First of the Big Bands

First of the Big Bands is a studio album by Tony Ashton of Ashton, Gardner and Dyke and Jon Lord of Deep Purple, released in April 1974 by Purple Records in the UK and Europe and Warner Bros. Records in the US. The project was Ashton's and Lord's brainchild and continuation of their working relationship after Ashton Gardner & Dyke helped out on Jon Lord's soundtrack album The Last Rebel from 1971. Stylistically, First of the Big Bands was the precursor to Paice Ashton Lord's Malice in Wonderland album from 1977. Most of the album was recorded at Air and Apple Studios, London, with additional work being completed at De Lane Lea and Island.

First of the Big Bands
Studio album by
Tony Ashton and Jon Lord
ReleasedApril 1974 (1974-04)
RecordedNovember 17th 1971 - Late 1973
StudioAir Studios and Apple Studios, London, England
GenreRock
LabelPurple (UK)
Warner Bros. (US)
Line (1983 German reissue)
ProducerTony Ashton
Jon Lord
Tony Ashton chronology
It's Only a Movie
(1973)		 First of the Big Bands
(1974)		 Malice in Wonderland
(1977)
Jon Lord chronology
Gemini Suite
(1972)		 First of the Big Bands
(1974)		 Windows
(1974)

First of the Big Bands resulted in just two live performances, one of which was for the BBC. This was issued in 1993 as First of the Big Bands - BBC Live in Concert 1974.

In November 2010 a remastered edition of the album was released by Purple Records. It contains two bonus tracks – the single B-side "Sloeback" and an alternative version of "Down Side Upside Down".

Track listing

All tracks are written by Tony Ashton and Jon Lord, except where noted.

No.TitleWriter(s)Recording Date and StudioLength
1."We're Gonna Make It" November 17th 1971, Apple Studios3.52
2."Downside Upside Down" October 31st 1972, De Lane Lea; March 1973, Island4.01
3."Band of the Salvation Army Band" (incl. Bringing In the Sheaves) Autumn 1973, Air Studios3.55
4."Silly Boy" August 29th 1973, Air Studios3.23
5."Surrender Me"Ashton19723.55
6."Celebration" November 18th 1971, Air Studios4:27
7."I Been Lonely"Ashton 3.52
8."Shut Up" November 1972, De Lane Lea3.55
9."Ballad of Mr. Giver" (Featuring a reprise of "Celebration") November 1972, De Lane Lea; March 1973, Island6.09
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic [1]

Personnel

Musical

Technical

References
  1. First of the Big Bands at AllMusic
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