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Elly Roberts reviews
EMI
- March 2008
- Rating: 10/10++
Amazing what adverts can do.
This album reissue of the 1998 original is a simultaneous release with thedigital download of Deep Purples hit Hush, featured on the currentJaguar TV ad, both available from March 24. It brings the heavyweight rockersback into the limelight all over again, and its great to hear them.
This very best of captures DPs scintillating brand of heavy rock. Youdbetter be ready, because in most part this is a white knuckle ride, as in theearly 70s they were credited as being the loudest live band in the GuinnessBook of World Records with a reading of 117 decibels, since smashed by The Whowith 126 decibels in 1976.
My love affair with them began with Fireball, a blistering single fromlate 1971; with drums pounding at 240 beats per minute, I was hooked. Theirearliest work was based on pseudo-classical keyboard flourishes that evolvedinto gigantic riffs and soaring bluesy solos.
Hush, a cover of Joe Souths memorable song, gave them their first Americanhit, but it would be another 20 years (1988) before it charted in the UK, reachinga lowly 62. Their chart success in the UK has been book-ended by one song themighty Black Night, first in 1970 (reaching number 2, their highest position)then 1995 (number 66).
This collection isnt just about singles though, as only four others made thegrade. Featured on their 1972 classic album Machine Head, Smoke On The Waterhas one of rocks most memorable riffs, ever. Its central theme, a four noteblues scale melody harmonised in parallel fourths played by Ritchie Blackmorerustles up a storm while revealing the true story of the burning casino onLake Geneva.
Strange Kind Of Woman was their second single, and their second biggestsuccess. Never Before was also on Machine Head but stayed outsidethe Top 30. One curious omission from this stellar album is Space Truckin,but beefy Highway Star and earth-shattering Speed King make up forit.
By the mid-’70s their commercial star had waned, principally due to line-upchanges and below-par albums with Perfect Strangers, recorded by the DPclassic Mark 2 reformed line- up of singer Ian Gillan (the only rock singerto match Led Zeps Robert Plant) Ritchie Blackmore, Jon Lord, Ian Paice andRoger Glover failing to return them to past glory, languishing at 48.
Two of their greatest moments were album tracks Child In Time and WhenA Blind Man Cries. The former had strong elements of musical theatre combinedwith stratospheric riffs and solos by Blackmore. This format suited Gillan perfectlyas hed already sung in Jesus Christ Superstar. His dazzling vocal dexteritydefies belief. Not even Plant could match it. The latter was originally a B-sideof Never Before. It showed a more subtle (and melodic) side to the rockers,highlighted this time by Blackmores beautiful solo.
One of their most stylish singles (which didnt chart UK) was dirty rockerWoman From Tokyo from their fourth album Who Do We Think We Are,1972 .Lord opts for piano instead of organ, with startling results. For me theslide began with Burn, though it remains popular with fans.You Keep On Moving, Ted The Mechanic and Any Fule Kno That are theirweakest songs.
Theyre still going strong, but not the complete Mark 2 line-up.
File under: Some of the greatest moments in Rock history.
For a full track listing, check out the Amazon link above.
Weblink:deeppurple.com
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.