''Naked Thunder'' is a 1990 solo album by
Ian Gillan, released soon after his departure from
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in London in 1968. They are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal music, heavy metal and modern hard rock music, but their musical style has changed over the course of its existence. Ori ...
in 1989. It features a varied selection of songs, with one of Gillan's most passionate and impressive performances on power ballad "Loving on Borrowed Time" and traditional field lament "
No More Cane on the Brazos". It was also the first album to feature Ian Gillan's long time writing partner Steve Morris. ''Naked Thunder'' was produced by Leif Mases and features a number of notable guest musicians, including drummer
Simon Phillips and former Grease Band keyboard player
Tommy Eyre
Tommy Eyre (5 June 1949 – 23 May 2001) was an English session keyboardist from Sheffield, England, who appeared on records by Joe Cocker, John Martyn, Gary Moore, Michael Schenker, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Greg Lake, B.B. King, John ...
.
The album was available only as an import in the USA until 1998 when it was re-released for American market by
Eagle Records
Eagle Records is a British record label, a division of Eagle Rock Entertainment, itself a subsidiary of Universal Music Group.
In the United Kingdom, the label's managing director is Lindsay Brown, former manager of Van Halen, while in the Un ...
.
''Naked Thunder'' was preceded by a couple of singles which failed to chart. More successful was the tour that followed with a video documenting one of the shows (''Ian Gillan Live'', 1990).
In 2006 Ian Gillan re-recorded "Loving on Borrowed Time" for the ''
Gillan's Inn'' album. In November 2016, he again performed "No More Cane on the Brazos" live during the tour of Eastern Europe with orchestra and Don Airey Band. It was the first time he has performed the song in twenty-five years.
Track listing
All songs written by Ian Gillan and Steve Morris except where noted
# "Gut Reaction" – 3:46
# "Talking to You" – 3:36
# "No Good Luck" – 4:12
# "Nothing but the Best" – 3:46
# "Loving on Borrowed Time" – 5:04 (duet with
Carol Kenyon
Carol Kenyon (sometimes spelt Karol; born 1959) is a British singer. She is best known for her vocals on the Heaven 17 hit song "Temptation", which reached number two in the UK Singles Chart in 1983. When the song was re-released as a remix by ...
)
# "Sweet Lolita" – 3:50
# "Nothing to Lose" 6:17
# "Moonshine" (Gillan, Morris, Mark Buckle) – 2:46
# "Long and Lonely Ride" – 3:48
# "Love Gun" – 3:29
# "
No More Cane on the Brazos" (Traditional) – 8:13
;B-sides and outtakes
# "Rock N' Roll Girls" – 3:20
# "Hole in My Vest" – 3:42
Personnel
;Musicians
*
Ian Gillan – vocals, harmonica
* Steve Morris – bass, guitar, keyboards
* Albie Donnelly – saxophone
*
Tommy Eyre
Tommy Eyre (5 June 1949 – 23 May 2001) was an English session keyboardist from Sheffield, England, who appeared on records by Joe Cocker, John Martyn, Gary Moore, Michael Schenker, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Greg Lake, B.B. King, John ...
– keyboards
*
Chris Glen
Christopher John Glen (born 6 November 1950), known simply as Chris Glen, is a Scottish rock musician. He is best known for playing with The Sensational Alex Harvey Band from 1972 to 1978, and Michael Schenker Group from 1980 to 1984, 2008 to 2 ...
,
Roger Glover – bass
*
Ted McKenna
Edward McKenna (10 March 1950 – 19 January 2019) was a Scottish drummer who played with The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Rory Gallagher, The Greg Lake Band, and The Michael Schenker Group. He also toured with Ian Gillan for a short period o ...
,
Simon Phillips – drums
* Mick O'Donoghue – guitar
*
J. Peter Robinson
John Peter Robinson (born 16 September 1945) is an English composer, musician, and arranger known for his film and television scores.
Early years and pop music career
He studied piano and composition at the Royal Academy of Music and enjoy ...
– piano, keyboards
*
John Gustafson,
Carol Kenyon
Carol Kenyon (sometimes spelt Karol; born 1959) is a British singer. She is best known for her vocals on the Heaven 17 hit song "Temptation", which reached number two in the UK Singles Chart in 1983. When the song was re-released as a remix by ...
,
Dave Lloyd, Harry Shaw – backing vocals
* The A-Team Horns – brass
;Production
*Leif Mases – producer
*Keith Andrews – engineer
*Al Stone – mixing
Singles/EPs
* "Nothing but the Best / Hole in My Vest"
* "Nothing but the Best / Hole in My Vest / Moonshine"
* "No More Cane on the Brazos / Long and Lonely Ride"
* "No Good Luck / Love Gun"
* "No Good Luck / Love Gun / Rock N' Roll Girls"
Charts
References
1990 debut albums
Ian Gillan albums
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