Ken Hensley - From Time To Time (1994) {2000, Reissue With Bonus Tracks}

29 Aug, 02:55
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Artist: Ken Hensley
Title: From Time To Time
Year Of Release: 1994 / 2000
Label: CD-Maximum #CDM M-203
Genre: Classic Rock, Hard Rock
Quality: EAC Rip -> FLAC (Img+Cue,Log) / MP3 CBR320
Total Time: 01:18:46
Total Size: 527 / 221 Mb (Full Scans)
WebSite: Album Preview

This surprisingly consistent collection of unreleased material compiles a series of demos and outtakes recorded by Ken Hensley, a singer and songwriter best known for his work with Uriah Heep, between 1971 and 1982. Odds and sods compilations are often a dicey proposition, but From Time to Time manages to beat the odds with an effective combination of polished songcraft and inspired performances: The studio outtakes all boast fully realized productions (some even including a string section) and the demos aspire to studio quality thanks to tight arrangements that often differ from the released versions ("If I Had the Time" forsakes the space rock excesses of the Uriah Heep version for a lovely, country-flavored mid-tempo pace). Fans of Uriah Heep will be pleased by the high percentage of rockers on From Time to Time: some of the hard-rocking highlights include "Inspiration," a driving tune built on a tub-thumping beat and a catchy slide-guitar hook, and "Free Spirit," an autobiographical tune that blends organ-fortified hard rock with a pounding boogie beat. From Time to Time also shows off Hensley's skill with balladry: "There Comes a Time" is a quietly moving song about facing up to one's problems and "Guilty" is a passionately sung tale of heartbreak built on a simple but effective combination of piano and lilting strings. Not all of the tracks on this album succeed ("You" has a lovely ballad melody but suffers from lyrics that are too sugary-sweet for their own good), but even these lesser moments benefit from Hensley's thorough craftsmanship. Classic rock fans will also be delighted by the variety of famous guest stars who appear on From Time to Time: the luminaries who back up Hensley include Ian Paice of Deep Purple, Paul Kossoff from Free, and several members of Bad Company. Rounding out the package is a nice set of liner notes from Ken Hensley that include track-by-track descriptions full of interesting information about where the songs were recorded and who played on them. All in all, From Time to Time is an above-average collection that will delight hardcore fans with its rarities and may even win new fans for the terminally underrated Hensley thanks to its high level of quality.

~ Donald A. Guarisco, All Music

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Ken Hensley - From Time To Time (1994) {2000, Reissue With Bonus Tracks}

Track List:

01. Inspiration [3:17]
02. I Don't Wanna Wait [4:09]
03. There Comes A Time [3:57]
04. Love At First Sight [3:25]
05. You [3:26]
06. The Name Of The Game [3:22]
07. Guilty [2:58]
08. Who Will Sing For You [2:53]
09. Maybe You Can Tell Me [3:26]
10. Free Spirit [3:25]
11. Cold Autumn Sunday [6:54]
12. Longer Shadows [3:17]
13. Black Hearted Lady [3:30]
14. Take Care [2:55]
15. Does Anything Matter [3:54]
16. If I Had The Time [5:18]
17. Every Inch Of The Way (Short Version) [3:26]
18. Routine [3:53]
19. Tired Eyes [2:40]
20. Every Inch Of The Way (Long Version) [4:58]
21. Silver White Man (Instrumental Version) [3:42]

Personnel:
Ken Hensley - lead vocals, organ, keyboards, guitars

Guest musicians:
Ian Paice - drums (1)
Pat Leonard - keyboards (3)
Geoff Allan - drums (4)
Denny Ball - bass (4)
Henry Spinetti - drums (5)
Dave Markee - bass (5)
B.J. Cole - pedal steel guitar (5)
Linton Naiff - string arrangements (5,7), piano (7)
Clare Torry - backing vocals (5, 9)
Liza Strike, Kaye Gordon - backing vocals (5)
Simon Kirke - drums (6, 11, 12)
Boz Burrell - bass (6)
Mick Ralphs - guitar (6)
Mark Clarke - bass (8)
'Bugs' Pemberton - drums (8)
Trevor Bolder - bass (10)
Paul Kossof - guitar (11, 16)

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