[hand] [face]
The Original Deep Purple Web Pages
The Highway Star

The road to Nashville — a potted history

Roger Glover, London, Ontario, Feb 11, 2012; photo © Nick Soveiko cc-by-nc-sa

Roger Glover has posted the first studio report covering events that transpired behind the purple curtains between March last year and today:

March 2011 – The quest starts at a mountaintop retreat in the south of Spain – a hidden studio in a house called El Cortijo, ruled by a veteran skin-beater by the name of Trevor Morais. There, as the rain and wind pound on the windows, they capture a couple of handfuls of rough-hewn seeds of songs harnessed from the bittersweet (mostly sweet) fruit of their experience over the preceding five hard-working, post-rapture years, visiting countless corners of the known and unknown world.

Continue reading on RogerGlover.com. And make sure to check the photo gallery.



49 Comments to “The road to Nashville — a potted history”:

  1. 1
    Rob says:

    I’m hoping for a mammoth double album! Dedicated to Jon.

  2. 2
    purplepriest1965 says:

    Yeah!!!

    A double Sgt Pepper!!!!

  3. 3
    al says:

    Haha @Priest
    Don’t get so greedy man,a lot of selective work in the end and fillers were going to be left out!

  4. 4
    Wiktor says:

    Yes, lets hope. But, being a “Blackmore man” I still think any kind of “masterpiece” album will need
    the cooperation of the man in black, and he´s not around to give a helping hand, is he? With Gillans voice not at the top anymore I think they should
    write more bluesy hard rock stuff, like “Wasted sunsets” and “Solitaire” and “When a blind man cries…””
    But time will tell what kind of songs they written over there in Nashville…

  5. 5
    LRT says:

    @1

    Did you read how to get a double album out of fourteen song ideas? I mean in the old days that would’ve flown, but we’re looking at about ten songs here for the final product, which could result in a couple of bonus tracks out of the other four. But the plan from Ian Paice was that it will be a ten song record.

  6. 6
    buttockss says:

    Wow!…..after reading that, reminds me of ” Pictures of home ” lyrics, anybody else?

  7. 7
    tony lind says:

    A Sgt. Pepperish double album accolade to Jon ! Yes, that will be appropriate !

  8. 8
    HardRockPete says:

    Double album would be the way to go, and it would be a great tribute to our dear Lord:-)

  9. 9
    Åke(IKEN) says:

    Let’s just hope the the productionside of it all is way better than ”Rapture”,that sucked,big time….not musikwise,but soundwise…..hard,distorted,uninterresting,boring……not good,if you know what i mean folks…. 🙂

  10. 10
    Åke(IKEN) says:

    Oh ,by the way,i once posted quite a lot here,known as IKEN of Sweden,got tired of the whole thang,has kept an eye open,been reading,not posting……Cheers from Stockholm/Sweden!!!!

  11. 11
    Ted The Mechanic says:

    Truly amazing how many “producers” post on this board. Really doesn’t make much sense, eh? So many projects in individual minds. Doesn’t help much when the end product arrives and all of the said producers had zero input into it. Preconceived bias from the very first note?

    “Sometimes I sit and wonder
    Sometimes I just sit
    I hope you all know
    what you’re doing
    anyway who is driving this thing.”

    Peace,

    Ted

  12. 12
    Blane Puderbaugh says:

    I’ve checked for news from the studio for months… Finally!! Thanks DP I can’t wait. Sounds like a good bit of effort has gone into this one. Single, double, I don’t care… I’t been a long time coming, and I’m Sooooooo excitited it’s finally confirmed. Hope we can hear it live in the USA next year??

  13. 13
    Errol Arias says:

    Good News ! But Ian Gillan does not look so happy in those pictures.. (It is only my perception anyway !) .. He looks rather tired… The rest of the band seems very happy , but Gillan face is a poem ! (IMHO)

  14. 14
    Micalonues says:

    No need for a double album Pepper, just make it good; and that’ll be tribute enough for Jon.

  15. 15
    Tracy (Zero the Hero) Heyder says:

    LRT@5,

    Actually the sentence that follows the 14 song reference states that they will seeking additional tunes also…(see inside quotations below).

    Within a couple of weeks they complete the foundations of fourteen pieces of evidence from which the best will be chosen. “From now on, individual additions would be sought, soloed and slotted into to the jigsaw.”

    So, I believe there will be a second disk. Probably the good old delayed ‘Deluxe Version’ as was done with ROTD. Works for me. I do hope that Don Airey shoots for the stars and totally rattles ‘The Beast’ in tribute to Jon. A massive Hammond epic is a must on this. “LORD of the Ivories” would be fitting title for such a tribute.

    Man I am so looking forward to this long overdue record. I believe this will hit the mark.

    Cheers

  16. 16
    Wiktor says:

    Better ONE album where every song is a hit (or almost) like Machine Head, instead of an dubblealbum with lots of takeouts
    and songs that shouldnt be there in the first place, kind of “warm up songs” in the studio..

  17. 17
    Svante Axbacke says:

    @15: No, what he is saying is that the basic tracks (=the foundation) is done and the songs are waiting for additions from the individual band members, in the form of solos and other overdubs where needed.

  18. 18
    big al says:

    great time( although touched with sadness) to be a purple fan, with erzin at the helm this should be a good album, cant see a tribute to jon being upfront, as I reckon the band will wanna show off steve/don, although Im sure Ian will reflect on the matter in the lyrics. lets face it, this probably will be the final album and with the band doing wakken etc lets all get out and support em!

  19. 19
    stoffer says:

    I love that ‘last photo’ in the photo gallery. The band looks relaxed but not too relaxed, they look really ready to release something special. I assume that is the new producer in the middle?? Anyway I can’t freaking wait 1 CD or 2 just so it ROCKS!!

    btw Tracy is probably right we will get all of the songs sooner or later and yes…’LORD of the Ivories’ has a nice ring to it.

    Cheers

  20. 20
    Micalonues says:

    @17: Agreed.

  21. 21
    Tracy (Zero the Hero) Heyder says:

    OK Svante you win…..NOTTTT! Anybody who reads that much into what interpreted as I did must have further insight. I though am leaning more towards my read. As I stated, with ROTD they later came out with the ‘Deluxe Version’ with a second disc of ‘live’ and 2 studio tracks. I believe there will be a second disc of various outtakes and bonus tracks. Ezrin has done this over and over again with ‘Cooper’. He will do it here. Especially since this is such a special moment, both for Ezrin and Purple. I’m a ‘Gambler’. Any bets????

    Cheers

  22. 22
    Side Door Johnny says:

    Perhaps with Bob Ezrin as producer, there’ll be more promotion and media coverage, making this the biggest album and tour since Perfect Strangers

  23. 23
    purplepriest1965 says:

    Funny to see how my pun intended remark/joke got wings.

  24. 24
    al says:

    let’s just hope the album will come out this year! BBC album is ready already and coming out in October.

  25. 25
    Masse444 says:

    It’s obvious that Glover means that it’s time for vocal parts, solos and other various overdubs to be added on. Recording in ProTools or similar digital systems and adding parts kinda looks like a jigsaw puzzle on the screen. So it’s actually a very precise description from Roger of where they are in the recording process (or were, when he wrote that piece)

    I wouldn’t read anything into his message other than it’s great to hear that they’re finally doing it!! Interesting and witty as often from Rog! Thanks for shedding some light Roger!

  26. 26
    Tracy (Zero the Hero) Heyder says:

    Yes PP, wings that eventually gave out and later crashed and burned. The reality is that DEEP friggin’ PURPLE are finally coming out with an album and are going to tour it super extensively.

    That my friend is a gift we should all be grateful for. Can’t wait for the record and the tour. I WILL GO TO EVERY VENUE I CAN AFFORD TO MAKE. This is landmark times PERIOD. All nay sayers truly need to hit the road.

    stoffer: We have to hook up when there is a venue that works for us both. Hopefully more here will attend. Might be the last chance. Don’t put it aside all of you. GO SEE THEM!!!

    Cheers

  27. 27
    Wiktor says:

    Listen everybody! Lets just hope for a good, honest, hard rock album from the boys in Nashville, shall we..
    Bob Ezrin is a good producer, but lets face it, he reached his peak when he produced Alice Coopers “Billion Dollar Baby” 1973
    and “Welcome to my nightmare” in 1975… But I agree in what somebody said; Gillan do look tired these days….

  28. 28
    Randy says:

    If the new album sounds as good as the studio looks then we are in for a treat.

  29. 29
    Xavier says:

    As some have said here, i hope there will be acknowledgment of Jon’s contribution and continued influence. one of the reasons i startted listening to purple was because of him. somehow i feel this is going to be a milestone collaboration. yes. Ian Gillan looks weary with the constant touring and what comes with it. nevertheless, i sense something deeper is steering and together with Bob Ezrin, they will draw strength from each other.

    -Shalom

  30. 30
    DeepOz says:

    Looking forward to the new CD.

    I thought Gillan looked seriously ill or extremely tired. I hope its the latter…

  31. 31
    bob the builder says:

    Ian is not sick everyone , he is said to extremely depressed over the recent passing of jon. The album is moving along just fine and will include 10 tracks plus 2 on the import japanese version , the songs are titled, yesterday is gone, and walk on water.

  32. 32
    HZ says:

    IG looks seriously old, older than his nominal age. Reason is lifestyle, mostly the bottle habits…

    Long haired, wild and screaming super-vocal is no more..

  33. 33
    Svante Axbacke says:

    @31: Just curious: how do you know this?

  34. 34
    al says:

    Ian used to be a party animal(from all the documentaries and stories of his friends).Of course a smoker (I don’t know if he still is ) and heavy drinker especially back in the 80’s has taken a toll,that and the passing of Lord,I don’t think he is sick,even though he lost a lot of weight and looks very skinny.@31 the same question for you :How do you know about the songs and the album ??

  35. 35
    Steve Hawker says:

    single album? double album? (what does that even mean in the CD age?) bob ezrin? live tracks? outtakes? a great sounding studio? (yeah, like that made all the difference on machine head).

    frankly i’ll be stunned if they can come up with even a single song that would have made the cut for Purpendicular.

    if y’all are waiting for some amazing album that rekindles the heady days of ’72, ’84 or ’96 (hmmm…) then y’all are wasting your time.

    Leave ’em wanting more instead of giving it to ’em and then ’em wishing you hadn’t. Please guys, if it’s not up to par(pendicular), leave it in the can. You can afford it.

  36. 36
    space monkey says:

    Roger looks older and sicker then ian, and paice’e looks like elton jon, expecilly with them gay glasses on. @ 31 you know nothing !

  37. 37
    Tracy Heyder (Zero the Hero) says:

    “Wow” is all I can say. We are on the cusp of finally getting a new album from our heroes and the topic here has changed to ‘Ian Gillan’s Physique? Criticizing his weight? Really? Are you people for real? The man is in his late 60’s. He gets up on that stage and sweats his friggin ass off, giving it his all night after night, trying to hit notes that are unatainable by most human beings and all you can do is observe and express your noticing he is somehow…sub-par regarding his physique? I guess you’d rather he be an ‘Old Fat Rocker’ and die of a heart attack. Truly pathetic some of the diatribe that supposed ‘fans’ of the great rock band on the planet can muster up here….

    Cheerz?

  38. 38
    korhan says:

    does anyone know what he is talking about?You are talking so ridiculous i think.Ian is very well in that picture but how are you?
    Just wait and BUY the new DEEP PURPLE album when it’s OUT.
    Like every album they did, it will be a good deep purple album i think. It will just have the touch of the new producer Bob ezrin as a difference.
    patience………………………

  39. 39
    Skow says:

    So we agree that DP doesn’t look so sparkling splendid…
    I think that ist is due a bad conciensce…
    Cheers 8)

  40. 40
    Michiel says:

    Saw this brand new restaurant and simply had to act funny: http://blijboom.typepad.com/blijbomen/2012/08/london-calling-115.html#comments

  41. 41
    LRT says:

    Ha ha ha! This place used to be so good for links within topics, it was an education’s worth a long time ago. Came in here with that in mind and see what I find… there is great energy in here. I too cannot wait for this album and the show to carry on!

  42. 42
    demons @eye says:

    Very disturbing people on here. Lets wait till the album is out and then we will discuss , likes & dislikes, but don’t make fun of the band, because we will all be there someday to.

  43. 43
    Randy says:

    The justified rap on Rapture was the flat sound quality. With an excellent rock producer in Ezrin, and world class recording studios, that problem should be resolved. I’m expecting the best sound since WDWTWA and Fireball.

  44. 44
    Purple Tickler says:

    Wov, dident realize recording was in progress. Guys look old ? They are no spring chickens anymore as we all know, but I have no doubt they will do us all extremely proud. Cant wait for the result and the tour YESSSSS

  45. 45
    Michiel says:

    Let’s hope they round it – this very last album, let’s be honest – off with an amazing, experimental piece of music which is a fitting last chapter of the book that started in 1968. Some kind of a symphony, full of echoes – riffs? – from the past, a bit of screaming and lots of Hammond sounds from the school of Dr Lord. But please, please not a collection of mediocre mid-tempo tunes. Please go out with a bang and leave us all breathless, after the first time we play it.

  46. 46
    Gary Mayer says:

    I still think the moment of energy captured best with Morse/ Purple is “Purpendicular” which to me is right up there with the classic stuff. So you know they can “bring it” if inspired or pushed enough. Maybe with the big Wacken fest next year and with Jon’s passing, the tides will build up to reveal a recording that could be really special!

  47. 47
    Jonnish says:

    After Lord’s death nothing seems to be the same again. After all, he was the primus motor of DP, and although he has not been a member of the band for a ten years, his existence has been a kind of a raison d’etre for the whole band. Now all that is gone. I’m certain that this (last) album of DP will be great. Don’t worry about IG’s looks. He has lived a life in its full, and his looks prove that. If only Ezrin managed to keep the songs in low keys and tried to prevent IG from trying to scream… The much anticipated tribute to Jon will see the light of a day, I’m sure.

  48. 48
    Anthony says:

    The ‘true’ deep purple sound and music will and has always be generated around the great ritchie blackmore and jon lord.

  49. 49
    Paolo Rallo says:

    Now its Time for a new album What are were waiting for.
    I Hope that the album is worry good.I can not wait to here it
    in the cd player and on tour. And I“m feeling good that your Guys doing a new album.

Add a comment:

Preview no longer available -- once you press Post, that's it. All comments are subject to moderation policy.

||||Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing
© 1993-2024 The Highway Star and contributors
Posts, Calendar and Comments RSS feeds for The Highway Star