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Words from Jon: more concerts, more Hammond

May 14, 2008

Hi everyone

Just a quick couple of things.

First and foremost, thank you all so much for the questions and the very kind and sometimes moving comments you have posted on the website. From people who have seen me play lately, from people who’ve not seen me for a while and from those who’ve never seen me at all - they are all gratefully recieved.

I’m happy that you are enjoying Durham Concerto, Boom of the Tingling Strings and Disguises. They, amongst other works, have occupied my time pretty much from the year in which I left the Purps.

Although I am still writing like a man possessed, I am now moving towards doing more live work - both with orchestras and also with a ‘Jon Lord Band’ project which will include more Hammond (+ second keys, guitar, bass, drums, percussion and a sing-ist), some new stuff, and one or two carefully selected songs from the past that I had a small part in writing!

I hope too that I will soon be able to answer some of your questions specifically - such as “When are you coming to such-and-such a place?” and so on. I will try to make my comments to the site a more regular thing too.

In the meantime, stay well and keep the music with you.

God bless
Jon

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Jon Lord - An open mind is the best gift a musician can have

May 5, 2008

In an interview with Metal Express Radio, Jon Lord speaks of the Durham Concerto, his plans for the future and goes over the high points of the past.

On the Durham Concerto CD:

- This is a studio recording that we made last July in Liverpool in the Philharmonic Hall. We had two and a half days up there to record that. It’s the same piece as you heard in the Cathedral but done under studio conditions so we were able to control the acoustics.

- I actually thought the Classic FM live recording was very good and captured the acoustics of the Cathedral but the CD is in a more acoustic controlled setting. I’m thrilled to bits with how it’s turned out.

Read the rest of this entry »

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Interview: “Music that changed me”

April 16, 2008

BBC Music Magazine has a back page feature called “Music that changed me”. In their May issue, out now, Jon Lord is interviewed about music that changed him.

Thanks to David Meadows and Nigel Young.

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Gemini Suite to be released on CD

April 11, 2008

Purple Records have announced the release of Jon Lord’s Gemini Suite original studio album on CD.

In addition to a regular jewel case version, there will be a limited edition in a gatefold digipak case, with a selection of three different covers reproducing the rare American covers.

The CD is scheduled for release in late May and can be pre-ordered from DPAS mail order.

See more details on the release.

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Interview: Jon Lord’s return to Zermatt

April 10, 2008

Jon Lord and Zermatt have a long history together, and promoting last night’s performance at Zermatt Unplugged, Lord speaks to Zermatt.ch about his first visit there 36 years ago:

- I first visited the village in December 1971 and fell in love with it on the spot. Since then, I come back at least two or three times every year, mostly in winter to ski, but now and again in summer too for hiking. We have even had a small flat here for the last eight years. Read the rest of this entry »

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Jon Lord live in Zermatt tonight

April 9, 2008

Jon Lord live in ZermattJon Lord will be performing with the Gemini Band tonight in Zermatt, Switzerland.

If you are going to the show, please feel free to post your own review below in the comments.

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Durham Concerto in Liverpool, reviewed

April 8, 2008

Jon Lord appeared with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra for another performance of the Durham Concerto on April 5 in Liverpool (Philharmonic Hall). Read the reviews below in the comments and feel free to contribute your own review of the concert.

The Durham Concerto was released on CD on January 28th (Avie Records).

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Jon Lord descends on Planet Rock

April 4, 2008

To coincide with his performance of the Durham Concerto at Liverpool this Saturday, Jon Lord is featured on Planet Rock radio’s My Planet Rock series.

He will pick his favourite tracks of all time, explain why he ended up on the organ and name his favourite guitarist - among other things.

You can listen live online Saturday April 5 at 6pm - or (if you’re going to the show in Liverpool) the following Tuesday.

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Boom, the memories disguised within

March 29, 2008

Jon Lord’s new CD, Boom of the Tingling Strings, has now hit the streets. In the film Jon Lord explains the background to his new album:

You can also listen to EMI’ Classic’s 19-minute podcast-special on the album.

Read the rest of this entry »

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Review: Deep Purple fusion stands the test of time

March 27, 2008

Adelaide Now reviews Jon Lord’s first performance with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (March 27):

‘The concerto, lost for almost 30 years, occupied the first half of the program and truly set a new benchmark for the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra’s rock crossover programming.

While it bears a few quirky hallmarks of its era, for the most part Lord’s epic three-movement composition not only stands the test of time, but shines as a successful – and ground-breaking – fusion of rock and symphony.’

Read the full review.