Ken Hensley Solo Albums

Proud Words On A Dusty Shelf is very much like a Heep album, although softer and gentler. The title track and Cold Autumn Sunday both still receive some FM airplay. The entire album is nothing short of brilliant and on a par with most any Heep album. In fact, with Gary Thain and Lee Kerslake participating, this has a very strong Heep feel. Heep did do a version of Rain for The Magician's Birthday and tried a version of the title track (which eventually appeared on Time Of Revelation) but it's a real shame they never did Cold Autumn Sunday live to help Ken promote the album as that song is as much classic Heep as Circle of Hands or Pilgrim. If you don't have this album in your Heep collection yet, shame on you! Grade: A+

Eager To Please is much different record from its predecessor. More of a partner album with Mark Clarke (who was in Heep briefly before Gary Thain joined), this includes some of Ken's most beautiful writing, especially the lovely Through The Eyes Of A Child. The title track and Clarke's Stargazer are the only rockers amidst an album full of wonderful ballads. Don't be fooled by that 'ballad' word - this isn't pop fluff; this is deep, insightful and highly creative work from a master. Just don't expect this to sound like Heep. Grade: A

Free Spirit is, unfortunately, a weak album, thrown together too quickly after he left Heep. Ken was still trying to write pop songs as he had since Innocent Victim and except for a few songs like Brown Eyed Boy, the arrangements are weak and outdated, although the songwriting and musicianship are there. Most of the best tracks got left off only to appear later on his next solo album. For collectors only. Grade: C+

From Time To Time is a fantastic collection of outtakes covering a 12 year span. It's hard to believe that most of this stuff never made it on to his solo albums before, especially the outtakes from Free Spirit (including that album's title track!) There are a pair of High And Mighty demos and a single b-side as well. The best cuts, however, are the four tracks he recorded in 1971 with Paul Kossoff and Simon Kirke of Free, including a heartbreaking version of If I Had The Time. Grade: A

A Glimpse Of Glory is half a Ken Hensley solo album and half a Visible Faith (Ken's current band) album. The songs are generally excellent (including some of Ken's finest lyrics ever), but the hodgepodge of styles leaves me feeling like I'm listening to a compilation album, as there is little continuity. The production quality (Ken produced this album himself!) is the finest of any Heep-related album ever; only Sonic Origami can match the sound. Ken's voice is in superb shape, and his Hammond B-3 is prominent throughout. I would've liked to have heard more of his slide work, however. Be forewarned: Ken only sings on 9 of the songs (although the Liston brothers do a nice job on their songs). Hopefully, this is just a warmup for a true solo album in the next year or so! Grade: A-

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