Gemini Suite
Encyclopedia
After the 1969 classical / rock fusion Concerto For Group and Orchestra, Jon Lord
was commissioned to write a follow-up. This was Gemini Suite, five long movements inspired by the members of Deep Purple, and performed live in September 1970 at the Royal Festival Hall with The Light Music Society Orchestra (the album of the concert was issued in 1993 as Gemini Suite Live
). Jon Lord then recorded it in the studio as his first solo project in 1971, with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Malcolm Arnold
and soloists drawn from the rock world. Gemini Suite was an important step for Lord and led to albums such as Windows (1974) and Sarabande (1976).
The album was originally released in Europe and America in 1972 with different cover artwork. The 1973 US reissue featured third version of the cover artwork. In 1983 the album was re-released on LP in Germany and four years later also for the first time on CD. The digital remastered version of the album premiered on CD in 2008.
Jon Lord
Jonathan Douglas "Jon" Lord is an English composer, pianist and Hammond organ player.Jon Lord, also known as 'Hammond Lord', is a classically trained piano player. He is recognised for his Hammond organ blues-rock sound and for his pioneering work in fusing rock and classical or baroque forms...
was commissioned to write a follow-up. This was Gemini Suite, five long movements inspired by the members of Deep Purple, and performed live in September 1970 at the Royal Festival Hall with The Light Music Society Orchestra (the album of the concert was issued in 1993 as Gemini Suite Live
Gemini Suite Live
Gemini Suite Live is a recording of Jon Lord's classical/rock piece featuring the whole of Deep Purple Mk 2, recorded live during this one and only live performance in 1970...
). Jon Lord then recorded it in the studio as his first solo project in 1971, with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Malcolm Arnold
Malcolm Arnold
Sir Malcolm Henry Arnold, CBE was an English composer and symphonist.Malcolm Arnold began his career playing trumpet professionally, but by age thirty his life was devoted to composition. He was ranked with Benjamin Britten as one of the most sought-after composers in Britain...
and soloists drawn from the rock world. Gemini Suite was an important step for Lord and led to albums such as Windows (1974) and Sarabande (1976).
The album was originally released in Europe and America in 1972 with different cover artwork. The 1973 US reissue featured third version of the cover artwork. In 1983 the album was re-released on LP in Germany and four years later also for the first time on CD. The digital remastered version of the album premiered on CD in 2008.
Studio album track listing
- "Guitar" - Soloist: Albert Lee
- "Piano" - Soloist: Jon Lord
- "Drums" - Soloist: Ian Paice
- "Vocals" - Soloist: Yvonne Elliman and Tony Ashton
- "Bass guitar" - Soloist: Roger Glover
- "Organ" - Soloist: Jon Lord
Production notes
- Composed and scored by Jon Lord
- Lyrics by Jon Lord
- Recorded at Abbey Road and De Lane Lea studios, London, March 1971
- Studio engineers: Mike Gray, Philip McDonald, Dave Stock
- Mixed by Martin Birch
- (2008 release) Tape archiving, sound restoration and digital remastering: Nick Watson, Fluid Studio