Description
Uriah Heep – Still ‘Eavy, Still Proud – Compact Disc
Uriah Heep – Still ’Eavy, Still Proud is a compilation album released in 1990 to celebrate 20 years of the legendary British hard rock band’s music. The title is a nod to their 1970 debut, …Very ’Eavy …Very ’Umble, and serves as both a reflection on their legacy and a reaffirmation of their identity: still heavy, still proud, and still carrying the torch for classic hard rock well into the changing landscape of the late ’80s and early ’90s.
Rather than functioning as a straightforward greatest hits collection, Still ’Eavy, Still Proud offers a mixture of classic studio recordings and live versions, giving fans a dynamic listening experience that captures both the majestic studio sound and the band’s explosive stage presence. The tracklist draws heavily from the band’s 1970s golden era, when they helped define British hard rock and proto-metal alongside contemporaries like Deep Purple, UFO, and Uriah Heep’s spiritual cousin, Led Zeppelin.
Songs like “Gypsy,” “Easy Livin’,” “Stealin’,” and “July Morning” are all present, showcasing the band’s trademark blend of melodic keyboards, driving guitar riffs, operatic vocal harmonies, and fantastical lyrical themes. These tracks are essential Uriah Heep: dramatic, theatrical, and rooted in a distinctive fusion of progressive rock, blues, and proto-metal.
The inclusion of live tracks, particularly from the 1989 and 1990 tours, reflects the lineup that had re-solidified in the late ’80s with Mick Box (guitar) as the ever-present founder, Lee Kerslake (drums), Trevor Bolder (bass), Phil Lanzon (keyboards), and Bernie Shaw (vocals). This era marked a rebirth of sorts for Heep—a period of renewed energy and consistency, particularly in Europe and Eastern Europe, where the band remained hugely popular even as their chart dominance in the U.S. and UK had waned.
Bernie Shaw’s vocals on the live cuts are a highlight, as he brings a new energy and clarity to the classics without trying to imitate original frontman David Byron. The live versions demonstrate how well the band had aged musically by 1990: still tight, still powerful, and still capable of commanding a stage with the drama and dynamism they were known for in the early ’70s.
The compilation also works as a statement of longevity and defiance. By 1990, the hard rock and heavy metal world had shifted drastically, with glam metal in its last commercial gasp and grunge just around the corner. In that context, Still ’Eavy, Still Proud is more than nostalgia—it’s Uriah Heep staking their claim as founding fathers of heavy rock, reminding audiences of their role in shaping the genre’s sound, theatrics, and spirit.
For longtime fans, the album serves as a satisfying sampler with a mix of familiar favorites and the thrill of live reinterpretation. For new listeners, it’s a gateway into Uriah Heep’s complex and often overlooked catalog, offering both accessibility and depth. It might not be as definitive as The Best of Uriah Heep (1976) or as ambitious as Anthology releases, but Still ’Eavy, Still Proud carries a swagger and sincerity that fits the band’s legacy perfectly.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Gypsy (Live At Central Television)
July Morning (Live At Central Television)
Mr. Majestic (Live At Central Television)
Lady In Black (Live At Central Television)
Easy Livin’ (Live In Moscow)
Too Scared To Run (Alternative Live Version From Moscow Concerts)
Corina (Alternative Live Version From Moscow Concerts)
Split Image (Recorded As A Video Single For A Film Soundtrack)
Playing For Time (Recorded During The Ridge Farm Sessions)
Valley Of The Kings (Recorded During The Ridge Farm Sessions)
I’m Alive Again (Recorded During The Ridge Farm Sessions)
Pacific Highway (Studio Demo And Mix)
Mr. Majestic (Studio Demo And Mix)
Corina (Studio Demo And Mix)
