Jon Lord - Sarabande 1976

Format: APE (image + .cue + log)

Genre: Symphonic Rock

Release Date: 1983

Label: Line Records

Notes

Recorded between 3rd and 6th September 1975 at the Stadt Halle
Oererckenschwick near Dusseldorf with the Dieter Dierks Mobile Recording Studio
using AGFA P.E.M. 408 master tape.
Engineered by Martin Birch (The WASP).
Remixed by Martin Birch at Musicland Studios (Munich), assisted by Hans Menzel.
Mastered at Kendun Recorders in Burbank CA.
Produced by Jon Lord and Martin Birch.

Jon Lord - keyboards

Paul Karass - bass

Mark Nauseef - percussion

Andy Sommers - guitar

Pete York - drums

and the Philharmonia Hungarica conducted by EBERHARD SCHOENER

Review from purplerecords

Founder member of Deep Purple, keyboard player Jon Lord needs little introduction to rock audiences. Yet classical music had been a huge part of his musical education, and echoes of his love for the genre imbued the early Deep Purple albums. His interest was then channeled into a series of classical/rock experiments which lasted throughout the seventies.

Jon Lord based his material on a set of dance suites, interpreted with a string orchestra and modern rock instrumentation. His own keyboard playing was stunning, ranging from gentle piano work to heavy Hammond organ riffs. The guitar was played by Andy Summers, just prior to his joining The Police.

A crash of orchestra and cymbals opens this huge work. The title piece is strong, with a cool bass line and Lord's infectious synth, built up with masses of horns, strings, and percussion shifting from Latin moves and sweeping winds to jazzy and romantic encounters. This is *orchestral* rock more than it is *symphonic*, and the record is bold even for 1976.

In the 11-minute 'Guige' we hear remnants of Dave Brubeck's proto-fusion and even Bo Hansson's distant impact, as instruments talk to each other in spirited conversation. The second half grooves smoothly into hip street rhythms, Arabian sand storms, Eastern treasure and T.E. Lawrence. 'Caprice' is first-rate syn-phonic rock sewn into a fascinating quilt of opera, pomp and circumstance and is benefitted by Eberhard Schoener's firm conducting.

Unfortunately, at the time it was released, the album went mostly unnoticed in the storm of Deep Purple's 1976 tour and their split.