Royal albert hall gigs
Hi Guys (and girls) here's the update...saw these wonderful musicians again tonight [Sunday, Sept. 26. - Ed.] (yes eat your hearts out I know!). They were better tonight although I have my reservations about the sound...seemed better yesterday.
No changes in what was played...just in what I can remember - I've added the comments in the correct places...
Just got back from this...I have seen Purple a lot of times over the years with Blackmore, Bolin, Blackmore again etc... Never have they been as good as this!
Second night was probably better performance although sound was not quite as good. Plenty of people seemed to be in there bootlegging and vidioing it etc... Think I'll wait for the real release thanks... It was filmed and recorded properly for the second night.
Stop Press: Deep Purple with Special Guests and the London Symphony Orchestra 25/09/99 - thirty years and a day from the original concert!
Second night - Sunday (very wet) 26/09/99
Deep Purple played a special concert in London today with the LSO and special guests. Here is what they did.
Introduction: - Four Scottish dances, op. 59 written by Malcolm Arnold (now Sir) and performed by the LSO - forgot to mention this for the first report. Sir Malcom could not attend as he was too ill.
Jon Lord performed two numbers off his latest solo album - one song was sung by Miller Anderson - Spot the Heep connection do you?
The songs were... "Pictured Within" sung by Miller Anderson and "Wait A While" sung by Sam Brown - what an amazing performance she did.
DP with Ronnie James Dio - sang - "Sitting In A Dream" - with Eddie Hardin on piano also sang "Love Is All" from the Butterfly Ball. - wonderful performance from Ronnie James Dio.
I think I said it was Tim Hardin and that they played "Hang On To A Dream"! - my mistake...had a few beers afterwards yesterday!
DP with Ian Gillan - sang "Via Miami" off 'Gillan/Glover album "Accidently On Purpose". He also sang "That's Why God Is Singing The Blues"...yesterday I called it "Why God Played The Blues"...look what a few jars does will do to you! - brilliant anyway!... "Via Miami" was one of my favourites of the night.
Steve Morse and (Steve Morse Band) - two numbers - these guys are amazing! - highlight of the night! The two numbers were... "Night Meets Light" and "Take It Off The Top". Anyone who is still complaining that Blackmore is not in the band has not heard these! Much as I think Blackmore was (and is) a brilliant player it it obvious to see that Morse has breathed fresh air into this band. And what talent!
Ian Paice and his (Impromptu) Jazz Orchestra (mostly DP members and loads of brass) - "Wring That Neck/Hard Road" - superb performance!
End of part one.
Part Two:
"Concerto for Rock Group and Orchestra": Parts 1, 2 and 3 - This was absolutely amazing - Steve Morse really whipes the floor with Blackmore's playing of this all those years ago. Morse is such a melodic player. This guy has so obviously breathed life back into this band - they actually look like they have fun playing together. Personally I think it is high time this exellent player (just listen to Dixie Dregs stuff and you know what I mean) is getting the recognition finally that he was due so long ago.
The performance for the second night of this Concerto was much tighter and a lot more exciting than the "dry run" yesterday. I can't wait for the DVD now!
Next on... DP themselves, full band with brass, strings etc...what did they play...well here it is...
"Ted The Mechanic", "Watching The Skies", "Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming" (this was SO good!), "Pictures of Home" (with full orchestra - amazing too). Then to round it all off...a BLISTERING version of "Smoke On The Water" with everyone joining in. Dio even sung some too!
With "Ted" and "Watching" it is obvious this band is getting heavier as they get older!
Still Purple wrote the book on hard rock in my opinion...they just get better! It's a shame that other bands can't seem to pull off what these guy's can.
Verdict - Best gig(s) I have seen in years...possibly the best of the century (or whats left of it).
I'm off tomorrow for the second night. It was so good - eat yer hearts out lads!
Second night - mission accomplished...now what do I go and see...ah..."Spocks Beard" I think is up next. That will be fun (won't it?).
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