CLEAN 1972 Orig URIAH HEEP MAGICIAN PROG PSYCH GEM
$
38
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Description
1972 CLEAN ORIGINAL PROGRESSIVE EPIC !
URIAH HEEP
The Magician's Birthday
\ USA - RED MERCURY- SRM 1 652
CLEAN...Original 1972 first pressing in delightful Roger Dean gatefold cover....
The album starts with "Sunrise" and the song is introduced by a haunting Byron scream that leads us to something that seems as an experimental and extremely hard power ballad, but the vocal explosions, controlled screams and radical changes makes of this a very well elaborate track, the wah-wah guitar of Mick Box and at last a powerful drumming makes of this song a pleasure, whoever doubts URIAH HEEP is one of the oldest ancestors of Progressive heavy rock should listen this track.
"Spider Woman" is a classical Heep hard rock track with more conservative sound and less spectacular vocals than the previous but an impeccable bass performance by Gary Thain, good, but not awesome.
"Blind Eye" is another very good song where Hensley keyboards, Box's electric and played rhythm guitar and the correct vocals of David Byron blend gently, again as usual elaborate outstanding vocal arrangements in a band where almost every member contributed with the backing vocals, flows gently from start to end not very complex but the quality is obvious.
"Echoes in the Dark" is another progressive track that starts wit the haunting sound effects plus a dramatic guitar and piano creating a mysterious atmosphere, suddenly out of nowhere Baron's vocals join the band almost as a whisper, this leads to another strong instrumental section and several changes, this album keeps getting better.
There are softer numbers on the album such as the lovely Hensley ballad "Rain". Apparently Hensley wanted to make the final chorus much louder and more powerful, but the rest of the band pushed back. He took the opportunity to record his preferred version on his solo album "Proud words on a dusty shelf".
"Sweet Lorraine" is breathtaking from start ton end, a synth intro that wakes after Rain leads to a hard Rock track with great drumming by Lee Kerslake, it's amazing how Gary Thain manages to take his bass from the rhythm section and joins the melodic part as if it was a second guitar but keeps making his job supporting Kerslake.
"Tales" works as a reliever after the strong material and to prepare the audience for the semi-epic and central piece of the album, not bad but plain simple, still the rhythm section work is outstanding.
"The Magician's Birthday" is a 100% prog epic that has everything, powerful moments, absolutely radical changes, drama, mystery, in other words a complete song that any progressive fan must listen; it picks up the fantasy theme, and weaves a tale around the battle between good and evil. This is interrupted by a lengthy guitar solo from Mick Box, accompanied only by Lee Kerslake on drums, and the occasional spooky theme from Hensley's keyboards. The track climaxes in the battle itself, played out with stereo effects, before Byron ascends to ethereal bliss and fades into the closing section which is absolutely breathtaking, probably one of the best vocal works heard inside or outside the progressive rock genre -- David Byron goes from the lowest to the highest ranges in fraction of seconds and the chorus is absolutely perfect surrounded by great Moog backup, and love this track from start to end.
Side A
1. Sunrise (4:04)
2. Spider Woman (2:25)
3. Blind Eye (3:33)
4. Echoes In The Dark (4:48)
5. Rain (3:59)
Side B
1. Sweet Lorraine (4:13)
2. Tales (4:09)
3. The Magician's Birthday (10:23)
CONDITION: The cover is clean, very nice "EX" (excellent) no problems, should be a keeper collectible with no need to upgrade.
The vinyl is all glossy clean and clear...M- plays TOPS!
A cool addition to anyone's music library!
SEE: SELLERS OTher items for similar cool sounds for "head" people...
EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING
All imperfections are noted both cover & record
NOTE: All Items backed by money back guarantee! IF you have a problem PLEASE let us solve for you BEFORE leaving ANY negative feedback. Thanks! GRADING SCALE: M, M-, EX, VG++,VG+, VG, VG- M Completely clean, no marks M- Carefully used, looks clean, plays clean, shiny gloss, no marks EX Faint scuff or superficial mark, near M-, high gloss, plays clean VG++ Glossy with minimal scuffing or light mark playing very nice, clean VG+ a bit more scuff or markls still plays well with very minimal surface at worse VG more marks/scratches only minor, nothing deep, no loud clicks or pops this grade is abused by many, VG here does not mean "trashed" VG- surface noise present, will not have skips or jumps SHIPPING: (Attention: Items are sent out every Friday of each week) USA: $4.00 = Media Mail = U.S.A / delivery confirmation included (add 1.00 each additional LP/disc) $8.50 = Priority = U.S.A. /delivery confirmation included. (add $1.00 each additional LP) CANADA shipping is $8.50 AIRMAIL ...please add $1.50 for each additional LP MEXICO shipping is $9.95 AIRMAIL ... please add $1.50 for each additional Lp NOTE: Please wait until receipt of OUR invoice for proper shipping charges ***To our international OVERSEAS customers*** Due to the increase in U.S.A. postal shipping rates, we are forced to restructure shipping charges. Please see chart below. It is our hopes to provide you with our best possible service and keeping your shipping costs as low as possible. We have had problems with many international shipping orders costing us more than actual (higher) charges; The more Lp's you get in one parcel, the better the shipping costs, so we urge you to take advantage that we will HOLD your purchases to save YOU on shipping costs. IMPORTANT: Pay each invoice you receive, and, if you wish, ask us to HOLD your order reach lowest shipping costs. We value ALL our customers and will continue to list MANY interesting "rare" 60's & 70's Lp's that we obtain in our constant search and travels over all parts of the U.S. Thank you for your continued interests. International AIR MAIL shipping charges (all countries apply): 1 Lp = $14.00 2 Lp = $18.00 3 Lp's = $24.00 4 Lp's = $30.00 5 Lp's = $36.00 6 Lp's = $42.00 7 Lp's = $45.00 8 Lp's = $48.00 9 Lp's = $51.00 10 Lp's = $54.00 11 Lp's = $57.00 12 Lp's = $60.00 13 Lp's = $63.00 14 Lp's = $66.00 15 Lp's = $69.00 MULTIPLE LP SETS COUNT EACH DISC FOR SHIPPING COST (double Lp count as 2-Lp, etc.) Items In All Parcels Are Well Protected = The disc of an LP will always be separated from its cover (avoiding seam splits,etc) ALL PAYMENTS SHOULD BE MADE WITHIN 5 DAYS Of AUCTIONS END Appropriate Feedback Is Left AFTER Yours Is Left BIDDERS PLEASE = Do Not Bid If You Are Not Serious About Following Through The Transaction! ALL ITEMS GUARANTEED FOR WINNING BID - LESS SHIPPING!
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