Uriah Heep – Tonhalle Munich 26th November 2009
Bernie Shaw
Setlist: Wake The Sleeper / Return to Fantasy / Only Human / Book Of Lies / Bird of Prey / Corridors of Madness / Love in Silence / Rain / The Wizard / Free Me / Sunrise / Free 'n' Easy / Gypsy / Angels Walk With You / July Morning / Easy Livin' // Lady In Black
This is more my style. Indoors. Bier. Rock music. What’s not to like?
It had been a few years since I’d last seen The Heep and I always had a soft spot for them. What I hadn’t bargained for was how bloody rocktastic they would be this time around. Seriously, they were fantastic. I’ve been fortunate to see some really good gigs over the last few years, but this year has been special. Heep was my penultimate gig of the year and it was a corker.
The current line-up is a very good one and they don’t mess around. Mick Box is a living legend and, undoubtedly, the life and soul of this band, being there from day one. This is undeniably his band, but there seems such a good camaraderie between the band members and you can’t help but notice they’re really enjoying themselves. Bernie Shaw’s voice sounds better than ever and he is a charismatic front man. Trevor Boulder is one of my favourite bass players and he seems so at home here, punching out bass lines like he’s firing a Gattling gun, whilst Phil Lanzon does loads of frilly bits on his bank of keyboards. Drummer Russell Gilbrook was the big surprise for me, his precision and power quite breathtaking.
They play so well together and, with such a wonderful back catalogue of tunes to go at, it would be difficult not to please, when you think about it. There aren’t a lot of frills, just a nice light show, plenty of volume, and a tour de force setlist that is well thought out, and mixes plenty of classics with some excellent new material.
For once, I have no complaints at all. I can’t fault the band, or the show. If you get a chance, go and see them.
Very ‘eavy, very ‘umble.
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
30th November 2009
It had been a few years since I’d last seen The Heep and I always had a soft spot for them. What I hadn’t bargained for was how bloody rocktastic they would be this time around. Seriously, they were fantastic. I’ve been fortunate to see some really good gigs over the last few years, but this year has been special. Heep was my penultimate gig of the year and it was a corker.
The current line-up is a very good one and they don’t mess around. Mick Box is a living legend and, undoubtedly, the life and soul of this band, being there from day one. This is undeniably his band, but there seems such a good camaraderie between the band members and you can’t help but notice they’re really enjoying themselves. Bernie Shaw’s voice sounds better than ever and he is a charismatic front man. Trevor Boulder is one of my favourite bass players and he seems so at home here, punching out bass lines like he’s firing a Gattling gun, whilst Phil Lanzon does loads of frilly bits on his bank of keyboards. Drummer Russell Gilbrook was the big surprise for me, his precision and power quite breathtaking.
They play so well together and, with such a wonderful back catalogue of tunes to go at, it would be difficult not to please, when you think about it. There aren’t a lot of frills, just a nice light show, plenty of volume, and a tour de force setlist that is well thought out, and mixes plenty of classics with some excellent new material.
For once, I have no complaints at all. I can’t fault the band, or the show. If you get a chance, go and see them.
Very ‘eavy, very ‘umble.
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
30th November 2009