Glenn Hughes Fan Forum - Butterfly Ball Live

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- - Butterfly Ball Live (http://www.glennhughes.com/fanforum/showthread.php?t=1610)

Butterfly Ball Live

This one almost sounds like they've overdubbed an audience mix in with the original recording, but even so Glenn is outstanding on Get Ready. Check it out for yourself with the clip below.

<CENTER>http://www.ghpg.net/fanforumpix/bfblive.jpg </CENTER>

Get Ready ..really live

David..
Great clip, man! You can tell that at least Glenns vocal is live..other parts I'm not so sure about..the audience reaction sounds canned..But Glenn,Oh..nearly always his live delivery is much more raw/soulful/with more"Glennisms"..
Thanks again from the Dallas-based Musician/Glenn-freaks!!
(Where do you get this stuff?)
billy :cool:

this bootleg is taken from the movie "butterfly ball"
it was from english tv, so the audience is a little strange.
exist also the movie in italian linguage.
the narration voice was from the master of horror vincent price.

roberto :eek:

***

Here's a print ad from 1975 for the show at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

I have the video in MPEG

I have the video in MPEG format. Anyone interested contact me !

Renato Maestrali Moraes
e-mail: renatom@ieg.com.br
ICQ: 9185591

are you able to 'clip' Get Ready featuring Glenn? If it's less than 50MB, feel free to upload here.

Although you don't see much of Glenn in that song, just alot of really bad ballet dancers and such :D

Sure
I will try to rip the clip and upload to the site

Renato Maestrali Moraes
e-mail: renatom@ieg.com.br
ICQ: 9185591

Looks like it's getting a DVD release in America - March 14th. Hopefully it'll be cleaned up as the VHS is not the best.

The Butterfly Ball on DVD

Music Video Distributors and Film Chest have announced the home viewing release of "The Butterfly Ball" for North American distribution on DVD.

In 1973, Jonathan Cape Ltd. published a children's book called "The Butterfly Ball and Grasshopper's Feast". It contained a collection of poems by William Plomer, lavishly and intricately illustrated with 28 color plates by Alan Aldridge, an artist who had produced THE BEATLES Illustrated Lyrics. The inspiration for the work came from a poem "The Butterfly Ball and Grasshoppers Feast" by William Roscoe published in November 1806.

The book then prompted this jubilant live production of "The Butterfly Ball" that took place at the Royal Albert Hall on October 16, 1975. It was produced and directed by Tony Klinger, who later produced the critically acclaimed story of THE WHO, "The Kids are Alright". This performance of "The Butterfly Ball", magically narrated by Vincent Price, was a benefit for Bud Flanagan's Leukemia Fund and Action Research for the Crippled Child. Roger Glover, who at the time had just departed from DEEP PURPLE and was embarking on a career in producing music, was able to get most of the artists who had taken part in the studio recordings to perform.

Featuring:

Ian Gillan
Twiggy
Tony Ashton
Helen Chapelle
David Coverdale
John Gustafson
Eddie Hardin
Glenn Hughes
Earl Jordan
Judi Kuhl
Neil Lancaster
John Lawton
Mickey Lee Soule
Al Matthews
Barry St. John
Liza Strike
John Lord

"The Butterfly Ball" is scheduled for release on March 14.

Butterfly Ball on DVD

No mention of Dio - did he not participate in the live concert, or is this just an oversight? From www.blabbermouth.net:

Music Video Distributors and Film Chest have announced the home viewing release of "The Butterfly Ball" for North American distribution on DVD.

In 1973, Jonathan Cape Ltd. published a children's book called "The Butterfly Ball and Grasshopper's Feast". It contained a collection of poems by William Plomer, lavishly and intricately illustrated with 28 color plates by Alan Aldridge, an artist who had produced THE BEATLES Illustrated Lyrics. The inspiration for the work came from a poem "The Butterfly Ball and Grasshoppers Feast" by William Roscoe published in November 1806.

The book then prompted this jubilant live production of "The Butterfly Ball" that took place at the Royal Albert Hall on October 16, 1975. It was produced and directed by Tony Klinger, who later produced the critically acclaimed story of THE WHO, "The Kids are Alright". This performance of "The Butterfly Ball", magically narrated by Vincent Price, was a benefit for Bud Flanagan's Leukemia Fund and Action Research for the Crippled Child. Roger Glover, who at the time had just departed from DEEP PURPLE and was embarking on a career in producing music, was able to get most of the artists who had taken part in the studio recordings to perform.

Featuring:

Ian Gillan
Twiggy
Tony Ashton
Helen Chapelle
David Coverdale
John Gustafson
Eddie Hardin
Glenn Hughes
Earl Jordan
Judi Kuhl
Neil Lancaster
John Lawton
Mickey Lee Soule
Al Matthews
Barry St. John
Liza Strike
John Lord

"The Butterfly Ball" is scheduled for release on March 14.

No,that's correct. Gillan took Dio's place (his first live appearance since leaving Purple). Dio was too busy with Rainbow (or was blocked from doing it by Ritchie, is the other story).

finally!!!!!!!!!!!

another dream come true release for me - I have waited a long time for this!!!!!
:bouncer: :bouncer: :bouncer:

See, I'm a big Vincent Price fan too....... :cool:

Cheers,
Christian

other mp3s please

I have it on vhs black & white copy bad quality the show is not so good many breaks between songs but is interesting for every purple fan This is the Gillan comeback on stage it must be on Mark IV days, Lord & Ashton , Ray Fenwick I love these oldies I would love to have also the Coverdale song and the Gillan song on mp3 or mpeg Another rare and unusual gig was about a year earlier I talk about the Lord's Windows any memorabilia ? I want to thank specialy David for all the rare videos HughesThrall 1982 MTV1994

more news on the Butterfly Ball DVD

Earlier in the month Deep-Purple.net had posted these news concerning the Butterfly Ball DVD release...

Quote:

We have had a lot of requests for information on an advertised release in America only of The Butterfly Ball on DVD. We have not posted any details because we were not sure that all necessary permissions had been granted for this, and we have now been advised that there are problems which may well lead to it being cancelled. More news as we get it.

but amazon have posted my copy yesterday, so it seems that it has now been released!

Has anybody else ordered it?

Later,
Christian

Let us know how it is Christian - was holding off until I heard some first reports ;) If it's poor, think I'll stick with the old VHS copy I have! Although is the sound remastered at all? Let us know when you get it :thumbsup:

I was also notified yesterday that mine was shipped so we'll see what turns up in the mailbox. I don't have this in any form other than CD so it should be interesting nevertheless.

Brian

Interesting reading over at rogerglover.com regarding this new DVD release.....

Quote:

THE DVD RELEASE OF THE BUTTERFLY BALL CONCERT

In September 1975 I staged a concert of The Butterfly Ball at the Albert Hall, London, and as far as possible gathered together as many of the performers as I could from the recording of the original album, which was released the previous year. The event was recorded and filmed by Tony Klinger and British Lion Films and the resulting movie is what is now being re-released in DVD format by a company called Music Video Distributors.

Those are the facts. Loath as I am to delve into the world of opinions, I am about to do so. I love the Butterfly Ball; the book is superb, Alan Aldridge’s illustrations and William Plomer’s verse are works of pure class and when, late 1973, I was (amazingly) offered the commission to write and record an album of music based on the book for a projected animated movie, I was determined to rise to the occasion and deliver something that would, at the very least, enhance their brilliance. It was a challenging and a very special project for me as a writer and producer and when it was released in 1974 it was, to my relief, very well received in various countries around Europe. However, it failed to ignite a broad interest in the UK and so the idea for staging a concert at the Albert Hall came about as a means of getting some attention for it in my home country.

I worked hard to make the concert a memorable experience and from the start it was a difficult venture; I had little or no help, no secretary, no assistants, no roadies, and had no say whatsoever in how it was to be lit or filmed - I concentrated on the music and left those things to people who knew better, so I thought. Ronnie James Dio, who had memorably taken a major role in the studio recording, was not able to be there but fortunately Twiggy, Ian Gillan and John Lawton signed on to sing those songs, the late great Vincent Price agreed to read the poems and so rehearsals went ahead, albeit chaotically, for about a week before the show date. Apart from being the conduit through which a year or so before I was afforded the opportunity (for which I am truly grateful) to write the Butterfly Ball, my erstwhile managers seemed unable to offer much help in the preparations for the concert. Bruce Payne, who up until then I had known only as DP’s agent, answered my call for help and arranged for Bob Adcock, at the time a Rainbow road manager, to help out at the last minute.

The actual night of the concert was lovely, all the artists on the stage gave superlative performances and I felt, and still feel, indebted to every single one of them.

Some months later, in 1976, I was informed that there was to be a premiere of the resulting movie at the Odeon cinema in Chelsea, London. Since at the time I was in the studio producing Judas Priest I declined the offer initially but was eventually persuaded to attend, the Priest allowing me a night off, good lads that they were. A limousine picked me up at Wessex Studios and I was delivered to the Odeon, met on a red carpet by the manager of the cinema and various other dignitaries, and ushered in with a suitable degree of pomp. Most of the performers were there, along with most of their relatives (and mine) and after a glass of wine or two and some mingling we all settled down to watch the movie, my wife Judi and I being shown to especially plush and centrally located seats so that all would know that we were the guests of honour. The lights dimmed and the film commenced. I had no preconceptions about what it was going to be like but as it progressed I sat there cringing with embarrassment at the spectacle before me. The music was OK but the camera work, the lighting, the editing, and above all the inserts - either pseudo ballet dancers seemingly practicing their moves or people dressed as animals crawling or waddling around some desultory looking countryside - left me with a strong urge to run away and hide. About half way through, as I sank further down in my throne of a seat, I whispered to Judi that I was thinking about walking out, but I suppose I’m too nice a person to do something like that. Still, I wish I had. Afterwards, damned by faint praise, I endured the lukewarm congratulations of my presumably equally embarrassed friends with far too many comments like, "That was 'er, interesting," as people sloped off to salvage what was left of their Chelsea evening, leaving me to - well, cry angry tears on the long, silent journey back home.

That was then. Now it is 2006 and I watched the DVD today, shutting out the sunny Saturday afternoon, shutting out those memories, and attempting to be open minded. My first impression was not good; as I opened the box, I found the DVD plastered with a huge photograph of Glenn Hughes (who also features on the box’s spine). Huh? Ah, now I get it; some dolt in the art department (if there is such a department) was informed that this was the work of Deep Purple’s bass player. Now I have nothing against Glenn, he’s a fine bloke, but - this was not a good omen. There is also no information or booklet explaining or putting the contents into perspective.

For the next couple of hours I went through several emotions. The movie was every bit as bad as I remembered and worse; having watched it only twice before - the first time being at the aforementioned premiere and the second time some years later, surfing through a video which someone had thoughtfully donated - I was now noticing the shoddy synchronization between the soundtrack and the visuals, the awful camera work, the insufficient lighting, the ‘acting’ of the performers in the dreaded inserts, which I’m sure would have been rejected by even the worst silent movie director, it’s all so ridiculously ham.

What can I say that is positive? Maybe Tony Klinger was faced with a cheaply shot live movie and felt the need to liven it up with something extra? To be fair, all those people who took part in the cameo sequences probably tried their best with what they were given; not all the dancing was so inept. Maybe the inclusion of the war footage (Vietnam?) was seen as a bold move intended to inject some provocation into what could be seen as an overly happy event? Maybe someone who thought they were being avant-garde did the editing? Maybe the budget was prohibitive? Who knows? The sound is not bad for a live performance, a little muddy perhaps, but since I was probably in the studio when that was mixed, I can only blame myself (you can only work with what you’ve got!).

What I did see that made me smile were the performances of the musicians and singers, all of whom put their best into it and gave such life to the songs. In keeping with the musical climate of the time we stretched some of the songs almost to breaking point with extended jams. I was touched at the camaraderie, the nervous smiles, the spontaneity, and the genuine good vibes coming from the packed Albert Hall. Oh, but I was looking at an event that touched my heart over thirty years ago and here it was touched again today. I found myself with a tear in my eye for times past, when possible futures were yet to be, and dreams were fresh. One of dreams was surely that this event be documented in a far better way than this.

Finally the credits rolled (rather shakily) and I was amazed to see that not only was there no mention of my name (although, to be fair I do get one in the opening credits) but inexplicably the only musicians that do get their dues are Jon Lord and Eddie Jobson, along with "Fancy". I mean, great as they undoubtedly are, why single them out and ignore the rest? For a live concert recording I would have thought that a full list of all the performers would have been mandatory. It was a revelation to see Jon Lord, Tony Ashton, David Coverdale, Glenn Hughes, Ian Gillan, John Gustafson, Eddie Jobson, John Lawton, Eddie Hardin and myself all on the same stage on the same night - quite a feat, even for those days. Making it all work was the impeccable professionalism and superb musicianship of Fancy - Mo Foster on bass, Ray Fenwick on guitar and Les Binks on drums - along with Chris Karan and Mark Nauseef on percussion. Mickey Lee Soule (looking impossibly young and handsome), Earl Jordan, Al Matthews, Neil Lancaster (whose performance of Harlequin Hare was sadly not used), Helen Chapelle, Liza Strike, Barry St.John and my then wife Judi Kuhl, all put in sterling performances. And last but by no means least, the really well known stars that saved the day, Vincent Price and Twiggy. Both were professional to the core and equally nice with it. The nameless members of the orchestra and choir, conducted by the unbelievably unflappable Del Newman, all deserve but don’t get a place above the caterers, drivers, etc. who do get a name check. (Talking of name checks, it would have been appropriate, since this project has no doubt been sanctioned by DP’s old management, to spell Jon Lord’s name correctly on the packaging!)

The movie thankfully never received a wide release and mercifully seemed to fade away. Well, it’s back! From time to time I have ventured my negative feelings about it to anyone who would listen and I’m sorry (or possibly relieved) to say that those feelings of disappointment and wasted opportunity have not changed. It’s possible, if not likely, that this DVD is merely a catalog item of little or no importance in the scheme of things and therefore no effort was put into it - and I shouldn’t be complaining. Should you feel the need to investigate further then do so, but don’t expect me to be happy about it. And have some alcohol handy.

The Butterfly Ball album is something that I am very proud of, and the concert was undoubtedly one of the best nights of my life, but the movie does it no justice. One day, and I hope I live long enough to see it; there will be a proper movie. I believe it has a future. I can imagine how one of the big digital animators would deliver it - the marvelous illustrations coming to mind-boggling life - the music updated and clear - and a more coherent storyline that could entrance all ages. It could also be a Broadway-type musical along the lines of The Lion King or Cats - all it would take is lots of money. So, if there’s anyone out there who has a large disposable fortune and a few thousand employees willing to work for a few years, then please get in touch. I would love that.

The Butterfly Ball DVD arrived yesterday and I watched it, er, more like suffered through it. Roger Glover's recent comments ring true. I'll highlight some points below:

1. Packaging: There was no attempt to repackage or embellish the original film which has a no-frills air about it. Surprisingly, Glenn Hughes (not Glover!) appears on the DVD spine and the same photo is also on the disc. Really amateurish.

2. On the menu, there is a Chapter Selection option which, perhaps fittingly, does not work.

3. Performance-wise, the musicians/singers are all interesting but the original film itself is such a mess. For example: You get a few seconds of a bushy-haired Glenn Hughes singing Get Ready and then you are subjected to the irrelevant and ultra-boring ballet-dancing of some unattractive couple. This is the opening segment and I was already yawning and looking to move on to the next track! This goes on for what seems like an eternity before they flip back to GH just as the song ends. On many of the songs there are strange segments of people in horrific animal costumes running around in what has to be some of the cheapest-looking footage I've ever seen, even by low-budget B-movie standards. The same treatment affects both John Lawton's and Ian Gillan's performances, which otherwise, would've been superb. Now, from the moment I heard the album, my favorite song on it was Behind the Smile. I always thought it was too short and deserved to be expanded on at some point. Well, the band puts in a superb extended section to this song and it turns into a really funky and exciting jam. David Coverdale turns in a great performance and, finally, you can see most of it! They do flip back and forth to an exotic Asian dancer in some provocative dance but at least here it is brief and she is moderately attractive. Of course, the film balls things up badly by curiously putting masks on her by the end of the song! The only other odd moment is Johnny Gusafson's performance which is just, er, odd. He looks so uncomfortable or maybe he was just drunk.

I can't tell if the the filmmakers were trying to be artsy or not but the film just ended up being cheap and brain-less. The director should never have worked again! The DVD release offers nothing remotely worthwhile other than for collectors (like me!) needing 3-second snippets of their favorite singer. With such stellar talent on stage, one would think the treatment would have fared better. Now, if you're into people dressed in cheap animal costumes or bad ballet dancing, this film is for you!

Sorry Roger, you're a great guy and a talented musician and you deserve so much better than this...

Brian :confused:

The way things turned out, it was broadcast once (low-key) and then sent straight to the vaults. The blame or credit for the occasional resurgence of this film sits firmly in the hands of the filmmakers or whomever owns the rights, I guess. If it were up to Roger Glover, he'd probably take the master reels and bury it in the deepest, darkest moors of Britain, never to be seen again. Its a shame because apparently it was a terrific concert with an unbelievable cast and, as I said before, Roger is a really great guy. He is obviously embarrassed every time this thing is reissued.

Brian

Quote:

Originally Posted by equinox91

The blame or credit for the occasional resurgence of this film
sits firmly in the hands of the filmmakers or whomever owns
the rights, I guess.

Thanks for this honest review, Brian.
The DVD is that terrible, huh?

You would think that the actual performers
would have SOME SAY as to its release,
based on the quality of the filming and editing.

Could every performer involved with this concert
have signed away ALL FUTURE RIGHTS to this?
Too bad.........

Grace

Thanks Grace. I hate being so negative but I needed to be honest. Its not so much a problem with the DVD itself as it is with the original film contained therein. It would have been so much better if it had just been the concert and nothing else. I feel the same as I did when I saw Zeppelin's The Song Remains the Same. I just want to see live concert footage. The fantasy segment stuff is OK but it takes away from the impact of a seminal band in its element - on stage.

As for the rights to the show, I think it shows the respect for Glover and the overall comraderie amongst this group of musicians that so much talent was assembled on one stage without any thought to rights, etc. I think the only musician possibly having any claim to it is Glover because he wrote the music. He must've not had good management on his side overlooking the business end for him. Now it keeps coming back to haunt him.

All performances, sounds and images are probably owned by the film-makers or to whomever they licensed this material. The only recourse for Glover (or any of the performers) at this point is to buy back the rights and then do with it as they wish. Also, Glenn might have a claim against this company because his image was used all over the place on the packaging without his permission. I'm not sure if he's seen the film and is embarrassed by it or doesn't care one way or the other. He's always been so good about not airing grievances publicly that I would imagine he views this as not being worth the trouble. He has bigger and better things to do right now!

Brian

I wish someone would have put enough thought into it and put two versions on the same disc. One of the original concept with all the b.s., and another of just the concert itself.

Oh well...I guess if they wanted my opinion, they would have asked for it :lol:

I've ordered it anyway, to replace my VHS version. Plus, I imagine once this first run of it is gone...it's gone for good.

Chip

my take on The Butterfly Ball concert film

so......

the DVD has arrived, and basically everything has already been said.

I was surprised though that there IS actually concert footage, and quite a lot considering the reviews, and all the songs are much longer than on the studio album!
(I had never seen this before!)

Here's my take on it:

1.) The costumes are awful. All of the additional film footage is totally worthless. :1:
2.) Glenn's not in the best shape. :huh:
3.) Fancy are great - especially if you try to compare this to their 2 mediocre studio albums. :guitarist :drummer:
4.) Tony Ashton (R.I.P.) is just outstanding: (possibly) drunk, (very possibly) a wild and crazy guy and (definitely) one hell of a performer! He is able to sing, drink wine and smoke simultaneously. The gap between his two upper front teeth is so big that he can put a cigarette between them and sing at the same time!? He is able to perform with a (burning) cigarette in his nose!!??? :claphands :bow:
5.) I believe that's Earl Jordan singing Jimmy Helms' part. Excellent! :singer:
6.) Liza Strike is there in the girls choir - but where's "Fly away" ???? One of my favourite BB songs? :confused:
7.) It's funny to watch Eddie Hardin sing. He always looks like he is gaspping for air, but that's his style... :singer:
8.) Coverdale is actually enjoying it. :)
9.) sooooo many smiles. Great vibes. Also check out Mark Nauseef (percussion) running around the stage. :)
10.) Eddie Jobson with a big violin solo during "No Solution" (is it?) :clapper:
11.) great vocals by John Lawton. :singer:
12.) Ian Gillan in a late sixties styling. :cool:
13.) Twiggy's sad eyes. :(
14.) Vincent Price :bow:
15.) Old Blind Mole: played way too long, and you gotta hate that guy in the costume. :axe:
16.) Judi Kuhl - a beautiful woman :rose:
17.) and I have always loved the Helen Chappelle/Barry St. John duet! :) :singer:
18.) where's Harlequin Hare??? :huh:
19.) Has the running order been changed for the concert or only for the film? :huh:
20.) Where can I sign a petition to release the concert film properly? THE CONCERT only, that is!!!!

Cheers,
Christian

Here's a blast from the past :) "Love Is All" from The Butterfly Ball...Royal Albert Hall, London - October 16th, 1975.

YouTube Video

What could have benn..

The actual performance is quite cool...but one look at the additonal footage and it is easy to see why this DVD is a huge Maalox moment for Rgoer Glover. His noble intentions are reduced to a joke...too bad!

This was a big break for John Lawton getting to deputize for Ronnie James Dio. Uriah Heep was another year up the road but Lawton gets to show off his vocal chops here. And Eddie Jobson gives us a plexiglass hoedown....sweet!

Twiggy was there too..I am abashed to admit that the first time I ever saw Twiggy on the screen was in her cameo role as the "mystery woman" in the "Blues Brothers" movie. When she was a teenager and still known as Leslie Hornsby, her paperboy at one time was none other than Keith Moon. Or so I have read...

many tahnks for the video !! :thumbsup:

"Get Ready" featuring Glenn on lead vocals - but don't blink, as you might miss him :p

YouTube - Glenn Hughes & Jon Lord - Get Ready (Butterfly Ball 1975) VERY RARE FOOTAGE!

woooooooooooooooooooooooooow thanks david

Man Coverdale had a fat voice back in those days! love it! :bow: