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Deep Purple

Deep Purple

Review by Larry Toering

Deep Purple's third album, simply titled “Deep Purple,” was arguably the strongest of the first three, and most of this Eagle re-issue is of digitally remastered quality, done in 2000. The heavier, more progressive leanings came full circle for this line-up here, before the band split and Rod Evans and Nick Simper were respectively replaced by Ian Gillan and Roger Glover.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2011  Volume 5 at lulu.com/strangesound.

Track by Track Review
Chasing Shadows

This already had a real tribal, almost sinister effect, and now it's even more apparent. Ian Paice comes alive on percussion and the rest is history. Instantly one notices a better take on an old classic because of the remastered sound. The band wasted no time opening with this pulverizing classic.

Blind

This sounds very crisp and clean as opposed to the original, and it's a brilliant tune, one of my favorites so I am especially critical of this. I'm actually thankful for it.

Lelena

Probably not needing the treatment for one reason or another, this is one of only two non-remastered regular album tracks here, as where the other two re-issues have less remastered tracks, but they all have various differences making them worth buying. This is one of those covers I never understood why they did, as it's so close to the original by Donovan.

Fault Line

This is Purple at their freaky best, as Lon Lord displays some of his best organ work to that point in time. It serves as a good intro for the next track, as it runs into it. Once again it's lovely to hear this remastered.

The Painter

The heaviness proceeds to prevail as the Purple sound begins to set its form for what would go on for years. Everyone is all of a sudden on fire and playing with more confidence than ever.

Why Didn't Rosemary

This is the other non-remastered track, and it too need not be toyed with, as it's another one of their best tracks ever. Taken from an Elvis track, Blackmore works it out as Evans sings of a sinister subject.

Bird Has Flown

They roll through yet another one of their best with this number that was also a single. This is quite the story, and that’s probably why it's a fan favorite to this day.

April

The album proper closes with another one of their best, as not much more can be said when that is the case. This is a complex number with a string arrangement. After this, Deep Purple would never be the same.

Bird Has Flown (Alternate Track A-side Version)

There is obviously more than one version of this, (the more the better).

Emmeretta (Bonus Track Studio B-side)

Great B-side single, this is one of my favorites, and worthy of inclusion.

Emmeretta (BBC Top Gear Session)

Here’s another version, also worthy of its position on the disc.

Lalena (BCC Top Radio Session)

Since the other version isn't remastered here, this is an added treat.

The Painter (BBC Top Radio Session)

Deep Purple are always at their best live, and this was no exception at the time.

 

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