Sweet Freedom
| Sweet Freedom | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Uriah Heep | ||||
| Released | September 1973 | |||
| Recorded | June–July 1973 | |||
| Studio | Château d'Hérouville, France | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 37:23 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer | Gerry Bron | |||
| Uriah Heep chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
Sweet Freedom is the sixth studio album by British rock band Uriah Heep, released in 1973 by Bronze Records in the UK and Warner Bros. Records in the US.
The original vinyl release was a gatefold, reproducing the lyrics within. There was also a central page with a photograph of each band member.
It was the first Uriah Heep album to be released by Warner Bros. in the U.S. Sweet Freedom reached No. 91 in the U.S. Billboard 200.[2] It was certified Gold by the RIAA on 5 March 1974.
AllMusic's retrospective review noted that Heep "began to explore new styles to flesh out their combination of prog complexity and heavy metal muscle",[3] while Sputnikmusic said, "Sonically, Sweet Freedom expands upon the sound of its predecessors, maintaining its general style for the most part but toying around in the studio a bit more".[4]
Track listing
All songs written by Ken Hensley except where noted.
| Side one | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
| 1. | "Dreamer" | Mick Box, Gary Thain | 3:41 |
| 2. | "Stealin'" | 4:49 | |
| 3. | "One Day" | Hensley, Thain | 2:47 |
| 4. | "Sweet Freedom" | 6:37 | |
| Side two | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
| 1. | "If I Had the Time" | 5:43 | |
| 2. | "Seven Stars" | 3:52 | |
| 3. | "Circus" | Box, Lee Kerslake, Thain | 2:44 |
| 4. | "Pilgrim" | David Byron, Hensley | 7:10 |
- 2004 Bonus Tracks
- "Sunshine" (outtake) (Thain, Box)– 4:48
- "Seven Stars (Extended Version)" – 7:03
- "Pilgrim (Full Version)" (Byron, Hensley) – 8:29
- "If I Had the Time (Demo)" – 6:02
- "Sweet Freedom (Live)" – 6:48
- "Stealin' (Live)" – 5:41
Personnel
- David Byron – lead vocals
- Mick Box – guitars
- Ken Hensley – keyboards, backing vocals, guitars
- Gary Thain – bass
- Lee Kerslake – drums, backing vocals, percussion
Singles
- "Stealin'"/"Dreamer" (U.S. only)
- "Sweet Freedom (Single Version)"/"Seven Stars" (U.S. only)
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/Sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[5] | Silver | 60,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[6] | Gold | 500,000^ |
| Worldwide sales: | 4,000,000 | |
|
^shipments figures based on certification alone | ||
References
- ↑ "Allmusic review".
- ↑ "Awards by Sweet Freedom". allmusic. All Media Guide. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
- ↑ http://www.allmusic.com/album/sweet-freedom-mw0000199879
- ↑ http://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/67906/Uriah-Heep-Sweet-Freedom/
- ↑ "British album certifications – Uriah Heep – Sweet Freedom". British Phonographic Industry. Enter Sweet Freedom in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select album in the field By Format. Select Silver in the field By Award. Click Search
- ↑ "American album certifications – Uriah Heep – Sweet Freedom". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH