URIAH HEEP – Official Bootleg Vol. II: Live In Budapest

Uriah Heep have been around for quite some time (since 1969 to be exact), and have gone through an unbelievable amount of personnel/musician changes from its inception to today. Over their career, there have been nineteen other members in this band at one time or another, and Uriah Heep have released 22 studio albums, 12 live albums, 13 compilation albums, and 27 singles.

How many bands can remain successful after all that time … never mind going through that many personnel changes? Take into account too all of the musical changes and fads that have occurred over the past four plus decades, and that can’t help but to add pressure to any situation. Taking all of this into account, Uriah Heep must be given props for their accomplishment in staying together and remaining loyal to their fans.

Added to their impressive discography is their latest double live recording titled Official Bootleg Vol. II, Live in Budapest, Hungary 2010. It is safe to say there is something for everyone, since the band covers material from as far back as 1970 to their latest stuff that came out in 2009. Disc 1 has ten tracks (50:24) while Disc 2 has another seven (45:18). That’s a pretty decent selection and is widespread enough to satisfy every age group. The current line-up consists of Mick Box (guitar), Trevor Bolder (bass), Phil Lanzon (keyboards), Bernie Shaw (vocals), and Russell Gilbrook (drums). Mick Box is the only current member who has been with the band from its inception all the way through to today.

The main positive point of this release is that there is a very good selection of songs from the band from start to finish. The negative is that the sound of this album is atrocious. It sounds muddled and bassy — too deep at times, and just plain bad. Perhaps there is a reason for this that can be explained, but for now just know that you’ve been warned.

Overall, though, the band sounds tight and it is obvious from this recording at least that Uriah Heep still enjoys touring and playing in front of live crowds. It is also obvious that the fans still love them. As long as that keeps happening, they’ll most likely still be around for a while. On a side note that Heep fans will want to hear, the band will be coming out with a new release sometime in 2011.