The Lansdowne Tapes

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The Lansdowne Tapes
Uriah Heep lansdowne UK.jpg
Compilation album by
Released1993 (UK)
1994 (US)
Recorded1969-1971
Studio Lansdowne Studios, London, UK
Genre Progressive rock, hard rock
Length77:22
Label Red Steel Music (United Kingdom)
Viceroy Music (US) RPM Records
Producer Gerry Bron, Robert M. Corich
Uriah Heep compilation chronology
The Very Best of Uriah Heep
(1993)
The Lansdowne Tapes
(1993)
Lady in Black
(1994)
UK Red Steel cover and US Viceroy edition cover
Uriah Heep lansdowne US.jpg
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal 3/10 [2]

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.

Contents

Recordings

About half of the recordings belong to a band called Spice, which featured Mick Box, David Garrick — who later changed his name to David ByronPaul Newton and Alex Napier; they were signed to Gerry Bron's company Hit Record Productions on 1 August 1969. These early recordings feature tracks laid down by Spice at the Lansdowne Studios from July to December 1969, many of which formed part of Spice's live set at the time. Originally intended for an album release, some of the songs were shelved when Ken Hensley became a member of the band in February 1970. His influence gave them a distinctive sound which was marked with a name change to Uriah Heep, in time for their first album ...Very 'Eavy ...Very 'Umble scheduled for May 1970 release.

The rest of the album features material taped by the embryonic Uriah Heep line-ups. It includes several takes of old favourites and previously unreleased tracks that were recorded for the first three albums, all taped during 1969-1971.

The songs were remixed from the original 8-track tapes at Lansdowne Studios.

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)FormationLength
1."Born in a Trunk" Mick Box, David Byron Spice3:47
2."Simon the Bullet Freak" Ken Hensley Uriah Heep 23:29
3."Here Am I"HensleyUriah Heep 28:14
4."Magic Lantern"Box, ByronSpice8:33
5."Why" (extended version)Box, Byron, Hensley, Paul Newton Uriah Heep 311:18
6."Astranaza"Box, ByronSpice4:47
7."What's Within My Heart"HensleyUriah Heep 25:26
8."What Should Be Done"HensleyUriah Heep 34:28
9."Lucy Blues"Box, ByronUriah Heep 15:11
10."I Want You Babe (Behind the Green Shed Blues)"Box, ByronSpice5:43
11."Celebrate" (Three Dog Night cover)Gary Bonner, Alan Gordon Spice4:26
12."Schoolgirl"Box, ByronSpice3:26
13."Born in a Trunk" (instrumental version)Box, ByronSpice4:02
14."Look at Yourself"HensleyUriah Heep 33:21
15."Dreammare"NewtonUriah Heep 11:11

Formations

Production

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References

  1. Thomas, Fred. "Uriah Heep - The Lansdowne Tapes (Mercury) review". AllMusic . All Media Network . Retrieved 22 April 2019.
  2. Popoff, Martin (1 August 2007). The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 3: The Nineties. Burlington, Ontario, Canada: Collector's Guide Publishing. p. 471. ISBN   978-1-894959-62-9.