GOOD HUMOURED HARD ROCK VETERAN TOOK HIS AUDIENCE

Ken Hensley and Live Fire:
Ilosaari 13th July

Ken Hensley shone as the headlining act at this year's Ilovaarirock festival. He is primarily remembered as the writer of some classic hits of Uriah Heep, one of the most influental names in British hard rock at the early 70's. After leaving Heep in the beginning of the 80's Hensley took a short visit to southern rock band Blackfoot for two albums. Then after a creative pause his musical reactivation began in the beginning of the previous decade. He formed a new band called Free Spirit and released solo albums Running Blind and The Last Dance. On the brand new album Blood On The Highway he had guest vocalists such as Glenn Hughes and John Lawton but to Joensuu he arrived with this Norwegian/Icelandic band Live Fire.

At the press conference Hensley highlighted the charity work that has an important role in his life and also his time with Uriah Heep. According to Hensley the real Uriah Heep was the line-up of himself, David Byron, Mick Box, Lee Kerslake and Gary Thain. When he perfoms the old Heep songs nowadays some songs like July Morning, Easy Livin' and Circle Of Hands are left untouched, but other songs have been rearranged with the new band.

The concert was started by warming up with Out Of My Control. The first memorable moment came with the third song July Morning, one of Heep's principal songs. It was followed by a forgotten classic Circle Of Hands from the album Demons And Wizards from 1972. The athmosphere was at a high point at that stage and (This Is) Just The Beginning, the opener of Blood Of The Highway, as well as the title track of the album fitted in with the set really well. Next we were offered a real cavalcade of Uriah Heep hits: The Wizard, the ballad classic Rain, jamming version of Stealin' and the compulsory Easy Livin' all sent shivers to the spine. The newer classic The Last Dance was really epic-like and the set was closed with the legendary Lady In Black where the audience got their chance to participate. Gypsy, the first ever hit by Heep, was saved the last encore.

His first-class band with the stand-out vocalist Eirikur Hauksson - an energetic front man who was clearly enjoying performing - and appropriately hit-oriented set guaranteed an evening with quality music. Thank you Ken Hensley & Live Fire!

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