Firefly (Uriah Heep album)

Untitled

Firefly is the tenth album released by British rock band Uriah Heep. It was first album without David Byron, lead vocalist and a founder-member of the band, and the first of three albums with John Lawton.

Bassist Trevor Bolder made his Heep-debut on this album and has been (almost) ever-present since, bar a break of about 18 months in 1981-82.

The single from the album was "Wise Man". Also, "Sympathy" became a hit which was crucial for fans to accept the new lineup.

Who Needs Me was written by drummer Lee "The Bear" Kerslake and is about his unhappiness at the rejection, by manager and label boss Gerry Bron, of pretty-much any material by any one other than Ken Hensley. This is ultimately somewhat ironic, given the song's acceptance for recording.

Kerslake was credited as Lee "The Bear" Kerslake on this album due to his strong physical build and then newly-acquired beard growth.

The original vinyl album was a gatefold sleeve, with a cardboard lyric-liner.

Track listing

1. "The Hanging Tree" (Hensley, Jack Williams) – 3:40
2. "Been Away Too Long" (Hensley) – 5:03
3. "Who Needs Me" (Kerslake) – 3:39
4. "Wise Man" (Hensley) – 4:40
5. "Do You Know" (Hensley) – 3:12
6. "Rollin' On" (Hensley) – 6:21
7. "Sympathy" (Hensley) – 3:44
8. "Firefly" (Hensley) – 6:21

• Engineer PETER GALLEN
• Assisted by JOHN GALLEN
• Cover concept and co-ordination GAIL CLARKE
• Cover painting MARTIN WHITE

Firefly was remastered and reissued in 1997 with several bonus tracks:

9. "Crime Of Passion (B-side)" (Hensley) – 3:37
   • Originally the B-side to single "Wise Man".
10. "Do You Know (Alternate Version)" (Hensley, Box, Kerslake) – 3:16
    • Previously unreleased demo version recorded in 1976.
11. "A Far Better Way (Alternate Version)" (Hensley, Box, Kerslake, Bolder, Lawton) – 5:50
    • Previously unreleased version different from the rough mix version released on the Time of Revelation box set in 1996.
12. "Wise Man (TV Backing Track)" (Hensley) – 4:48
    • Previously unreleased mix originally used during an advertising campaign.

Personnel

• John Lawton – lead vocals
• Ken Hensley – keyboards, guitars, vocals
• Mick Box – guitars
• Trevor Bolder – bass guitar
• Lee Kerslake – drums, vocals

Reference

• The Official Uriah Heep Discography