Ian Gillan - Live In Anaheim

Gillan’s Inn top form in 2006 live show

Many have maintained that Gillan’s best work and vocal performances have been outside of Deep Purple and that he can still cut it on stage. If you want the proof, just listen to this.

Recorded at the House Of Blues shortly after the release of Gillan’s Inn, to a rapturous crowd too, this is the perfect rock set. Kicking off with Second Sight, we then get the solo No Laughing In Heaven, bluesier and heavier than the original, making up for the lack of fire in the guitar. Hang Me Out To Dry makes a welcome appearance, showing the strength of Gillan’s later solo work.

Some of the said solo work, new and old, mixes well with Deep Purple songs, a few which were rarely performed by Purple themselves, including Knocking At Your Back Door, Into The Fire and When A Blind Man Cries. For some blistering metal with Gillan at his best, check out Unchain Your Brain. Trouble is a stand-out cover, while, of course, no set would be complete without Smoke On The Water. The perfect live set for Purple fans, and a whole lot more. Outstanding.

Edel | 0187732 ERE (2-CD)

Reviewed by Joe Geesin
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