URIAH HEEP + SNAKECHARMER gig review
URIAH HEEP + SNAKECHARMER Shepherd’s Bush Empire, Thursday 8th December 2011
Snakecharmer as the name suggests feature some former Whitesnake
members – Micky Moody and Neil Murray – who are joined by Laurie
Wisefield (Wishbone Ash/Tina Turner/We Will Rock You), Harry James
(Thunder/Magnum), Adam Wakeman (Ozzy Osbourne) and Chris Ousey
(Heartland/Virginia Wolf).
Given a decent length of time for a support band they fair ripped
through some classic Whitesnake (all songs from before the post-1987 big
hair days). Vocalist Chris Ousey, sporting the Paul Rodger’s approved
jeans and white vest look, hits the notes perfectly something sadly Mr
Coverdale no longer does. Great to hear ‘Slow An’ Easy’ and a nice
rocking version of ‘Here I Go Again’. Micky Moody had a chance to shine
with a stunning slide guitar solo whilst Neil Murray (looking more and
more like ‘Top Gear’s James May) seemed to be having a good time playing
the old ‘Snake classics live again. The sound was not great at times
but from this display you can expect to see and hear more of this fine
band of musicians.
Uriah Heep have come a long way since I first saw them live in the
late 80’s with their then new vocalist Bernie Shaw playing the small
club venue Shelleys in Longton. Fast forward to now and they have got
their fans back out again including some younger fans which is always
good to see.
Touring their new album ‘Into The Wild’ Uriah Heep are lucky in that
their fans like to hear the new songs unlike some of their fellow
contemporaries who have to sneak a few new songs in. Kikcing off with
‘I’m Ready’ and a frantic ‘Return To Fantasy’ soon had the crowd nicely
warmed up before the Heep choir kicks in with ‘Stealin’.
Drummer Russell Gilbrook (who has a kit that would put many a power
metaller to shame!) had a drum solo between two new songs ‘Money Talk’
and one of my favourates ‘Nail On The Head’.
Mick Box as ever was grinning throughout and throwing his shapes, a
rival to Magnum’s Bob Catley if ever there’re was one. Made a change to
have an acoustic guitar solo spot which segued well into ‘The Wizard’.
Bernie Shaw is a perfect frontman as he has an easy interaction with the
audience and vocally has lost none of his power. He had the audience
singing along to ‘Lady In Black’ which closed the set.
Encore time and the band wanted a few fans onstage to headbang along
to ‘Free An’ Easy’, a song Mick Box introduced as being voted one of
the first heavy metal songs in Germany. Amongst the lucky few fans on
stage was none other than Mark Taylor, who had cannily taken his video
recorder onstage to capture the moment. Nice touch as the band was
joined by their families including Bernie Shaw’s daughter who seemed
naturally at ease centre stage dancing away. ‘Bird Of Prey’ and ‘Easy
Livin’ closed the set off in fine style.
Uriah Heep are one of the few 70’s rock bands who still sound great,
look to have a ball on stage and are still making good music, albeit
not quite at their early 70’s pace of two albums per year! Long may they
continue.
Jason Ritchie
Setlists:
Walking In The Shadow Of The Blues
Ready An' Willing
Ain't Gonna Cry No More
Moody's Blues
Slow An' Easy
Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City
Here I Go Again
Fool For Your Loving
I'm Ready
Return to Fantasy
Stealin’
Rainbow Demon
Money Talk
Drum Solo
Nail on the Head
Acoustic guitar solo
The Wizard
Into the Wild
Gypsy
Look At Yourself
July Morning
Lady In Black
Encore:
Free 'n' Easy
Bird of Prey
Easy Livin'
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Next session: Sunday 1 December
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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024
ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)
Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)
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