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North American press roundup

Don Airey in Quebec City, June 4, 2011; photo © Nick Soveiko CC-BY-NC-SA

Here’s a little roundup of the North American press coverage for the tour that was not featured elsewhere on our site.

The Examiner has a positively glowing review and slide show of the first night at New York’s Beacon Theater on June 14:

Rock music has evolved dramatically since the heydays of the 60s, with grunge, indie, heavy metal, and thousands of sub-genres offering a rich tapestry of audio brilliance. But every one of those bands, from Megadeth to Nirvana to Arcade Fire, any band that has ever written a riff and said “hey, this rocks,” owes something to Deep Purple and its distinguished lineups over the years. That made last night’s show all the more enjoyable, beyond its raucous, two hours of straight up hard rock music that made heads bang and fists pump. The members of Deep Purple are class acts all the way, even taking time to sign autographs for fans waiting on the 75th Street stage entrance, and will serve as shining examples of how rock n’ roll is done for every future rock star to come.

Read more in The Examiner.

MLive.com has an interview with Roger Glover promoting the Detroit show on June 17. He explains how the idea of an orchestral tour came around:

We tour constantly all around the world. We have high profiles in most of the places. In America, it’s dipped a bit. We thought, ‘What can we do to say hello?’ Our manager approached promoters and someone came up with the idea of extra musicians or guests or something like that. The promoters really went with it. They believed in it so we thought, ‘Why not?’

Read more on MLive.com.

Across the river from Detroit, The Winsor Star has interviewed Don Airey:

Just spoke with Jon recently. He heard we’d added Hard Lovin’ Man to the set. He told me to play the organ line just as loud as I possibly could. He also said never get in the way of Ian Paice’s (drum) fills.

Read more in The Windsor Star.



29 Comments to “North American press roundup”:

  1. 1
    crabby says:

    did they pay these reporters? it is too good to be true.

  2. 2
    Ted The Mechanic says:

    Just back from a killer Black Country Communion gig at The Starland Ballroom in New Jersey. They were tight as if they have been together for years. Glenn’s voice was in top form. And as an added bonus, they did a great cover of Burn with Smokin’ Joe Bonamassa all over the fretboard to end the evening….

    See them….

    Peace,

    Ted

  3. 3
    butttocks says:

    @ 2 Starland ballroom in Sayerville is a nice club couldn’t make the gig that night glad to here you had agood time that night ted, and to hear it was a good show.

  4. 4
    Roberto says:

    great ‘Burn’ version? the drumming parts are simplified and vocals are sometimes out of tone…I listened many more ‘Burn’ version than this one…

  5. 5
    Larry R. Toering says:

    @2 -Well… I hope you have the albums too, the second one I received a promo of and cannot say enough good things about it. BCC 2 is a masterpiece!

    As for this US tour Purple is on…. so far I really expected to hear and see worse about it, much worse… makes me not so happy to decide not to attend. But then there are some reports by people saying they should’ve opted in my favor. I just expected to see so much more negativity about it.

  6. 6
    mike says:

    # 1 at the show in ycn 6/17/200 the band was on fire ian gillan on the money the sound was clear and great

  7. 7
    SEVEN-47 says:

    Attended the Minneapolis show last night; AWESOME! They still have it; especially MORSE & GLOVER, they seemed to be having the best time! GILLIAN’s voice was in top form, I do miss JON LORD and the hammond though! ERNIE & THE AUTOMATICS almost upstaged them, they sounded great!! The crowd were on their feet for most of the show, well done boys!

  8. 8
    stoffer says:

    Just saw the show in Highland Park (Chicago) Saturday night and the reports are TRUE. These guys came to rock and that is what they did, I just don’t know how long they can go on, they were fabulous. The setlist is probably the same as New York and personal highlights were Well Dressed Guitar, Hard Lovin’ Man and without a doubt the best singalong version of Smoke I’ve ever heard. It’s two days later and I’m still smiling what a great show!!

    On a personal note I (we my family and I) had the most coincidental thing happen to us. We were staying at the Marriot which was taking shuttles to the show and when we got on the bus we were chatting with other fans and I had the feeling that I was talking to Tracy Heyder (Zero the Hero) and I was right!! What a true fan this man is and what a twist of fate to meet someone who you feel as though you know and respect. I wish we could have talked much longer and the hotel would have had a bar, ha ha. I hope Tracy tells his story of the show, I think he had some inside info :)!! Deep Purple Fans…….and there were a lot…….You gotta love em.

  9. 9
    Tracy Heyder (aka Zero the Hero) says:

    Hey Mr. CRABBY PANTS @#1……

    You may have moved ahead of Purplepriest in the realm of ‘negativity’. Don’t know why you waste so much time here constantly doing the ‘Purple Bash’. You obviously haven’t the interest, time, nor maybe the funds to attend a Purple Show, but you get off constantly spewing your uneducated, ignorant perspective which is totally unwarranted due to your apparent lack of experience as a fan.

    My review coming shortly of the Illinois show on June 18th will make your head spin around like Linda Blair in the movie the Exorcist due to your obviously being possessed by the ‘Purple Hater Demon’. It’s time for you to be exorcised by attending one of these Orchestra Shows so you can speak from a platform as a witness rather than an unknowing rabble-rouser. Basically, ‘put up or shut up’……

    Cheers

  10. 10
    Tracy Heyder (aka Zero the Hero) says:

    OK, back to the subject matter here….

    After reading all of these interviews, press reviewsand speaking to them directly, it’s clear there seems to be a push toward possible proper promotion regarding the next (and most likely last) album next year. I presume they have come to the conclusion that if they are going to go through the hassle of doing another record, and that they are also likely realizing it to be the final hurrah, they are going to do it up right and go out with a US Exposure Effort to finish with. They state that they will tour the New Album next year. Roger told me himself the same thing in Illinois. I must state here, that after witnessing them on the 18th, I am thoroughly enthused and am also finding that I have to eat my words regarding the 2011 shake-up that I was advised would take place. Roger and Don sounded as positive as I have heard from this band regarding the future….

    Amazing bunch these profoundly gifted and seamlessly immortal musicians….

    Cheers

  11. 11
    Cuccicoo says:

    Took my son to see them in Detroit. I gotta say, it’s nice to be up close and see how much these guys appreciate the fans. Roger’s bass solo was quite cool. In fact, I later heard that he has a room reserved at the home for the eternally cool. I don’t know if they will be in these parts again, so I paid for the good seats.

  12. 12
    Danny N says:

    I am not one to put too much stock in concert reviews. Often times the reviewers know little or nothing about the group’s music, stay for a half hour and then run off to type it up in order to meet deadlines. What I can say is that I saw the sold out show in Montreal and it was great. I have seen every Purple tour since Perfect Strangers and the guys were indeed on fire. Sure the orchestra was different, but different in a good way. If you have a chance to see the show I say go.

  13. 13
    The Holy Chair says:

    “The room for the eternally cool”?

  14. 14
    The Holy Chair says:

    Unfortunate choice , that Crabby name, but who am I ? : )

    His of her contributions look like just rammed down something.
    Maybe his new contributions can be a bit more prolific.

    I did read all interviews.
    Indeed, an explosion of words.

    I dont think it was in the ints of this thread but…..

    Right now I am too lazy to read the ints again(…) so…..
    Cant recall really.
    Bit my impression it was too that reviews and interviews are often a bit , ahem, unlikely.

    One , who was at 1 of the shows, said something alike :

    Gillan can sing HardLoving Man exactly the same as on IN ROCK.
    Well, excuse me……

    It happened to me very often as well.
    Being there sometimes lifts you up in spirit, covering the blanks and deficits with the blanket of love.
    Subconsciously cementing the live version with the classic versions in my head.

    Its not all bad, the performances, on the contrary.
    There always songs/moments which are delivered very well, sometimes splendid.

    IMHO, Space Trucking, The How how how parts in HLM, the 2nd part of the guitarsolo in HLM, SKOW parts in which he tries to scream,and more things like that : HORRIBLE.

    But maybe just hearing Ian sing WABM justifies the price of admission?

    There is more, but Im spoiled.

    Personally I feel that Paicey s spectrum has “thinned”.
    Not an unimportant part of the DP sound.
    He is not any drummer, you know.

    And that nonsense thing that they wont play new songs because they fear it will cause vanishing sales of the new album.
    RIDICILOUS!!!

    They wont be overhere untill the end of the year.
    Still a lot has to happen bringing me to buy a ticket.

    I dont care about the bloody orchestra, so to me thats not a valid reason for a high proiced ticket .
    No new songs to be heard for the next moments with wich I can be teased and warmed into going.
    Playing in a big arena is not something I like very much, espescially not in november or december.

    Cheers to ya all.

    Happy I did not go Dio s Diciples.
    Dont approve of those 2 (…)singers.
    But I feel bad about missing out on The Rods.

    Lordy in The Hague, later this year.

    No JLT adventures over here very soon I m afraid. Maybe OTR will rise again?

    Blackmores Night will not be visiting Holland this year.

    So, missing out on afew dates since, my last show was Amsterdam, 2003, I think.

    Very often BN s music bores me to tears.

    But ,very confusing,although I am not getting goosebumps from Candice s voice, SHE CAN SING.

    At shows I got bored very soon.

    But that last SOTW I posted from the USA tour, in which Ritchie plays a solo that shows why I m so struck on him, is NOW the reason I m eager to go anyway.

    I know the man is unpredictable but hey…..

    HE IS RITCHIE BLACKMORE.

    Even during the hardest moments in my life his playing energises me and makes me smile.

    Listen to Adam Faiths “I Survived” from 1974 on YT.He plays a majestic inro.
    Take Son Of Alerik.

    And so on.

    And You ll know. : )

  15. 15
    Larry R. Toering says:

    @Priest -nice VIRTUAL review of the tour from Youtube source!!!!! Get off your stupid horse there, it really does pain to read Youtube reviews of US shows from the top of a windmill somewhere in Holland. Absolute comedy at best! And that is only after reading the first quarter of your post. The rest meandered so far away from the topic I can’t believe my eyes anymore than what you wrote. And again what does any of this have to do with Ritchie Blackmore, playing songs he ‘helped’ write or not…. talk about getting over it. Get well soon.
    =====

    Nice burn Tracy, what did Ian have to say? Oh that’s right, he isn’t visiting the fans for a very good reason. I would consider that reason and still take whatever they say about their future with a grain of salt… album… yes… subsequent tour… yes…. how it all plays out though…. to be seen with much health concerns in the process concerning one of them…. facts!

  16. 16
    George Martin says:

    All I can say is this. I saw 2 shows on this tour. The PNC Bank Arts Center and the 2nd night at the Beacon in New York City and if this is the end they went out on a high note with me! I hope it continues but I’m realistic, no one gets younger and health does not last forever. They were great and no one can take that away! I thank them for all the years of great music and live performances. The memories will last forever. Hopefully it will continue, I still want more!

  17. 17
    The Holy Chair says:

    Did you know its not an exclusive thing to Holland using the windmill?
    Wish I had one.

    Who is ill?

  18. 18
    The Holy Chair says:

    Btw, Larry(How is Ghost ? : )

    What was the last time you saw the Purps before this?
    Are you still not going?
    Do they have windmills in your state or are you trying to seize a skycraper? : )

  19. 19
    Tracy Heyder (aka Zero the Hero) says:

    Well Larry…

    As we all know, they are all pretty old..Steve being the youngest at 56 while Gillan is 66. Yes, since there are 5 of them, I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the 5 winds up going ill. Just the odds alone make it an inevitable probability. Gillan seemed to have put some weight back on, which may be a factor in why he sang so well in Illinois. Better than I’ve heard in years. If you are alluding to Ian being sick and that being why he didn’t stop in to chat after the show, then I guess Ian Paice, and Steve Morse have the same illness. Unfortunately for me, the management of the venue actually pushed for the meet and greet to be ended due to their time constraint. All I can state here is what I was told directly by 2 band members, in person. I had reservations about there being another record and even whether the line-up would stay the same prior to this show, but after seeing these guys play their asses off and hearing what they said to me after the show, I must say, I am fully confident about the band, the next album and tour. Now, as far as the Promoters and Management goes, that’s the same old 300 pound gorilla working against them that has been doing so for ever…

    Cheers

  20. 20
    Rascal says:

    Priests extended moaning as a ‘arm chair voyeur’ are pointless and worthless.

    Its obvious even when fans praise these gigs – Priest just cant except that the band cant still entertain without his beloved obsession!

  21. 21
    The Holy Chair says:

    And you are fixated on me while many others speak out similar views.

  22. 22
    Victor says:

    Lots of positive vibes from fans coming in the form of short fan reviews via ticketmaster and live nation. I’m looking forward to seeing them in LA and Concord this coming weekend. Lots of Love for Deep Purple; today, tomorrow and yesterday!! Rock on, indeed!!!!

  23. 23
    Ted The Mechanic says:

    Not fixated, just trying to understand why you and the other similar viewers continue to spew what truly is nonsensical musings.

    I attended the Atlantic City gig and the band was off the proverbial charts. And the objective audience had a great time witnessing a great band regardless of what freaking Mark was delivering the GREAT goods.

    Not sure that there is hope for you so MIB ingrained. Perhaps an epiphany will do the trick….?

    Grab that clue, Mark! Be open to it….!

    Peace,

    Ted

    The banjo player took a hike!!!! Which led to a further freak show Mark incarnation!!!! You’re the greatest Sir Steve!!!!

  24. 24
    Rascal says:

    @21 No fixation – just tired of listening to the same old ‘blinkered’ ‘un-informed’ ‘obsessive’ rubbish that you spout.

    And to quote you ‘while many others speak out similiar views’.

  25. 25
    The Holy Chair says:

    @ 23

    I wasnt talking to you.
    So…?

    On the other hand :

    OBJECTIVE audience?!
    There aint such a thing.

    I did not write that everything of their performance is bad, on the contrary.
    I always try to pick up the positives when possible.From the moment on the “new guy”came in I had to wiggle in my chair, trying and trying : )

    Epiphany?
    I m not religious and dont do drugs.

    Thank you.

    @ 24

    Well, this continue this childish conversation :

    Werent you the one that said that DP are only doing it for the money/pensionfund and the soloalbums as a hobby?

    If I had talked/spouted(?)my opinions like this around 96 you d have been totally right.
    Like I said to Ted in the beginning I was “openminded” and I also think Purpendicular is not bad at all.

    Btw, you use a lot of quotation marks”for someone who who wants to look sure of himself.

    And waht is “similiair”? : )

  26. 26
    Larry R. Toering says:

    @Priest, have some of that fruit you seem to always be on, blend it with some cake batter though, it’s falling apart. You really need to look up the term ‘expression’ -so you can tell when someone is using one. I’ve been to Holland and seen more than a few in the country, so don’t be coy, as it wasn’t a stereotype, as I said it was an expression, there is a big difference. I didn’t say anyone was actually ill either, but health as you know is important. That is one thing I can say you’re a minor expert on, probably driven by your own concerns for yourself, but either way you seem human in that one department. Always take me with a lack of seriousness and this will be a lot more fun, I mean at least we share good taste in music, even if you question such taste from time to time… nothing unhealthy about that.

    What does the last time I saw Purple have to do with anything, I’ve seen them 17 times in four countries and six US states, I think I did okay if I never see them again. I always pick my gigs carefully too, and the territories as well. Never had the luxury of them playing in my area, in fact only a few times round here since ’85, so my efforts are content.
    =========

    @Tracy, I mostly just wanted to hear back from you, ha ha ha… thanks for that! It really is nice to know this tour isn’t a bomb, or a complete one anyway. I’ll say you witnessed one of Ian’s good nights, but he isn’t exactly on top of every single show. I mean the orchestra is there to somewhat hide their lack of cohesiveness, whatever that may be from, but I don’t think that was the intention at first, it was more of a gimmick factor. However, Roger missed some dates and they seem to be missing many queue’s on stage, playing slower, downtuning to Ian’s key problems that are probably due to his fatiigue or something. Yes I do see he has gained some poundage, in Minnisota for instance it shows… might be the shirt he is weraing but obviously something has gone to the wayside concerning his shape, as where 9 months ago people were complaining about how thin he was. I also noticed some asshole on Youtube who was at one of the shows and loved it, still commented that THE SINGER KEPT RUNNING BACK BETWEEN SONGS TO SNORT COCAINE, HA HA HA HA…. yet this person clearly enjoyed the show. Sorry but if Ian isn’t on, I don’t believe I would have a good review to give, but since that has never happened with me I take comfort it. Here is some of that Minnisota action for those wo aren’t following, I would post Lazy with the violin solo, but this is much better, and hey Priest, it even includes a piece that Blackmore didn’t have any hand in… wow, imagine that! 🙂 -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T-Zx04RIDA&feature=share

  27. 27
    Larry R. Toering says:

    You will have to copy and paste that to browser… these days there seems to be a glitch in forums when including the http://

  28. 28
    The Holy Chair says:

    ” What does the last time I saw Purple have to do with anything.”

    I meant this :

    “It really does pain to read Youtube reviews of US shows from the top of a windmill somewhere in Holland.”

    You are saying I dont have a right to watch YT s and judge.
    You ve a point in that sense qualitywise is often not enough to judge.

    And indeed I did not see them since early 2006.

    That puts us in the same position.

    Still its exaggeration to state one can do nothing with Yt s to form an opinion.

    Btw, I know you have a nasty streak but namecalling(Morons)?

  29. 29
    Rascal says:

    @35 DP is the pension fund – does that alter the fact that DP can still entertain and still perform well? Plan for the day you dont have an income – seems sensible.

    “similiair’ is the same as ‘waht’……..

    Im very sure of myself with or without quotation marks.

    Seems to me the tour is going well, being well received throughout North America. I have to admit I wasnt sure about the orchestra – but im glad its working out!

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