Gillan - 'Live Triple Trouble'

A Rocktopia user review by Speedy Hicks.

Not to be confused with the “Double Trouble” album that has been out for many years this is a fully
endorsed release from the great man himself and highlights gigs from 81/82. Spread over 3 CDs this
box set is a Gillan fans fantasy. Disc one is from the “Rainbow” in London 81, and includes the whole
show with a good sound quality, and classics such as “No Easy Way”, “Future Shock” and “Vengeance”
but be warned as there are some truly awful keyboards on “Smoke on the Water” Disc two is another
full concert from “Reading Festival” 81 and although the sound is good it lacks a little punch compared
to disc one. Featuring “Janick Gers” in his pre Maiden days this CD contains one of the best versions
of “No Laughing in Heaven” yet released, with barely six months between the two recordings you do
get many duplications of tracks such as “Second Sight”, “Trouble”, “Bite the Bullet”, but this collection
is aimed directly at the avid collector. Disc three is listed as the bonus CD and contains 10 tracks of which
are split evenly between a radio one Friday rock show 82 and Nottingham Rock City 81,because of the
former being a radio broadcast the recording is of a high standard and to hear alternative versions of
“Vengeance” as well as “No Laughing” and “Born to kill” are worth the price of this box set alone. Which
just leaves the 5 tracks from Nottingham and again you cant really grumble too much with the sound quality
and the listener is treated to a barnstorming version of “If You Believe Me” as well as the set closer, the
rock n roll chestnut that is “Lucille”.As a young impressionable teenager back in 1981 Gillan was one of
the bands that played a big part in my introduction to rock music and nearly 30 years later although my
waist line and my hair might have changed its nice to hear that Gillan have remained the same, indispensable
as well as essential……. Oh the nostalgia.