On Monday we had the great privilege to attend a special exclusive acoustic set with Ken Hensley, of Uriah Heep fame, at London’s Hospital Club in Covent Garden, where he launched his new release, an anthology called ‘Rare & Timeless’.
Ken Hensley, grew up in Plumstead, South East London, and was a driving force in the London music scene working with many famous names over the years. After being part of The Gods during the late 1960s, Ken became a pivotal part of one of the world’s most famous rock groups, Uriah Heep, playing guitar and keyboards, singing and writing their most famous songs.
Today, after a five-decade multi – platinum career, he is still touring around the world doing what he loves most – singing and playing for his fans. In his own words, ‘he was put on this Earth to make music’.
The performance in the club’s Oak Room included some of Ken’s most loved songs from his time with the band, like ‘Free Me’, ‘The Wizard’, ‘July Morning’ and of course ‘Lady in Black’ which he performed with his brother Trevor and backing vocals by the whole audience, as well as brand new material, which is just as wonderful.
Ken Hensley is a charismatic & accomplished performer with a great voice, as well as a wonderfully funny raconteur, who kept the audience, which had come from near and far (including Ireland and Poland) entertained with his songs, stories and memories. He was clearly enjoying this time with his fans, answering their questions truthfully and taking the time to meet and greet them after the show.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening, listening to the familiar songs performed with just a guitar or keyboards, the way they were originally written by Ken. He truly is one of the greats of British rock music.
‘Rare & Timeless’ is a new anthology, curated by Ken Hensley himself. He has compiled the anthology with the Heep and Hensley fan in mind, and recorded 2 new compositions for it along with an exclusive re-record. Backed with a raft of rare/unreleased tracks and his take on the classic Uriah Heep hit, ‘Lady In Black’.
For ‘Rare & Timeless’ Ken has hand written the tracklist, lyrics and liner notes to make this release a true collector’s item. Also featured in the package are rare and unseen photos from Ken’s personal archive.
‘Rare & Timeless’ is available through BMG on Digipak CD and is released on the 30th of March 2018.
Link to pre-order album and ticket/album/signed merch bundles: https://BMG.lnk.to/RareAndTimelessPR
‘Rare & Timeless’ Tracklist:
Free Me (rare Russian release)
Send Me An Angel (previously unreleased)
If I Had The Time
Guilty
The Last Dance (previously unreleased)
Mine (newly recorded for this anthology)
I Did It All
I Close My Eyes (rare release)
Take & Take
The Return
Beyond The Starz
Fortune
Lady In Black
The Longest Night (newly recorded for this anthology)
Epilogue (newly recorded for this anthology)
London-Olios 