Gillan : Live At The Budokan

  Colin Towns - Keyboards, Vocals
  Ian Gillan - Vocals
  John Gustafson - Bass, Vocals
  Mark Nauseef - Percussion, Drums
  Ray Fenwick - Guitar, Vocals

As a solo artist, Ian Gillan had his share of fine moments in the studio, but it was on-stage where he was at his best -- a fact underscored by Live at the Budokan. First released as a two-LP set in 1982 and reissued on a single CD in the early '90s, Budokan boasts strong extended versions of Purple classics like 'Smoke on the Water,' 'Woman from Tokyo,' and the moody ballad 'Child in Time,' as well as some songs he'd recorded for his solo projects, including 'Clear Air Turbulence,' 'Money Lender,' and 'Over the Hill.' If you acquire only one of Gillan's post- Purple recordings, this would be the best choice. [The 2007 Edsel edition includes liner notes written by Gillan himself.] ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide

2007 digitally remastered CD reissue from the Deep Purple vocalist's solo years. Live At The Budokan was recorded at the famous Japanese sumo wrestling venue on September 22nd 1977 by the Ian Gillan Band: Ian Gillan (vocals), Ray Fenwick (guitar) John Gustafson (bass), Colin Towns (keyboards), and Mark Nauseef (drums). It was released in Japan in December 1977 in two volumes, but only released in the UK and Europe as a two LP set in July 1983. The first three sides of the original vinyl feature extended work-outs of songs from the IGB albums 'Clear Air Turbulence' and Scarabus'. The release closes with storming versions of three Deep Purple classics. 'Child In Time', 'Smoke On The Water', and 'Woman From Tokyo'. Edsel.