The Lansdowne Tapes

The Lansdowne Tapes is a compilation album by the British rock band Uriah Heep, released in 1993. The recordings featured on the album date from the time before the formation of Uriah Heep.

The Lansdowne Tapes
Compilation album by
Uriah Heep
Released1993 (UK)
1994 (US)
Recorded1969-1971
StudioLansdowne Studios, London, UK
GenreProgressive rock, hard rock
Length77:22
LabelRPM (UK)
Viceroy Music (US)
ProducerGerry Bron, Robert M. Corich
Uriah Heep compilation chronology
The Very Best of Uriah Heep
(1993)		 The Lansdowne Tapes
(1993)		 Lady in Black
(1994)
US edition cover
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal3/10[2]

About half of the recordings belong to a band called Spice, which featured Mick Box, David Garrick — who later changed his name to David Byron — Paul Newton and Alex Napier; they were signed to Gerry Bron's company Hit Record Productions on 1 August 1969. These early recordings feature tracks laid down by Spice at the Lansdowne Studios from July to December 1969, many of which formed part of Spice's live set at the time. Originally intended for an album release, these songs were shelved when Ken Hensley became a member of the band in February 1970. His influence gave them a distinctive sound which was marked with a name change to Uriah Heep, in time for their first album ...Very 'Eavy ...Very 'Umble scheduled for May 1970 release.

The rest of the album features material taped by the embryonic Uriah Heep line-ups. It includes several takes of old favourites and previously unreleased tracks that were recorded for the first three albums, all taped during 1969-1971.

Much of the material required extensive recovery work and all has been newly mixed down from the original 8-track tapes at Lansdowne Studios. Box, Newton and Hensley have co-operated in the production, reportedly fascinated to hear this old material once again. The collector's edition is complemented by an inlay of rare photos from the period, together with cuttings, a full history of the transition from Spice to Uriah Heep, and details of each individual track.

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)FormationLength
1."Born in a Trunk"Mick Box, David ByronSpice3:47
2."Simon the Bullet Freak"Ken HensleyUriah Heep 23:29
3."Here Am I"HensleyUriah Heep 28:14
4."Magic Lantern"Box, ByronSpice8:33
5."Why" (extended version)Box, Byron, Hensley, Paul NewtonUriah Heep 311:18
6."Astranaza"Box, ByronSpice4:47
7."What's Within My Heart"HensleyUriah Heep 25:26
8."What Should Be Done"HensleyUriah Heep 34:28
9."Lucy Blues"Box, ByronUriah Heep 15:11
10."I Want You Babe (Behind the Green Shed Blues)"Box, ByronSpice5:43
11."Celebrate" (Three Dog Night cover)Gary Bonner, Alan Gordon)Spice4:26
12."Schoolgirl"Box, ByronSpice3:26
13."Born in a Trunk" (instrumental version)Box, ByronSpice4:02
14."Look at Yourself"HensleyUriah Heep 33:21
15."Dreammare"NewtonUriah Heep 11:11

Formations
  • SPICE : Mick Box (guitars), David Byron (vocals), Paul Newton (bass), Alex Napier (drums), Colin Wood (keyboards)
  • URIAH HEEP 1: Mick Box (guitars), David Byron (vocals), Paul Newton (bass), Nigel Olsson (drums), Ken Hensley (keyboards)
  • URIAH HEEP 2: Mick Box (guitars), David Byron (vocals), Paul Newton (bass), Keith Baker (drums), Ken Hensley (keyboards)
  • URIAH HEEP 3: Mick Box (guitars), David Byron (vocals), Paul Newton (bass), Ian Clark (drums), Ken Hensley (keyboards)

Production

References
  1. Thomas, Fred. "Uriah Heep - The Lansdowne Tapes (Mercury) review". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
  2. Popoff, Martin (1 August 2007). The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 3: The Nineties. Burlington, Ontario, Canada: Collector's Guide Publishing. p. 471. ISBN 978-1-894959-62-9.
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