Uriah Heep LIVE!
June 26, 2010 at Ameristar Casino, Kansas City, MO.
by Mike Allen
Guest Staff Writer
Uriah Heep absolutely rocked the small crowd of Heepsters at Ameristar Casino. Although the crowd was small, probably somewhere in the ballpark of 900 people, it seemed the crowd mostly included “Heepsters,” a term given to only hardcore fans of Uriah Heep.
They put on a very nostalgic show, one that really took this writer by surprise. Having seen Uriah Heep in the ‘80s, when the production was completely different and they didn’t pay much tribute to their roots, the Hammond B3 had been replaced with synth sounds, and it was more based on anthem rock at that time.
Heep wasted no time in defining the show right out of the shoot with the opening track, “Wake The Sleeper,” which was hard rocking, with tons of B3 and a very unmistakable punch. Mick Box, lead-guitarist and the only original member of the band, was working his mystical magic on guitar with hard-driving tones, lots of wah wah and a flat out a very cool Jimi Hendrix-like stage presence. The man plays with such intensity, and he moves as though he and his guitar are one. Keyboardist Phil Lanzon is amazing.
If you’ve followed Uriah Heep over time, Ken Hensley is their original B3 player who really defined the Heep power rock sound with a distorted, Deep Purple-sounding style. Phil Lanzon was all over it during this show; an absolute wizard.
Lead-Vocalist Bernie Shaw, who has been with the band for more than 20 years now, sounds hauntingly like their original vocalist David Byron. He has a unique voice that has a very ‘70s-ish sound with range, vibrato and flare.
This wasn’t a boxed up package of a show. This was full-bore Uriah Heep in every sense of the word. Based off of the crowd’s response, Uriah Heep remains loyal to their fan base, while rocking just hard enough to keep even the unfamiliar fans on their feet and pumping their fists. Two thumbs up for rockin’ a small crowd and remaining true to their roots.
Set List:
Wake The Sleeper
Return To Fantasy
Only Human
Book Of Lies
Bird Of Prey
Corridors of Madness
Stealin
Love In Silence
Rain
Wizard
Sunrise
Fee An’ Easy
Gypsy
Angels Walk Without You
July Morning
Easy Livin
Lady In Black
