30 Comments to “Orchestra, orchestra, and lute”:

1. 1
   Mark Guscin says:

   A bit expensive, front tickets for Gillan and orchestra in Vigo are 160 Euros!!!!

   September 8th, 2022 at 06:56
2. 2
   Uwe Hornung says:

   The happy minstrel couple at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa, in Atlantic City! One could not imagine a more medieval-tinged location. Don‘t forget your tights at the Blackjack table.

   https://www.google.de/travel/hotels/borgata%20atlantic%20city/entity/CgoIqMT5oOrI1Z8lEAE/photos?q=borgata%20atlantic%20city&g2lb=2502548%2C2503771%2C2503781%2C2504097%2C4258168%2C4284970%2C4306835%2C4703207%2C4718358%2C4723331%2C4754388%2C4757164%2C4790928%2C4809518%2C4814050%2C4816090%2C4816091%2C4816977%2C4826689%2C4828448%2C4854151&hl=de-DE&gl=de&ssta=1&rp=EKjE-aDqyNWfJRCoxPmg6sjVnyU4AkAASAHAAQKaAgIIAA&ictx=1&utm_campaign=sharing&utm_medium=link&utm_source=htls&ts=CAESABogCgIaABIaEhQKBwjmDxALGAESBwjmDxALGAIYATICEAAqCQoFOgNFVVIaAA

   September 8th, 2022 at 09:57
3. 3
   Gregster says:

   @1 Yes Sir, that is quite expensive…But remember here, that the musicians in an orchestra, are very talented, & there are quite a few of them…And even at those prices, I’m sure that they’ll be well underpaid for their services…

   *It’s also economics in a sense that gave us Rock & Roll, as it was cheaper to employ, record & tour around with 3-4-5-6 musicians, that the Duke Ellington orchestra, & its lead singers…

   Anyhow, all the best to Mr.Gillan, full circle perhaps this is for you Sir, starting out with “Jesus Christ Superstar” & perhaps winding down with this adventure.

   As for Blackmore’s Night, ok, have fun !

   The Concerto will be enjoyed by everyone who participates, I’m sure. I don’t play the original that often, but I’m sure glad I did when I do !!! ( I only always wish that RB used a Stratocaster, as its sound is far superior & pure when compared with the Gibson, & would have served the event better imo ).

   Peace !

   September 8th, 2022 at 10:05
4. 4
   Adel Faragalla says:

   @1
   Sorry but looks like you haven’t been to concerts recently.
   Tickets for 100 pounds is a thing of the past.
   Welcome to inflation.
   Peace ✌️

   September 8th, 2022 at 17:52
5. 5
   James Gemmell says:

   @1 That would be almost the same amount in U.S. dollars. I imagine it takes a lot of resources to get an orchestra, the equipment and everything set up for a show like that (obviously). Would be a great listen.

   September 8th, 2022 at 19:03
6. 6
   MacGregor says:

   @ 3 – yes the Stratocaster does rock much better although that Gibson guitar was used on some songs on In Rock I believe. However by then Ritchie would have been cranking his amp to 11 & playing with an orchestra, maybe it was a quieter approach to appease the conductor & orchestra members. Come to think of it, Blackmore may have not owned a Stratocaster by then, didn’t Eric Clapton give him a Strat somewhere around that time? Cheers.

   September 9th, 2022 at 01:23
7. 7
   MacGregor says:

   @ 2 -yes that certainly looks like a wonderful venue indeed. I will have to fly over for that gig, a surreal experience would entail, surely. Cheers.

   September 9th, 2022 at 01:28
8. 8
   Gregster says:

   @6 Yes, I don’t mind the snarl of the Gibson, but I much prefer that Stratocaster, & as always in retrospect, figured it would have been a much better fit with the orchestra. It also changed RB’s playing style too, as he slowed down & went searching for notes. I have a rare Guitar Player Book from the 1970’s, with an RB interview in it from 1974, so I’ll double check with it before I confirm the “Clapton” angle for you, (but I’m sure you’re correct)…I say this as the most super tasteful guitarist Robin Trower is in there too, & he acquired his Stratocaster under similar circumstances also, though I’m pretty sure he happened to pick-up one of Martin Barre’s Stratocaster’s at a sound-check before a gig, & he yelled out “This is it !!!”…And Stratocaster’s suddenly had found as competent players as Hendrix, to make music out of them.

   Peace !

   September 9th, 2022 at 09:21
9. 9
   Uwe Hornung says:

   MacGregor @7: We could both make a surprise visit in front-row ensuring medieval garb – free beer handouts from Ritchie off the stage!

   I’ve never been to Atlantic City, it’s about time.

   September 9th, 2022 at 09:55
10. 10
    Uwe Hornung says:

    Flash thought: I hope the Borgata Hotel has a proper fire insurance in place. We all know what happened when Ritchie last visited a Casino/gambling house …

    September 9th, 2022 at 20:06
11. 11
    MacGregor says:

    @ 8 – I had a look around online yesterday & apparently Clapton’s roadie gave it to Blackmore & it wasn’t in good nick. So he received it indirectly from Clapton it seems.
    I do remember the Robin Trower story, being a follower of his music as well.
    @ 9 – you have put up with more than I ever could Uwe as you have been to a few BN gigs. At least I am sure I read comments from you stating that, plus I don’t drink beer or Ale as some call it, I never could stomach the taste. Also dressing up in that garb, I wouldn’t be able to stop laughing thinking I was in a pantomime or or a Blackadder scene. Sorry for the disappointing news, he he he. Cheers.

    September 9th, 2022 at 22:54
12. 12
    Gregster says:

    @11 – That’s great news, & thanks for the update about Clapton & RB using Stratocaster’s, as it’s not written in the early interview of August 1973 as I thought. I’m not sure where I have “it”, as it also goes into the scalloping of the fret-boards that RB has done since the late 1960’s…And I always thought it funny that RB’s reasoning for the swap to Rose-wood fret-boards was because of the varnish not lasting on the maple-boards…Hmmm… *All my Stratocaster’s are well played, have maple-boards, & no worries with the varnish to this day…( My oldest is a 1989 Strat-Plus, & the thin coating is still good, just the frets are worn down a lot lol ) !

    September 12th, 2022 at 07:12
13. 13
    Buttockss says:

    @ 2. been to the Borgata before very nice casino. When you go have to stop at the Tequila bar inside, they have hundreds of tequilas from all over the world.

    September 12th, 2022 at 12:47
14. 14
    Uwe Hornung says:

    Herr MacGregor, I’ve never dressed up for BN gigs (and never wear make-up at Kiss concerts either), but I sat in the first row once for whatever reasons (not enough people in garb were there, probably because it wasn’t at a castle), yet passing on the free beer (not so much out of reluctance of sharing a little of Ritchie’s DNA, but because I’m not much of a beer drinker and he didn’t offer free red wine).

    BN gigs are always wince fests for me, even in German castle locations, but seeing Candice and Ritchie celebrating Renaissance life in the setting of the ‘Boardwalk Empire’ HBO series strikes me as so surreal you could make a Fellini film out of it. It’s like watching an Al Capone movie set in a castle.

    But my most horrible BN experience was not garb- or site-related, but that one tour when they didn’t even have a real bassist, but a keyboarder(ess) (Marci Geller) doing the bass parts, I really should have left the gig (at a castle, Schloss Waldeck to be exact, close to where once the legendary RAF Dambusters delivered their little loads so effectively) or at least see Ritchie unceremoniously apprehended to the – still intact and conveniently nearby – dungeon for appropriate and just punishment. There should be a law against keyboard bass except with synths-only bands. But Ritchie isn’t with Depeche Mode.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWhkZRwLJn0

    Actually, musically (my religious concerns against keyboard bass aside) it wasn’t such a bad gig at all (though it rained a little). The violin player was very good and cocky, to the point of sometimes upstaging Ritchie (no wonder he didn’t last long!) and listening to it now I come to the conclusion that back then BN were still relatively rock’ish and the dreaded Schlagermusik-influence was not yet as prominent as it is today. The wince-factor has increased over the years.

    September 12th, 2022 at 15:06
15. 15
    MacGregor says:

    Uwe, indeed a Fellini film it could end up being, nice that you mentioned him as I have watched a few of his films this past year or two. Regarding the violin player he would have possibly been a ‘distraction’ for some, especially in the band. I didn’t even know they had one at any stage throughout their existence as I do not follow BN in a live setting. I did own the first two albums way back then. I had a quick look at that clip intro & yes he was a busy player, good to see as I like a violinist in a ‘rock’ band. The only rock band I am aware of that didn’t have a bass guitarist was Atomic Rooster for a brief period. The ‘Death Walks Behind You’ album & tour I believe. I agree with you, a bass guitarist is an essential ingredient for any band, well most bands as you said. Cheers.

    September 13th, 2022 at 06:29
16. 16
    MacGregor says:

    I managed to edit out the ‘vocal’ bits & that BN band with a decent lead singer & bass player would have been something indeed. Alas, Blackmore bailed out big time. That was quite progressive in many ways & a shame something didn’t come of that. The drummer was good also & seemed to be more of a fit than the later ‘Rainbow’ mohawk haircut guy, I forget his name at present. Cheers.

    September 13th, 2022 at 06:38
17. 17
    MacGregor says:

    @ 14 – I cannot forget the infamous Black Adder comment to Baldrick after being imprisoned in Germany, ‘ The Teutonic reputation for brutality is well founded, their Operas’s last for 3-4 days” That should be Blackers punishment for not having a bass player Uwe. Let’s see him get out of that one. I cannot imagine many people would be able to last that long, Wagner isn’t it? Cheers.

    September 13th, 2022 at 08:08
18. 18
    Rock Voorne says:

    @ 14

    Way back in 97 I went off to see BN in Germany.
    Unfortunately a bunch of my countryfellows also were there and kept shouting continously during the show, very annoying.

    There I was on the front row, no castle, no garb , and yelling : STFU!!!!
    Candice called me out and asked to remove ME!!!! It did not happen, but still.

    September 14th, 2022 at 20:43
19. 19
    Uwe Hornung says:

    Keyboard bass is creepy, it’s everywhere and you don’t even know, like here, all synth bass, no fretless bass guitar at all – albeit it is admittedly well emulated:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT4d1LQy4es

    Also – sigh! – a couple of Judas Priest albums (starting already with Defenders of the Faith in 1984) where the credits for bass should not so much read ‘Ian Hill’, but ‘Don Airey’ (seriously, he played on quite a few Priest albums, both credited and uncredited). They wanted that massive synth-bass subwoofing sound that didn’t get in the way of the twin lead guitar attack. A lot of Whitesnake’s 1987 bass tracks were played by Don too – same reason, to sound larger than (analog) life and support the overly loud drums, yet not get in the way of Sykes’ guitar histrionics.

    September 14th, 2022 at 21:21
20. 20
    Uwe Hornung says:

    Man, RV, that’s really tough and you weren’t even at a football fame spitting or anything! Dutch fans and players … ; – )

    I was once at a BN gig in Fulda where pre-show a fan was asked to remove his DP T-shirt or otherwise leave (with the ticket price reimbursed) ‘because Ritchie doesn’t want it’. I was standing close to the roadies who were imploring him to ‘not be difficult’ and offering him a free choice of BN merchandise T- and sweatshirts to wear instead. In the end he succumbed – it was a bizarre moment and, unfortunately so, ‘very Ritchie’.

    September 14th, 2022 at 21:32
21. 21
    Svante Axbacke says:

    @20: I have a feeling those t-shirt stories doesn’t have much to do with RB himself. I think it comes from the management. I am pretty sure RB doesn’t give a shit about what t-shirts people are wearing. If he even can see them at all from stage. 🙂

    I’ve witnessed so many times how people around artists make life difficult for fans and crew while the artist themselves wouldn’t think much of the situation. One example are all those stories about outrageous riders, where artists demand M&M’s in certain colours and so on. Most of it comes from the management, not the bands themselves.

    September 15th, 2022 at 14:40
22. 22
    Christof says:

    Many years ago I had the idea to visit a BN show in Esslingen, a nice little town close to Stuttgart.
    It was a very hot day and together with my friend we were walking up through the steep wineyards to the lower gate of the Esslinger Burg, the old fortress which overlooks the Neckar valley. Once arrived there (sweaty and thirsty) we learned that this gate was only open for ticket holders. As we hadn’t bought our tix in advance, we had to go down to the city and climb the hill again, this time to the rear gate where a long queue (with lots of people in silly garb, wooden swords etc.) in front of the ticket booth awaited us. Soon the word spread that tix were above 50 € (which gave me a bit of a shock) and when we finally approached the booth, we learned that the show was sold out already.
    Well, what to do as we were extremely thirsty by now? To our delight, there was a “Schänke” (an old form of a restaurant) on the wall of the fortress. And there was still a table available – with direct view to the stage. So we could invest the money we saved by not buying any tickets into a very fine meal and quite a few beers (well, opposed to a few other people here I know how to enjoy a fresh beer from tab 😉 )while watching BN on the (admittedly a bit remote) stage.
    It was the first and the last time I watched a BN gig and I was in sheer shock about how ridiculous an impression this made on me. The audience playing carnival and the band dancing around the stage in old cloths playing a strange mixture of mediocre music (there’s much more to renaissance music than what they offer). And at the moment they started to play Child in Time (with Candice singing lead – can you imagine?) I was in sheer horror and needed two more beers…
    So no details about real or bass players – the overall impression was enough for me 🙁

    September 15th, 2022 at 15:01
23. 23
    Uwe Hornung says:

    Svante: I’m not ruling out that Ritchie’s mom-in-law was being overly protective.

    Christof: I believe I was at that gig too!

    The best BN gig I ever saw (I forgot where, but Bob Curiano aka Bob Noveau aka – wince! – ‘Sir Robert of Normandie’ was still playing bass adeptly) was the one where Blackmore was inebriated (and continued doing so on stage) to the point where it showed in his playing, but, man, he was an inspired medieval drunkard that night! Endless solos on the Strat, instrument swapping, bass solos by Ritchie and Bob singing Hendrix songs and playing lead guitar at the wishes of the master. For someone coming to hear BN songs adroitly performed it was a train wreck of a gig (even otherwise always good-natured Candice began holding her breath at the melee on stage and started keeping beer from him), but I enjoyed every darn second of it, it gave you a glimpse of Blackmore the maverick.

    September 16th, 2022 at 21:15
24. 24
    Rock Voorne says:

    @ 20

    I never cared for football , one of my social defiencies it seems.

    Never smoked also, so still a bridge to the man in blacks heart?

    I used to love mix my DietCoke)sic)with RUM, so thats another one.
    Never cared for Candice, always liked Judith/Shoshana.
    I m not into pranks that belittle or damage people,. so……

    Whats left?
    I cant play an instrument but a friend of mine thought I ought to have been a drummer whereas I always wanted to sing.
    Probably would have raised eyebrows singing for old Ritch or causing LeadSinger Syndrome

    On topic.
    I strongly remember standing in front of the stage in AHOY and suddenly someone kicked me in the lowerback and after that someone grabbed my pulse so that I probably could face a organised punishment.

    Well, thats what I think they were aiming for.
    I think some of them recognised me from another show there.

    You know the experience, having been bored to death because you waited for hours in a row in the cold outside and often endured a bad supportact.
    And then the headliners began and all of a sudden the whole arena of people seemed into quashing me.

    My reflex was too kick some mass away from me.With my shoes.
    I soon realised my mistake…….

    Got away from the organised punishment somehow.
    It could be real hooliganistic at a certain spot in front of the stage.

    Some shows were that wild I asked security to lift me over the fence. And ofcourse feeling depressed watching the show from a far for the rest of the evening.

    Damn, guys, if you wanted to be in front you should have taken the depressive hours to get there.
    Dont trash a little man!

    September 18th, 2022 at 21:22
25. 25
    Uwe Hornung says:

    Rock Voorne: One of the hidden benefits of being a fan of an aging rock band with an aging fan base is that the days of being squashed by people from behind at live gigs are over! Of course, things like “golden circle”- or “front of stage”-tickets plus the fact that most Purple gigs these days are not “crammed-full-to-the-last-(wo)man” sell-outs play a role, but being close to the stage at a Purple gig in the present day is not the same as doing it at a Metallica or Rammstein gig.

    But I still remember 1977 when I was front-of-stage in Munich at the legendary Rainbow gig battling for a piece of Blackmore’s Strat – I hung on to the cable and the torn out input-jack of the Strat for quite a while, but then thought “this is silly” and let go voluntarily. I always appreciated the individuals in DP, but I was never a fan boy, well, to be honest, I guess I am a bit for Glenn Hughes – of all people! He impresses me as a bassist/vocalist. But I’ve never felt inclined to join a meet & greet with any DP member.

    September 19th, 2022 at 13:02
26. 26
    Christof says:

    #24, Rock Voorne, I feel ya! Had the same experience at a Purple Gig in Heidelberg 1987. We arrived very early on a February afternoon in front of the Rhein-Neckar Halle (a building from the 70s exhibiting the respective charme …). Then the doors opened, we made it to the first row, center stage.
    We endured Bad Company which was merely the name left then (a critic had written: “I know they only do it for the money. The sad thing is that they know that I know – and they don’t care” which nailed it pretty well). Bad Company left and the madness began. It came in waves – a thousand people pushing forward at the same time, then relieving the pressure again etc.
    Then Deep Purple Mk II came up on stage – all these fab musos right one meter away from you! But the waves continued and became stronger and stronger. I kept my place until Strange Kind of Woman (the second song in the set) when I asked security to pull me out. Two giants stood to the left and the right of me, pushed back the crowd (i. e. enforced the ebb) and pulled me out. The poor chap which then came into my place in the first row was nearly smashed to minced meat when the flood came rolling in again…
    I made my way to the side of the stage, got the full blast from the PA from 1 meter distance when Big Ian was yelling his heart out (“Oh my soul, I love you, baby!”) – which is quite some experience I dare say and slowly found my way to the back of the hall, through the completely drunk American GIs which went there from the nearby Frankfurt installations.
    The next day I had quite a few hematoma, a memory from the barrier I was pressed against.
    So I fully agree with Uwe #25 – I’m quite satisfied that we and our favourite band have reached an age by now where everything is a bit more laid back …

    September 19th, 2022 at 20:15
27. 27
    MacGregor says:

    @ 25 -that is interesting the story of your attempt to get a piece of Blackmore’s guitar. I always wonder with that California Jam footage how did that guy holding the body of that Strat or whoever ended up with it, ever get out of there? A somewhat dangerous thing to do in many ways & I can fully understand why you decided to let go of those guitar parts. Regarding the ‘meet & greet’ thing, the marketing of rock ‘celebrities’ is out of control these days, why people would pay money to meet a musician for 2 seconds is beyond me. Having said that, I was there for the non payment meet & greet for classic Yes back in 2003. The following morning after the gig in the Sydney CBD with other friends & the like. It was a good vibe & very relaxed & Rick Wakeman is a funny guy & it was all good to do before we all departed to our destinations. My ‘fan boy’ moment in some ways, however I would never pay money for that. Cheers.

    September 19th, 2022 at 21:45
28. 28
    Rock Voorne says:

    Remembering a particular issue of the Dutch Rainbow FanClub around 1977 I think . It had a cartoon on experiencing the rowdyness when being encircled by predators once Blackmore threw some of his demolished Japanese copies into the crowd. It wasnt very difficult to understand . RB still asked if it was Dutch humor because it also included a guy saying KILL THE KING while being dragged out of the mob being wounded et all after he or someone else first zealously shouted that RB was the KING of rock and roll.
    RB replied that he had decided to stop the act.

    He did not totally.
    In 1981 I think he was climbing up the speakercabinets crashing the guitar. Funny text by then editor Gerrit Jan Tijhof : ” Wow, RB is already 37 but still doing this!”
    Damn, I wish I stillwas 37!!!!

    September 20th, 2022 at 23:06
29. 29
    Uwe Hornung says:

    The guitar smashing thing became a tired exercise from a certain point onwards. Image-wise it was an ill fit with AOR Rainbow in any case. I’m glad he stopped it. California Jam could not be topped in any case.

    September 21st, 2022 at 19:06
30. 30
    Rock Voorne says:

    @ 29 I didnt keep track but didnt he trash a guitar in Scandinavia during the TBRO tour?

    September 21st, 2022 at 21:35

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