Ian Gillan Band: Anthology

Another delve into the archives of the Ian Gillan Band has resulted in this latest CD / DVD release from the always reliable Angel Air. The audio content is essentially an alternate mix of the Clear Air Turbulence album that eventually saw the light of day in 1977. This early mix was undertaken at the famous Rockfield studios, notably for use in the past by the likes of Black Sabbath, Queen and Rush and more recently employed by Heaven and Hell, but Ian Gillan eventually decided these versions were not good enough and the album release and corresponding UK tour were both postponed. The IGB were of course noted at the time for marking a departure for Gillan away from the Heavy Rock bombast of Purple and experimenting with jazz fusion resulting in the uptight grooves of 'Money Lender' and 'Goodhand Liza'. These mixes were discovered by IGB guitarist Ray Fenwick and are highlighted by some clever arrangements and solid rhythms from percussionist Mark Nauseef. Extras include early versions of 'Apathy' and 'Mercury High', both songs that would later appear on Scarabus, and the obligatory live version of 'Smoke on the Water' that sounds incredibly tame when compared with the later Gillan version featuring Bernie Torme.

The DVD part of the package is taken from the Rainbow Theatre in London in May 1977 and for footage now more than thirty years old it has held up remarkably well in terms of quality, although the white jackets favoured by Gillan and Fenwick do place it firmly in the 1970's. There is more of an emphasis here on Deep Purple cover versions and Gillan's signature song, 'Child In Time', is sublime as always. Ray Fenwick recalls the days of the IGB in an interview that is part of the extras. Angel Air always come up with some interesting releases and this is no exception with the added bonus of some detailed liner notes from Jerry Bloom of the Ritchie Blackmore magazine More Black Than Purple.

Track Listing
Clear Air Turbulence
Five Moons
Over The Hill
Angelo Machenio
Money Lender
Goodhand Liza
This Is The Way
Apathy
Over the Hill (live)
Smoke On The Water (live)
Interview with RAY FENWICK
Mercury High

DVD
Twin Exhausted (intro)
Clear Air Turbulence
Money Lender
Child In Time
Smoke On The Water
Woman From Tokyo
Twin Exhausted (outro)
Ray Fenwick Interview
Japan Tour Interview with Ian Gillan
Rarities

Added: May 25th 2009
Reviewer: Dean Pedley
Score:
Related Link: Angel Air
Hits: 3395
Language: english

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