It is somewhat strange to think that at one point in their very lengthy career Uriah Heep were down to just one member, Mick Box. Lee Kerslake came back on drums, bringing with him bassist Bob Daisley while Mick convinced John Sinclair of Lion to join on keyboards. And the singer? That role was to fall to Peter Goalby, ex-Trapeze, and together the quintet recorded ‘Abominog’ which in many ways felt like an explosive debut album, and very different to what had come before. They quickly followed up with ‘Head First’, after which Daisley left to be replaced by a returning Trevor Bolder, and they then released ‘Equator’. This trio of albums set up the band for another 40 years of continued success, but Goalby then left. He was offered a solo deal by RAK Records and started work on a solo album, but although one of the songs, “Fallin’ Apart” was recorded and released by Smokie on their 1989 album ‘Boulevard of Broken Dreams’, the album was never released, and the tapes were lost for more than 30 years.
Fast forward to 2025 and the tapes were rediscovered, and after some additional overdubs from his ex-Heep bandmates Mick Box and John Sinclair, the album has finally been completed and made available. One of the problems with rarities is that often the reason something was never made available at the time is due to quality, and unfortunately that is what we have here. That Goalby is in fine singing voice is never in doubt – he has actually always been one of my favourite Heep singers, and when I saw them on the ‘Equator’ tour I thought he was amazing – but the material is just not there. For the most part this is middle of the road AOR-style rock with bite, but while the vocals are there, the hooks are not. It is well produced and obviously aimed at an 80’s radio market, but it has not aged well. That Peter should have achieved more success is never in doubt as he was a fine performer, but apart from the vocals there is little here which sparks any interest, which is a real shame. The result is something which will be of interest to fans of both him and of Heep but having played it a few times to be able to review it I cannot see me ever doing so again.
Rating: 6/10
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/petergoalby/
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/label/explore-rights-management