Ian Gillan Band – Live at the Budokan (Demon Records Vinyl Reissue)
Hi, Phil Aston here from Now Spinning Magazine — and this time, we’re heading back to one of the most misunderstood but musically fascinating chapters in Ian Gillan’s career: the Ian Gillan Band and their live album Live at the Budokan, newly reissued on vinyl by Demon Records as part of National Album Day.
A Classic Live Album Finds Its Way Home
Originally recorded in Japan in 1977, Live at the Budokan was a rarity for decades. If you lived in the UK at the time, you’d have struggled to find a copy — it was released only in Japan and Australia, eventually surfacing as a Virgin double album and later on CD. For many fans, this live recording became a cult treasure, a whispered legend among those who’d followed Gillan’s post-Deep Purple journey.
Demon Records have now brought it back, beautifully pressed on fluorescent orange vinyl and housed in a faithful gatefold sleeve that mirrors the original Japanese release. Mastered by Phil Kinrade at Air Mastering with design by Hugh Gilmour, this reissue sits perfectly alongside the label’s recent Gillan box set — and finally gives the Ian Gillan Band their long-overdue moment in the spotlight.
The Jazz-Rock Side of Gillan
After Deep Purple split in 1976, all its members went their separate ways — Blackmore with Rainbow, Coverdale building Whitesnake, Lord and Paice teaming up with Tony Ashton, and Gillan embarking on something completely different. His first album Child in Time hinted at what was to come, but it was with Clear Air Turbulence that he truly took flight.
This band was built on musicianship:
Colin Towns – keyboards, compositions, musical direction
Ray Fenwick – guitar (and later with Gary Moore’s G-Force)
Mark Nauseef – drums
John Gustafson – bass and vocals
Together they created a sound closer to jazz-fusion than hard rock — adventurous, complex, and full of life. Gillan’s voice soared above it all, a reminder that he was always more than just a scream; he was a fearless musical explorer.
This performance captures the Ian Gillan Band at their peak. Tracks like “Clear Air Turbulence,” “Money Lender,” “Over the Hill,” and “Goodhand Liza” show just how tight and inventive this line-up was.
There’s also a stunning, reimagined “Child in Time”, far removed from the Purple original — laid back, soulful, and featuring a beautifully melodic solo from Ray Fenwick that feels as emotional as Steve Morse’s playing decades later.
And then there’s that version of “Smoke on the Water” — funky, jazzy, unexpected, and entirely their own. At the time, it shocked audiences, but today it stands as a bold reinvention that shows how free and inventive this band really were.
This new pressing looks stunning — bright orange vinyl, sharp artwork, and a solid reproduction of the original inserts. I compared it to my Australian and Japanese copies, and to my ears, it sounds the same: dynamic, punchy, and faithful to the energy of the performance.
The only odd choice is the front sleeve, which omits Gillan’s image — the Japanese original felt more direct and striking. But that’s a minor quibble. The overall presentation is top-notch and it’s fantastic to have this back in print.
For many of us who saw the Ian Gillan Band live — I saw them several times at the Birmingham Odeon — this period holds a special place. The crowds got smaller as the rock audience turned toward heavier sounds, but those who were there witnessed something unique: a master vocalist surrounded by world-class players, pushing musical boundaries.
It’s wonderful to see this album available again. If you already own it, you don’t need another copy — but if you’ve never heard it, this is the perfect way to discover a side of Gillan that deserves far more recognition.
As always, music is the healer and the doctor.
Keep spinning those discs, and I’ll talk to you very soon.
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
