Ian Gillan Band and Gillan - Original Studio Albums (1977 - 1991) [8CD, Japan 1st Press] Re-up

×

Ian Gillan Band and Gillan - Original Studio Albums (1977 - 1991) [8CD, Japan 1st Press] Re-up

Close

×

Ian Gillan Band and Gillan - Original Studio Albums (1977 - 1991) [8CD, Japan 1st Press] Re-up

Close

Ian Gillan and Ian Gillan Band:

Ian Gillan was one of the foremost vocalists of the heavy metal style of rock that emerged in the 1970s, earning his greatest renown as a member of Deep Purple, though he also led bands named after himself. He began singing in bands while still in his teens, the most notable of which were the Javelins (1962-1964) and Episode Six (1965-1969). Another member of the latter band was bass player Roger Glover, and the two were invited to join Deep Purple in 1969, debuting with the band at the Speakeasy club in London on July 10. At this point, the group entered its most popular period, and Gillan was featured on a series of successful Deep Purple recordings – Concerto for Group and Orchestra (1970), Deep Purple in Rock (1970), Fireball (1971; number one U.K.), Machine Head (1972; number one U.K.; Top Ten, multi-platinum U.S.), Made in Japan (1973; Top Ten, platinum U.S.), and Who Do We Think We Are (1973; Top Five U.K.; Top 20, gold U.S.). In the meantime, he was also featured on Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's concept album Jesus Christ Superstar singing the title role; the gold-selling double LP topped the U.S. charts in 1971.

All of that recording, along with virtually uninterrupted worldwide touring, took its toll on Gillan, who was hospitalized for exhaustion in October 1971 and who first voiced an intention to leave the band in August 1972. He was at first persuaded to stay, but gave Deep Purple notice in October that he would depart after existing concert commitments had been fulfilled. That occurred on June 29, 1973, with the conclusion of a tour of Japan. As he left, "Smoke on the Water" from Machine Head was making its way up the U.S. charts, where it would peak in the Top Five and go gold, becoming Deep Purple's biggest career hit.

Gillan, who had bought a recording studio, signed a solo deal with Oyster Records. After a couple of abortive projects, he formed the Ian Gillan Band with guitarist Ray Fenwick, bassist John Gustafson, keyboardist Mike Moran, and drummer Mark Nauseef in 1975. Their debut album, Child in Time, entered the British charts in July 1976 and the U.S. charts a month later, but it was not a big seller. Switching to Island Records, they followed with Clear Air Turbulence (April 1977) and Scarabus (November 1977), neither of which reached the charts. By the summer of 1978, after various personnel changes, the group had simplified its name to Gillan, and it consisted of guitarist Steve Byrd, keyboardist Colin Towns, bassist John McCoy, and drummer Pete Barnacle. In 1979, Bernie Tormé replaced Byrd and Mick Underwood replaced Barnacle. This lineup recorded Mr. Universe, released on Acrobat Records, which became a British chart success, peaking just outside the Top Ten in 1979.

Gillan signed to Virgin Records and scored a British singles chart entry with "Sleeping on the Job" in June 1980, followed by Glory Road, which peaked in the Top Five and charted briefly in the U.S. (Ian Gillan's albums got little or no distribution in America; in 1990, Metal Blade reissued his catalog.) Thus established, Gillan scored a series of Top 40 singles and Top 20 albums in the U.K. over the next two years: "Trouble" (October 1980); "Mutually Assured Destruction" (February 1981); a revival of Gary "U.S." Bonds' "New Orleans" (March 1981); Future Shock (April 1981), which just missed topping the charts; "No Laughing in Heaven" (June 1981); "Nightmare" (November 1981); Double Trouble (November 1981), a two-LP live set; "Restless" (January 1982); and Magic (October 1982).

At the end of 1982, Ian Gillan disbanded Gillan, announcing that he had to rest his vocal cords on doctor's orders. In May 1983, he surprised fans by joining Black Sabbath for the recording of their album Born Again and toured with the band from August to March 1984. Then, on March 10, 1984, the 1969-1973 lineup of Deep Purple, including Gillan, signed to Polydor Records, reuniting the band. They cut the million-selling Perfect Strangers and The House of Blue Light (1987), and Gillan made a solo album, What I Did on My Vacation (1986). The Deep Purple live album Nobody's Perfect (1988) followed, and then Gillan made a duo album with Glover, Accidentally on Purpose (1988). In 1989, Gillan again quit Deep Purple. That December, he participated in an all-star remake of "Smoke on the Water" issued as a charity single credited to Rock Aid Armenia; it made the British Top 40.

Gillan's next solo album, Naked Thunder, was briefly in the British charts in July 1990. He followed with Toolbox in October 1991, embarking on an extensive tour to promote it. In December 1992, he again returned to Deep Purple, convening with the old lineup in a German recording studio to make The Battle Rages On, released in July 1993 and followed by a world tour that ran until early December. He left yet again but had returned by the time of the 1996 album Purpendicular. In 1998, he released a new solo album, Dreamcatcher, while remaining with Deep Purple, which issued Abandon that June. Cherkazoo & Other Stories was released a year later and as of late 2000, he was still touring with Deep Purple. Another solo piece entitled No Fire Without Smoke was issued in fall 2000. Sole Agency & Representations followed in early 2001. A slew of live recordings, rarities compilations, and greatest-hit anthologies would flood the market shortly after 2001, but in between this time, Gillan released 2003's Poor Boy Hero and the double CD Second Sight in 2005. The ambitious Gillan's Inn, a star-studded collaboration, followed in 2006.

by William Ruhlmann, AMG

×

Ian Gillan Band and Gillan - Original Studio Albums (1977 - 1991) [8CD, Japan 1st Press] Re-up

Close

Ian Gillan — британский рок-певец, наиболее известный как вокалист группы "Deep Purple", родился 19 августа 1945 года в Хаунслоу, Мидлсекс, Великобритания. Гиллан также исполнил партию Иисуса в оригинальной версии рок-оперы "Jesus Christ Superstar" Эндрю Ллойд Вебера и Тима Райса и пел в течение года в "Black Sabbath". Считается одним из мастеров грудного вокала в рок-музыке с диапазоном голоса от Е2 до С6.

Также участник рок-групп Moonshiners, The Javelins, Wainwright's Gentlemen, Episode Six, Ian Gillan Band, GILLAN.

Из раннего детства Гиллан любил вспоминать теплую уютную комнату, где по вечерам собиралась вся семья, и мать играла на пианино. В школьные годы Ян, как и многие сверстники, увлекся рок-н-роллами Элвиса Пресли. В 16 лет у Яна появилась мечта стать кинозвездой, но ей не суждено было сбыться - любовь к рок-н-роллу оказалась сильнее.

Еще в школе он с приятелями любил устраивать импровизированные рок-н-ролльные концерты. Однажды Ян пригласил к себе домой своих школьных, товарищей, чтобы немного развлечься. Пришло 12 человек с гитарами. Те, у кого были все струны, изображали соло- и ритм-гитару, те, у кого струн не хватало - бас-гитаристов. Однако, веселое представление продолжалось недолго, потому что вскоре прибежали разъяренные шумом соседи и вышвырнули юных рокеров на улицу.

Первая группа, в которой начал играть Гиллан, называлась "Самогонщики". Она была создана на добровольных началах - каждый тащил из дому все, что могло пригодиться. Например, у Яна усилитель представлял собой старый магнитофон фирмы "Грюндик". Роль барабанщика исполнял Гиллан. В одной руке у него была палочка, в другой - щетка. Ян вспоминает: "Когда я пел, то некому было барабанить, а когда играл, то некому было петь".

Потом он выступал в различных клубах, а с 1961 по 1964 год-играл в группе "Jabelin", одновременно работая ремонтником морозильных установок. Тогда Гиллан назвал себя "Джи Громовержец".

В 1964 году его приглашают в группу "Episode Six", где на бас-гитаре играет Роджер Главер, с которым Гиллан быстро подружился. Здесь Гиллан играет до 1969 года, после чего вместе с Главером переходит в "Deep Purple". В середине 1973 года из-за возникших музыкальных разногласий Гиллан и Главер покидают "Deep Purple"

После ухода из "Deep Purple" Гиллан в 1975 году создает собственную группу - "Ian Gillan Band". Ее состав: Ян Гиллан-вокал, Колин Таунс - клавишные, Марк Наусиф- ударные, Джон Густафсон - бзс-гятаоа (знакомый Гиллану по совместной работе над постановкой и записью рок-оперы "Иисус Христос - Суперзвезда" (1970, двойной альбом)); Рэй Фенвик - гитара. Первый альбом группы назывался "Child In Time" (1976). В него была включена новая обработка одноименной песни "Deep Purple", отличающаяся от оригинала в худшую сторону. Среди композиций альбома поеобладают плавные, лирические песни, блюзы. Соавтором ряда песен и продюсером альбома был Роджер Главер. Следующее альбомы "Ian Gillan Band" похожи на первый, хотя они несколько "потяжелее".

В 1978 году Гиллан распускает группу и, набрав новый аккомпанирующий состав, начинает выпускать сольные альбомы. На ударных в аккомпанирующем составе играет Мик Андервуд, выступавший с Гилланом еще в "Episode Six". Хотя Гиллан не расстается со своим любимым блюзом, музыка его сольных альбомов значительно разнообразнее и "тяжелее", чем у "Ian Gillan Band". Это и баллады, и "чистый" хард-рок, и рок-н-ролл, и блюзы, и даже довольно оригинальная разновидность симфо-рока. Разнообразны и тексты песен, большую часть которых пишет он сам. Это и лирические песенки, и антивоенные композиции, и мистико-философские, концептуальные произведения.

В 1982 году Гиллан переносит операцию гортани, долго болеет и распускает свою группу. Оказавшись "на мели", он Дает согласие сотрудничать с группой "Black Sabbath". В 1983 году с его участием выходит малопопулярнкй альбом "Born Again". В 1984 году Гиллан возвращается во вновь собравшийся "Deep Purple".

До 1989 года все было хорошо, Гиллан снова пел в "Deep Purple" и уверял: ничего другого ему не нужно, (что не помешало ему параллельно с работой в "Deep Purple" в 1987 году совместно с Главером записать оригинальный "фанко-джаз-роковый" альбом "Accidentally On Purpose"). Очень похоже, что этот альбом музыканты действительно записали случайно - то ли спьяну, то ли деньги кончились. Но в 1989 году Гиллан, поругавшись публично с менеджером и, отчасти, с остальными музыкантами, вновь покинул "Deep Purple", заявив, что порывает с группой, за исключением Главера, с которым надеется сотрудничать и дальше.

Гиллан собрал новую группу "Moonshiners", которая успела записать "сорокапятку"; затем записал сольный долгоиграющий альбом "Naked Thunder" и отправился на гастроли. В 1990 году "Deep Purple" без Гиллана, записывают альбом "Slaves And Masters", где вокальные партии исполняет Джо Линн Тернер (известный по Rainbow). В 1991 году Гиллан возвращается в группу. "Deep Purple" и по сей день трудится на тяжкой ниве хард-рока.

~ musicland

×

Ian Gillan Band and Gillan - Original Studio Albums (1977 - 1991) [8CD, Japan 1st Press] Re-up

Close

When Ian Gillan was recording his solo albums in the late 1970s and early '80s, Deep Purple's influence never went away. But Gillan did make an effort to try different things, and he was at his most experimental on Clear Air Turbulence. Enjoyable, if uneven, this album illustrates Gillan's willingness to take some chances. While the singer favors an aggressive hard rock groove on "Money Lender," the jazz fusion-influenced touches of "Over the Hill," "Goodhand Liza" and the title song could lead you to believe that you'd been listening to Weather Report and Return to Forever. Had Chick Corea formed an alliance with Deep Purple, perhaps it might sound something like "Over the Hill." Heavy metal and hard rock are in short supply on this album, which employs no less than five horn players and shows that Gillan didn't want to be a headbanger 100-percent of the time.

by Alex Henderson, AMG

×

Ian Gillan Band and Gillan - Original Studio Albums (1977 - 1991) [8CD, Japan 1st Press] Re-up

Close

×

Ian Gillan Band and Gillan - Original Studio Albums (1977 - 1991) [8CD, Japan 1st Press] Re-up

Close

Ian Gillan never sounded entirely comfortable in the first incarnation of the Ian Gillan Band, quite likely because his colleagues were more interested in progressive rock than he was. Not that Gillan was adverse to prog – after all this was the Ian Gillan Band, and if he didn't want to move in this direction, he wouldn't – but he never sounded entirely comfortable with it. That much was certain from Clear Air Turbulence, a full-fledged exploration into jazz fusion and prog rock where the band sounded at ease and the singer sounded tentative, which was perhaps the reason IGB did a 180 for their third album, Scarabus. Released a mere six months after Clear Air Turbulence, Scarabus rocks considerably harder than its predecessor, but there are still flourishes of their more experimental inclinations, particularly how they easily fall into a funk fusion groove. Their presence only emphasizes how Gillan sounds best when he's simply rocking. And he does get the occasional chance to do that here, but too often the riffs are transparently complicated, not catchy, or the music breaks into contrived jazzy instrumentals. Compared to Clear Air Turbulence, Scarabus does sound like unadulterated hard rock, but it never rocks with abandon; it always sounds self-conscious. That self-consciousness is only enhanced by the lack of strong material – "Mad Elaine" does come close to being memorable, but most of the songs sound like excuses to rock. Even if Scarabus is a failure, it is interesting for longtime Gillan fans, since it does offer proof that IGB were talented musicians who just couldn't quite deliver the hard rock their singer craved. Listening to Scarabus in retrospect, it's little wonder that he disbanded IGB after this album.

by Stephen Thomas Erlewin, AMG

×

Ian Gillan Band and Gillan - Original Studio Albums (1977 - 1991) [8CD, Japan 1st Press] Re-up

Close

×

Ian Gillan Band and Gillan - Original Studio Albums (1977 - 1991) [8CD, Japan 1st Press] Re-up

Close

Leading his own bands in the late '70s and early '80s, Ian Gillan continued to embrace music that, not surprisingly, was heavily influenced by his former band, Deep Purple. And he never sounded more Purple-ish than he does on Mr. Universe, which isn't quite on a par with Purple's Burn but is stronger than many of the albums the outfit had recorded after Gillan's departure (some of which were quite disappointing). This is Gillan at his most aggressive and passionately rockin'. Those with fond memories of his work with Purple will appreciate the testosterone-driven energy of "Vengeance," "Roller," and "Message in a Bottle." Headbangers shouldn't overlook this one.

by Alex Henderson, AMG

×

Ian Gillan Band and Gillan - Original Studio Albums (1977 - 1991) [8CD, Japan 1st Press] Re-up

Close

×

Ian Gillan Band and Gillan - Original Studio Albums (1977 - 1991) [8CD, Japan 1st Press] Re-up

Close

Like Mr. Universe, Glory Road put to shame many of the albums Deep Purple recorded after Ian Gillan's departure. Play this album next to Purple's post-Gillan 1975 release Come Taste the Band, and it becomes clear just how superior some of Gillan's solo albums were. Those who like Gillan for melodic yet blistering heavy metal won't be disappointed by "Sleeping on the Job," "Unchain Your Brain," and other inspired, high-octane rockers. A few years later, Gillan would experiment with elements of jazz fusion and R&B/funk, but on Glory Road it is his love of metal and balls-to-the-wall rock that wins out. Next to Mr. Universe, this was Gillan's best studio date.

by Alex Henderso, AMG

×

Ian Gillan Band and Gillan - Original Studio Albums (1977 - 1991) [8CD, Japan 1st Press] Re-up

Close

×

Ian Gillan Band and Gillan - Original Studio Albums (1977 - 1991) [8CD, Japan 1st Press] Re-up

Close

×

Ian Gillan Band and Gillan - Original Studio Albums (1977 - 1991) [8CD, Japan 1st Press] Re-up

Close

×

Ian Gillan Band and Gillan - Original Studio Albums (1977 - 1991) [8CD, Japan 1st Press] Re-up

Close

×

Ian Gillan Band and Gillan - Original Studio Albums (1977 - 1991) [8CD, Japan 1st Press] Re-up

Close

×

Ian Gillan Band and Gillan - Original Studio Albums (1977 - 1991) [8CD, Japan 1st Press] Re-up

Close

The final release of original material from Ian Gillan's second project to bare his name, Gillan's Magic was originally issued in 1982 by Virgin Records. The label also reissued the disc in 1988 with seven extra tracks, including covers and B-sides. As the group was winding down, their sound was softened a bit on Magic. The LP was generally accepted by Gillan's staunch U.K. following; however, it failed to achieve the chart success of Glory Road. After opening with two incredible hard-rockers – "What's the Matter" and "Bluesy Blue Sea" – Magic loses its edge. Moderated cuts like "Driving Me Wild" and "You're So Right" have potential, but stall during unimaginative choruses. There are even a few straight keyboard pop moments on the inexplicable "Long Gone" that couldn't have pleased older fans. This song in particular flirts with new wave, a heretic move from a co-creator of "Smoke on the Water." The first single issued from Magic, Stevie Wonder's "Living for the City" is a spectacular flop. That, along with the bonus cover material ("Helter Skelter" and "Smokestack Lightning"), prove that Gillan's powerful but quirky scream is exclusively suited for the classically influenced but catchy hard rock that made Deep Purple a platinum success.

by Jason Anderso, AMG

×

Ian Gillan Band and Gillan - Original Studio Albums (1977 - 1991) [8CD, Japan 1st Press] Re-up

Close

AuSpec:

×

Ian Gillan Band and Gillan - Original Studio Albums (1977 - 1991) [8CD, Japan 1st Press] Re-up

Close

Horizontal thick line = 5 khz; thin line = 1 Khz

×

Ian Gillan Band and Gillan - Original Studio Albums (1977 - 1991) [8CD, Japan 1st Press] Re-up

Close

Ian Gillan's final solo outing before his second comeback with Deep Purple is possibly the singer's most rocking solo collection. Originally a European release, Toolbox finally appeared in North American record stores in 1997. The disc is hampered by its '80s production (complete with faux-Van Halen guitar licks and big reverb drum sounds) but Gillan's personality and dynamic performances preserve Toolbox's sharp rock & roll edge. Tracks like "Candy Horizon" and "Don't Hold Me Back" have more than their share of questionable lyrics, but Gillan's trademark screams easily overshadow any poetic shortcomings. Nothing can compare to the classic recordings Gillan was involved with in the early '70s, but among his second-tier offerings, Toolbox is definitely one of the best

by Jason Anderson, AMG

×

Ian Gillan Band and Gillan - Original Studio Albums (1977 - 1991) [8CD, Japan 1st Press] Re-up

Close