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

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)