The original vinyl liberate was a gatefold sleeve, the front end designed i time to a greater extent than past times Roger Dean. The inner plication had pictures of the band, amongst the album itself housed inward a liner on which were printed the lyrics.
Two songs charted inward the United States, "Blind Eye" (No. 97) in addition to "Sweet Lorraine" (No. 91). "Spider Woman" reached No. xiii inward Germany.
In a retrospective review, Sputnikmusic praised The Magician's Birthday, saying, "Though likely non equally cohesive equally it could be, it yet offers enough of highlights, earning its house amidst Heep's finest albums". Reviewer Daniel Dias singled out "Sunrise", noting that it was "a highlight inward Heep's catalog in addition to i of the band's finest progressive stone ballads". AllMusic noted the album's prog elements equally well, in addition to said, "The Magician's Birthday never quite hits the consistent heights of Look at Yourself or Demons in addition to Wizards exactly remains a corporation head for Uriah Heep fans".
The Magician's Birthday was certified golden past times the RIAA on 22 Jan 1973.
The album was remastered in addition to reissued past times Castle Communications inward 1996 amongst 2 bonus tracks, in addition to i time to a greater extent than inward 2003 inward an expanded deluxe edition. In 2017, Sanctuary Records released a two-disc version.
Track listing:
Sunrise 4:04
Spider Woman 2:25
Blind Eye 3:33
Echoes In The Dark 4:48
Rain 3:59
Sweet Lorraine 4:13
Tales 4:09
The Magician's Birthday 10:23
Personnel:
David Byron – Pb vocals
Mick Box – guitars
Ken Hensley – keyboards, guitars, Moog synthesizer
Gary Thain – bass
Lee Kerslake – drums, percussion
Additional personnel
Brian Cole – Pedal steel guitar on "Tales"
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