KEN HENSLEY (URIAH HEEP) FREE SPIRIT 1980 ARCHIVE LP
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KEN HENSLEY ‘FREE SPIRIT’ 1980 FIRST PRESSING A1+B1 STAMPER CODES IN DEAD WAX BRONZE VINYL LP COMPLETE WITH LYRIC INNER SLEEVE
Sleeve Condition: Numbered stickers to all corners but otherwise Ex++.
Record Condition: It’s no exaggeration to call this an Archive condition LP. It shows no evidence of ever having been played with not even any centring marks on the label. Plays flawlessly. A stunner! Near Mint (the only truly Mint LP is a sealed one!)
The title of Ken's third solo album is a clear reference to his departure, and his intention to pursue a solo career. "Free spirit" is his most individual effort to date, with Hensley calling for assistance only in the rhythm department. A variety of guests are used there, including current and former Heep bandmates Trevor Boulder and Mark Clarke plus Ian Paice of Deep Purple and Kenny Jones.
In terms of content, "Free spirit" offers a clear distinction between Hensley's solo work and his contribution to his now former band. The album opens with its best song, "Inside the mystery". The piece is a fine mix of funk, prog and power ballad written by Hensley's writing partner around the time, Jack Williams. Ken's arrangement and production of the song is superb, bringing out the fine melody well.
"When" is reminiscent of the title track on "Proud words..", with much more of a Uriah Heep feel than most of the material here. The strong beat and falsetto vocals combine with some good old Hammond organ in a great three part composition. The power ballad "No more" is reminiscent of Lee Kerslake's "Come back to me", although the lyrics here may well be directed towards a work related acquaintance rather than a former lover. Ken adds some appealing lead guitar to another album highlight. "Brown eyed boy" sees Ken going all out for some straight rock and roll, with line such as "So I said what's a pretty girl like you doing in a place like here". Bizarrely, but very effectively, the centre part of the track slows things down for an ah-ah's backed guitar solo rather like that on "The spell".
All in all, a tight, focused album of very competent rock music from one the era’s foremost musicians. Rare on vinyl and in this condition, unique.
Studio Album, released in 1980
Songs / Tracks Listing
1 Inside the Mystery 4:36
2 New York 2:25
3 The System 2:35
4 When 3:48
5 No More 4:36
6 Brown Eyed Boy 4:03
7 Do You Feel Alright 2:52
8 Telephone 3:09
9 Woman 3:23
10 New Routine 3:28
Total time - 34:55
Lyrics
Line-up / Musicians
- Ken Hensley / guitars, keyboards, vocals
- Ian Paice/ drums (6)
- Kenny Jones/drums (8)
- Mark Clarke/bass (6)
- Trevor Boulder/bass (2,8)
- Denny Ball/bass (1,9)
- Jim Tooney / Drums (1)
- Geoff Allan / Drums (2,3,4,5,9)
- Gary Taylor / Bass (3,4,5)
- The Wrongettes / Backing voices (2)
Releases information
1980 LP Bronze BRON533
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