Very 'eavy... Very 'umble

Very 'eavy... Very 'umble
Studio album by Uriah Heep
Released	June 1970
Recorded	Early 1970 at Lansdowne Studios, London
Genre	Hard rock, heavy metal, progressive rock
Length	40:07
Label	Vertigo (UK) Mercury (USA)
Producer	Gerry Bron
Professional reviews
Allmusic (UK) link Allmusic (US) link
Uriah Heep chronology
Very 'eavy... Very 'umble (1970) Salisbury (1971)
Alternate covers
Uriah Heep US issue cover

Very 'eavy... Very 'umble is the debut album of British hard rock band Uriah Heep. It was released in the United States as Uriah Heep with alternate sleeve artwork, and with "Bird of Prey" in place of "Lucy Blues."

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. The most famous criticism came from Rolling Stone magazine reviewer Melissa Mills, who began her review, "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." ^[1]

The original vinyl release was a gatefold-sleeve, featuring David Byron on the front sleeve, almost unrecognisable beneath the cobwebs.

The album was first released on the Vertigo label in the UK, as was the follow-up Salisbury, but both were quickly reissued by Bronze when the band signed to that label.

Track listing

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

US Release Only

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, Hensley, Newton) – 4:05
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

1996 remastered CD

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

This remastered CD added three bonus tracks and extensive liner notes:

9. "Gypsy" (single version) (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

The bonus track "Gypsy" was released for the "Best Of Uriah Heep" (1991 CD) and then remastered for "Rarities From The Bronze Age" (1995 CD). The two other bonus tracks were originally recorded in 1969 by SPICE just prior to Ken Hensley's entry to the band.

2003 expanded deluxe CD

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

This expanded deluxe CD added eight bonus tracks and extensive liner notes:

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 Version)" (Box, Byron) – 4:31
15. "Dreammare (BBC live version)" (Newton) – 3:08
16. "Gypsy (BBC live version)" (Box, Byron) – 5:15

Personnel

Band members

• David Byron – lead vocals
• Ken Hensley – piano, organ, mellotron, slide guitar, vocals
• Mick Box – lead & acoustic guitar, vocals
• Paul Newton – bass guitar, vocals
• Nigel Olsson – drums, percussion

Additional musicians

• Alex Napier - drums (tracks 1–3, 6–8)
• Colin Wood - keyboards ("Come Away Melinda", "Wake Up (Set Your Sights)")
• Keith Baker - drums ("Bird of Prey")

References