WHOCARES: Ian Gillan, Tony Iommi & Friends – “Holy Water” / “Out of My Mind” (2011 Edel charity single)
Remember Rock Aid Armenia? Ian Gillan, Tony Iommi, and many other friends gathered together to raise money for earthquake victims in Armenia. 21 years later, Gillan and Iommi returned to help again, by recording two more awesome songs. Joining them are Nicko McBrain, Jon Lord, Jason Newsted, and Linde Lindstrom from H.I.M.
First of all, I will just say how wonderful it is to hear Ian Gillan’s voice in front of Tony’s guitar again, first time since the Gillan’s Inn album. Even better is hearing Jon Lord’s organ with Ian. It’s just jaw-dropping and awe-inspiring. It makes you miss Jon Lord even more. It’s great that they managed to collaborate once more.
“Out Of My Mind” is a heavy-groove-sludge-monster, with some exotic sounding notes in the powerful riff. I don’t think I’ve ever heard Nicko McBrain play a groove like this before, proof that the man is one of metal’s greatest drummers; he’s versatile. The song vaguely reminded me of a more ominous “Soon Forgotten”, from Purpendicular. There’s also some face-melting guitar solos if all that wasn’t enough for you.
The second track, “Holy Water” is even more exotic. It has flute sounds and other non-rock sounding instruments. Once the song gets going though, it’s a little more upbeat than “Out Of My Mind”. The organ here is by someone named Jesse O’Brien, but once again the Hammond provides muscle.
To make this CD a little bit more worth the purchase price, they included the video for “Out Of My Mind” (made up of studio footage, much like the old Rock Aid Armenia video) and a 27 minute documentary.
I would have loved a vinyl copy. Only 1000 were made. I had it on pre-order from Amazon, but they never got it.
4/5 stars
mikeladano.com 
Very cool. Had not heard about this. I agree that it’s nice to hear Nicko playing such a sparse, heavy groove, since we’re so used to hearing that classic Nicko galloping rhythm with Maiden. Love Iommi’s solo on this one. When I first saw the song title “Holy Water” I wondered if it was the Bad Company song of the same name (from the Brian Howe years). That would’ve been a good cover for these guys.
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It would have!
I wonder if this is the first time that Jon Lord recorded with Iommi. I don’t know, but I like the way it sounds.
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This is neat! Did you send me this track already, or was that the other one? I’ll have to look. Speaking of, we could look for the vinyl in Taranna. You never know what will turn up.
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I have a jewel case version of this very CD in your bag o goodies! It is yours, for your growing Deep Purple and Black Sabbath collection! Maiden too!
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Mike, yer doing it again!
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[falls back onto floor]
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Get up, there’s lots of rock!
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That’s what she said.
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Man, I meant had you sent an mp3! hahaha
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I may have? I don’t remember!
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I had a look, I don’t think so. Ah well, from the sounds of it this will all be taken care of shortly.
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Yes and I believe the Horsemen CD is also in your box o tricks. In fact I know it is, because I used it for the photos on my Horsemen story.
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I’d totally missed this one, I can’t remember even hearing about it.
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They did a 2 CD compilation album later, with rare tracks by both Iommi and Gillan. I believe both of these songs are on that compilation.
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They get bonus points for rhyming ‘Compos mentis’ with ‘senseless’.
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That’s Gillan for ya ain’t it?
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Iommi and Lord together? Where has this been all my life? Thinks for bringing this to my attention, LeBrain. You know where all the great rock is hiding.
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Hahaha, I do try! Iommi and Lord…incredible huh? I’m sure they crossed paths many times but this is their only recording that I know of.
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