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Dominant 7th #9

Registered: 10-2003
Posts: 2200
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Jon's commentary track on the 1969 Cocerto DVD


I've listened to that thing about 4 times through now. I find it humorous, enjoyable, enlightening, provoking, and relaxing all in one.

His vocal imitation of his initial dialogue w/ Malcolm Arnold is very convincing. I can almost imagine myself in that room the day Lord was first trying to sell the idea of a Concerto to him.

His assessment of his own wardrobe is hilarious, refering to his tie chain as a "lavratory chain". I think he's too hard on himself. Everyone dressed like that back then, and I think it's rather period correct so what's the matter?

His remarks as he sees people in the audience reacting to what he did is amusing. At the time, he saw none of that, too busy concentrating on his playing. Now, 30 years later, he sees the "smitten young lady" eying IG. The "Jimmy Hendrix lookalike" dancing by himself, the young child on its mother's lap, the security usher that he refers to as the "music police"..."Where'd he come from?", said JL.

The old amp sitting on the chair..."Bet you could fetch good money for that today.", and even comments about his own rings as he's playing the Hammond..."Nice ring...I wonder what happened to that one?..."

I got so much out of that video, yet I think he even got more out of it.

The two best parts that made me laugh though was when he noted that about 7 minutes of orchestral build-up to the first movement were removed, and he made mention of it by saying (and I loosely paraphrase this): "Months of hard work taken away in a matter of minutes...which I find most distressing!"

I also found it interesting how he was so unfamiliar with the writing of the concerto that he had to actually analyze what the octave range of each instrument truly was, so he didn't write parts for instruments that were physically impossible to play.

We find out in one passage of commentary that Jon Lord has (or had?) a brother that played a clarinet or bassoon (can't remember which he said) in the orchestra. Jon Lord said he approached his brother one day and asked, "Is it possible to play this passage on this instrument?"

His brother replied, "Yes it is...but not by me!"

I think that his personable, honest assessment of how that night went in his eyes, makes the DVD that much more enjoyable, and really drives home the point, that it was not a slam dunk performance, but rather something they just barely pulled off by the skin of their teeth.

One might assume after following DP for all these years that Jon Lord was ALWAYS the consumate gentleman, spokesman of the group, ambassador of music, and always knew the right thing to say, and the proper way to act in all situations.

Yet he points out that he had no business jumping up onto the conductor's platform and taking a bow, and that was BAD FORM, and he had no idea at the time. In looking back, you can tell that he's embarrassed at his ignorance to convention, but he just puts it out there, and tells it like it was.

I think that's what I have always liked about Jon Lord. His ability to tell a story warts and all, with honesty and warmth, without too much regard for whether it bruises his ego or not.

---
John O'Flaherty

Deep Purple: Not just a band...but an attitude!
20/5/2004, 4:40 Link to this post Send Email to B3Burner   Send PM to B3Burner
 
Gillans micstand Profile
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Banned user

Registered: 11-2003
Posts: 12425
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Re: Jon's commentary track on the 1969 Cocerto DVD


I believe it put the icing on the cake and actually made this DVD that much better.
My old tape is happy to never have to be
run through another machine again,and it has seen the inside of several players over the years.
All of this reminds me,
wasn't there atleast one member of the Philharmonic that actually played with
The LSO during the second coming of the Concerto?
Back when the buzz was going around during the time of release,I can remember Jon or Paul Mann mentioning this in an interview.
20/5/2004, 5:45 Link to this post Send Email to Gillans micstand
 
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Purple fan

Registered: 09-2003
Posts: 1227
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Re: Jon's commentary track on the 1969 Cocerto DVD


I really enjoy listening to Jon's commentary but unfortunately the Mrs doesn't, so I dont get to hear it as often as I would like.
And yes, I do believe that there was mention of someone from the original also in the second version.

Bob emoticon

---
in the end we will send you home Deaf - Jon Lord
29/5/2004, 10:22 Link to this post Send Email to unchained   Send PM to unchained
 
Celtic Legacy Profile
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Purple fan

Registered: 09-2003
Posts: 1992
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Re: Jon's commentary track on the 1969 Cocerto DVD


I love listening to Jon's commentary because it gives an insight into just how damn petrified he and the band were and how innocent they were in regards to things like protocol (Jon bowing from the conductors platform etc).

The one part I find myself playing over and over again is Ritchie's solo during the 1st Movement where Jon looks over at Ritchie and the look on his face tells you that he's absolutely !@#$ himself because he doesn't know how long Ritchie's going to go on, then it cuts back to Malcolm Arnold who's flicking through the music sheets trying to find out where they are in the piece. And Jon says something like "you see the look of a very angry man", when I think he's more scared than angry.

Overall though it was well worth buying this DVD for Jon's commentary alone. And he certainly does come across as the perfect gentleman!

---
Girls in jeans who live out in Swords *sigh*
30/5/2004, 12:20 Link to this post Send Email to Celtic Legacy   Send PM to Celtic Legacy
 
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Purple fan

Registered: 09-2003
Posts: 1992
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Re: Jon's commentary track on the 1969 Cocerto DVD


Just watched this again last night with Jon's commentary. Always a pleasure to put this on. Really a shame about the BBC cutting 7 minutes out of the 1st Movement though, but Jon explains that later in the piece the edit means that the ending doesn't make 'musical sense' because of that cut.

My favourite comment from Jon:
"I think Malcolm Arnold was trying to intimidate Ritchie Blackmore...a very brave thing to do!"

---
Girls in jeans who live out in Swords *sigh*
1/6/2004, 13:08 Link to this post Send Email to Celtic Legacy   Send PM to Celtic Legacy
 


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