NEWS: Glenn Hughes bringing Classic Deep Purple Live to Belfast and Dublin

GLENN Hughes, the former bassist and singer of Deep Purple, known to millions as the ‘Voice of Rock’, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and the current front man for rock super group Black Country Communion, is pleased to announce that he will be performing Deep Purple only material with his “GLENN HUGHES PERFORMS CLASSIC DEEP PURPLE LIVE” for the first time ever in Belfast and Dublin in September 2018 ahead of his nationwide UK tour in October 2018.

The two date tour promises to be a dynamic, turn-back-the-clocks, two-hour live extravaganza homage to his tenure in MK 3 and MK 4 incarnations of Deep Purple - one of music history’s most seminal and influential rock and roll groups.  Tickets for Belfast are priced £30 and for tickets for Dublin are €35.

Tickets will be available for pre-sign ups in a 48-hour ticket pre-sale from Wednesday 14th March. Tickets will then go on general sale on Friday 16th March from www.seetickets.com.

For each show there will be 100 VIP tickets available. The tickets will include pre-show Meet & Greet, photo ops and an exclusive private ‘unplugged’ song performance from Glenn Hughes. Fans will also be able to take with them a signed tour poster.

"I'm excited to be touring the “Classic Deep Purple Live” in Ireland this September. I first toured Classic Deep Purple Live in Australia and New Zealand last year and it went down like a storm. We’re also touring the show throughout South America in April, and festivals throughout the summer. By the time we tour Ireland in September, we’ll be on fire.”

GLENN HUGHES PERFORMS CLASSIC DEEP PURPLE “LIVE” – SEPTEMBER 2018 IRISH TOUR
TICKETS: www.seetickets.com

Belfast, Waterfront                        Saturday 29 September
Dublin, Olympia                               Sunday 30 September

ALBUM REVIEW: Harmonica hard rock covers from Will Wilde on 'Bring It On Home'

WHEN a PR company sends you an album of hard rock with a harmonica the featured instrument for  moment you wonder if rock n roll has finally jumped the shark...or are you tripping from something someone gave you at a festival last year.

But being obligated to at least give it a chance one reads the press release about harmonica maestro Will Wilde and discover it is an album of cover versions...the 'Dubious Hat' is donned; a stiff drink is poured and a deep breath taken.

Well, for a Northern Ireland-based site it's always a good sign when our late adopted son, Rory Gallagher's track 'Bad Penny' opens the proceedings. Faithful cover with the bluesy tones of Rory's playing given a unique subtle twist.

'Bring It On Home: A Tribute to British and Irish Blues and Rock' is, however, a strange beast. The covers of the tracks are given that expressive harmonica touch, even if some are penalty kicks, such as Sabbath's 'The Wizard'.

Others are given an extra dimension, in particular Deep Purple's 'Lazy' that is given a real bluesy touch.

Equally John Mayall's 'I'm Your Witchdoctor' oozes with passion.

But there is an issue here. Wilde is such a tremendous harmonica player that we were left begging to hear original tracks - hard rockin' harmonica groove.

That being said it is an enjoyable listen - you can check out the bonus track and video of Wilde's 'Parisienne Walkways' and hear his soulful playing.

That he has ambitions is clear by taking on Tull's 'Locomotive Breath' where the song is given an extra dimension, that would have been a perfect cover with some more aggressiveness in the vocal delivery.

The unique tunings of his harmonica mean he can reach tones and notes that match guitar lines.

As such he stand-out song is 'Bring It On Home' a great interpretation of 'Sonny Boy Williamson/Led Zeppelin that is leant an urgency by Wilde's playing.

This is a great covers album but it would have been a much better collection with some of this talented man's own songs.

Review by Jonathan Traynor

Bring It On Home is released on March 9th

NEWS: Ritchie Blackmore releases Rainbow live CD Memories In Rock II together with special backstage DVD

IN 2017, legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore brought his new Rainbow line up to the UK for three unique concerts; these memorable musical moments will be released in high quality format on a double disc CD set entitled 'Memories In Rock II'

Also included in the package will be the first time ever seen backstage videos.

Special interviews exclusive to this video set with Ritchie Blackmore, Ronnie Romero, Jens Johansson, Bob Nouveau, Drummer Dave, the lovely backing singers Lady Lynn and Candice Night – as well as the phenomenal crew that brings these shows to the fans; production managers, lighting director, guitar technician etc. a total of more than one hour of special backstage interviews and impromptu footage.

The set-list, combining classic tracks from both Deep Purple and Rainbow, was exactly what the fans have requested most and will be found in this double CD package.

A few of the highlights are Spotlight Kid, I Surrender, Mistreated, Man on the Silver Mountain/ Woman from Tokyo, Perfect Strangers, Black Night and Smoke on the Water – each with Ritchie Blackmore's stellar performance on guitar and solos executed to perfection by the master. His brilliant fret work can never be duplicated and is clearly a highlight of each track of this double CD package.

This double CD will also include a brand new Rainbow song, "Waiting For A Sign". This is the first new Rainbow single released since 1996, featuring Ritchie Blackmore on guitar and Ronnie Romero on vocals.

The band line-up for this incredible show featured Ritchie Blackmore (Guitar); Ronnie Romero (Vocals); David Keith (Drums); Bob Nouveau (Bass); Jens Johanssen (Keyboards); Candice Night (Backing Vocals); Lady Lynn (Backing Vocals).

Disc 1
01. Over The Rainbow
02. Spotlight Kid
03. I Surrender
04. Mistreated
05. Since You've Been Gone
06. Man On The Silver Mountain/Woman From Tokyo
07. 16th Century Greensleeves
08. Soldier Of Fortune
09. Perfect Strangers
10. Difficult To Cure
11. All Night Long
12. Child In Time

Disc 2
01. Stargazer
02. Long Live Rock'n'Roll/Lazy
03. Catch The Rainbow
04. Black Night
05. Carry On Jon
06. Temple Of The King
07. Smoke On The Water
08. Waiting For A Sign

Disc 3
01. Ritchie Blackmore Interview
02. Ronnie Romero Interview
03. Jens Johansson Interview
04. Bob Nouveau Interview
05. David Keith Interview
06. Candice Night Interview
07. Lady Lynn Interview
08. Dave David Interview
09. Andreas Bock Interview
10. Michael Bockmühl Interview
11. Bonus Backstage Clip
12. I Surrender 2017 Backstage Clip

It is available for pre-order on Amazon now.

Released as a 2CD+DVD (cat. no. MHM 2018), vinyl (MHMLP 2018), and in digital format.

For more information on Ritchie Blackmore visit:
https://www.facebook.com/ritchieblackmore/
www.blackmoresnight.com.

NEWS: Deep Purple Vinyl collection to be released at end of January 2016

Universal Music Catalogue is releasing Deep Purple ‘The Vinyl Collection’ in January.

This seven LP collection features the groups’ albums spanning the period 1972-1987, re-mastered from the original tapes (including the first official re-masters of titles, Perfect Strangers and The House Of The Blue Light) pressed on 180gm vinyl, they come complete with original inserts within replica sleeves and are housed together in a sturdy, deluxe box.

Each album will also be made available as a stand-alone title.

This is from the press release - we hope most of you already know all this...

"Formed in Hertford, England in 1968, Deep Purple are widely considered, alongside Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, as pioneers of heavy metal and modern rock.

"Still active today, the group has survived many line-up changes over the years and have launched the careers of many high-ranking rock performers, including Ritchie Blackmore, David Coverdale and Ian Gillan."

The Vinyl Collection

• Machine Head
• Who Do We Think We Are
• Burn
• Stormbringer
• Come Taste the Band
• Perfect Strangers
• The House of the Blue Light

Deep Purple ‘The Vinyl Collection’ is available to pre-order here.

 

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Oh how remiss of a child in time...

LET'S face it...this blog that has been going for almost five years has missed as many reviews and comments about gigs as it has actually reviewed and commented upon. [And for those others who review gigs please remember the legalities associated with reviews!]

So it is almost a month after the event but here's a quick review of Deep Purple's appearance in Belfast....Twas rather good!

That quick enough for you?

But seriously...we rather think that Purps are pushing at the boundaries of way tooooooo past it. While they performed rather well, and laid out greatest hits set there was a slight (and only there for discerning listeners)  air of a 'pension tour' about the show.

Rationally we were there to have fun and we did - so much fun that we can't remember from the end of the set to waking the next morn with the riff off Black Night stuck like a nagging thought in the mind.

And, that, ultimately was what Deep Purple's Belfast show was about...a trip down memory lane (Knebworth was better) that rewarded long time fans but broke no new ground.

In contrast - despite

 the negative comments from some - Sweet Savage are adding new songs to their NWOBHM catalogue.

 

Still - despite all - it was Deep Purple in Belfast and that deserves a 'Hell Yeah!'

It may be the last time that they are capable of a proper tour with a semblance of s proper line-up, but at least they played Belfast in the final round-up.

Jamming at the Odyssey Arena...with Pearl Jam

Hot on the heels of the announcement of Deep Purple playing Custom House Square, which was hot on the heels of Metallica announcing two dates at the Odyssey, which was hot on the heels of Machine Head announcing a Market date in Belfast comes the news that Pearl Jam are to play the Odyssey on 23rd June...

2010 gonna be a busy year :)

Deepest June date for Purple

June 28th...Deep Purple, Belfast's Custom House Square....happy days!

Tickets are 38 notes, more details to follow as soon as we get them!

Deep Purple summer date....

WITH confirmation that Deep Purple will be playing the Marquee in Cork on June 30th coming today, news as to whether the Northern Ireland date trailed in the Daily Mirror a couple of weeks ago will actually happen is expected over next few days. There are still plenty of unfilled slots in the tour calendar with only a couple of dates in Russia confirmed in May prior to the Cork gig.

If it does happen it will be an outdoor date, much like the summer Quo gig at Carrick Castle, only on a larger scale. For those who may not have seen the Daily Mirror story or the reports here, it is being put out there that DP may be putting in appearance at either Portstewart Strand or an outdoor venue close to/in Belfast with Lynyrd Skynrd and Alice in Chains.

We can only but wait...fingers crossed etc. As soon as confirmation arrives I'll post here.

Deep Purple, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Alice in Chains for Portstewart?

TODAY'S Daily Mirror (NI Edition) claims that Deep Purple, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Alice in Chains are being lined up for a rock gods concert next year. Among the touted venues is Portstewart Strand.

Purple and Skynyrd toured together six years ago, and Alice in Chains first record since the death of Layne Staley has received much critical acclaim.

There have been at least two abortive attempts to bring Purple to NI over the past couple of years. The full story of which may come out in due course, but a DP appearance is long overdue, and has to happen before they become incapable of touring ever again.

Despite all of Ian Gillan's flaws (ask Ritchie Blackmore) his solo work pre and post the magnificent Bernie Tormé years) were the door into hard rock for me in the early 80s, so if this comes to pass it will be suitable to raise a glass to Gillan by the seaside!

No official word yet, but hopefully an announcement will come in due course!

The Ulster Hall is back

The Ulster Hall re-opened tonight (classics gig...and although I would have liked to hear the Rachmaninov piano piece and my school friend Nigel Ireland playing with the Orchestra, I declined as I have some good sense left!) with the promise of many great gigs for rock, punk and metal fans to come!.

Monday sees all sorts of bands clamber on to the historic steps. although only Therapy? or Ash may interest readers.

On March 16th Stiff Little Fingers return to the Bedford Street venue (and if you ain't seen SLF at the Ulster Hall you need to be there to find out what you've been missing!)

Rock and metal acts may also be playing around the Download dates.

But, it led me to thinking how many great acts played the Ulster Hall. And how many I personally attended - sober or drunk, solo or with mates.

Yeah, every punter knows about Led Zeppelin playing Stairway to Heaven live for the first time ever, but for me it was so much more than another venue with a legacy.

Metallica, Anthrax, Slayer, MSG, Whitesnake, Jethro Tull, SLF, Faith No More (back when Big Ugly Jim Martin was still in the band and they played War Pigs), Rory Gallagher, Budgie, Bernie Tormé and a host of others still form vivid memories. And then running back to get the last bus at City Hall, or trying to get through the security barriers before they closed for a 'black taxi' back home.

Great to see the Grand Dame back in operation...and a "certain Mr Gillan" to quote Bernie Tormé may grace the stage in November with his oh so deeply coloured trobaudours laying 'smoke' across the Lagan waters, and entrancing us with tales of strange women, women from Japan, some perfect people you haven't met yet, and some stars of the highway.