Great Rock Albums of 1981: Gillan- Double Trouble

Not content with putting out one great album in 1981, Ian Gillan and his band went out and released another one. "Double Trouble" was the follow up to the fantastic "Future Shock" album they released earlier in the year. What was different about "Double Trouble" was that it featured two LP's, one was studio recordings and the second disc was all live recordings. It is also the first album with future Iron Maiden guitarist Janick Gers as Bernie Torme was fired from the band when he did not want to participate in the playback TV performance of "No Laughing At Heaven" on "Top of the Pops."

When you visit two albums that were recorded by the same band in a short time frame, it is very difficult not to compare and contrast the two. Therefore, I have to admit that of the two, I would say that "Future Shock" edges out "Double Trouble." That said, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the latter album. It does go back to the more progressive sound of "Glory Road" but there's nothing wrong with that and there is still some shining hard rock moments on it. "Sunbeam" comes to mind here. Furthermore, the live recordings of some of the past songs are excellently done and give me the regret of never having seen them live. "No Easy Way" is a good example of this. One thing I can say is that while there are many studio/live albums out there, "Double Trouble" is NOT one of those were the artist just thinks, "I'll just throw in some live tracks here." The live tracks are well preformed and the live LP is very well thought out. Full marks here for the entire album.

Tack Listing:

Studio LP

1. I'll Rip Your Spine Out

2. Restless

3. Men of War

4. Sunbeam

5. Nightmare

6. Hadley Bop Bop

7. Life Goes On

8. Born to Kill

Live LP

1. No Laughing at Heaven

2. No Easy Way

3. Trouble

4. Mutually Assured Destruction

5. If You Believe Me

6. New Orleans

[caption id="attachment_2219" align="aligncenter" width="222"] Gillan (from this album)[/caption]

Ian Gillan- vocals

Janick Gers- guitars

Colin Towns- keyboards

John McCoy- bass

Mick Underwood- drums

Usually YouTube is very good at allowing me to listen to albums I never got the chance to back in the day, like all of the Gillan albums I've covered so far. This time, it was a bit of a struggle. YouTube wouldn't play tracks, "I'll Rip Your Spine Out" and "Nightmare" so I can only speculate they were as good as the rest of the songs here. Whatever the case, with two great albums in the same year, Gillan must have been riding high.

Next post: Journey- Escape

To buy Rock and Roll Children, go to www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html

Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle and on sale at Foyles Book Shop in London

Great Rock Albums of 1981: Gillan- Future Shock

After listening to the 1981 "Future Shock" album by Gillan, I even more regret that I never listened to them back in the day. Furthermore, this album cements my belief that Gillan were the best British act not to make it big in America. Once again, I have to thank YouTube for providing with an opportunity to listen to a great album I would have otherwise missed.

Maybe it's me but "Future Shock" seems noticeably heavier that its predecessor, "Glory Road." I mean the first four tracks on this album really rock. While the keyboards are definitely there, they play a more subordinate role in those songs but still make them sound great along with the guitar playing of Bernie Torme. But it's the track "Sacre Bleu" where Torme's talents really shine through. Then there's the cover of "New Orleans," which is very nicely done. After "Bite the Bullet," which again has a cool guitar solo compliments of Torme, the album slows down with the cool power ballad, "If I Sing Softly." I've only heard this song twice but I'm already ranking up there with some of the other great power ballads.

At first listen, I thought the album went more progressive with the last two songs but after the second listen, I am now of the opinion that I thought wrong the first time around. While the piano work Colin Towns is brilliant on the closer "For Your Dreams," it's still a rocker. Of course with all the great musicianship from the members of this band, it doesn't make anyone forget whose name is on the marquee. Through his magnificent vocals, Ian Gillan lets you know that he is the singer and further proves why he gets my vote as the greatest voice in rock and metal.

Track Listing:

1. Future Shock

2. Night Ride Out of Phoenix

3. (The Ballad Of) The Lucitania Express

4. No Laughing in Heaven

5. Sacre Bleu

6. New Orleans

7. Bite the Bullet

8. If I Sing Softly

9. Don't Want the Truth

10. For Your Dreams

[caption id="attachment_1772" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Gillan[/caption]

Ian Gillan- vocals

Bernie Torme- guitars

Colin Town- keyboards

John McCoy- bass

Mick Underwood- drums

So, we have another great album fronted by a great vocalist and a fine band behind him. It makes me wonder why I never heard any Gillan back in 1981. I can't really blame it being in the service either. But as they say, better late than never. Just to whet your appetites a bit, further along in the tour of 1981, I will be revealing who I consider to be the best American artist not to have cracked Great Britain.

To buy Rock and Roll Children, go to www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html

Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle and on sale at Foyles Book Shop in London