Uriah Heep - Magic Night


Year of Release: 2004
Label: Classic Rock Productions
Catalog Number: 1526
Format: CD/DVD
Total Time: 00:00:00

Magic Night is The Magician's Birthday Party (named after their 1972 album) 2003 featuring Uriah Heep. UH is one of the forefathers of metal and progressive rock and it looks as though they are unwilling to relent to age or the wear and tear of performing, and that is a good thing for music fans everywhere.

Recorded live at the Astoria Theater in London, the DVD and SACD feature the rock legends performing some of their most popular tracks with current and previous band members over the years such as John Lawton and also a special guest vocalist Heather Findlay of Mostly Autumn shows up to add her sweet voice to the mix.

This has become an event that I hope has a future, its three years running now so it looks as though it does. The DVD and SACD capture the legendary rock band at their very best. It is amazing how people can get older and better as time goes on. When performing, it does take a tremendous amount of energy at a live event, but I guess they feed off each other's energy and the audience's, it has to be the magic elixir that keeps them young.

The DVD has 18 tracks and the SACD 16, and each version offers different tracks. I realize that it may seem like overkill lately with the live performances and DVDs pouring out of the Classic Rock Productions vaults for Uriah Heep, but do not let it concern you. Yes, there are the standby tracks that are on all the other releases, such as "Easy Livin'" and "July Morning." There are quite a few tracks that I have not had the pleasure to see or hear yet. "Heartless Land," "Been Away Too Long" and "Shadows Of Grief" are all new to these ears. As much as I would like to say that I have heard every album in their catalog, I can't; give me time though, I will eventually. In addition, another point of interest and pertinence is the fact that no matter how many times you hear songs like "Easy Livin'" or "Stealin," they always sound great; they are actually getting better with the passing of time. The one thing this band does not lack at this point is maturity.

Mick Box is always smiling and the core leader as he always has been. I think if it were not for his steadfast influence and attitude this band would have never survived all the lineup changes over the years. The man has good reason to smile, after all these years his is still able to do what he loves, be paid, and absorb the adulation of his fans. The key to this band's success besides their longevity is the fact that all the members sing and play, that is a huge asset and one that makes them as diverse and strong as a unit. That kind of continuity is difficult to find with equally talented people in the same group, and to maintain it is another challenge.

This was a magic night and now one immortalized forever for us all to enjoy repeatedly. Ain't life grand? It is in my world because I can still enjoy listening to one the best bands in the world and one of my all time favorites, and I don't have to feel middle aged doing it, now that's one of the sweet things of life to treasure.


Tracklisting:
DVD: Cry Freedom / Shadows Of Grief / Pilgrim / Bad Bad Man / Devil's Daughter / Wise Man / The Other Side Of Midnight / Fire Fly / Heartless Land / Free Me / The Wizard / Been Away Too Long / Stealin' / Too Scared To Run / Love In Silence / Easy Livin' / July Morning / Lady In Black

SACD: Easy Livin' / Shadows of Grief / Cry Freedom / Pilgrim / Bad Bad Man / Devil's Daughter / Wise Man / Firefly / Heartless Land / Free Me / The Wizard / Love In Silence / Been Away To Long / Stealin / Too Scared to Run / The Other Side of Midnight

Musicians:
Mick Box - guitar, vocals
Lee Kerslake - drums, vocals
Trevor Bolder - bass, vocals
Phil Lanzon - keyboards, vocals
Bernie Shaw ? vocals

Discography:
Very 'Eavy ... Very 'Umble (1970)
Salisbury (1971)
Look At Yourself (1971)
Demons And Wizards (1972)
The Magician''s Birthday (1972)
Live January1973 (1973)
Sweet Freedom (1973)
Wonderworld (1974)
Return To Fantasy (1975)
High And Mighty (1976)
Firefly (1977)
Innocent Victim (1977)
Fallen Angel (1978)
Conquest (1980)
Abominog (1982)
Head First (1983)
Equator (1985)
Live At Shepperton ''74 (1986)
Live In Europe 1979 (1986)
Live In Moscow (1988)
Raging Silence (1989)
Different World (1991)
Sea Of Light (1995)
Spellbinder Live (1996)
King Biscuit Flower Hour Live (1997
Sonic Origami (1998)
Future Echoes Of The Past (2000)
Acoustically Driven (2001)
Electrically Driven (2001)
The Magician's Birthday Party (CD) (2002)
Magic Night (SACD) (2004)
Wake The Sleeper (2008)
Official Live Bootlegs (2009)
Live At Sweden Rock Festival 2009 (2010)
On The Rebound - A Very 'Eavy 40th Anniversary Collection (2010)

The Magician's Birthday Party (DVD) (2002)
Magic Night (DVD) (2004)
Classic Heep Live From The Byron Era (DVD) (2004)
Between Two Worlds (DVD) (2005)
The Live Broadcasts (DVD) (2006)

plus numerous compliations not listed here

Genre: Rock

Origin UK

Added: May 2nd 2004
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck
Score:
Artist website: www.uriah-heep.com
Hits: 3422
Language: english

  

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