Ian Gillan Band – Down The Road: The Complete Ian Gillan Band Story (8CD Box Set Review)
There are certain chapters in rock history that deserve to be revisited with fresh ears and proper care. The Ian Gillan Band era is one of them.
With the new 8CD box set Down The Road: The Complete Ian Gillan Band Story from Demon Records, this fascinating period between Deep Purple and the later Gillan band is finally given the attention it deserves.
As someone who saw the band live during that era, this set isn’t just another reissue to me — it’s a powerful reminder of how adventurous and underrated this phase of Ian Gillan’s career truly was.
A Thoughtful Package for Collectors
Visually, the set follows the design of the earlier Gillan 1978–1982 box set, meaning it will sit neatly alongside it on the shelf. For collectors of Ian Gillan’s work, that continuity is a nice touch.
Inside, the CDs are housed in fold-out panels that replicate the original album artwork wherever possible, including gatefold designs and period imagery. The discs slide out from the top of the sleeves — a small improvement that makes them easier to remove compared with the earlier Gillan box.
The booklet is particularly well done, featuring:
- A detailed essay by Rich Davenport
- Rare photographs
- Japanese tour posters from 1977
- Press ads and memorabilia
- Archival band images
Mastering duties are handled by Phil Kinrade at Air Mastering, and that becomes very important when we start talking about the sound.
The only minor criticism? The outer slipcase is a little flimsy. Demon have moved toward sturdier card in some recent sets, but this one uses the lighter design seen on earlier releases.
That said — for around £35, it’s still tremendous value.
The Albums That Started It All
The core Ian Gillan Band albums are all present:
- Child in Time
- Clear Air Turbulence
- Scarabus
These records represent a bold stylistic shift from the hard rock Gillan had been associated with in Deep Purple. The band leaned heavily into jazz fusion and progressive jazz-rock, with outstanding musicianship throughout.
The lineup itself was remarkable:
- Ian Gillan – vocals
- Colin Towns – keyboards
- Ray Fenwick – guitar
- John Gustafson – bass
- Mark Nauseef – drums
This was not simply a backing band for Gillan. It was a truly adventurous musical unit.
The result? Jazz-fusion driven rock — but with Ian Gillan’s unmistakable voice front and centre.
Clear Air Turbulence – A Forgotten Classic
If there’s one album that defines this era, it’s Clear Air Turbulence.
For me, it remains one of the most underrated jazz-rock albums ever made in the UK.
The dynamics across the record are remarkable — shifting between delicate fusion passages and explosive rock moments. And Gillan’s vocals are extraordinary throughout.
Just listen to “Five Moons” and tell me that isn’t one of the greatest vocal performances of his career.
To test the remastering, I focused on “Over the Hill.”
John Gustafson’s bass playing on this album is phenomenal — almost Stanley Clarke-like in its approach — and the remaster really brings that to life. The clarity, punch and detail are a huge step forward from previous editions.
Quite simply:
These albums have never sounded better.
The Bonus Material
This set goes far beyond the studio albums.
Highlights include:
Studio Demos
Previously unheard demos such as:
- My Baby Loves Me
- Down the Road
- Finale
- Child in Time
Some earlier bonus material appeared on RPM releases in the 1990s, but much here feels genuinely fresh.
The Rockfield Mixes
The Rockfield mixes of Clear Air Turbulence are also included.
These mixes were created after the band reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the original mix. Personally, I still prefer the original version, but it’s fascinating to hear this alternate take.
There’s also the additional track “This Is the Way”, though it feels more like a playful studio jam than part of the album proper.
Scarabus Rarities
Another disc contains:
- backing tracks
- demos
- studio outtakes
These provide a fascinating insight into how the band developed their material.
Live Recordings
The live material is a real highlight of the set.
Live at the Budokan finally appears in a comprehensive edition, while Live at the Rainbow — once only available on VHS — now gets a long-overdue CD release.
The Rainbow performance includes:
- Clear Air Turbulence
- Money Lender
- Child in Time
- Smoke on the Water
- Woman From Tokyo
Hearing Gillan tackle those songs with the jazz-fusion band behind him is electrifying.
Hiroshima 1977
The final disc captures the band live in Hiroshima, 1977.
The recording originates from a bootleg source, and the booklet openly acknowledges the limitations of the original tapes. But while the audio isn’t pristine, the performance itself is exciting and historically valuable.
Interestingly, Gillan is surprisingly chatty between songs — something fans today might find amusing given how little he speaks during modern concerts.
A Personal Memory
I saw the Ian Gillan Band several times at Birmingham Odeon during this period.
The reaction from audiences could be mixed. Some fans came expecting straight hard rock and were surprised by the jazz direction.
But musically? The band were phenomenal.
Ray Fenwick’s guitar playing alone was worth the ticket price — blistering solos delivered on a Yamaha SG while standing right at the edge of the stage.
Those shows remain some of the most exciting gigs I ever witnessed.
If you’ve never explored the Ian Gillan Band before, this set is the perfect place to start.
