Search - Live in Edinburgh 1980 on DVD

GILLAN LIVE...whoda thunk it? But at what cost?

Jeffery S. Goldsmith | Long Island, NY | 04/20/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I can't give this disc 5 stars and I struggle to give it four.I am a huge Ian Gillan fan. I have every stupid thing he has lent his voice to. And being long past the age where I might've ever tried to scream and sing like him, I still do it in the privacy of my own car! The Extras, which are typical of Angel Air - rare gems, but poor quality video and sound - are nice to have. But this review hinges on the biography in the Extras. So, this video is an excellent addition to the Gillan catalogue. I kinda hoped it was concert footage and not filmed in a studio. Oh well. The picture quality is great and so are the songs. They showcase the band in a way ignored for so many years. However, I made the mistake of watching the biography first. I thought it would be a great intro to the show I was about to watch. It was very interesting to hear the history of the band, and sad to see what had become of Bernie Torme (unless he always had that very visible stutter). Then for the last 20 minutes of the biography, the trashing of Ian (and, I guess, management) takes place. And it doesn't end until the end of the hour long biog. The trashing has all to do with money, and most of the trashing is done by John McCoy, the bass player who brought us such poor quality Gillan CDs as Shinjuko 1978 - good show, but sounds like it was recorded under a coat in a toilet. McCoy is not alone in criticising Ian though, so he's not the only guilty party.I am aware that McCoy has been roundly criticised for offering the Gillan CDs up for release through Angel Air, and thoroughly surprised that Gillan, himself, would allow it. However, considering the complaints about Ian made during the biography and the releases McCoy is responsible for...maybe there is a connection? So, I watched this trashing of Ian Gillan before watching the show and it really watered down my appreciation for it. I'll have to see it again another time. Of course I will...I bought it. But, I urge you to watch the concert first! it is truly a mystery how a DVD revering the magic of a great and underrated band can include a mean criticism of the band leader. And for those who question this review - the criticism is not even, in my opinion, THINLY veiled. Its out there! So, buy yht DVD, rock out! and be ready to burn some people in effigy. Long Live GILLAN."

Worth having..short,, but very good. Great band!

herb | somewhere hopefully | 04/16/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was a bit leary of this DVD as the other "Angel Air" DVD of the great fusion-era lineup was weak. (Ian Gillan Band "Live at the Rainbow")This is a 30 minute tv concert, probably from the master or maybe one generation down. The performance is amazing, the quality very good, better than expected. The tune selection is not the best, as I was never into "If you believe me" or "Mutually Assured Destruction". But, who can argue with "Unchain your brain"! The interviews are great and feature all the members except Gillan himself, which is fitting, as I believe he stiffed them in terms of money. They fall short of accusing him of that, but they talk about it with great wonderment and frustration. Gillan was in great form around this time (1980) Way better than he is now. This band had an identity that was unique and I am glad I took the gamble on this DVD. Bernie Torme is great, and colin Towns is amazing..really underrated. Colin is a successful soundtrack composer these days. There is also a killer clip of the new 3-piece band with Bernie Torme and John McCoy, and an incredible drummer!!!Their new album is definitely worth looking forward to!There are 3 "other" tunes on this DVD aside from the 30 minute gig, but they are not worth mentioning as the quality is dubious to be kind. So, if you like this lineup, here's your chance to scoop the only 30 minute pro-shot gig by them. I am glad I picked this up. 4 stars due to the rarity of footage on this lineup and for the great perfomance."

A True Pleasure!!! As Is!!

JP | Macon, GA | 07/24/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've been listening to Deep Purple since I was 12 years old and Ian Gillan is my all time favorite singer so I was very excited indeed to get this DVD!! I'd followed him through his solo career and remember having to go to the "Big city" (Atlanta) to get his albums because they certainly didn't carry them in local record stores.

Was excited to hear he had joined Sabbath, and loved Born Again, but missed them when they came thru the south due to work. I finally saw my mainman on the Perfect Strangers tour in early 1985 and several times since (1st time I saw Purple was with Coverdale.) The only problem with that is I never got to see him solo so I've never seen Bernie Torme' and my favorite line-up of Ian's solo bands!

But, as much as I'd like to I just can't give this 5 stars because of what could have been. First, it's short; only 5 songs (Unchain your brain, Trouble, If you believe me, M.A.D., and No easy way) though the bonus video of "Sleeping on the job" sounds like the best version I've ever heard, too bad it's a bootleg.

Also, those of you familiar with the full version of M.A.D. from Double Trouble, and it's great guitar solo, don't look for it here. This one is like the single; ends after the vocals.

But, worst of all, the best track off the entire DVD, No Easy Way, fades out early and you have to watch the darn credits during the end to boot!! Producers who do this should be slapped!!

There's also a video and doc of Torme' & McCoy's new band, generic rock but Torme' scorches as usual and the drummer's pretty fun to watch. Pretty good that one!!

If you love Gillan as much as I do or if this was your favorite IGB lineup, or both, then you MUST have this. But oooohhh....what could have been!!!
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