Ian Gillan News
Ian Gillan Absolutely Unplugged *21.05.09*

Ian Gillan's unplugged radio session for Absolute Radio in May saw Ian record unplugged versions of four tracks: When A Blind Man Cries, Black Night, Better Days and Change My Ways, with Steve Morris on guitar. The station has low-res video of the performances on their web site:

www.absoluteradio.co.uk/music/artists/ian_gillan

SR #700193 (with thanks to James Bateman)

Ian Gillan Ultimate Guitar Interview *29.03.09*
ian gillan live with deep purple

Website Ultimate-Guitar.com has published a new interview with Ian Gillan as part of a series entitled "Hit The Lights". Ian discusses new solo album "One Eye to Morocco" at length, and touches upon other topics such as the songwriting process between himself and solo band members Steve Morris and Michael Lee Jackson, "Accidently On Purpose", reading, The Rolling Stones, his musical tastes as a teenager, his inaugural gig as part of Deep Purple, performing Deep Purple's older tracks live, and the possibility of a new Deep Purple album.

Read the entire interview at www.ultimate-guitar.com/interviews

MR #700192 (with thanks to Robert Gray) photo: Nikolay Krastev

Ian Gillan - One Eye To Morocco can be ordered from dpas mail order.
Ian Gillan Planet Moroc Radio *28.03.09*
ian gillan

UK radio station Planet Rock will be broadcasting a special with Ian Gillan today, Saturday March 28th. Their site says: "We’ve got a couple of great features this weekend, starting on Saturday when Ian Gillan drops into the studio for My Planet Rocks. Tune in to hear Ian talk about his new album One Eye To Morocco, about his time in Deep Purple and their upcoming tour and of course the music that influenced him in the early days."

My Planet Rocks is on at 6pm, and is repeated on Tuesday at 6pm.

DB #700191 (with thanks to Gary Gilmurray at www.behind-the-mask.co.uk)

Ian Gillan DJ Gillan *20.03.09*

UK radio station Rock Radio are broadcasting a two-hour Ian Gillan special this weekend. Ian will be presenting the show in person, playing some of the songs that have inspired him throughout his career, and explaining the stories behind the inspiration. The show goes out on Saturday , March 21st at 6pm GMT on Rock Radio Scotland, and on Sunday, March 22nd at 8pm on Rock Radio Manchester. You can listen online, and there'll be the chance to listen again afterwards at rockradio.co.uk

DB #700190 (with thanks to Lisa Johnston and Mark Woodhead )

Ian Gillan One Eye On Morocco *updated 6.03.09*
Ian Gillan. One Eye On Morocco Ian Gillan's new solo album One Eye On Morocco is released in Europe on March 6th in both CD (with a limited edition version) and vinyl formats. It will be also issued in America via Eagle on March 31. 2009. This set follows Ian's ambitious Gillan's Inn project in 2006 and sees him reunited with Steve Morris, who worked on the 1998 CD Dreamcatcher and earlier projects and co-wrote seven of the new album's 12 tracks. The musicians on the album are: Michael Lee Jackson - guitar, Rodney Appleby - bass, Howard Wilson - drums, Steve Morris - guitar (one track), Joe Mennonna - saxophone, Lance Anderson - Hammond organ, Jesse O'Brien - keyboards. Ian Gillan has been doing radio promotion for the CD through Europe. The album can be pre-ordered via dpas mail order now.

The UK seems to have been forgotten in the deal, and has belatedly been allocated a release date of March 23rd. As copies were about in the rest of Europe well ahead of their official release date, it means we're three weeks behind.

SR/TS #7001895

Gillan's Inn is still available from dpas mail order.
Ian Gillan Der Spiegel *27.02.09*
ian gillan - spiegel magazine feature

"Ian Gillan is interviewed in this week's issue of the German news magazine (and by far the best and most sincere one I may add) DER SPIEGEL. The mag contains a smaller mag called KULTUR SPIEGEL once a month that deals, as the name says, with cultur -topics. On the last page there is usually a feature called "Mit 17 hat man noch Träume". This means `you still got dreams when you are 17 years old` and is the title of an old German schlager (pop hit). In every issue there is another famous artist asked questions about if she or he remembers being 17, what kind of dreams they had back then, and where they stand now and so on.

Ian's answers make no groundbreaking news for anyone who read or listened to some of his interviews - and yes, the story about half empty halls while Ritchie was in the band gets another mention...

Two nice shots of Ian, one from 1965 (they always try to show a photograph of the person being around 17 years old) and one from the opera ball a few weeks ago." Thomas Max

Der Spiegel Online reproduces the interview.

DB #700190 (with thanks to Thomas Max)

Ian Gillan Michael Lee *11.01.09*
Michael Lee

Gillan's Inn drummer Michael Lee died on November 24th 2008, aged 39. Michael had also played with Page / Plant, The Cult, Thin Lizzy and Little Angels.

See a full tribute at www.lastingtribute.co.uk

DB #700211, (with thanks to John Goldsmith and Stuart Hamllton)

Ian Gillan Classics Play Rock *updated 24.12.08*
Ian Gillan live with Deep Purple

If you fancy something a little different, there are two more 'classics play rock' concerts coming up in Germany, with the 'Prague Philharmonic Plays Deep Purple' over two nights in September 2009.

September 4th, 8pm - Gräfenhainichen
September 5th, 8 pm - Magdeburg

An important addition! - "Dear friends, just received my tickets for the concert of the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra in Graefenhainichen, Germany. Frontman will be Ian Gillan." Roland Elpert

NY #7002091 (photo: Alexey Efremov)

Clearly IG enjoyed his stint fronting an orchestra in Greece in June 2007. You can read a report of that show in Darker Than Blue Issue 59.
Ian Gillan Rock and Fossils   *11.12.08*
Ian Gillan, Fossil Logo

The people at Jurassic Coast - the website for the world heritage site in South Western England - have had the inspired idea of asking Ian Gillan to do an introduction to the site. You can read his comments or hear Ian Gillan chatting about this on a short audio file (aka podcast) linked from their front page.

SR #700190
(with thanks to Jane Audas.)

Jerusalem Rare Album Reissue *20.11.08*

It looks as if the very rare album by Jerusalem is to be reissued shortly. Issued back in 1972, the album was produced by Ian Gillan, who also managed the band for a time. It comes with unissued demos and notes by the band's bassist. The LP was reissued in Japan in 2005 but without any extra material.

More details to follow.

MR #700191

Black Sabbath Bev Bevan's 1983 Tour Diary *20.11.08*

Drummer Bev Bevan has excerpts of his 1983 diary online at sundaymercury.net, covering life on the road with Black Sabbath during their US 'Born Again' tour in November 1983. Only one mention of Queens Park Rangers supporter and then Sabbath singer Ian Gillan, but we do get to hear about Roger Moore losing his shoe in a hotel lift!

DB #700192
(with thanks to Nigel Young)

Gillan Authorised Live Recordings *12.11.08*

We're told that Gillan fans could look forward to one or two fully authorised live recordings from the classic era during 2009, taken from master tapes rather than third gen cassettes. More details before long.

Meantime Torme, McCoy and Towns are reunited on the new GMT CD - check dpas mail order.

SR #700190

Ian Gillan Live In Anaheim DVD Shipping Now *updated 22.07.08*

Recorded on his Gillan's Inn tour of America in 2006, Live In Anaheim is "approved and 100% endorsed by the artist" according to the sales bumph. Two tracks from this gig appeared on the special edition of Gillan's Inn. It's released as a double CD set (out now) and (in July) as a DVD, and the press info says it is totally unedited. The band comprised Randy Cooke, Rodney Appleby, Michael Lee Jackson, Dean Howard and Joe Mennonna.

The Gillan Live In Anaheim DVD is finally out and shipping now from dpas mail order. Although it comes in the new super jewel box plastic case, if anything the packaging is even sparser than the CD (and the writing hasn't been changed, so it still advises you to crank up the volume of the disc!). Listed bonus features are: Tour Featurette Video / IG Interview / Photo Gallery / Memorabilia Photo.

The DVD is issued in Europe on PAL but David Coseni in Canada says there will be an NTSC version released in North America. SR #7001881

The shows were reviewed in DTB Issue 58. The 2CD and DVD can be ordered from dpas mail order. There is a discount on early orders of the DVD after which the price will rise.
Ian Gillan Smoke This *16.05.08*

Smoke This is finally in stock at dpas mail order after attempts to purchase stock via the US label foundered because they had no way of accepting payment!

It's a scrapbook full of writings and photographs from Ian Gillan's career, nicely printed, with over 200 shots spread throughout. It first surfaced at his merchandise stall on the Gillan's Inn tour, then on the Deep Purple tour (although dpas mail order say they're selling it for half the price being charged then!) MK #700188

Reviewed in Darker Than Blue 59
Ian Gillan Live In Anaheim *updated 4.04.08*

DPAS First Impressions: As the Gillan's Inn tour never made it out of America, a useful official souvenir for those who missed it. If you think IG during his between DP spell in the early 90s you'll not be far wrong; a top notch backing band and a whole mess of off the wall cuts and favourites all delivered in fine no-nonsense style. Gillan has been in stronger voice (the following DP tour for starters!) but all in all a great time seems to have been had by all. Strangely I enjoyed the early in the set grunge of Into The Fire most; with a bass so slack it sets the teeth on edge, it manages to capture some of the spirit of 1970 well. Guitars restrained as well. Points docked for flash but ultimately skimpy packaging (booklet? One piece of paper!), and the mix is a bit strange at times too. SR

SR #7001873

Gillan Live At The Marquee *18.02.08*

We've had enquiries so here's our thoughts. Despite what their advance publicity said, the latest Gillan archive CD is a poor quality audience recording from the short season the band did at the Marquee in December 1978. At least one listener reckons it's the first night with Ritchie Blackmore on the encores (ageing fans will recall the man in black turned up unannounced for a jam while trying to get Ian Gillan to join Rainbow) but overall less complete than the widely available bootleg.

SR #700188 (Thanks to Tim Summers)

Ian Gillan Another Best Of Gillan *updated 15.02.08*

There's another Gillan 'Best Of' out, this time from the label handling the Gillan back-catalogue reissues. So it's worth picking up as an introduction to the band (despite some early albums being ignored), and good value for money (31 tracks on a double). For the rest of us there's nothing here to tempt the collector, and even new fans will find very little to enable them to dig deeper into the catalogue as it lacks a straightforward list of tracks + origins. Our thanks to Stuart Hamilton for the heads up (the label couldn't even be bothered to email us a sales sheet!).

This collection can now be ordered from dpas mail order.

SR #7001841

Ian Gillan Gillan TV On YouTube *22.01.08*

Ian Gillan extends his online presence with his own TV station - well, his own channel, well a few clips powered by YouTube at any rate. So if the thought of yet more repeats, dumbed down docs or reality TV shows on the BBC doesn't turn you on, try tuning in. It's a bit silly, but much better than YouTube's usual fare of pirated copyright material!

http://www.youtube.com/CarambaTV

MM #700186 (Thanks to Richard Taylor)

Ian Gillan Rock Goes To College *17.01.08*

Gillan's fondly remembered set off BBC TV's "Rock Goes To College" series at Oxford Polytechnic on the 2nd February 1981 is finally due out on DVD shortly. It includes the full one hour show, plus a wedge of Top Of The Pops appearances from around the same time and a German TV slot of the band doing Vengeance.

It can be pre-ordered now at dpas mail order, where a complete track listing can also be found.

MM #700185

Ian Gillan Singles Box Set *updated 13.11.07*

Demon / Edsel are due to release a box set of the eleven UK singles issued by Gillan between 1979-82, in CD-sized replicas of their original 7” sleeves. As a clincher for fans the box also includes a bonus DVD of seven promo videos. most of which have never been commercially available before. The booklet will apparently be annotated by Ian Gillan. The singles are:

• 'Vengeance' / 'Smoke On The Water' [live at Kingsway Recorders]
• 'Sleeping On The Job' / 'Higher And Higher'
• ' No Easy Way' [single edit] / 'Handles On Her Hips' / 'I Might As Well Go Home (Mystic)'
• 'Trouble' / 'Your Sister’s On My List' / 'Mr' Universe' [live] /
  'Vengeance' [live] / 'Smoke On The Water' [live]
• 'Mutually Assured Destruction' / 'The Maelstrom'
• 'New Orleans' / 'Take A Hold Of Yourself'
• 'No Laughing In Heaven' [single edit] / 'One For The Road' / 'Lucille' / 'Bad News'
• 'Nightmare' / 'Bite The Bullet' [live]
• 'Restless' / 'On The Rocks' [live]
• 'Living For The City' / 'Breaking Chains' / 'Purple Sky'
• 'Long Gone' / 'Fiji'

"Bonus DVD: The Videos" - 'Sleeping On The Job', 'No Laughing In Heaven', 'Lucille', 'Nightmare', 'Restless', 'Living For The City', 'Long Gone'. (shame that there's one missing: ie. 'Mr. Universe', which it seems was made at the same time as 'Sleeping On The Job').

The box set can be ordered at dpas mail order. This release is now in stock. The label seem to have contracted out distribution, and this caused delays and non-delivery beyond the original release date. We should also note that this set is now limited to 3,000 worldwide. Review DTB Issue 59.

DPAS Review / First Impressions: Gillan - The Singles / The Promo Videos

DPAS Illustrated Discography: Gillan 7" Singles

DB #7001811, with thanks to Martin Waldron (see more details at www.gillan.com)

Ian Gillan Erroneous Tour Edition *updated 14.05.07*

The producers of the Gillan's Inn tour edition have at last issued a statement, and offered to replace the discs free of charge, as well as letting you keep the erroneous copy. So if your copy lacks the live tracks 16 and 17, you can get a relacement. For full details of how to do this read the statement in full:

In a further development I'm told that the live tracks come from a full show which may be the subject of an audio release at some time in the future.

Statement:
"It has come to our attention that some of the copies of the Tour Edition of Gillan’s Inn have been manufactured with the wrong CD in the package. Ian’s record label has looked into the situation and discovered that there was a problem in the production process; basically an early version of the master tape was sent to one of the manufacturing plants by mistake. This has been corrected but not all of the albums have the problem. If your copy has only 16 tracks on the CD with “Can I Get A Witness” as the last song instead of two live songs then you have one of those that were made in error. We apologize if that’s the case.

Ian’s label will correct the problem. All you have to do is send an email to info@essential-music.com – give your name address and the UPC code of the disc you have (the number above the bar code) and Immergent will send you the correct CD. To make up for the inconvenience, you may keep the original disc in addition to the new one. The original disc is now a collector’s item as there are no legitimate Gillan’s Inn CD’s that contain Can I Get A Witness” – just yours!"

"Thanks for the tip re Gillans Inn. I got the wrongly pressed item on the Saturday, saw article on Weds on the dpas website, emailed the address given that night, received an email back the following morning and new cd on the Friday. Thats what I call service." John Goldsmith

SR/MM #7001774

Gillan
Back Catalogue News *updated 6.05.07*

Edsel Records (part of the Demon group, now owned by 2.entertain) are finalising the third major reissue of the Gillan back-catalogue, the first time these have been generally available since the short-lived Caramba editions back in 1999, themselves a copy of the original comprehensive Virgin CD reissues (Sanctuary were in the frame for this project a couple of years ago). The programme includes Live At The Budokan and Child In Time by IGB, as well as Mr Universe, Glory Road, Future Shock, Double Trouble and Magic. No word yet on whether the missing titles will appear or not. They can all be pre-ordered at dpas mail order and should start appearing in the next couple of months. The albums are newly remastered but the source of the tapes used for this is as yet unknown.

The bonus tracks which were on the Virgin CDs are all included, albeit not always on the same CD (so for example My Baby Loves Me (Live), originally squeezed onto the Scarabus CD, is now restored to the Live At The Budokan CD instead.

The only other tracks of interest are as follows:

MR UNIVERSE : Smoke On The Water [live in studio] [b-side of Vengeance]
GLORY ROAD 2CD : Egg Timer [from For Gillan Fans Only] / Harry Lime Theme [from For Gillan Fans Only]
FUTURE SHOCK : Lucille [Virgin single VS 425 b-side] / Spanish Guitar [Lyntone LYN 10599, free with Flexipop magazine]

Gillan CD Reissues : DPAS First Impressions

dpas mail order say the second batch of Gillan remasters are shipping now; Live At The Budokan, Child In Time and Magic (the latter with 8 extra tracks).

MK #7001743 (Thanks to Gary Gilmurray for the low-down)

Ian Gillan
A Journey In Rock *updated 7.04.07*

Ian Gillan's 40th anniversary (that's 40 years as a professional musician...), DVD has been through a number of changes over the last twelve months. First an internet only edition, then only available via IG's web site, etc. but now appears to have settled down as a 2xDVD edition on a major label, available Europe wide (and through dpas mail order). It has been released through Universal on March 12th internationally (April 2nd in the UK)

Titled Highway Star - A Journey In Rock, DVD 1 is a two and a half hour documentary featuring interviews with Ian Gillan, Pavarotti, Tim Rice, George Best, Roger Glover, Ronnie Dio and many more, along with performance clips etc. DVD 2 is a bonus disc, with features including another documentary of Ian Gillan on tour, titled 'End of Tour Blues', with 12 complete tracks from gigs in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Cardiff and Plymouth (1hr 45min); GillanCam, half-an-hour of heavily distilled footage filmed by IG himself; and lots of extras. The total running time of the two discs is 380 mins (that's well over six hours in old money) and it's initially available in a limited edition hardback book. So get that DVD player warmed up now!

Jon Kirkman has called us having seen the new Gillan History DVD, and is full of enthusiasm for the quality job they've done, and the remarkably candid and honest way Gillan is portrayed. All the current band (and Jon) are interviewed, as well as Colin Towns. He says he did sit down wondering whether it would hold his interest for such a long time but it held his attention throughout.

DPAS Review & First Impressions: Highway Star - A Journey In Rock updated 7.04

SR #7001327 (with thanks to Craig Hooper and Jon Kirkman, photos Andy Szczepanik)

Ian Gillan
Gillan Guests *16.01.07*

Ian Gillan's US manager (Michael Lee Jackson) released a solo album a while back, but it has taken until now for us to be able to confirm that Ian Gillan sings lead vocals on a track called "Have Love, Will Travel". The album is called In A Heartbeat. Gillan also does backing vox on some other cuts. Gillan has also been asked to guest on Uli Jon Roth's next studio album, provisionally titled Under A Dark Side.

MM #700178
(Thanks to Francesco for the info)


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