Deep Purple - =1

  by Nick Dent-Robinson

published: 29 / 10 / 2024

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Review

Back in the very late 1960s and early 1970s, pop music increasingly moved towards heavily amplified and more sophisticated styles. At the heart of this seismic shift were three major bands, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple. In 1975 ‘The Guinness Book Of Records’ crowned Deep Purple the world's loudest-ever band! But there was always far more to London-based Deep Purple than their terrifying volume! Their work was hugely varied - from speeding cars (‘Highway Star’) to mysterious women (‘Fireball’) - and it encompassed sophisticated orchestral compositions and jazz. One of their biggest hits, ‘Smoke On The Water’was based on a traditional blues riff. The band were all very accomplished musicians. Their keyboardist Jon Lord (who sadly died back in 2012) had played classical piano from the age of five and his compositions often drew on his detailed knowledge of J S Bach or Elgar or Chopin. In his solo career, Lord later filled the Festival Hall with performances of fine classical-style pieces and songs, some written jointly with the singer-songwriter Sam Brown who would perform with him. Deep Purple have now returned with a new album, ‘=1’ (equals one) - their 23rd LP. Three survivors of the arly 1970s Deep Purple line-up prevail. They are bassist Roger Glover, drummer Ian Paice and the pivotal figure of Ian Gillan, now 78. Gillan may no longer have the four octave range he once did – but he is still a great storyteller, singing in a lower register without the need of any electronic trickery. Production is by Canadian Bob Ezrin (who worked with Alice Cooper on classics like ‘School's Ou’”) and there is a great, crispy sound to all the album's rockier numbers. Vocal harmonies on ‘Show Me’ are impressive, ‘Catch You’ is a fine bluesy ballad and ‘Portable Door’ is reminiscent of 1970's ‘Black Night”’ Northern Irishman Simon McBride replaces guitarist Steve Morse who in turn had replaced Deep Purple legend Ritchie Blackmore when he left the band in 1993. But McBride's guitar work is superb – and absolutely up to Deep Purple's very high standard. In ‘Pictures Of You’ Ian Gillan rails against the digitally enhanced world of Instagram – and also wonders whether he might be past his prime. But, on the evidence of ‘=1’, this is clearly not the case! Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath may now be in the history books - but, for Deep Purple, the show is definitely going on! Deep Purple start a UK tour on 4 November at Resorts World Arena, Birmingham (see axs.com) Approx 400 words

Track Listing:-

1 A1 Show Me
2 A2 A Bit On The Side
3 A3 Sharp Shooter
4 A4 Portable Door
5 B1 Old-Fangled Thing
6 B2 If I Were You
7 B3 Pictures Of You
8 B4 I'm Saying Nothin'
9 C1 Lazy Sod
10 C2 Now You're Talkin'
11 C3 No Money To Burn
12 D1 I'll Catch You
13 D2 Bleeding Obvious
14 CD-1 Show Me
15 CD-2 A Bit On The Side
16 CD-3 Sharp Shooter
17 CD-4 Portable Door
18 CD-5 Old-Fangled Thing
19 CD-6 If I Were You
20 CD-7 Pictures Of You
21 CD-8 I'm Saying Nothin'
22 CD-9 Lazy Sod
23 CD-10 Now You're Talkin'
24 CD-11 No Money To Burn
25 CD-12 I'll Catch You
26 CD-13 Bleeding Obvious
27 DVD Access All Areas
28 E1 Pictures Of Home
29 E2 No Need To Shout
30 F1 Nothing At All
31 F2 Lazy
32 G1 Strange Kind Of Woman
33 G2 Hush
34 H1 7 And 7 Is
35 H2 Throw My Bones
36 H3 Time For Bedlam
37 I1 Anya
38 I2 Perfect Strangers
39 J1 Smoke On The Water
40 J2 Black Night

Band Links:-

https://deeppurple.com/
https://www.facebook.com/officialdeepp
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Pur

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