Kitsto Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 (edited) One of the principal tracks that got me on to bass as a teenager was Uriah Heep's "The Wizard" from their album "Demons & Wizards" with the brilliant cover artwork by Roger Dean. I loved the bass line - so bubbly and melodic; just beautiful. For the last 50 years I thought it was Gary Thain since he was the bass player in the band back then. But today I discovered it was Mark Clarke (I assumed his songwriting credit was because he was the lyricist since he wasn't in the band - how stupid is that!). I hadn't even heard of him. But - as you will all know - he was in Colosseum, recorded a couple of albums with Mountain and was also in Rainbow, briefly. And he's still going strong in JCM. I feel a real clod for not knowing of him, but really pleased that the bloke who played that brilliant bass line that inspired me all those years ago is still very much around. Edited June 1, 2023 by Kitsto 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 As a teenager myself a few hundred years back, i had The Magicians Birthday by Heep, and if you have a listen, there maybe some hot bass lines on that too. I cant remember anymore, been too long but it was a hell of an album. Hensley who was a brilliant writer , composed 99% of the tracks. It was slated a bit by the press, against albums like Look at Yourself, and Demons, but i love Byrons vocal and Boxs' guitar work on that discette 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikon F Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bam Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 Loved that album! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitsto Posted June 2, 2023 Author Share Posted June 2, 2023 11 hours ago, fleabag said: As a teenager myself a few hundred years back, i had The Magicians Birthday by Heep, and if you have a listen, there maybe some hot bass lines on that too. I cant remember anymore, been too long but it was a hell of an album. Hensley who was a brilliant writer , composed 99% of the tracks. It was slated a bit by the press, against albums like Look at Yourself, and Demons, but i love Byrons vocal and Boxs' guitar work on that discette Completely agree - it's not a bass track but Sweet Lorraine from Magician's Birthday is still a brilliant song! David Byron died quite young, I think, which was a real shame - he had a great voice. I feel Mick Box is underrated and - although not sounding the same - is a stalwart Gibson Les Paul player like Mick Ralphs. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 Actually, the bass line on Lorraine is pretty awesome IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 Gary Thain going some on Jazz Bass 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikon F Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 that 27 minutes ago, fleabag said: Gary Thain going some on Jazz Bass i believe thats filmed at the budokan but the sound recording from the 73 live album. ynow Friday night in Birmingham. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitsto Posted June 2, 2023 Author Share Posted June 2, 2023 4 hours ago, nikon F said: Thank you so much for posting this - awesome seeing him live - love the way way he gets into the music! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikon F Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 dont move too bad for a 72 year old does he 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulThePlug Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 Stealin' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 6 hours ago, nikon F said: Some proper Bassface going on in that! 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steantval Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 Uriah Heep we’re the first live band I had seen. The Leys Club, Letchworth, October 16th, 1971. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 I saw them a handful of years ago, supporting Saxon. I was never into them back in the day, but I tell you what, they were absolutely brilliant live. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bam Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 Are they still touring? I'd love to see them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 Not really with some of the early musicians. Hensley and Kerslake both died in 2020, and Byron died very young in 1985 at 38 New Zealander basser Gary Thain who replaced Mark Clarke in '72, died even younger in 1975 at 27. Mick Box of the classic line up ( Thain, Box, Hensley, Byron, Kerslake ) is still going though 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martthebass Posted June 6, 2023 Share Posted June 6, 2023 Saw them back in 1980 on a very snowy Sunday night at Sheffield City Hall. Wasn’t expecting much but it was quite possibly the best gig I’ve ever been to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted June 6, 2023 Share Posted June 6, 2023 On 02/06/2023 at 08:00, nikon F said: WOW, WOW, WOW never seen this before and absolutely love it. So in Nirvana right now listening to my fav Heep song. I had the discussion on BC many moons ago that this was actually Matt Clarke on WHY as it sounded like an SG bass rather than a Jazz bass. Matt favoured his SG back in 70's while Gary preferred his J bass. Completely different tones. To hear Matt explain how it came about in this vid clip is just amazing and put to rest a long debated topic. An amazing player. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted June 6, 2023 Share Posted June 6, 2023 Saw them with Trevor Bolder on bass and John Sloman on vocals. Trevor Bolder was probably their longest serving bass player sadly gone now too. He used a Kramer 4000/4001 bass and tripped over his lead during his solo landing on his backside and never missed a note. One of my fav bands from the 70/80's. John Sloman ex-Lonestar was an incredible singer/frontman and having met him was such a nice guy. Dave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davepb24 Posted June 6, 2023 Share Posted June 6, 2023 Saw them at Donington in 1982 (the Abominog lineup), although I don't recall too much of it these days I do remember being quite impressed at the time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bam Posted June 7, 2023 Share Posted June 7, 2023 I kinda miss those types of 70s albums. Wizards, folklore, stories etc and fantastic songs and musicianship. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted June 7, 2023 Share Posted June 7, 2023 3 minutes ago, la bam said: I kinda miss those types of 70s albums. Wizards, folklore, stories etc and fantastic songs and musicianship. Still some classic prog albums out there from more modern bands. Arjen Luccassen - Lost in the New Real is one of my favs Dave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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