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Jon Lord talks about new album
In a brand new interview for his website, Jon Lord talks about the background to his new album, “To Notice Such Things.”
The album is dedicated to the memory of Jon Lord’s dear friend Sir John Mortimer, and Jon explains how the album has grown out of the music he used to play onstage with Sir John Mortimer.
– John and I became friends about 12 years ago. A couple of years later he asked if I would be interested in playing the piano and writing a bit of music for him, for his theater shows – “Mortimer’s Miscellany” – during which he sat on the stage and, accompanied by two actresses, a pianist and a flute player, he read poetry and prose, told stories and jokes and related hilarious legal anecdotes, giving his wonderfully wise and witty take on life, love and the law.
– I realized that I had these three little pieces for flute and piano that I had written for the theater shows that I used to do with Sir John, and I thought that they might provide the basis for this ‘flute concerto’ and that I could write in his memory.
Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing
All this classical music is great but the world needs a Hammond record….
January 20th, 2010 at 07:00I missed out on the radio interview last weekend.
Forget when the repeat is.
The 23rd, will try to look it up
Btw, I cant remember THS did mention it, I know it because I m subsribed to the Planet Rock newsletter-
Looks like a very good cover, Jon!!!!
January 20th, 2010 at 13:13Darn!
January 20th, 2010 at 13:16The first airing was on saturday…..
Missed out on the repeat on tuesday…..
Wish they made it possible to listen again…..
I truely enjoy Jon Lord’s classic work, and I’m looking forward to hear this new piece.
January 20th, 2010 at 18:00Thank you, Jon!
A lovely interview. I will endeavour to buy a CD or download the music. (I still prefer to buy a CD)
One thing I notice though, and I hope this isn’t off-putting, because I mean it only as an observation, not a criticism. I notice there is a big difference in the way DP fans relate to the music of Jon & Ritchie. Mostly we say positive things about Jons latest classical creation and praise him for stepping away from DP to chase his classical muse. Yet when Ritchie release a new renaissance CD or goes on tour, people are really ready to slag him off and complain that he’s wasting his talents and that he should get back to playing Rock and Roll and put the acoustic music aside.
Enjoy
Scott
January 20th, 2010 at 22:39Hi Scott
I m suppossedly one of the biggest Blackmore die hards but do I need to endorse everything?
And the argument is false.
Jon is really creating something new, RB just blends several styles in something I d not like to call original.
New Renaissance?
Is that a style? Or did you meant just Renaissance?
Or is there someone here who helps me stop dreaming and tell me Jon nicked his pieces from somewhere else just in a way Ritchie tends to do?
Very cleverly done, maybe……
Thats true.
Listening to Jon I can enjoy it on its own merites, listening to BN makes me sad, because I ll soon compare this to better efforts in the same raelm or even worse, his magical peaks in DP and Rainbow.
Wish Blackers, Lordy and Paicey went ON TOUR and made instrumental albums full of duelling and Paicey drumming all over the place……
January 21st, 2010 at 12:36We dont need singers who think they are better than the writers.
if deep purple “went ON TOUR and made instrumental albums full of duelling and Paicey drumming all over the place……” this would be fantastic!
January 21st, 2010 at 14:13@ 5.
I’ve noticed this too Scott. I think it’s largely because fans are used to Jon’s leanings. He’s been dabbling with classical/rock fusion and purely classical music since the late sixties and he’s built up a fan base around that work who are ready and waiting to accept new work from him in that vein. In that regard Jon is simply continuing a long tradition. Ritchie was critical of this work early on – and I don’t believe he’s ever gone on record as changing his views – and has always worked in the rock music genre. He abandoned this after the demise of Rainbow in the 90’s and has reinvented himself. There are many who are more than pleased with his new direction but many of his older fans feel left behind. If Ritchie had, like Jon, produced earlier work in this vein then there would already be a fan base to appreciate it. I don’t personally criticise Ritchie’s renaissance music…. it’s just not my cup of tea and I steer clear of it. I’m not always keen on Jon’s purely classical work either but I do enjoy the classical/rock fusions.
January 21st, 2010 at 15:45#6# Priest:
January 21st, 2010 at 18:54You are 101% right. A first class singer (Hughes??) with RB & JL. A dream!!!
Kind regards
Bo
@ 8 and 5–correct. like it or not, Mr. Blackmore seems to enjoy playing in front of folks who enjoy and listen without the aid of funny cigs, beach balls and attendees wearing old concert t-shirts sporting 1971 body funk. .thanks.
January 22nd, 2010 at 19:02@ 8
Remarkable way of reasoning
January 22nd, 2010 at 23:45Could it be that Jon’s music and approach simply feels more genuine than that of Ritchie?
From memory, Ritchie originally announced BN as rennaisance music. But he mixed it heavily with pop, syrupy singing and ditto lyrics, drum machines and surrounded himself with lower standards of musicians. Of course, the man can still handle the guitar like no one else.
Furthermore, in the old days Ritchie used to gripe about Gillan’s voice or how he’d forget the lyrics and generally be very critical of everything. But the arguments Ritchie would use against Purple when he was in the band, can now be directed at his own band – and yet it seems he’s got things the way he wants them.
If he’s happy and content, no one should force him to change, but the combination of lower standards and a radically different musical style has caught a lot of people by surprise – and dressing everybody up in Harry Potter layoffs doesn’t help either. It all seems very far removed from reality.
On the other hand Jon Lord’s music is more readily percieved as genuine, credible and carefully executed with its creator never lowering his standards, remaining above cheap digs and generally sticking to the positive side of things.
The orchestral world is arguably as far removed from classic Purple as rennaisance music, but it does have a more ‘classy’ air about it (‘scuse the pun), and Jon Lord performs and appears very much in the manner expected of such musical endeavours. No one is asked to dress up as Bach.
At the end of the day, both gentlemen are fulfilling lifelong ambitions and should be applauded for their determination and guts to leave the band and pursue personal ambitions. Whether you like their ‘new wifes’ isn’t so much their problem as it is yours.
January 23rd, 2010 at 09:53Good one, Rasmus.
January 23rd, 2010 at 22:18#s5 , 8 and 12 raise valid points which i agree with. one other thing… ritchie has been doing BN for 13 years and some people are tired of it. jon has only released a handful of the classically themed albums in the same period. when jon has put out as many of those to match the amount of blackmore’s night’s output, fans will be tired of jon’s direction as well.
January 24th, 2010 at 19:52@10
I take it you haven’t been to a BN show? There is always something weird going on at them, and plenty of body funk as well. You make it sound like a black tie event.lol!
@11
Thats right, never a word out of place.
@12
January 25th, 2010 at 07:30Thanks for speaking, not a word out of place either, I call this good company.
Hi Scott
I suppose you meant to say 6, 8 and 12?
I did not buy everything, I think, sorry Jon…..have to catch up …….for instance I still do not own FIRST OF THE BIG BANDS, SHAME ON ME!!!!!!, but……
Jon did this kinda thing since Concerto 69, which one could offer as a Jon Lord SOLO album.
There were albums after that…..a lot
Gemini Suite
Windows, wow anyone has seen all that footage on YOUTUBE, put on there by landinleonardo, which I thought was another nick for Dear George……..??????!!!!!
Sarabande
Before I Forget
Pictured Within
Beyond the notes
First of the big bands is not a solo effort?
Durham Concerto, was that an official release?
Boom Of The Tingling Strings, same question…..
I should know but I must admit I followed things after Beyond the notes through Internet, not buying anything.
I do have Durham live though as a copy….From the ON LINE broadcast.
The question is…..
Is there ONE Jon Lord direction?
Hi solo efforts are not all from the same mould, I mean classical stuff only.
He did the Blues format with The Hoochie Men as well…..
How can one get tired from variety while BN does album after album sort of the same?
I know certain people dont have much HEART for Classical stuff.
I still think its more a European blood thing.
January 25th, 2010 at 13:18Sir John Mortimer was a lovely man – witty and very wise. I greatly look forward to hearing Jon’s music dedicated to him.
January 25th, 2010 at 21:53@15–never been -but heard alot of BN shows are held in castles. the plumbing may be out of date at those venues but peeing out a tourett window beats pissing in your pants–i assume : )
January 27th, 2010 at 14:02#16. no, i did mean #s5, 8 and 12. i was referring to ritchie and jon’s output since their departure from purple in the 90’s and 2000’s. not the 60’s and 70’s.(if that was the case i could include some exquisite albums by a band called rainbow!) all that time jon’s superb talents were not exactly being showcased in whitesnake, not to demean PAL prior to that in any way,….that justdid not work out. sarabande still jon’s best in my opinion. i was just saying that before long people will be moaning (and some have started already)please jon play the hammond, play some rock or blues.
January 28th, 2010 at 03:38Blackmore never intended for Blackmore’s Night to be a purist Rennaissance band. That was clear from the very first album.
In addition, the point that Lord’s music is somehow “genuine” and Blackmore’s is not is utter nonsense. It is just as easy to define Lord’s work and pretentious or somehow artifical because is it NOT “classic” music per se. It is “orchestral” music. Further, Lord’s work is a niche genre–his genius notwithstanding–whereas Blackmore’s reaches a much wider audience.
The double standard of praising Lord for his extra-Purple endeavors and villifying Blackmore for his remains.
It does not matter what Blackmore does outside of the rock realm. He will always be criticized for “abandoning” Deep Purple–and the Deep Purple fans.
Ritchie Blackmore could record a purist classical album along the lines of Sor, Torroba, Narváez–whomever–or a jazz record in the manner of Django Reinhardt–and he would still be accused of “wasting his talent”.
Admit it: In the minds of most people, Blackmore only can be accepted playing rock music. However, it is perfectly appropriate for Lord to compose orchestral music. It IS a double-standard.
January 29th, 2010 at 02:54Jon plays real classic music,RB pop folk and because his BN are a poor band sometimes He needs to play old pieces from rainbows and DP…very sad…
Jon is a meastro and a wonderful player,RB is not a maestro,even if he is the best guitarist imho…
ciao
January 29th, 2010 at 14:28@ 19
Sorry, I think I got confused because of 2 people with the name Scott.
SARABANDE might indeed be his best although I like Pictured Within very much too.
Wish they had the idea to film the Sarabande thing like they did with WINDOWS.
Anyone knows if WINDOWS is attainable on official DVD?
January 29th, 2010 at 15:13If not, Jon should take care of it and do it properly and also because of the re release3 of the album.
@ 20–took the words right out of my mouth–with added elegance.
January 30th, 2010 at 08:56I agree fully with what you say Mr T (20), TU MUCH PRAISE TO EXPRESS COLDNESS CONSISTENCY AND DESPITE THE SENSE OF ALL THAT WE LOVE THE PURPLE ZAGA, ES VERDAD never forgave so abrupt RICHIE LEAVE OUR BELOVED BAND HAVE PAST 17 YEARS, AND THEN WE still hurts and not spare his coldness and not even thinking in their followers, just kept his ego and a woman.
February 2nd, 2010 at 02:39Hi Mister T
Not completely with you I m afraid.
As long RB NEVER really tried to do something along the lines of a PURIST thing we cant conclude yet if it would be criticised so harshly.
MY main criticism IS that he should have done just that instead of this mediocre blend.
Fernando
I think, trying to understand your post, that you mis interpreted T.
T is trying to hold a candle for Ritchie while you spit out the “so called” negative image of coldness and selfishness.
Maybe Ritchie has been or can be cold or a mistreater in person.
I dont know, NEVER met the man.
If he is a unfriendly man his talent and legacy is almost without question or stain.
One cannot say…..
February 3rd, 2010 at 13:22Blackmore is to blame for this and that and USING that as an excuse for hiring a wrong alternative.
BTW
I understood STING did this purist Dark Ages thing a short while ago.
I ve yet not come to exploring it.
What do you think of that effort?
February 3rd, 2010 at 13:27It appears that followers of Blackmore and Lord who continue to hold the double-standard that it is perfectly fine for Lord to engage in totally non-Purple-like projects but it is somehow inappropriate for Blackmore to do the same still cannot understand the difference between bashing something because they don’t like it or understand it and making a critique of the music in an purely academic context.
It is a matter of personal freedom to dislike one or the other–or both. However, if one is going to make the argument that Blackmore’s Night is somehow illegitimate simply because “I don’t like it” and Jon Lord’s work is somehow valid because “I do like it,” then that person is profoundly short-sighted.
If the argument is that Lord’s work is somehow high-brow and sophisticated because it employs an orchestra while Blackmore’s is merely bourgeois and crude due to its hybrid nature, then that argument is a snobbish and cavalier one.
February 8th, 2010 at 18:10Mmhhhhhhhhhh, appearantly I m or shortsighted or a snob or stupid or…….
Cant make up my mind……
Again…..
February 9th, 2010 at 16:39I’d say you hit the trifecta Priest…..
There, you can rest your mind now.
Cheers
February 18th, 2010 at 18:23Trifecta….
Interesting words, sounds a bit Latin like….
Could not find it….
I did not do the Classical route,unfortunately
This brain concludes for now that you are talking about 3 facts like most Americains are still calling Ian Gillan GILLIAN?
Right now enjoying the Worcester radio show from the Born Again tour in which the dj again makes that mistake.
Its almost spring, time to be reborn….
WHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Disturbing the Priiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessttttttttt!!!!!!!!
Can you help me occupy my brain?
Burp!
February 21st, 2010 at 12:11Actually it’s a betting turm used in Horse Racing, Dog Racing and Jai-a-Lai…..and my money is on you, being correct with all 3 of your self depicitons at #28…..LOL.
Yeah, the Worchester show is one of the Better boots out there as far as sound quality, due it being a Radio Show gig. Unfortunately it wasn’t the whole show. Hopefully one day they will release a full show proper from that line-up.
Here is my response your inquiree regarding just that in another Topic here at THS.
http://www.thehighwaystar.com/news/2010/02/16/gillan-and-iommi-donate-musical-instruments/
Cheers
February 22nd, 2010 at 17:16Wish more people had their money on me.
March 1st, 2010 at 15:17That would make such a difference.
Thanx for wanting to sponsor me, hehehe
@25.
I have had the pleasure of meeting Ritchie back on the Bent out of shape tour in Cardiff in Sept 1983. This was half way through the UK tour that I saw in its entirity
A quiet man off stage he was perfectly friendly and and talkative and I had the pleasure of chatting with him for about 2 hours back at the hotel after the gig.
He is now doing what he wants with BN and I totally supoport him for doing so.
August 12th, 2011 at 11:32