Gillan - 'Live Tokyo 23rd October 1978' (Angel Air)
Mike Reed | USA | 08/31/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"After Deep Purple split up in the later '70's and other members had went on to form Whitesnake and Rainbow,I've always wondered what Ian Gillan did.This disc answers my question.Overall,'Live Tokyo...' is a really good archive recording of the band's mini-tour of Japan.In fact,I'll say it's NEARLY comparable to a live Deep Purple show,to a degree.Mostly due to Gillan's trademark vocals contributes to much of the appeal of this release.I liked the blistering opener "I'm Your Man","Abbey Of Thelema"(could've EASILY been a Purple tune),"Flute On",their power ballad "Fighting Man" and "Tokyo Flight".Is it just me or does this CD rock?Angel Air,a classy UK label has released this recording for the first time ANYWHERE.It was pulled from bassist John McCoy's own private stash.Gillan performs two Purple cuts for old time's sake,"Child In Time" and "Smoke On The Water".Included is a twelve-page booklet with well written liner notes and good to have memorabilia."