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.

Jon Lord - Windows (1974)

Genre: Jon Lord Music
Format: ape + cue + log
Released: 1974
Label: Purple Records

1. Continuo on B.A.C.H

2. Window - 1st Movement - Renga

3. Window - 2nd Movement - Gemini

4. Window - 3rd Movement - Alla Marcia Allegro

Glenn Hughes

-- Bass and vocals

JON LORD

-- Keyboards

Tony Ashton

-- Vocals

David Coverdale

-- Vocals

Pete York

-- Drums

Ray Fenwick

-- Guitar

Orchestra Opera conducted by Eberhard Schoener

Review by purple records

"Windows" was Jon's fourth experiment at merging elements of rock and classical music, and was recorded live during June 1974. Jon had been asked by German festival organisers to perform a special concert in Munich, and got together with conductor Eberhard Schoener to compose a new piece especially for the evening. In fact, two works were performed. WINDOW comprised three movements, including a reworked section from his earlier album GEMINI SUITE. The second piece, CONTINUO ON BACH, saw Jon and Eberhard having his stab at finishing a composition which had been left uncompleted upon Bach's death. The piece had been put together for a German show the previous year, but this was the first time it had been recorded.

The Munich Chamber Opera Orchestra performed alongside Jon Lord, fellow Deep Purple players David Coverdale (vocals) and Glenn Hughes (bass), and a host of rock luminaries including Ray Fenwick, Pete York, Tony Ashton, and others - with Eberhard Schoener on moog.

Windows is at times a demanding listen, but the ever-changing musical textures, and the sheer quality of the performances, have delighted and intrigued listeners for twenty five years now.

The original gatefold album was deleted back in the late seventies, and is now a very collectable artifact. This exclusive 25th anniversary reissue will be welcomed by fans everywhere, especially in the UK where it has never been issued on CD. The CD has been cut from the original quarter inch Abbey Road masters for the best possible sound quality while the 12 page colour booklet carries detailed notes, plus contemporary cuttings and memorabilia.

Jon Lord - Gemini Suite (1971)

Genre: Symphonic Rock
Format: ape + cue + log
Released: 1971
Label: Line Records

01. Guitar

02. Piano

03. Drums

04. Vocals

05. Bass

06.Organ

After the cold reception of his first orchestral release, Jon Lord wisely decided to disassociate such work from the Deep Purple name -- even though the lineup here is largely the same. Those who enjoyed "Concerto for Group and Orchestra" will find even more to love here, while the many Deep Purple fans who didn't care for "Concerto" will probably remain unimpressed. Still, even though "Concerto" saw listeners suffering through orchestral noodling for a few minutes of ass-kicking rock, this time around the band and orchestra are better integrated. The first movement contains an eminently sample-worthy bit of ice-cool jazz in a drum roll and walking bassline by Paice and Glover before descending into brittle percussive piano soloing, while the third movement has some wonderfully dissonant bass soloing over the brass and percussion sections by Glover. And in a goofy but appropriate period touch, the London Symphony Orchestra members are listed by their astrological signs, rather than by "woodwinds" or "strings."

Review by Paul Collins