The Butterfly Ball

We are going back in time, it's 1974. This is a project from Deep Purple´s bassist, Roger Glover.

The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast is a concept album and subsequent live rock opera appearing in 1974 and 1975 respectively, based on the children's poem of a similar title, written in 1802 by William Roscoe, and telling the story of a party for insects and other small animals. The album cover design is from Alan Aldridge's design for a 1973 book based on the poem.

The work was originally conceived as a solo vehicle for Jon Lord to be produced by Roger Glover who had recently left Deep Purple. However, Jon Lord proved too busy with Deep Purple and Roger Glover took up the reins on his own.

Using his connections, Roger Glover recruited a large cast of noted rock musicians to perform on it, with a different vocalist for each character, including Ronnie James Dio David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes.

The single "Love Is All", with vocals from Ronnie James Dio, made a minor impression in the UK but reached number one in The Netherlands. Its accompanying animated short movie, The Butterfly Ball, made by the Halas & Batchelor company, also gained unexpected success in France, where the newly launched second TV channel Antenne 2 used it as a fill-in every time it experienced "technical difficulties".

These random airings, together with the psychedelic tone of the clip and the lack of subtitles, made it very popular amongst young viewers. This success was renewed in France in 1991 when Sironimo, a brand of flavored syrup used the song in a very popular animated commercial. In 2006 the song was used by the Dutch political party CDA in its election advertisements for the 2006 Dutch General Election. Many Americans in the late 1970s, 1980s and 1990s recall seeing the animated song clip "Love Is All" being regularly played in children's TV programs such as The Great Space Coaster and Nickelodeon morning shows.

"Love Is All" and its animated music video were also given wide exposure in the southern hemisphere. It became something of a favourite well into the 1980s on pioneering Australian music show Countdown (1974–1987), and was also regularly used as an interstitial program on the ABC. With its rousing lyrics and parade of animals marching through the forest on their way to the mythical Butterfly Ball, the song attained Top 10 status 'Down Under' four years after it was recorded.

On October 16, 1975, a one-off performance at the Royal Albert Hall took place. Again it had a star-studded cast of rock musicians, most notably was Deep Purple's singer Ian Gillan who was drafted in at the last minute and received a standing ovation on his entrance. He replaced an unavailable Ronnie James Dio who had commitments with Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow (although Ronnie did eventually get to perform the song at the Royal Albert Hall in 1999 as the guest of Deep Purple).

01 Dawn (Instrumental)

An atmospheric instrumental scene setting the early-morning tone in the English woods as the sun rises and nature wakes up.

02 Get Ready

The energetic wake-up call and rush of preparation as the insects and small animals clean up, dress, and get ready for the big event.

03 Saffron Dormouse and Lizzy Bee

A gentle, whimsical portrait of the Saffron Dormouse and Lizzy Bee getting dressed and heading out together.

04 Harlequin Hare

The introduction of the Harlequin Hare, bounding through the landscape with playful, theatrical flair.

05 Old Blind Mole

A slightly dark, subterranean perspective from the Old Blind Mole navigating the damp earth far beneath the surface.

06 Magician Moth (Instrumental)

An instrumental or atmospheric interlude depicting the mystical, fluttering arrival of the Magician Moth casting a spell over the woods.

07 No Solution

A heavier, anxious track reflecting the frantic worries and logistical snags some creatures face trying to get to the party.

08 Behind the Smile

A reflective, bluesy-rock track exploring the hidden melancholy or masks that some of the creatures wear behind a cheerful exterior.

09 Fly Away

A soaring, liberation-themed song about winged creatures taking to the air and leaving their troubles behind.

10 Aranea

A delicate, intricate piece dedicated to Aranea the spider spinning her web in the background of the festivities.

11 Sitting in a Dream

A peaceful ballad about a traveler passing the time playing a guitar and watching clouds and balloons drift by before heading to the ball.

12 Waiting

The anticipation builds as the guests wait eagerly for the celebration to officially kick off.

13 Sir Maximus Mouse

In the book a busy workaholic, Sir Maximus Mouse is portrayed here as a booming, grandiose or corporate-styled cheese tycoon character.

14 Dreams of Sir Bedivere (instrumental)

A sweeping, knightly-themed instrumental evoking chivalric daydreams among the tiny woodland attendees.

15 Together Again

A joyful reunion song as old friends and scattered creatures finally cross paths on the way to the gathering.

16 Watch Out for the Bat

A spooky, cautionary warning about the twilight predator (the bat) swooping across the evening sky.

17 Little Chalk Blue

A poignant song about a tiny, fragile blue butterfly or insect struggling against the elements.

18 The Feast (instrumental)

A lively piano-led instrumental medley reprising motifs from the character songs as everyone arrives at the banquet table.

19 Love Is All

The album’s breakout hit (famous for its animated short film), delivering an anthemic, Beatles-inspired message that love and unity bring everyone together at the ball.

20 Homeward

The closing lullabiessong as the glowing fireflies and glow-worms lead the exhausted, happy partygoers back home under the night sky

The Butterfly Ball

The Butterfly Ball en de Grasshopper's Feast

Original Album

From 1995

Film version from the concert 16 October 1975

Singles

Members Original Album

The Story