Concept records or any kind of thematic packages often run the risk of not ending up where the creator envisioned them. Too many things can go wrong. Either the message is diluted or seems corny. The material doesn't match the intent. On and on. I'm happy to report that this isn't the case here. While he describes this as an opus, rather than an opera or concept record, Ken Hensley's latest release, Blood on the Highway, is a sort of diary. In fact Hensley describes it as "…a special story that is autobiographic to a large extent, but also reflects the experiences of many of my friends and colleagues. It's the story of the Seventies from a rock musician's perspective."
Hensley of course lived through the creation and rise of Uriah Heep, a band that enjoyed great success in the '70s and has maintained a steady career to present day. The famed keyboardist/guitarist bailed in the mid '80s however and went on to a great solo career, along with a stint in the band Blackfoot.
This record relates the band's humble beginnings playing in countless bars before getting some fame and ultimately becoming a major player on the music scene. Hensley has recruited some special guests for the record. Vocalists Jorn Lande (Masterplan), John Lawton (ex-Heep, Lucifer's Friend) and Glenn Hughes all bring their formidable skills to the songs, as does Eve Gallagher who is brought in for the female perspective on one tune.
Happily, all the 11 songs written by Hensley (three are aural vignettes) are top-notch without anything that could resemble filler. Lande has a monster voice that fits this material like a glove while Lawton and Hughes add some highlights. All the songs are of the hard-rock material that is Hensley's bread and butter and if so-called rock radio would wake up, there are many potential singles here.
The opener "(This is) Just the Beginning" has a rollicking pace that wouldn't sound out of place on a Bob Seger record while Hensley's distinctive organ sound rides shotgun over the proceedings. "We're On Our Way" gets your blood racing and if you close your eyes you could hear Jimmy Barnes doing this one.
The title track slows things down for a heavier bluesy sort of vibe. It tells how seductive the pursuit of rock & roll can be --- a double-edged sword of fame and riches coupled with the many sacrifices that accompany it. This is one of the finer cuts on the record.
Lawton lends his expressive vocals to "It Won't Last", a rocker which precedes the Eve Gallagher song. Her Tina Turner-ish voice puts an edge on the song that has a memorable bridge.
Hensley grabs the mike for "There Comes A Time" and does a terrific job with a more subdued vocal on this emotionally-charged piece. The compelling voice of Glenn Hughes really makes you listen to the words in "What You Gonna Do" and the gorgeous "The Last Dance". With so many touching moments on this record, perhaps the finest goes to Hensley himself for the reflective "I Did It All".
With Blood on the Highway, Hensley has just not told his story. He has delivered a superb record that recalls the glory days of his earlier works. Let's hope his audience embraces this new material with the passion they showed his back catalogue.
