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A soundtrack to the Gillan career

So, after 40 years in the business what do you do to celebrate? Have a party, invite some friends along, get the old video camera's out and get down to the business of remaking some of your best songs! This is not so much a solo album as a soundtrack to the Gillan career, albeit with a better production than some of the tracks were originally afforded.

Starting off with a double whammy of Gillan songs, the first thing that is noticeable is the sheer audible volume of the set. The guitars sound great, the voice is right on the button and the keyboards are big and juicy.

• Unchain Your Brain (featuring Joe Satriani)
• Bluesy Blue Sea (featuring Janick Gers)

Next come a couple of reworkings from the 90's. Again the keyboards provide a lush background that was missing on the originals, and serve the songs well. Dio is quite far back in the mix, so you will have to concentrate in order to hear him fully.

• Day Late And A Dollar Short (featuring Uli Jon Roth and Ronnie James Dio) (originally on Dreamcatcher)
• Hang Me Out To Dry (featuring Joe Satriani) (from Toolbox)

Next up is one of the highlights from the Double Trouble set, and once again this is a definite highlight for me. The vocals are just HUGE!

• Men Of War (featuring Steve Morse and Johnny Rzeznik)

Next up is a stunning version of Blind Man. Loosely based on a more current live version, this features both Jeff Healey and Jon Lord to full effect.

• When A Blind Man Cries (featuring Jeff Healey and Jon Lord)

Another Dreamcatcher song, and this is a great improvement on the original, fairly bopping along with the Glover Paice backroom giving it a definite boost. Been humming this one in my head for most of the week!

• Sugar Plum (featuring Roger Glover, and Ian Paice)

Next up is a clue to what Born Again would have sounded like if a: it had been produced, and b: had a better bass player and drummer ! J

• Trashed (featuring Tony Iommi, Roger Glover, and Ian Paice)

The only "new" song in the set is a laid back kind of affair, nice groove to it, though it does sound a bit lost it the massive sound of the other songs.

• No Worries (featuring Michael Lee Jackson)

We probably didn't need another version of Smoke in all honesty, but it has to be said that this is a good version, again sonically huge, and on the dvd side you can exchange guitarists to your hearts content, so fun for that if no other reason!

• Smoke On The Water (featuring Steve Morse, Johnny Rzeznik, Ian Paice, Roger Glover and Jon Lord)

Back to the early 80's and this version of No Laughing stays quite close to the original, adding a more contemporary keyboard sound and some volume.

• No Laughing In Heaven (featuring Roger Glover and Ian Paice)

A nice reminder of how Joe Satriani fitted so well into Purple at such short notice, Speed King very much follows the current live version

• Speed King (featuring Joe Satriani)

The BIG ballad from Naked Thunder makes a welcome appearance at the end of the cd, with a very nice reworking that adds plenty of emotion to the original. It would be great to hear this on the radio, but back to reality, eh?

• Loving On Borrowed Time (featuring Steve Morse and Uli Jon Roth)

Finally, as the bar tender calls for time our hero bumps into Joe Elliot, and possibly a few passing Pogues by the sounds of it!

• I'll Be Your Baby Tonight (featuring Joe Elliot)

The flip side contains an absolute ton of extra's which I'll leave you to investigate yourselves when you buy this cd, which you should. It's great in the car, sounds great on the pc, and even comes pre ripped for your iPod or other mp3 player. The attention to detail is to be applauded, and perhaps could serve as a template for future releases, eh? Here's to the next 40!

Stephen Graham
Edinburgh, Scotland

Last update: April 17, 2006