Customer Reviews

Ian Gillan: Gillan's Inn

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
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Ian Gillan is someone I've known for a long time having sung on numerous Deep Purple albums, as well as his connection with Black Sabbath. However, I've never gotten any of his solo or "Gillan" albums. No particular reason, it's not like I had a dislike for them, I just never got any.

Last year (2005), I got word that Ian was putting out a new solo album entitled "Gillan's Inn". What's intersting about this is that it was created to honor his 40th anniversary as a recording artist, so the songs on here aren't just all new material. There's covers from his past. There's a few Deep Purple tracks on here, but what's most interesting to me as a Sabbath fan is the inclusion of the track "Trashed". This is from the Born Again album that Ian recorded with Black Sabbath - an album that gets largely ignored now. Tony Iommi came in and played guitar on this track, so it was nice to see it revisited.

The rest of the album is pretty cool too. Since it's Ian it sorta sounds like Purple (what with the same voice and all), but the music isn't as "Purply", despite the appearances of the rest of Purple's band members in places. No particular track stands out, it's pretty consistant to me.

This is one of those DualDiscs - which I've railed on in the past. However, this one is by far the best I've ever gotten. First off, all the previous DualDiscs didn't play in the CD players in my home theatre system, or in my truck, so that's a strike against them. This one did. I don't know why - you would THINK they would all be made the same way, but obviously not. Secondly, the content on the back of this disc is extremely good. Normally it's a couple of music video,s a 5.1 mix of the album, mabe a picture or two, and that's it. This one has all of that, and then it goes into discographies, lyrics, commentaries by Ian on the tracks, etc, etc, etc. This is by far the most superior DualDisc additional materials I've ever seen.

If you're a fan of Deep Purple or Black Sabbath, then you should definitely check this out. Very highly recommended.

Ian Gillan is certainly the finest male vocalist of all time. He is also an excellent songwriter. His talent is really showcased with Gillan's Inn. Ian's collaboration with Steve Morse, Joe Satriani, Jeff Healy, Jon Lord, and many notable others compliments his blues and rock songwriting. He and his friends have created one of the best rock and blues recordings I have heard in years. Ian Gillan's vocals are incredible as always. This CD is very powerful and provocative - not for the weak of heart. Crank it up and enjoy!

For any fan of ballsy rock, this is a must have CD. Gillan's voice is in great form, and at the age of 60, it's incredible that he can still hit the notes that he does.
The lineup on this album is a who's who of musicians. All of them have had staying power in rock.
The DVD side is wonderful. He even includes bootleg footage of Deep Purple. And, being able to select your own version of Smoke on the Water is great.
Since I was lucky enough to sing background on Smoke on the Water for this album, I might be biased. Or, maybe not...:)

This is one of the most surprising cds I have ever bought. I went to see Ian Gillan this past summer and picked it up before the show. I was completely blown away by the performance. I have seen Gillan perform both as the singer for Black Sabbath and for Deep Purple. I always liked the Purple shows and have always enjoyed his voice. The show was incredible and his voice sounded perfect. I have to admit not being familiar with his solo stuff, which I now know, was a big mistake on my part. After seeing the show, I was psyched to listen to the CD. After doing so, I was even more impressed. This guy writes some great songs. Day Late and A Dollar Short, Sugar Plum, and No Laughing in Heaven are songs that are crafty, well written, and incredibly catchy. So not only does this front as a best of Ian Gillan cd, it has a guest list that is off the charts. Joe Satriani, Tony Iommi, Steve Morse, Ronnie James Dio, Jeff Healey, Jon Lord, Joe Elliot, Uli Jon Roth, and there are more!!! Michael Lee Jackson is a great guitarist and after hearing him on this cd, Im looking for his stuff.....he really knows how to play this genre. If you are a Deep Purple fan, like Gillan's voice, or like anything offered by any of the guests on this album, I guarantee you will not regret picking this up.

I bought the Ian Gillan album as a Deep Purrple fan thinking it was a CD and then I realized afterwards that it had a whole DVD side. It's probably the best record I've bought since I was sixteen. Not only does the music completely kick ass but I got video's, hand-written lyrics, photos, Ian talking about stuff ..... Who'd have known that the record labels have finally figured out how to give us back the LP cover but on steroids. For once I'm really happy with what I bought.

So much of music today is by idiots and posers...all this emo and screamo & James . I was never a big Deep Purple fan but got turned onto this disc from a friend. It sounds incredible. It rocks really hard and it restores my faith in great rock n' roll that a guy like Ian Gillan is still plugging away and keeping it real. These are great songs, performed with a great deal of grit and soul, and it's even cool hearing the reworking of Smoke on the Water with the embellished percussion. Kudos Ian!

Gillan has a voice that has to be heard to be believed. Buy this CD and hear for yourself!

I love most of the songs.....Only two songs I don't care for. 1) Trashed is much , much , much - better on Born Again ( Black Sabbath ).And 2) the last song (extra track); well , my opinion it does NOT NEED TO BE ON THE ALBUM .All the other songs rock. Extra dvd side is a must have if your a fan of Gillan's work.There is so much on it . 5.1 sound mix , Slide show , Bio. , Band ----- you name it ; Extra stuff is here.

What a great album!

Ian Gillan the elder statesman of Rock, the voice of Jesus, on the original Jesus Christ Superstar and of course, sings for the legendary Deep Purple. Between Gillan's solo career and Purple, he has sold over 120 million albums. He has inspired generations of singers. Pavoritta called Gillan a genius and Pink Floyd's David Gilmour recently said, "As long as Gillan is singing, rock and roll is not dead".

So, after 40 years in the biz, how do you celebrate it? Well, you have a big party, invite some friends along and start jamming out some of your finest songs. The most obvious thing that struck me with this dual disc is the all-star cast, everyone from Joe Satriani to Jeff Healey to Ronnie James Dio to Tony Iommi and the list goes on. This could have easily been released as a greatest hits album with various productions over the course of 40 years, but of course, Gillan did not!

"Gillan's Inn" is an IN YOUR FACE rock album with an hour of great songs! One can really appreciate how crisp Ian's vocals are on the screamers, and on all the terrific songs from his solo career. Gillan and company more than do justice, adding twists on the originals with better production. One reason this project is so vital as a retrospective is that Ian Gillan's solo career was unnoticed in the States, due to the lack of promotion, even though he had great success elsewhere else.

The album starts off with a one-two punch, "Unchain Your Brain" & "Bluesy Blue Sea," and the first thing that I noticed was the sheer power. Pay no attention to the Amazon samples for production value. The instruments sound great and Gillan's voice is right on the money. The next pair, "A Day Late And A Dollar Short" & "Hang Me Out To Dry" are a couple of re-workings from the 1990's. The keyboards supply a lush background, and aid the songs well. Then comes "Men Of War," one of the great songs from the Double Trouble sessions, and once again this is a definite highlight. The vocals are simply amazing!

Then it's a cool version of Deep Purple's "When A Blind Man Cries." This features Jeff Healey and former Deep Purple keyboardist Jon Lord. A very moving performance. That's followed by "Sugar Plum," another song from "Dreamcatcher," and this is a huge improvement, grooving along with Purple bassist Roger Glover and drummer Ian Paice giving it a significant lift. Next up, is the great opener from Black Sabbath's 1983 "Born Again" lp, when Gillan took over the vocal duties. Tony Iommi guests on guitar with Glover and Paice again in the rhythm section department, a rockin' performance overall. Now it's the only brand new song, "No Worries," kind of a laid back nice groovin' mantra thing.

We'll who needs another "Smoke On The Water" recording, but it is a really good version. Plus, on the DVD side you can swap lead guitarists if you`d like. Anyway, back to the early 1980's with "No Laughing In Heaven," it's close to the original, but with more volume. Then, onto 1970's "Deep Purple in Rock" classic opener "Speed King," with Joe Satriani on guitar. Wow, that's what a call Rock 'n' Roll.

Then it's a welcome appearance from the "Naked Thunder" album of 1990, it's the beautiful balled "Loving On Borrowed Time," a very pleasant reworking that goes through a plethora of emotions. Lastly, as the bar tender would say, "last call" Gillan stumbles across Joe Elliot and they do an Everly Brothers take on old Bob Dylan's "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight." It's a song Ian did some 40 years ago with his first band The Javelins.

Luckily every one of the recordings bring something fresh to the table; a new perspective.

The DVD side of this dual disc is a treasure trove of gems for even the most jaded Gillan/Purple fan. It takes the viewer into the studios to see how such an album was made bit by bit, it is pioneering. Plus, the features, interviews and commentary provide plenty of insight into the career of Ian Gillan. There's also a great bonus track called "Demon's Eye" and a nice extra called "choose your guitarist" Smoke On The Water. A great idea. Anyway, the menus are presented using imagery and sounds fitting for a pub type theme. I should stop right there, and let you discover this stuff for yourself.

To sum up, this album most certainly does not disappoint with all the great performances and behind the scenes footage of all these rock icons working together. "Gillan's Inn" has something for every rock fan to treasure.

A magnificent moment captured for all time. Thanks Ian.

This dual disk is billed as a career retrospective. What a career, and what a dual disk!!!

Not too long after the release of the latest Deep Purple ("Rapture of the Deep", which kicks some serious ass)
comes "Gillan's Inn".

Ian Gillan is one of those few rock vocalists who, over the years, has always belted blues-style for hard rock in a manner that never lacked in power, soul, sweetness, originalilty, and conviction... And he doesn't disappoint on this disk either.

The CD side is audio dynamite and the DVD side is a well-crafted companion giving much insight to the making of the audio.

I found the highlight of the CD side to be "No Laughing In Heaven". Any concern that the years may not have treated IG's voice favorably can be immediately put to rest on this track alone, as his range & trademark yelps are all on display.

The highlights (to me) of the DVD are (of course) watching Ian sing, guitar solos by Joe Satriani & Jeff Healey, Roger Glover doing a bass track, and THE electric violin solo (WHICH IS NOT TO BE MISSED).

I only have 2 small criticisms of this disk. My exuberance over seeing that "Trashed" from the Ian-fronted BORN AGAIN album by Black Sabbath was included led me to believe I would finally get to hear a much better produced version of the monster song... And it just doesn't pack the same punch. Lastly, I would have liked to see a new version of "Mutually Assured Distruction" just because I love the song and think of it as a signature Gillan solo tune. I guess I'll just have to live with the original... (NO problem there!)