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The
GILLAN Japanese album captured the band at the very moment of
their inception, and remains one of their best recordings. Released
only in Japan, it nevertheless set the stage for Gillan's worldwide
success during the early eighties.
After
a break following his departure from Deep Purple, Ian ventured
back with an off-the-wall offering CHILD IN TIME recorded by his
new group, the IAN GILLAN BAND. IGB signed to Island Records,
who released the second LP CLEAR AIR TURBULENCE in 1977, a complex
jazz-rock offering which has its fans, but which proved heavy
going for many people. The third album, SCARABUS, showcased shorter,
more conventional material but as sessions started for a follow-up,
it became clear that the line-up wasn't gelling fully.
 Inspired
by FIGHTING MAN, a demo song written by keyboard player Colin
Towns, Ian decided a fresh start was needed. He and Colin set
about getting a new band together. Drummer Liam Genocky joined
and suggested John McCoy for bass. On lead guitar they brought
in Richard Brampton - soon replaced by Steve Byrd.
The
revitalised line-up, now known as plain old GILLAN, were back
in action in August 78 at the Reading festival. Genocky had to
leave after the show, and was replaced by Pete Barnacle. The new
album was promised for September 1978, but because of the interest
the band had generated in Japan with their two earlier IGB live
albums, it was decided to issue the LP there first.
Confusingly
titled just GILLAN it was an impressive piece of work. Ian Gillan
had really turned the corner. Overjoyed to be back in the midst
of it all, he'd ended up with a powerful band, while the material
was fierce, heavy, and well performed. It remains one of the best
albums he's ever worked on. Japanese imports did brisk business,
but a UK deal was slow to follow. Meanwhile they needed a follow-up
for Japan and in March the group began a new album. In the process
Byrd and Baranacle left, and in came Mick Underwood on drums and
Bernie Torme on guitar. With a new line-up, it was decided to
shelve all earlier recordings and start from scratch, retaping
a few older tracks with Torme and Underwood and writing new material
as well. The new album MR. UNIVERSE was released in Britain in
October '79, but as it included some tracks rerecorded off the
GILLAN album, they had to record four more new songs for the Japanese
edition of Mr. UNIVERSE!
The
GILLAN album was now seen as history and all thought of putting
it out was dropped. Far from being forgotten though, it became
something of a yardstick by which subsequent albums were judged
amongst the fans. It first appeared on CD in 1993 on RPM. Deleted
for some time, the material has now been reissued on the new Purple
Record label (please note if you have the RPM edition, this new
edition differs only in the packaging).
The
original album is included here in full, except for the instrumental
opener which - as it turned up later in the UK - is replaced by
another Japan only offering. Two of the extra Japanese MR. UNIVERSE
songs were later issued in the UK on singles. The other two (MOVE
WITH THE TIMES and the aforementioned instrumental STREET THEATRE)
are included on this CD. The alternate version of VENGEANCE here
was recorded along with the rest of the GILLAN album in 1978 but
never released, while the unissued version of SLEEPING ON THE
JOB was taped for a never issued single. The reasons behind the
alternate version of ROLLER are long forgotten.
The
12 page colour booklet featured detailed notes on the album and
the band, with rare pictures. The original album cover is reproduced
inside, while the new CD front features a shot of Ian himself
holding the album up.
'Gillan'
can be ordered from the dpas
online store.
purple
records catalogue
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