Caramba gives you a chance to exercise your wit and win a signed copy of Triple Trouble:

Win a signed copy by answering the simple question:

‘How many songs has ig written and why?

Obsessive attention to detail not necessarily rewarded. Answers, not on a postcard, to: HERE

We’ll leave you with this piece of video contemplation. Overdid it with the beer:

Thanks to Steve Campbell for the info.

This was simply an amazing show. I was able to get to stand directly in front of Steve and watch him master that guitar. He played several songs from his new album mixed in with older material. Everything was amazing.

When Steve Morse walked onstage to start his show fans screamed “Steve!”, “We love you Steve” and one guy yelled “Steve Morse for President!” Not a bad idea.

Steve played before for about 300 people at the Jaxx in Springfield, VA. There were a few folks with Purple shirts on but most were die hard Steve Morse fans.

The show lasted about two hours though I lost track of time. The thing that stands out about the show besides the phenomenal guitar playing was the charisma Steve has on stage. If Steve ever plays a club near you… GO!

This was one of the best shows I’ve been to in a long time.

It’s been years since I’ve seen Ritchie perform live as the opportunities are few and far between. I see DP whenever they come around but in a way, this was more fun. My impression of Ritchie as dark and moody has changed for sure. He was light hearted and joking around, having a great time. The crowd was fired up and that must have made a good impression on him as well.

The music was great. Candice was amazing. They even did a cover of Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac. As I said, it was a joy to see Ritchie so happy. He was handing out drinks to the audience, playing to role of bartender. Soldier of Fortune was fantastic as was Diamonda and Rust. The band was great. Very tight and full of energy. I used to think it was a shame that Ritchie and Ian parted ways but I think it was for the best.

Ritchie seems to really enjoy performing now. He was a first class gentleman and showman throughout. I expected to get impatient waiting for the white Strat to appear but I wasn’t at all. The BN songs were great and come across really well live. It was a treat to see and hear Ritchie play acoustic guitar. He’s equally good on acoustic and electric!

When the Stratocaster magic did begin, it was amazing. I’m not that emotional of a guy but I got a little misty-eyed seeing my guitar hero and idol playing his heart out to us. The more I think about it, the more I think he did the right think by leaving DP. His music has evolved and grown up. I don’t think anyone but Ritchie could make the Renaissance music work so well in combination with rock and acoustic instruments. It just works.

They are a great band. Keyboards, bass, violin vocals, they all just mesh wonderfully. I’m not posting a setlist but I can say there’s something for everyone in a blackmore’s night show. If you’re a Purple fan, you’ll love it. If you’re a Blackmore’s night fan, you’ll love it. If you’re a music fan, you’ll love it!

David ‘Rock’ Feinstein told Classic Rock magazine a story of Blackmore the weatherman causing a riot by refusing to go on stage:

It happened when I was in Elf in the early 1970s. We supported Deep Purple at an outdoor show in the grounds of Cornell University, in Ithaca, Upstate New York. It was a three-band bill. We had the middle slot, with ZZ Top opening!

Anyway, I was in the car park beforehand with Ritchie, when he looked up at the sky and said: ‘I think we’re gonna get a storm.’ The next thing, he’s telling his guitar road to pack up his gear because he wasn’t gonna play in such conditions – remember, it was still dry!

ZZ Top were already on stage, but we were advised to pack up and get out of there, because once the crowd –- and it was a full stadium –- realised Purple weren’t gonna appear there would be real trouble.

It was was a wise piece of advice — a riot ensued, with all the bands having their equipment trashed.

The upshot was that it was the last rock gig Cornell University allowed to happen there.

And the weatherman in black was right in his forecast — it did rain that day.

The following feature may contain references to sex, drugs and rock’n’roll. Oh, and some bad language too. Dig in!
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Demon Edsel is releasing a triple CD Gillan live set authorized by Big Ian himself.

No specific release date is available at this time. The 3CD set will be released in the UK on November 9 and available in other countries as an import.

Disc One

Recorded at London’s legendary Rainbow Theatre on 4th March 1981, with Bernie Torme on lead guitar. With the exception of one song, the performance is previously unreleased.

1 Second Sight
2 Unchain Your Brain
3 Are You Sure
4 Bite The Bullet
5 No Easy Way
6 Trouble
7 If You Believe Me
8 Mutually Assured Destruction
9 On The Rocks
10 Future Shock
11 Vengeance
12 New Orleans
13 Smoke On The Water
14 Sleeping On The Job
15 Lucille

Disc Two

Features the band’s triumphant headlining set at the Reading Festival on 29th August 1981, with Janick Gers on lead guitar. Only half of the songs have previously been available, on the 1981 release Double Trouble.

1 Second Sight
2 Unchain Your Brain
3 Hadely Bop Bop
4 No Laughing In Heaven
5 Bite The Bullet
6 No Easy Way
7 Trouble
8 Mutually Assured Destruction
9 On The Rocks
10 Vengeance
11 Smoke On The Water
12 New Orleans
13 Lucille

Disc Three

Features five songs recorded in April 1982 for BBC Radio 1’s Friday Rock Show and five songs from a concert in Nottingham in March 1981. None of these tracks have been officially released before.

1 No Laughing In Heaven
2 Hadely Bop Bop
3 Vengeance
4 Mutually Assured Destruction
5 Born To Kill
6 Second Sight
7 Unchain Your Brain
8 Trouble
9 If You Believe Me
10 Lucille

Artist: Gillan
Title: Live: Triple Trouble
Format: 3CD
Label: Demon Edsel
Cat No: EDSX3006
Genre: Rock and Pop

Order it from a store near you:

Thanks to Jim Collins and Demon Edsel for the info.

Steve Morse recently spoke to the Classic Rock magazine. His short interview appeared online:

We are in the sort of position where we don’t have any pressure on us. We’re not a pop act, so nobody these days expects us to sell a lot of records. So, as long as we come up with a good album to satisfy our core fans, then that’s all that matters.

Read the interview on ClassicRockMagazine.com.

Thanks to Daniel Bengtsson for the info.

Ten days ago I was in Chicago to see Blackmore’s Night with a couple of my friends. We drove 2,600 km (that’s 1,600 miles in medieval units) for that gig and to catch Steve Morse Band in Toronto on the way back next day. Was it worth it? Absolutely. On both counts.

You see, lots of people come to a Blackmore’s Night gig waiting for only one thing — those 15 minutes when he picks up his Strat. And then they expect to hear Rainbow or Deep Purple. And then they go home frustrated and disappointed. Because it ain’t Rainbow or Deep Purple. It ain’t rawk.

It’s something different. And it has been so for 12 years.

Thanks to wodnik35 for uploading the videos, to Daniel Bengtsson for bringing it up, and to James the Mechanic for his heroic driving.

Polish label Metal Mind is releasing remastered versions of the selected albums from Ian Gillan’s discography: Naked Thunder, Toolbox, Cherkazoo & Other Stories, Clear Air Turbulence, Scarabus and Accidentally on Purpose (Gillan/Glover). All albums will be released in a new digipak edition each limited to 1000 copies. Digitally remastered using 24-Bit process, released on a golden disc. The release date is scheduled for November 2, 2009.

Ian Gillan — Naked Thunder (remastered)

[cid:C5AF2DC43B0145E3844EB3C6CE8E1256@Agapromo]
Label: Metal Mind Records
Cat. No.: MASS CD 1344 DG
Barcode: 5907785035720
Format: CD Digipak (limited edition of 1000 numbered copies)
Genre: hard rock
Release date: 02.11.2009

Tracklist:

1. Gut Reaction
2. Talking To You
3. No Good Luck
4. Nothing But The Best
5. Loving On Borrowed Time
6. Sweet Lolita
7. Nothing To Lose
8. Moonshine
9. Long And lonely Ride
10. Love Gun
11. No More Cane On The Brazos

Ian Gillan — Toolbox (remastered)

[cid:80FC8B3B2764422A9FDB111153424FA5@Agapromo]
Label: Metal Mind Records
Cat. No.: MASS CD 1345 DG
Barcode: 5907785035737
Format: CD Digipak (limited edition of 1000 numbered copies)
Genre: hard rock
Release date: 02.11.2009

Tracklist:

1. Hang Me Out To Dry
2. Toolbox
3. Dirty Dog
4. Candy Horizon
5. Don’t Hold Me Back
6. Pictures Of Hell
7. Dancing Nylon Shirt Part1
8. Bed Of Nails
9. Gassed Up
10. Everything I Need
11. Dancing Nylon Shirt Part2

Ian Gillan — Cherkazoo & Other Stories (remastered)

[cid:2A37BBAEDAEB4296AD3C54BD1C48F637@Agapromo]
Label: Metal Mind Records
Cat. No.: MASS CD 1346 DG
Barcode: 5907785035744
Format: CD Digipak (limited edition of 1000 numbered copies)
Genre: hard rock
Release date: 02.11.2009

Tracklist:

1. Intro
2. Cherkazoo
3. Monster In Paradise
4. The Bull Of Birantis
5. Intro
6. Hogwash
7. Driving Me Wild (Take One)
8. Donkey Ride Dream
9. Trying To Get To You
10. Ain’t That Lovin’ You Baby
11. Driving Me Wild (Fast Take)
12. Music In My Head
13. You Make Me Feel So Good
14. She Called Me Softly
15. Driving Me Wild (Take Three)
16. You Led My Heart Astray
17. A Little Share Of Plenty
18. Night And Day
19. Hidden Track

Ian Gillan Band — Clear Air Turbulence (remastered)

[cid:CB9B67955B524ABA8C2133C09B54657C@Agapromo]
Label: Metal Mind Records
Cat. No.: MASS CD 1348 DG
Barcode: 5907785035768
Format: CD Digipak (limited edition of 1000 numbered copies)
Genre: Jazz Rock/Fusion
Release date: 02.11.2009

Tracklist:

1. Clear Air Turbulence
2. Five Moons
3. Money Lender
4. Over The Hill
5. Goodhand Liza
6. Angel Manchenio

Ian Gillan Band — Scarabus (remastered)

[cid:3E7C6C9D31034152A362E58A83DE2ABE@Agapromo]
Label: Metal Mind Records
Cat. No.: MASS CD 1347 DG
Barcode: 5907785035751
Format: CD Digipak (limited edition of 1000 numbered copies)
Genre: Jazz Rock/Fusion
Release date: 02.11.2009

Tracklist:

1. Scarabus
2. Twin Exhausted
3. Poor Boy Hero
4. Mercury High
5. Pre-Release
6. Slags To Bitches
7. Apathy
8. Mad Elaine
9. Country Lights
10. Fool’s Mate
11. My Baby Loves Me

Gillan/Glover — Accidentally on Purpose (remastered + bonus tracks)

[cid:F312CF85752E46F99D1E0C5B3DCA047A@Agapromo]
Label: Metal Mind Records
Cat. No.: MASS CD 1343 DG
Barcode: 5907785035713
Format: CD Digipak (limited edition of 1000 numbered copies)
Genre: pop / rock
Release date: 02.11.2009

Tracklist:

1. Clouds And Rain
2. Evil Eye
3. She Took My Breath Away
4. Dislocated
5. Via Miami
6. I Can’t Dance To That
7. Can’t Believe You Wanna Leave
8. Lonely Avenue
9. Telephone Box
10. I Thought No

Bonus tracks:
11. Cayman Island
12. The Purple People Eater
13. Chet

Thanks to Agnieszka Świątnicka-Kulpińska for the info.

This is an interview that Gillan and Glover did circa 1987 for the German TV. Make all you want out of it, but I’ve found it, ahem, entertaining 😉
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