IAN GILLAN SAYS ‘IT’S ABOUT TIME’ FOR DEEP PURPLE TO BEGIN WORK ON NEW ALBUM
DEEP PURPLE, one of Britain’s foremost hard rock bands, took part in a press conference yesterday (Tuesday, February 22) in Mexico City ahead of the group’s short tour of Mexico.
When asked if there are any plans for DEEP PURPLE to record a new studio album soon, the band’s vocalist, Ian Gillan, replied, “I guess it’s about time, isn’t it?! So we’re gonna get together and have a writing session quite soon. And if we get excited, then we’ll probably have another [album finished and ready for release] shortly after that. We’ll see how it goes. But there’s no plans. But I think we’re getting poked by various connections who would like to see another DEEP PURPLE record. So I think it’s about time.”
Two separate Mexican TV reports featuring footage from the press conference can be viewed below.
DEEP PURPLE released a live album last year called “Space Truckin’ Round the World Live 68-76”. The two-disc set features rare live recordings from various concerts all over the world, including gigs in Tokyo, Paris and San Diego. The compilation, which features multiple band lineups, also features a detailed history of the group, individual concert details and photos. It was released as part of the 10th anniversary of Purple Records — the label that handles the band’s music.
DEEP PURPLE’s 18th studio album, “Rapture of the Deep”, was released in November 2005. It is the fourth studio CD from DEEP PURPLE since guitarist Steve Morse joined the band in 1994. It was also the second album to feature veteran keyboardist Don Airey.
“Rapture of the Deep” was produced by Mike Bradford, who also worked on the band’s previous release, 2003’s “Bananas”.
Junkman of Vintage Rock conducted an interview with Steve Morse at the Engl booth at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California during the 2011 NAMM (National Association Of Music Merchants) show, a massive music-products convention that runs through Sunday. You can now watch the chat here.