London Astoria........Jim Ferrie
Well, the last time I saw Heep live was ..Hell, it was only
last Monday at Wolverhampton. 
Friday was the last gig of the tour and was I
looking forward to it.
Earlier in the day I attended the screening of
Sailing the Sea of Light. In the foyer with the receptionist, we were disturbed by the
frantic rattling of the front door. There was Bernie Shaw looking
agitated.Aha, I thought, he's caught the hairs on his chin in the door. It
was less serious but nonetheless worrying that Heep's frontman had not
yet mastered the intricacies involved in door opening.In fairness the
door release button was with the receptionist. He still found time to say
hi and shake hands even though he was running a little late.(thanks
Bernie)
I took my place at the front of the screening room.I
had never seen footage of the Moscow concerts and the enormity of what the
guys had achieved back then came home to me and I smiled. Phil's great
sense of fun came out as the band cavorted around Moscow, but also
the serious side when talking about the band and their music. Several
other things struck me from the documentary: Band members will not hold
back if they think they have produced weak songs..they admit it.
One criticism of the documentary.The one thing
missing was a view of Tommy Vance from the inside so next time get him to swallow a
camera. (Please don't)
I didn't really think I would enjoy the screening
but I
did.
At the end Bob showed an extra.The Melinda
promo video.
It is absolutely excellent and up there with the
best...very atmospheric...fingers crossed it does well.
Now to the ASTORIA.
I arrived just after 6.35 to see the biggest queue
for Heep I have seen in years.It went right round the back of the venue and the
touts were out too which bode well..A SELL OUT!!!
By the time I got in, STRAY were in full flight and
I spied Bernie at the back listening to how they sounded before melting away again.
Stray are a very tight outfit.I have to say that I
enjoyed them better on second hearing and the last song they did (I still
can't remember it's name..lucky man? pure guess) was again the best and
instantly recognisable.The guitarist had a problem with his guitar again as
it appeared to have developed an itch and he had to scratch it up and
down the amps to relieve it.Won't get better if you scratch
it.Seriously,they are a class act and I hope they do well. They had a
good following in the crowd. Band members looked professional and were
industrious in clearing the way for NAZARETH.
Nazareth...mmm. The sound mix was far better than at
Wolverhampton as Dan's voice came through a lot better.Dan seemed less
relaxed than when I saw him earlier in the week.My White Bycycle came
across a little better this time but the changed beginning, although good
is not the same as the original which on the recording grabs the senses
straight away.
They were competent and again the best was saved for
last with Love Hurts and the magnificent This Flight
Tonight.
May the Sun Shine down would have been a good crowd
singalong but it wasn't in the set.
I desperately want to throw out lots of superlatives
about Nazareth because I have an empathy with them but I can't. They were
VERY ok.Professional,competent but lacking in stage presence.I am no expert
but I was in the crowd. I say as I feel.
Another slick change of gear and the
lights died down partially and then fully as the sound system
started up.
I was distracted by being grabbed by the shoulder
and turned to come face to face with a lady who insisted I move so she could be
at the front.I am a gentleman BUT I am also a Heep fan. NO I said to her
but she persisted and tried to push forcefully in but was held back and
warned not to try it again. (the battles we men face)
" you can lean on me BUT I am not moving" says
I.This seemed to placate her and I turned back to the stage.
LIGHTS ON......Return to fantasy and I turned and
saw the balcony full and a horde of people behind (and our lady friend of
course who was now head banging and trying to beat me to death with
her hair) and it felt good to know that Heep were again playing to full
houses.Stray and Nazareth would have helped pull in the crowds too and as
a consequence the Heep set was shorter than any fan would like but I can
put up with it because I think it is a good short term strategy.
Universal Wheels was on and is such a good live
song.The band do it very well.
Stealin' was received with roars as usual.Mick was
having a little guitar trouble as the sound came and went but I never saw him
lose his cool once and just ploughed on.What a professional.
I had problems of my own.Our friend behind had now
resorted to psychological warfare so I relented, grabbed her and put her where she wanted
to be...IN FRONT and who can blame her.
The band were terrific.Confident, smiling, excited
and Mr
Bolder continuing to be rather more animated than I can ever remember AND we like it.Bernie is the one who has most impressed me
this tour.My review of Wolverhampton said this too and the Astoria only
re-inforced my personal view that Bernie is the man. Excellent front man.
Gypsy was greeted with the usual uproar but better
with so many people.It is just such a crowd pleaser.
All too soon Heep were off.
Then back again for Easy Livin', predictably good and
well recognised by the crowd.
I didn't mention Ian Anderson. He came and he went.
Blind Eye comes across very well with the flute replacing the original twin
guitars. Very cool.
Land of Hope and Glory blasted out from the speakers
and the guys were with us smiling and saying thankyou.
It is good to hear Mick speak to thank the crowd and
this does the band good because he comes across as such a genuine bloke.
It is appreciated.
What a night!!
Our friend turned and thanked me.
Nice to see people enjoy Heep so much.
Here's to the next tour.
I spent the last few minutes of the time in the
Astoria saying Hi to Heep friends from all over the world and then headed off to
the after show party.
On the way out our friend caught my eye from the
side of the hall waved and laughed and gave me a big smile.
It reminded me of a story.
What's 6 inches long, 2 inches wide and drives women
wild?
The answer is MONEY!!! (sorry ladies
lol)
We guys have to keep a level head sometimes.
I won't go into the intimate details of the after
show party but needless to say it was great. The band was there as usual and a
Blondie covers band entertained us with a very statuesque lead singer. She
was actually Very good soundwise and lookswise.She exuded confidence as
did every single member of the band.
Finally...a word about the fans.
You will never meet a nicer bunch of people in
your
life.Common love of Uriah Heep and their music joins people from round
the globe, even Scotland!!
I have yet to meet a Heep fan who I have not
got on
with.The company at the after show was great and a good laugh.
To Brian and Lorraine (every gig on the tour...take
a
bow),Louie,Meg,Donna,Pete Wharton,Richard Kenna, Dave White,Louis Rentrop
and all you wonderful people.
We are proud to be part of the Heep thing.I'm sure
that Mick and the guys are proud of the fan base they have too.
To Uriah Heep...thanks for a great tour.
You are the BEST!!!
THERE IS NO SLEEP WITH URIAH HEEP.!!!!!!!!!!!
Jim Ferrie (still a very contented Heep
fan)