In an interview with Metal Express Radio, Jon Lord speaks of the Durham Concerto, his plans for the future and goes over the high points of the past.

On the Durham Concerto CD:

- This is a studio recording that we made last July in Liverpool in the Philharmonic Hall. We had two and a half days up there to record that. It’s the same piece as you heard in the Cathedral but done under studio conditions so we were able to control the acoustics.

- I actually thought the Classic FM live recording was very good and captured the acoustics of the Cathedral but the CD is in a more acoustic controlled setting. I’m thrilled to bits with how it’s turned out.

On The Concerto and Deep Purple’s reaction to it in 1969:

- Its been written that “Jon wanted to play in orchestras and the rest of the guys didn’t.” That’s not quite how it was. I thought The Concerto was a good idea and an experiment and to be perfectly honest so did the band. I was perfectly happy to play rock music and if all I’m remembered as is a rock Hammond player then I’ll be happy with that. I’m very pleased and proud of my work with Purple and happy to be known as a rock artist.

On Rod Evans’ fake Deep Purple in 1980:

- The last time I saw Rod was across a court room. I had to go and appear in court because it had to be stopped because it just wasn’t Deep Purple.

On the latest Hoochie Coochies album, Danger, White Men Dancing:

- It’s out now and doing very nicely thanks. It’s not one of those albums that’ll go into the Top 10 but it’s good blues party music, its heart on the sleeve, Hammond based rock/blues.

On what has become known as ‘Jon Lord’s dream’ of reuniting all past Purple members for an anniversary event:

- I won’t be holding my breath. Its just a dream.

On the immediate future:

- I’m definitely doing a new album, definitely with more Hammond and less strings and less cross-over. I’m putting a touring band together. As I’ve never done a solo tour before, I’m going to start that in the UK.

Read the full interview.

Photo by Chris Poustie

BBC Music Magazine has a back page feature called “Music that changed me”. In their May issue, out now, Jon Lord is interviewed about music that changed him.

Thanks to David Meadows and Nigel Young.

Purple Records have announced the release of Jon Lord’s Gemini Suite original studio album on CD.

In addition to a regular jewel case version, there will be a limited edition in a gatefold digipak case, with a selection of three different covers reproducing the rare American covers.

The CD is scheduled for release in late May and can be pre-ordered from DPAS mail order.

See more details on the release.

Jon Lord and Zermatt have a long history together, and promoting last night’s performance at Zermatt Unplugged, Lord speaks to Zermatt.ch about his first visit there 36 years ago:

- I first visited the village in December 1971 and fell in love with it on the spot. Since then, I come back at least two or three times every year, mostly in winter to ski, but now and again in summer too for hiking. We have even had a small flat here for the last eight years.

About performing at Zermatt Unplugged:

- We have made many wonderful friends in Zermatt over the years. That was how I met Tom Sterchi, a few years ago. I found his festival idea great and Zermatt wonderful for an event of this kind. It was therefore a joy and an honour when he not only asked me to perform at it, but also to take on the patronage for it together with my good friend Anni-Frid…

…and jamming with Anni-Frid:

- That can happen when we’re in the mood … We enjoy the fact that no one forces us to do anything here though. The people respect your privacy. They know that you are here in your free time and for your pleasure. When I used to stay at Hotel Post, I used to play the piano in the bar ‘til late into the night. Those were fantastic times!

Read the full interview.

Jon Lord will be performing with the Gemini Band tonight in Zermatt, Switzerland.

If you are going to the show, please feel free to post your own review below in the comments.

Jon Lord appeared with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra for another performance of the Durham Concerto on April 5 in Liverpool (Philharmonic Hall). Read the reviews below in the comments and feel free to contribute your own review of the concert.

The Durham Concerto was released on CD on January 28th (Avie Records).

To coincide with his performance of the Durham Concerto at Liverpool this Saturday, Jon Lord is featured on Planet Rock radio’s My Planet Rock series.

He will pick his favourite tracks of all time, explain why he ended up on the organ and name his favourite guitarist - among other things.

You can listen live online Saturday April 5 at 6pm - or (if you’re going to the show in Liverpool) the following Tuesday.

Jon Lord’s new CD, Boom of the Tingling Strings, has now hit the streets. In the film Jon Lord explains the background to his new album:

You can also listen to EMI’ Classic’s 19-minute podcast-special on the album.

The album contains two new orchestral pieces - both of which have autobiographical flavours.

The title track features Nelson Goerner on piano and contains four movements. The second piece, called Disguises, contains three movements each of which are dedicated to people close to Jon Lord.

Buy Boom of the Tingling Strings on CD or download.

Adelaide Now reviews Jon Lord’s first performance with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (March 27):

‘The concerto, lost for almost 30 years, occupied the first half of the program and truly set a new benchmark for the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra’s rock crossover programming.

While it bears a few quirky hallmarks of its era, for the most part Lord’s epic three-movement composition not only stands the test of time, but shines as a successful – and ground-breaking – fusion of rock and symphony.’

Read the full review.

The Australian talks to Jon Lord about how he created a new sound for the Hammond organ when he plugged it into a stack of Marshall amps:

- I suppose I felt I had to compete with the guitarists. What I discovered was that the Hammond organ, when treated like that, makes a heck of a noise.

The interview also focuses on the Concerto for Group and Orchestra and how the musical climate was different in 1969. Lord says many classical and rock purists missed the point:

- The piece was written with a sense of love and to enjoy the experience of playing with an orchestra as much as to enjoy the experience of playing with a rock band.

- It was written by a guy who was, and still is, massively in love with both ends of the musical spectrum.

Read the full interview.