Friend. Bassist Trevor Bolder made his Uriah Heep debut on this album. Barring a break of about 18 months in the early 1980s, he remained with the group until his death in 2013.
High and Mighty is the ninth studio album by English rock band Uriah Heep, released in May 1976 by Bronze Records in the UK and Warner Bros. Records in the US. High and Mighty was the last Uriah Heep album to feature bassist John Wetton, and vocalist and founding member David Byron who was fired later that year due to his troubles with alcohol and differences with band priorities.
Fallen Angel is the 12th studio album by British rock band Uriah Heep, released in September 1978 by Bronze Records in the UK and Chrysalis Records in USA. It is the last album to feature John Lawton on vocals, before his firing in 1979. Fallen Angel only reached No. 186 in the US Billboard 200, but in Germany, the band were at the height of their popularity. On this album, the band moved toward an AOR sound, as opposed to the progressive rock of previous albums.
Conquest is the thirteenth studio album by English rock band Uriah Heep, released in 1980. It was released worldwide by Bronze Records; however, the album was never released in North America, where it was difficult to find even as an import.
Abominog is the fourteenth studio album by English rock band Uriah Heep, released in March 1982 by Bronze Records in the United Kingdom, and on July 12, 1982 by Mercury Records in the United States. It was their first album without keyboardist Ken Hensley. The album was critically acclaimed and fairly commercially successful, due in part to the band retooling and updating their sound to a contemporary style and delivering a "punchier, more pop metal era-appropriate effort.
"July Morning" is a song by the English rock band Uriah Heep. It is the third track on their 1971 album Look at Yourself.
"Bird of Prey" is a song by British rock band Uriah Heep, from the group's US version of their 1970 debut album Very 'Eavy... Very 'Umble. A re-recorded version of the song would appear on the European version of 1971's album Salisbury. The original 1970 version of the song would later appear on the European 2003 remaster of Very 'Eavy... Very 'Umble. Although not released as a single, the song is regarded by many fans as one of the band's most popular songs. The song is the B-side of the band's first ever worldwide single "Gypsy".
The Lansdowne Tapes is a compilation album by the British rock band Uriah Heep and released in 1993. The recordings featured on the album date from the time before the change of name to Uriah Heep and during the early sessions that culminated in material eventually used on the bands debut album.
"Gypsy" is the debut single by British progressive rock/hard rock band Uriah Heep. It is the opening track on their first album, …Very 'Eavy …Very 'Umble, released in 1970. "Gypsy" was written by Mick Box and David Byron. The album version of "Gypsy" lasts more than six and half minutes, while the single version lasts less than three minutes. The song was also included on the band's first compilation album, The Best of Uriah Heep, and on two live albums, 1973's Uriah Heep Live and the later Live in Armenia. The song is structured with an intro, outro and three verses with no chorus.
Very 'Eavy... Very 'Umble finds the band trying on different stylistic hats as they work towards finding their own sound. At this juncture, their music falls halfway between the crunch of heavy metal and the dramatic arrangements of prog rock.
