IAN GILLAN - “We Are Preparing For The Next DEEP PURPLE Studio Album!”; Band To Work Once Again With Producer BOB EZRIN
April 21, 2015, 9 years ago
Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan tells Rock Overdose that the band are preparing to record their new studio album with producer by Bob Ezrin, who handled the band’s previous studio effort, Now What?. An excerpt from the interview follows:
Q: It’s already been two years since the release of the 19th Deep Purple studio album, Now What?, Ian! How do you feel about the fact that this lineup has managed to stay together all these years (despite the trials and tribulations along the way i.e. Jon Lord passing away) and about the fact that the band keeps releasing consistently great albums like the aforementioned one? How do you feel about the album itself today?
A: “How do I feel about all these things? I’m not really sure I have ‘feelings’ as such; it’s not something that I think about. I mean life goes on doesn’t it. Now What? is now part of our history and we are preparing for the next one. Our beloved Jon Lord is always with us – in the sense that souls - having touched – are forever entwined (as captured lyrically in “Above and Beyond”).
Q: I remember the huge debate on whether there was going to be a new album after the release of the Rapture Of The Deep album Ian. There powers that be though decreed that there finally was one. Shall we be looking forward to another one anytime soon? I mean, knowing that the approach during the songwriting process of your previous one was similar to what the band used to do back in the 70s, are there any ideas lying around that are just asking to be completed and get released in album form?
A: “It is always difficult for me to talk about future projects, because there is nothing to tell except the same speculation that you can construct for yourself. We don’t have any plans worth talking about yet, but at the same time yes we are in process. We have had two writing sessions already but there is not a single song. However there is plenty of music.”
Q: Now What? was produced by Bob Ezrin and it’s certainly one of the best sounding Deep Purple albums ever released! Did the fact that he’s worked on different genres of music play a part on deciding to work with him and would you be looking to extend your collaboration on any of your subsequent albums?
A: “Yes, he did get the sound we’ve been searching for and yes, we shall be working with him again on the next record. Bob is very experienced technically and musically, but then so are many producers. It’s all a matter of human chemistry and of course, timing.”
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Due for release on May 12th is Long Beach 1971, the latest album in earMUSIC’s Deep Purple reissue series that, over the last two years, has seen the release of rare live material from the band, including Paris 1975, Copenhagen 1972, Stockholm 1970 and Graz 1975. Spanning over 70 minutes of music, Long Beach 1971 was remastered in 2014.
Recorded at Long Beach Arena in Long Beach, California, on July 30th, 1971, it was broadcast on radio (KUSC 91.5 FM), a showcase for a support performance to Rod Stewart and The Faces.
An official release for a concert that has long been considered a landmark for the band, the set featured tracks (“Speed King” and “Child In Time”) from their fourth studio album, June 1970’s In Rock. This was a transitional release for the Mk II version of the band - guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, frontman Ian Gillan, bassist Roger Glover, organ/keyboard player Jon Lord and drummer Ian Paice -, being their first hard rock affair as well as their commercial breakthrough as the third leading über-rock band of the day along with Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. Completing the set that day were a considerably extended version of “Mandrake Root” from their July 1968 debut album Shades Of Deep Purple, and “Strange Kind Of Woman”.
Opening with an 11-minute long “Speed King”, the show actually starts off like a climax, with a frenzy of organ and batter of guitar and drums, before segueing into a fast and furious riff and some classic caterwauls from Ian Gillan. Next up is “Strange Kind Of Woman”. The piledriving central motif is a classic combination of rhythm and riff, the band hitting a bluesy, even funky, groove. Following is an impressive version of the Deep Purple classic “Child in Time”: it is 20 minutes of heavy action from Blackmore. If you’re not too exhausted by that, there is time for one more, and it’s a good - not to mention long - one: “Mandrake Root”, a 27-minute extrapolation of the debut album track and concert standby.
All in all, the frenzy, powerful show is leaving the audience staggered, and not a little dazed, as they head towards the exit, into the warm California night, wondering what the hell just happened. Deep Purple live just happened.
Tracklisting:
“Speed King“
“Strange Kind Of Woman“
“Child In Time“
“Mandrake Root“
Deep Purple has announced their 2015 North America Summer tour. Tickets and VIP Packages are on sale now in select markets. VIP Packages will be offered in select markets on the 2015 Deep Purple North America Tour. The packages offered will be the following:
Diamond: Meet & Greet Package (available in select markets)
Package includes:
- Premium Ticket (in first five rows in most markets) (or GA where applicable)- Meet ‘n’ Greet with band member(s) (will not include Ian Gillan).
- Exclusive Autographed Litho
- 1 Personal Item autographed
- Exclusive VIP Merchandise- To Be Determined
- Commemorative laminate and lanyard
Gold: Merchandise Package (available in select markets)
Package includes:
- Premium Ticket (in first 15 rows in most markets) (or GA where applicable)- Exclusive VIP Merchandise To Be Determined
Tour dates:
July
22 - Englewood, NJ - Bergen Pac
24 - Lynn, MA - Lynn Auditoriu
25 - Port Chester, NY - Capitol Theater
30 - Mashantucket, CT - Foxwoods Resort & Casino
August
4 - Sterling Heights, MI - Freedom Hill Amphitheatre
5 - Columbus, OH - Ohio State Fair
7 - Sioux City, IA - Hard Rock Casino
12 - Costa Mesa, CA - Orange County Fair
14 - Laughlin, NV - Edgewater Casino
15 - Indio, CA - Fantasy Springs Casino
More tour dates will be announced. For info on which shows are on sale visit DeepPurple.com.
