Magician's Birthday [Import]

Product Description
Reissue of 1972 album, packaged in a miniature replica of the original LP sleeve. 2001 release.

The Magician's Birthday,Uriah Heep,Phantom Sound & Visi,Album Rock,British Metal,Hard Rock,Heavy Metal,Prog-Rock/Art Rock,Rock/Pop

Average customer rating: Very good and something special Fine Follow-up Album! Eclectic, Mystic-Sounding Heavy Rock/Protometal The best Heep Great Uriah Heep Album

The Magician's Birthday Uriah Heep Manufacturer: Island / Mercury ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music British Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classic Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Hard Rock & Metal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Demons and Wizards Look at Yourself Sweet Freedom Uriah Heep Live Salisbury ASIN: B000001F45 Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Sunrise
2. Spider Woman
3. Blind Eye
4. Echoes In The Dark
5. Rain
6. Sweet Lorraine
7. Tales
8. The Magician's Birthday

Customer Reviews:

Very good and something special.......2007-05-14

This is the first album that I have ever bought, so it reminds me lots of memories from the past...how time pass too quickly !
This cd is a classic album for Uriah Heep, the band was at its peak !
All songs are magical with some special mention for "Echoes in the dark", "Rain", "Tales" and the title tracks. "The Magician's Birthday", these are favorite of mine.

Fine Follow-up Album!.......2005-12-22

"The Magician's Birthday" was the second Heep album by the classical line-up featuring Hensley, Byron, Box, Thain and Kerslake. It was also the second album with a Roger Dean cover. And moreover, it was the second album the band released in 1972.

After a long 1972 tour Uriah Heep were rushed back into the Lansdowne studios to record a follow-up to their break-through and much acclaimed album "Demons and Wizzards".

As Hensley states in the notes, they felt that were never really given the time it took to record the album, which was originally planned to be a "complete" concept album. Though it may have been rushed it nearly matches its great predecessor. The band, and especially Hensley as a songwriter, were at the peak of their creativity and many of these songs have become classics and favourites. The extensive list of bonus-tracks clearly illustrates what a great period this was for the band. Unfortunately the hard work took its toll on some of the band-members; but that's another story.

The first track, Hensley's dramatic "Sunrise", is the perfect opener, with great lead and harmony vocals.

Another highlight is the melodic rocker "Blind Eye", driven by acoustic guitars and featuring a nice twin-guitar theme; also a Ken Hensley song.

Two songs released as single A-sides were "Spider Woman" (Europe) and "Sweet Lorraine" ( America), and where the first is a rather traditional heavy-rocker, "Sweet Lorraine" has all it takes to become a classic. Great whining riff, fine breaks and a catchy chorus. Simply one of the most memorable Heep recordings; written by Box, Byron and Thain.

As the most versatile songwriter in the band Hensley also demonstrates a talent for writing melodic ballads such as "Echoes in the Dark" and the quiet piano accompanied "Rain" with great lead vocals.

"Tales" is the closest the band get to playing folk-rock on the record; another fine recording.

Though the title track has its moments, it somehow feels too longwinded with its ten and a half minutes playing time.

Among the bonus-tracks Gary Thain's "Crystal Ball" is a nice surprise; sad that his constitution was strong enough to take the strain of heavy touring etc.

Though not quite as consistent as "Demons and Wizzards" still one of Heep's finest albums.

Eclectic, Mystic-Sounding Heavy Rock/Protometal.......2005-10-19

One of the best albums from the early 70s/late 60s, back when hard rock and progressive rock were together forming an offshoot - along with influences from classical, eastern music (see Led Zeppelin), heavy blues and eclectic jazz (see Judas Priest's first album, "Rocka Rolla") and a host of other musicforms - to come up with heavy metal. Uriah Heep isn't really considered metal but 'protometal', but it's close enough to appeal to metal fans as well as fans of the late 60s/early 70s sound, hard rock & progressive rock, and quality eclectic music as well. This album is distinct mystical heavy rock, and a shining example of its type of music.

Uriah Heep tends to tread a lot of welcome fantasy-type ground, which is also covered here, but there are other themes here, like the vibe capturing the exhiliration of romance on "Sweet Lorraine" and the fearful doomy lyrics of "Tales". "Sunrise" is an alltime gem, fitting well into the beloved realm of fantasy-esque lyrics but in this case, for me, resounding even more powerfully with its combination of the 'missing love'/'undying love' themes. Great intro to the song and tremendous (and influential) musicianship all throughout. Title track "The Magician's Birthday" jumps from musical style to musical style within itself - including a part featuring what sounds like a kazoo! - although, regretfully, the coolest guitar parts on the whole album wind up representing the 'evil' part of the tale. Still exuberantly cool though. Musicianship and vocals great all through the album, with some of the best quirky-sounding synthesizer sounds ever laid down, doing exactly what a synthesizer generally does Best - not imitating other instruments but creating brand-new, usually bizarre, sounds you don't get off traditional instruments.

I should note that I noticed in the search engine there are new versions of this with bonus tracks out, which I couldn't review because I haven't heard them. Most of these bonuses are 'alternate versions' (sometimes 'single edits') of other Heep tracks but you still may wish to hunt down audio samples of the tracks represented on the expanded editions before deciding which version you want to buy. Now Hopefully, someday there'll be a big grand boxed set collecting All of Heep's rare tracks, but until then....

Whichever version you end up going with, you can't really go wrong with this. Great, emotion-spanning and inventive album whose vast influence will, unfortunately, probably never be acknowledged by professional critics but is no less vital for it.

The best Heep.......2005-09-25

This cd is their best of their old ones. It encompases what they were. They were almost progressive and very much hard rock. They
sounded like Deep Purple and Sabbath at times. If they would have kept on like this album they would have gone extremely far.
After this they release some mediocre albums which didn't hold up to Sabbath or Purple. Then they got really bad.

But this cd rocks out totally. It brings back good memories
and all rockers must have this one in their collection. Heep
continues to rock but not like this album does, too bad Byron is gone because his voice inspired many metal vocalists like Dickinson ,John Arch and Rob Halford, what a shame

Great Uriah Heep Album.......2004-12-15

THE MAGICIAN'S BIRTHDAY is a great Uriah Heep album. It's standouts are "Sunrise" and "Sweet Lorraine", but the other songs should not be counted out, either. The group would make one more great album, SWEET FREEDOM, before problems with bassist Gary Thain would derail them musically and commercially. Here, though, it looks as if they could go on forever.

Average customer rating:

Magician's Birthday Uriah Heep Manufacturer: Sanctuary UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music British Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Look at Yourself ASIN: B000NQQ1Z4 Release Date: 2007-04-30

Tracks:

1. Sunrise
2. Spider Woman
3. Blind Eye
4. Echoes in the Dark
5. Rain
6. Sweet Lorraine
7. Tales
8. Magician's Birthday
9. Crystal Ball [#][*][Outtake]
10. Silver White Man [#][*][Outtake]
11. Proud Words on a Dusty Shelf [Alternate Version][#][*]
12. Echoes in the Dark [Edited Version][#][*]
13. Rain [Edited Version][#][*]
14. Happy Birthday [#][*]
15. Sunrise [Single Edit][#][*]
16. Gary's Song [#][*][Outtake]
17. Silver White Man [*][Instrumental][Outtake]

Album Description

2007 expanded deluxe digipak pressing of their 1972 album includes nine bonus tracks, 'Silver White Man' (Instrumental Version - Previously Unreleased), 'Crystal Ball' (Previously Unreleased Version), 'Gary's Song' (Outtake Previously Unreleased), 'Silver White Man' (outtake - Previously Unreleased), 'Echoes In The Dark' (Previously Unreleased), 'Proud Words' (Previously Unreleased Version From MB Sessions), 'Rain' (Previously Unreleased Version), 'Happy Birthday' (Previously Unreleased) and 'Sunrise' (Single Version). Castle.

Album Details

2007 Digitally Remastered Edition of the 1972 Released Album that Immediately Became a Favorite with the Band's Ever Widening Fanbase. Includes Classic Anthems Like "Sunrise" and "Sweet Lorraine".

Average customer rating: fantastic

Magician's Birthday Uriah Heep Manufacturer: Castle Music UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music British Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Demons & Wizards Sweet Freedom Look At Yourself Wonderworld Salisbury ASIN: B0000A0C5I Release Date: 2003-12-23

Tracks:

1. Sunrise
2. Spider Woman
3. Blind Eye
4. Echoes in the Dark
5. Rain
6. Sweet Lorraine
7. Tales
8. Magician's Birthday
9. Crystal Ball [#][*][Outtake]
10. Silver White Man [#][*][Outtake]
11. Proud Words on a Dusty Shelf [Alternate Version][#][*]
12. Echoes in the Dark [Edited Version][#][*]
13. Rain [Edited Version][#][*]
14. Happy Birthday [#][*]
15. Sunrise [Single Edit][#][*]
16. Gary's Song [#][*][Outtake]
17. Silver White Man [*][Instrumental][Outtake]

Album Description

2003 expanded deluxe edition reissue of 1972 album includes nine bonus tracks, 'Silver White Man' (Instrumental Version - Prev. Unreleased), 'Crystal Ball' (Prev. Unreleased Version), 'Gary's Song' (Outtake Prev. Unreleased), 'Silver White Man' (outtake - Prev. Unreleased), 'Echoes In The Dark' (Prev. Unreleased), 'Proud Words' (Prev. Unreleased Version From MB Sessions), 'Rain' (Prev. Unreleased Version), 'Happy Birthday' (Prev. Unreleased), & 'Sunrise' (Single Version). Slipcase. Castle.

Album Details

This Classic Album Has Been Given an Overdue Update, featuring New Artwork and Bonus Tracks.

Customer Reviews:

fantastic.......2007-01-10

should be 10 stars. this album and demons and wizards are awesome. even have my 12yr. old and 15yr. old die hard heep fans

Average customer rating: Amazon title listing incorrect for this release!!

The Magician's Birthday Uriah Heep Manufacturer: Castle Music UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music British Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Demons and Wizards Look at Yourself Sweet Freedom Very 'Eavy...Very 'Umble Salisbury ASIN: B0002ADY1K Release Date: 2004-10-25

Tracks:

1. Sunrise
2. Spider Woman
3. Blind Eye
4. Echoes in the Dark
5. Rain
6. Sweet Lorraine
7. Tales
8. Magician's Birthday

Customer Reviews:

Amazon title listing incorrect for this release!!.......2007-03-08

Amazon did not update the extra tracks that are available on this 2004 Sanctuary update Re-mastered version of this classic, so here is the correct title listing:
1. Sunrise
2. Spider Woman
3. Blind Eye
4. Echoes in the Dark
5. Rain
6. Sweet Lorraine
7. Tales
8. Magician's Birthday
9. Crystal Ball [#][*][Outtake]
10. Silver White Man [#][*][Outtake]
11. Proud Words on a Dusty Shelf [Alternate Version][#][*]
12. Echoes in the Dark [Edited Version][#][*]
13. Rain [Edited Version][#][*]
14. Happy Birthday [#][*]
15. Sunrise [Single Edit][#][*]
16. Gary's Song [#][*][Outtake]
17. Silver White Man [*][Instrumental][Outtake]

Average customer rating:

The Magician's Birthday Party Uriah Heep Manufacturer: Classic Rock Legends ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music British Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Live Albums | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000063T1S Release Date: 2002-10-01

Tracks:

1. Return To Fantasy
2. Tales
3. Sweet Pretender
4. I'll Keep On Trying
5. July Morning
6. Paradise/The Spell
7. Circle Of Hands
8. The Magician's Birthday
9. Sympathy
10. Free 'N' Easy
11. Sunrise
12. Easy Livin'

Album Description

This is the official live recording of one magical evening in London when Uriah Heep were joined on stage by former members Ken Hensley and John Lawton for a unique reunion concert featuring the very best of Uriah Heep live. 12 tracks. Classic Rock Legends Productions LTD 2002.

Average customer rating:

The Magician's Birthday Uriah Heep Manufacturer: Phantom Sound & Vision ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music British Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00005AFPI Release Date: 2001-03-16

Tracks:

1. Sunrise
2. Spider Woman
3. Blind Eye
4. Echoes in the Dark
5. Rain
6. Sweet Lorraine
7. Tales
8. Magician's Birthday

Album Description

Reissue of 1972 album, packaged in a miniature replica of the original LP sleeve. 2001 release.

Album Details

Remastered reissue of their other 1972 classic in limited edition LP mini sleeve. The striking cover artwork was also done by Roger Dean, (Yes). This is considered another one of their best with hits like 'Sweet Lorraine' & 'The Magician's Birthday'.

Average customer rating:

The Magician's Birthday Uriah Heep ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD British Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Hard Rock & Metal | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000063L74 Release Date: 2002-04-24

Tracks:

1. Sunrise
2. Spider Woman
3. Blind Eye
4. Echoes in the Dark
5. Rain
6. Sweet Lorraine
7. Tales
8. Magician's Birthday
9. Silver White Man [*]
10. Crystal Ball (Gary's Song) [*]

Album Description

2002 Japanese 20 bit K2 remastered reissue of the British hard rock act's 1972 album with 2 added bonus tracks 'Silver White Man' (previously unreleased version) & 'Crystal Ball' (previously unreleased version). Packaged in a miniature LP sleeve.

Album Details

Japanese Limited Edition in an LP-STYLE Sleeve.

Average customer rating:

The Magician's Birthday Uriah Heep Manufacturer: Essential! ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD British Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B000024KRX Release Date: 1995-11-27

Tracks:

1. Sunrise
2. Spider Woman
3. Blind Eye
4. Echoes in the Dark
5. Rain
6. Sweet Lorraine
7. Tales
8. Magician's Birthday
9. Silver White Man [*]
10. Crystal Ball (Gary's Song) [*]

Average customer rating:

Magician's Birthday Uriah Heep Manufacturer: Bmg ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music British Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Demons and Wizards ASIN: B000FI8TC8 Release Date: 2006-06-26

Tracks:

1. Sunrise
2. Spider Woman
3. Blind Eye
4. Echoes in the Dark
5. Rain
6. Sweet Lorraine
7. Tales
8. Magician's Birthday
9. Crystal Ball [#][*][Outtake]
10. Silver White Man [#][*][Outtake]
11. Proud Words on a Dusty Shelf [Alternate Version][#][*]
12. Echoes in the Dark [Edited Version][#][*]
13. Rain [Edited Version][#][*]
14. Happy Birthday [#][*]
15. Sunrise [Single Edit][#][*]
16. Gary's Song [#][*][Outtake]
17. Silver White Man [*][Instrumental][Outtake]

Album Details

Japanese Digitally Remastered Limited Edition Issue of the Album Classic in a Deluxe, Miniaturized LP Sleeve Replica of the Original Vinyl Album Artwork. Includes Bonus Tracks 'crystal Ball', 'silver White Man', 'proud Words', 'echoes in the Dark', 'rain', 'happy Birthday', 'sunrise', 'gary's Song' and 'silver White Man'.

Average customer rating: Lives up to the cover art! ghjrea'J The best they ever did !

The Magician's Birthday Uriah Heep Manufacturer: Castle Music UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music British Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Demons and Wizards Look at Yourself ASIN: B0000074PH Release Date: 1995-11-27

Tracks:

1. Sunrise
2. Spider Woman
3. Blind Eye
4. Echoes in the Dark
5. Rain
6. Sweet Lorraine
7. Tales
8. Magician's Birthday
9. Silver White Man [*]
10. Crystal Ball (Gary's Song) [*]

Album Description

1996 remastered reissue from Castle of the band's 1972 albumwith two previously unreleased bonus tracks: 'Silver White Man' (Version) and 'Crystal Ball'. 10 tracks total. This wastheir last album for Mercury in the U.S. before signing on to Warner Brothers. Also features faithfully restored artwork.

Customer Reviews:

Lives up to the cover art!.......2006-06-26

Isn't it annoying when you purchase an album that has the most awesome cover art only to discover that the content within is a real clunker? Well, this one is not in that class. This has to be one of my favorite Roger Dean covers (along with Yes' Tales From Topographic Oceans.) I think the first Uriah Heep song I heard was "Sweet Lorraine" which a friend of mine performed in his band. I was intrigued by the use of synthesizer fills and bought the album, my first by Heep. This is some of the best songwriting I've heard. It lives up to the title, weaving magic spells that fill your mind's eye with the "tales" being told through the music. It saddens me that many feel this album pales in comparison to "Demons and Wizards." I feel it is every bit as strong. Every song is a winner, from the opener "Sunrise" with it's beautiful instrumentation and David Byron's powerful vocals, to the closing title track, containing one of the finest wah- wah solos ever recorded. The mystical, surreal lyricism pulls you along through a most magical journey that momentarily takes you into new realms outside this somewhat bleak reality. I would liken it to musical fantasy in the same vein as Tolkien's Lord of the Rings with its ability to envoke such imagination and emotion. This still remains my favorite and a memorial of the tragic loss of David Byron (vocals) and Gary Thain (bass) who, I feel, were among the best at what they did. This album stands with ANY of the great classics. If you haven't heard this, you haven't heard Heep!

ghjrea'J.......2003-01-01

I'm just sick of the friggin' pop-up thingee telling me to review this. It's good. Buy it.

The best they ever did !.......1999-01-07

In the early seventies, the critics hated them ,but we - the fans - loved them. If you start to think about Uriah Heep, get Magician's Birthday. It is full of magic. Listen to Blind Eye and Rain. If you do not have enough - get their 4th album release 71 - Demons and Wizards.

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