Two things occurred to me when I knew I was going to be reviewing this CD. The first was that Ken Hensley must be pretty old (sixty-two on the 24^th August, it turns out) and isn’t it sad that artists of the classic rock variety find their new work ignored as radio (and non-obsessive fans) only want to hear the hits from the 70’s. The second was that I’ve only ever had a passing acquaintance with Uriah Heep but I loved Blackfoot with a passion and it was the introduction of Hensley that led, in my opinion to the slippery slide of doom for that band. Let’s hope I can maintain some objectivity. 

Something that occurred to me after I opened the package was that with a line-up including Glenn Hughes and Jorn Lande was that it would be difficult for this to be crap - and indeed it isn’t! Far from it, it’s a showcase of quality song writing, expert playing and general all round excellence. It is by no means heavy rock compared to the main protagonist’s day jobs but it is very satisfying and well worth seeking out. 

Jorn Lande handles the vocals on the opening track (This Is Just) The Beginning which is a nicely laid back track which is expertly played with Hensley’s trademark Hammond organ underpinning everything. It also has an infectious chorus which is a feature of the album as a whole and is certainly the way with We’re On Our Way which, thanks to Hensley’s co-vocals, has a Kinks type feel initially before describing how a band begins their career as this is indeed a concept album – the concept being the 70’s from a musician’s perspective. The female backing vocals really make this song. The title track is moody and deals with the loss of Jimmy (sic) and Janis yet highlights that the limo is still available for the band. 

You’ve Got It (The American Dream) is much more upbeat although it appears not to have been written by Hensley. Great chorus and vocal by Lande but by the next track whispers are beginning to split the band. It Won’t Last is possibly the weakest track on the album but is redeemed by a rather nice break in the middle before the stunning Think Twice which has Eve Gallagher on lead vocals doing her best Tina Turner impression. 

There Comes A Time again features Hensley on lead vocals and is somewhat old fashioned in that it actually has a sax break – no pandering to being needlessly down with the kids here, oh no. Okay (This House Is Down) is highly reminiscent of how I remember the Heep and is another very good song, which led me to think thus; how many of our readers who voted for LostProphets or MCR in the end of year polls would even read this review let alone take a listen? They should especially as the Voice of Rock (Glenn Hughes) makes his first appearance on What You Gonna Do which, as you’d expect, is soulful as well as being warm and quite lovely. 

I Did It All again sees Hensley on vocals looking back on his career with pride and satisfaction and is possibly the best song on the album and is particularly out of step with contemporary culture and I mean that as praise. The Last Dance brings the CD to a close with another fine Hughes vocal and as it clocks in at over eight minutes long it gives an epic finale to a super album that deserves to gain a wide audience.

Let us know your views on Blood On The Highway

Track Listing

This Is Just The Beginning
We're On Our Way
Blood On The Highway
You've Got It
Doom (scene 1)
It Won't Last
Think Twice
Doom (scene 2)
There Comes A Time
Okay (this House Is Down)
What You Gonna Do
Postcript
I Did It All
Last Dance