Hensley, Ken

Band members               Related acts

- Ken Hensley - vocals, keyboards (1973-)
- Lee Kerslake - drums(1973)
- Dave Paul - bass (1973)
- Gary Thain - bass (1973)

 

 - Blackfoot
- The Gods
- Shotgun Express
- Uriah Heep 

 

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Proud Words On a Dusty Shelf

Company: Mercury

Catalog: SRM-1-661

Year: 1973

Grade (cover/record): G/VG

Comments: bullet hole bottom right; slight tear on back cover; gatefold sleeve

Available: 1

Price: $8.00

 

 Best know for his work with The Gods and the ever-subtle Uriah Heep (see separate entry), 1973 saw vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Ken Hensley sign a parallel solo deal with Mercury Records (coincidently Heep's label). Even the Heep's biggest critics (hard to imagine anyone taking a shot at the band ...), had to admit Hensley had a share of talent, responsible for many of the former's better material (the top-40 hit "Easy Livin'" and ... um, "Easy Livin'" quickly come to mind).

Produced by Heep manager Gary Bron and backed by most of the band (Lee Kerslake, Dave Paul and Gary Thain), it shouldn't have come as a major surprise that 1973's "Proud Words On a Dusty Shelf" sounded much like a Heep effort. Expecting us to slag the set? Guess what? It wasn't half bad. Sure, Hensley's lyrics were occasionally overblown and pompous (shades of Heep - "Fortune"), but on originals such as "When Evening Comes", "Rain", "Proud Words" and "King without a Throne" he kept things short, tight and far more melodic. The Heep connection guaranteed some sales; the set hitting #173. (The album was originally released with a gatefold sleeve.)

"Proud Words On a Dusty Shelf" track listing:
1.) When Evening Comes (Ken Hensley) - 4:35
2.) From Time To Time (Ken Hensley) - 3:35
3.) King without a Throne (Ken Hensley) - 3:51
4.) Rain (Ken Hensley) - 3:14
5.) Proud Words (Ken Hensley) - 3:15
6.) Fortune (Ken Hensley) - 5:22
7.) Black-Hearted Lady (Ken Hensley) - 3:36
8.) Go Down (Ken Hensley) - 3:10
9.) Cold Autumn Sunday (Ken Hensley) - 5:29
10.) The Last Time (Ken Hensley) - 2:48

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