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 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".

Personnel

 * Tony Ashton - Lead vocals, Hammond organ, piano
 * Jon Lord - Hammond organ, piano
 * Mick Clarke - guitars
 * Jim Cregan - guitars
 * Jerry Donahue - guitars
 * Peter Frampton - guitars
 * Pat Donaldson - bass
 * Dave Caswell - trumpet
 * Mike Davis - trumpet
 * John Mumford - trombone
 * Dick Parry - saxophone
 * Howie Casey - saxophone
 * Carmine Appice - drums
 * Terry Cox - drums
 * Ian Paice - drums
 * Cozy Powell - drums
 * Frank Ricotti - percussion, vibraphone
 * Madeline Bell - backing vocals
 * Tony Ferguson - backing vocals
 * Jimmy Helms - backing vocals
 * Kenny Rowe - backing vocals
 * Graham White - backing vocals
 * Jo Ann Williams - backing vocals
 * Roger Willis - backing vocals

Technical

 * Engineered by Martin Birch, Geoffrey Emerick, Alan Harris, John Middleton, John Mills and Bill Price
 * Produced by Tony Ashton and Jon Lord
 * John Kosh - cover design
 * Peter Howe - photography