KEN HENSLEY/PROUD WORDS ON A DUSTY SHELF ILPS 9223 (-73) UK

Though presented as a solo effort I've always seen this as a Uriah Heep LP and a good one too. Issued between the band efforts "Magicians Birthday" and "Sweet Freedom". Apart from Lee Kerslake's former playmate in National Head Band - David Paul - playing bass on some of the tracks all were recorded by Kerslake on drums, Gary Thain on bass and Hensley himself doing the rest of the instruments. All songs written and arranged by Hensley and produced by Gerry Bron. Even if you miss David Byron's vocal power or Mick Box' distinct guitar technique the rest is familiar - songwriting and background quires, Hensley's voice and above all Thain's melodic and adaptive bass. On the softer side, but any of the songs could have been on any surrounding UH studio LP. I especially like the way he treat the guitars. They're everywhere - as support, riffs and a couple of chunky solos with lots of howl. Not his main instrument and far from equilibristic, but pleasantly present providing balance and spicing things up. All that together makes it a good album and certainly more than just the necessary UH complement I know many collectors keep it as. Favorite tracks - "Fortune", "When Evening Comes", "Proud Words" and "Cold Autumn Sunday". First US on Mercury (SRM 1-661). Premiere UK had "i" logo label as shown here and matt fold/out cover with lyric inner. (ÖRHÄ*)(PRÖZ*)