FREE ME

I think that the first time that I listened to URIAH HEEP was in the mid seventies with their albums "Very `Eavy, Very `Umble", "Demons and Wizards" and "The Magician`s Birthday". By late 1977 I also listened to their "Live 1973" album, a great album which I still consider as one of the best live albums from all time. But also by late 1977 or in early 1978 I listened to "Free Me" being played in some radio stations of my city. I was surprised with the changes in sound by this band by then. I really did not like this song then.

"Free Me" is a song played with acoustic guitars, a lead guitar, a powerful lead vocal part sung by John Lawton, bass guitar, drums and backing vocals. It sounds like a Pop Rock ballad in musical style. With the passing of time I now think that the song is not bad but by 1977 the band was really changing their sound in comparison with their early seventies albums which they recorded with lead singer David Byron. But at least they replaced Byron with a very good lead singer who sometimes sounds a bit like Byron.

"Masquerade" in the "B" side is more in a Hard Rock musical style. It sounds more related to their original sound and maybe it is a better song than "Free Me". In this song I can hear some of the similarities between Lawton`s vocals and Byron`s vocals. So, some of the old fans of the band were not missing in some way the "old" URIAH HEEP`s musical style and sound.

Both songs in this single were composed by Ken Hensley who during his time with the band was the main songwriter.