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JSA1 wrote:

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leelyt wrote:

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JSA1 wrote:

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leelyt wrote:

Gillan (Japanese import), Mr. Universe and Glory Road were very good, nothing after these was as coherent.
Live they were always a bit of a shambles, only Towns was a top player live and the sound at their live shows was always murky and a mess. However on a good night they were electric.

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I always thought that they played pretty good, but your point is valid. IG was sometimes the factor. If you listen to the Oxford Poly concert, he was somewhat strained, but just a short time later, he was quite fine at the Gillingham show. Towards the end of 1982, he was getting rough. I always liked Underwood and McCoy. I was never thrilled with Torme or Gers, although I thought that they played well.

Either way, if you look up that Japanese concert where he was being interviewed by Japanese television and performing with his new band after disbanding IGB, I think that he was at his best then.

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I agree that IG was easily at his best in the IGB and the immediate aftermath. I saw Gillan a few times and his voice was really raspy every time. The last time (1982 in Corby Civic Hall!!) his voice was totally shot, completely gone.

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That was his demise, really. He was thin at Oxford Poly, but real good at Gillingham in January, 1982, I believe. The stuff that I've heard from later in 1982 wasn't so good. Going to Sabbath after disbanding Gillan, was basically the end. He pulled off a few good shows, but only OK at best and not good the rest of the time. Oy!

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JSA1 wrote:

He still had the nice Gillan tone, but his range was diminished a fair amount. I didn't hear him getting harsh until sometime in 1981. Still, when he was on, he could still be excellent. He started doing more of that screamy vocal style and it really hurt his voice. I wish that he would have calmed it down and used it sparingly, but that was what he liked, for better or worse.

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SneakyPrivateLee wrote:

Well, Gillan certainly had his ups and downs but I wouldn't say he lost it after Born Again. How about Toolbox? I say it's the best Gillan singing ever. At 45 he was at his best.

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