Calgary Herald has published Ian Gillan’s profile/interview, which for once, is a little better researched than you average mainstream press fare.

On the news album he sounds rather enthusiastic:

“I think it’s time for some new material it always injects a spark and I think we need a little lift now. There’s a lot of energy going into this . . . and we’re still having a good time,” Gillan says, noting they held a jam session in Spain earlier this year with thoughts on writing new material for the long rumoured new record. “But nothing really happened and we weren’t really in the mood for it. So I think we’ll start from scratch and then see what happens. I imagine the juices will be flowing pretty well because we haven’t written anything for quite a while.”

Mind you, the article once again has only brief quotes from the interview and does not provide the context of what was said.

When asked about the recently popular in the interviews topic of RnR Hall of Fame, he replied:

I wouldn’t go to war over it and I wouldn’t hold out too hard on it but my position is this: One of the things I fought against as a kid, when I got into this line of work, as I rebelled from my post-Victorian background and childhood and upbringing… is to avoid being institutionalized. And that to me seems as near as an institution as you could possibly get. So, I’m not in favour of it, I’ve never looked for it, I don’t want it. If it happens, it happens and I’m staying well clear of it.

That makes it three for three.

Read more in Calgary Herald.

Thanks to Nigel Young for the info.

Date: 2012/2/13

: Hamilton Place

: Hamilton

: Canada

First the good stuff.
Good crowd on a cold night and a nearly full theatre. Hamilton Place seats 1,500 would say there were between 1,300-1,400 there.
The guys were on fire despite some problems for Mr. Glover during Strange Kind of Woman. (Finally back online with a third bass).
Steve Morse showed once again why he’s one of, if not the best. Great interpretation of Blackmore licks and positively stunning work on Rapture of the Deep, Contact Lost and in his solo spot.
Especially impressed with Don Airey. His keyboard patterns sounded closer to Mr. Lord’s work than what Jon was playing the last time I saw the Purps. Either that or he was higher in the mix that Jon was that 2001 show at the Molson Amphitheatre.
The musicianship was top-notch as always although Ian Gillan seemed to be struggling at times, which leads me to…
Playing it safe on the set list. Add more Morse-era tunes — please.
Could have done without Hard Lovin’ Man, Woman From Tokyo, Well Dressed Guitar and Blind Man.
Don’t get me wrong, love Hard Lovin’ Man but it really sounded as if it presented a problem for Big Ian.
So… How about Ted the Mechanic, The Aviator, ’69, Seventh Heaven, Bananas, House of Pain or even Wrong Man? Most would present less of a strain on Mr. Gillan’s voice.
That being said, Lazy was killer and it was really nice to see The Mule get an airing complete with a Paicey solo.
Nitpicking about the set list aside, a thoroughly enjoyable evening for me and my wife.
A great night from fourth row centre in a great venue.

Date: 2012-02-17

: TCU Place

: Saskatoon

: Canada

Just returned from the Purple show – been a long wait since I bought the ticket…

Had heard that the Canadian shows were being well reviewed – just added to the anticipation, especially seeing as this was only my second Purple show. First one was the Perfect Strangers tour…

The guys came out flying with the usual opener and never let up on the throttle. Fourth row center and the sound was a little muddy at times with the vocals sometimes lost in the mix. Nonetheless, a very well played show. Highlights for me were Hard Lovin’ Man, When a Blind Man Cries, Rapture of the Deep and No One Came. Didn’t record the set list, but, was somewhat surprised that they didn’t play anything from Purpendicular or Abandon.

Gillan sounded in fine form for the most part (walking cast and all) and was quite powerful in his natural, lower register. While he certainly appears to be working hard to produce those trademark “Eeeeaaaooouuwww’s”, they were often drowned out. Paice did this one handed drum roll in his solo that, if you had your eyes closed you’d be pretty sure he was using two hands. Without knowing better, at times it was almost possible to believe that Jon Lord was still on the organ (get well soon, Jon). Amazing skill from all the players.

Great show – bought the T-shirt. And the CD’s (Roger’s “Guilty Party” is signed)…

Glenn Hughes will appear live on KNAC internet radio on Monday, February 20. He is scheduled to be on the air at 4 pm PST, but exact timing is not confirmed yet.

Of course, KNAC being the internet-only radio (and the good guys), broadcasts worldwide without restrictions.

Thanks to GlennHughes.com for the info.

Ian Paice is one of the musicians confirmed for the Buddy Rich memorial concert to be held on the 25th anniversary of jazz legend’s passing, April 2, at the London Palladium. The show will feature members of the US-based Buddy Rich Big Band reinforced by prominent session musicians from the UK. Other musicians confirmed are Dave Weckl, Gregg Bissonette, John Blackwell, Gavin Harrison, Elliott Henshaw, and Tony Christie. The event will be co-hosted by Buddy’s daughter Cathy Rich, who will present Lifetime Achievement Awards to “three rock legends”.

Tickets £30-£60 are available through seetickets.com.

Thanks to BraveWords for the info.

Rick Wakeman writes in his blog entry for February 2012:

There is so much other stuff in the pipeline that I will be trying to bring to fruition this month which include a possible trio album with Tony Levin and Ian Paice. Early stages of discussions with all concerned, but looking very promising.

This is what it is — “early stages of discussions”, don’t read too much into it. But a few of us, THS editors, are getting very, very excited.

Just as you haven’t been to Brazil until you saw a soccer game there, you haven’t been to Canada until you’ve attended a hockey game. Our frontline correspondent reports from the trenches:

At the Winnipeg, MB show last night, Steve Morse came out for the encores wearing a Winnipeg Jets jersey (Winnipeg’s recently-returned NHL Hockey Team). The crowd was very appreciative and gave thundering approval. Apparently Steve and other band members attended the Jets game at the MTS Centre the previous evening, then played a thundering, tight show in the same venue less than 24 hours later.

Thanks to Jim Corrigan for the info and pictures.

The Hamilton Spectator has Steve Morse’s profile and interview mostly revolving around the story behind Contact Lost:

I’m a big fan of what NASA has done. People don’t realize the research and development strides that have been made, all that technology. We’re recipients of all of that eventually.

Read more in The Hamilton Spectator.

Saskatoon’s The StarPhoenix similarly featured Ian Gillan, who in his seemingly habitual manner denied that any progres has been made on the new album:

We haven’t actually gotten any material at the moment. I read that too but it’s rubbish.

Read more in The StarPhoenix.

Date: 2012-02-11: John Labatt Center/Massey Hall, London, Toronto, Canada

Well, where do I start? What a week-end indeed. First of all my brother (Scott) flew in from Scotland on the Thursday to be part of the Purple experience with my son (Craig) and I.

We set off on a snowy Saturday morning from Oshawa bound for London, we arrived in one piece, booked into the hotel then headed for Steve’s clinic. My son and I are both drummers, but enjoyed Steve’s playing and story telling.

As reported, the gig itself was what you’d expect from Purple, full of high energy, with musicianship second to none. In all my years they have yet to disappoint.

As luck would have it we were staying at the same hotel as the band and after the show we met Ian Paice and Steve in the lobby. As always, Ian was gracious enough to spend a few moments with us.

Next day we were off to Toronto for the Massey Hall gig. Again, same high performance, but Massey Hall just seemed to be electric, there was a great buzz and Purple made it shake to it’s rafters. Only down side was the ushers kept telling people to stop filming, this went on through the entire show.

Next day we set off for “Just Drums” (a drummers paradise) to see see Ian Paice once again. We arrived a little early only to find Ian already there, so again he was good enough to chat to us for about 10 minutes before the “meet & greet” actually started. It was a great turn out and Dave Hamilton and the Just Drums staff were gracious hosts. To me this was the high-light of the week-end as being a drummer Ian has been a great influence on me for over 41 years. I was able to get my Ian Paice Signature snare actually signed by the man himself.

Now my brother heads back to Scotland tonight, still not quite believing what he’s experienced. A trip none of us will ever forget.

Roll on the new album and tour. Long live Deep Purple.

Jim

Date: 2012-02-12

: Massey Hall

: Toronto,ON

: Canada

On this wintry Sunday night, Deep Purple showed the sold-out crowd that, while last tour’s orchestral backdrop was a pleasant enough venture, the innate power of the band is more than enough to shake off February’s chill.
The setlist was largely the same as last summer, with one noticeable change. The Mule took the place of Knocking at Your Back Door. This gave Ian Paice a spot for a proper drum solo which the fans really enjoyed. Ian Gillan was in good voice, despite a torn Achille’s tendon which had him hobbling about the stage with a walking cast on his right foot.
Airey, Glover & Morse were firing on all cylinders throught the show. Stellar musicianship as always.
The following afternoon, I went to the meet and greet with Ian Paice at Just Drums.
Ian was generous with his time, gracious and patient. He signed multiple items for fans, posed for pictures and answered questions. He even tapped out the intro to Pictures Of Home on the table because a fan asked him how it is done.
Other questions and answers revealed that Purple is taking about 3 months off after this tour before heading into the studio to work on a new album. As well,Jon Lord is getting well and will hopefully be back to making music by April.
Ian told me that he will write a book on Deep Purple “… when it’s all over”
Here’s hoping that day doesn’t come for a while yet.