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Summer in the studio? — Beginning to look like so

Deep Purple at the Great Wide Open festival, Muhldorf, Germany, June 13, 2009. Photo: Nick Soveiko CC-BY-NC-SA.

The five summer dates — two in Italy, one in Poland and two in Germany — that we mentioned as contradicting with the band’s summer studio plans are now listed on the ticket vendors’ sites either as cancelled or postponed until 2013. Well, as far as someting can be cancelled that was never confirmed in the first place. This clears the band’s touring schedule wide open from the end of Canadian tour in late February until the (so far very much unconfirmed) Russian dates in late October. For the first time in many years, we must add.

Studio, here we come?

Thanks to Marin Stoikov for the info.



50 Comments to “Summer in the studio? — Beginning to look like so”:

  1. 1
    Tracy Heyder (Zero the Hero) says:

    I think I stated this already on the previous blog regarding…..

    OK, it’s obviously ON. Maybe, just maybe they are going to take this serious all the way around. Proper production, proper promotion, and proper representation on tour.

    Hey Roger, my Log Cabin in the woods in Middle Tennessee on the side of a Rock Bluff over looking a flowing creek and pasture down below is the perfect location for recording. IT’s YOURS!!!! Bring the boys. The keys are yours.

    Cheers

  2. 2
    LRT says:

    I find it hard not to believe quotes that anyone would have to be blind not to see, not that I believe they are from Gillan himself at the ‘corporate’ website. (does he really think the fans will miss another opportunity to see them this summer without new material vesus with new material in the 2013? (clue number one that he might not have actually said it that way, but who knows) Not that I believe those are his axact words, cause he sounds 80 rather than 66 there if you ask me, but whatever. I do however see it a reason not to question their plans this time. I mean come on dude. Why be neagative at all at this point concerning it just because things have been hinted at before and not panned out.? (even though I’m kind of doing it to by question the atucal wording of the statement) This is an OFFICIAL statement so to speak. As far as production goes, I’m quite sure the project is a going to be a long one because of that, rather than paying someone big bucks to quick produce it in his back yard. Only problem there might be on overdo coming from it, like on Abandon. I want the Purpendicular sound, or perhaps the classic Purple sound, whatever that means. 🙂

  3. 3
    Tracy Heyder (Zero the Hero) says:

    For those whom seem to constantly complain about the relevancy of the present line-up and the last 4 albums being heavy enough or too boring, I challenge you.

    Below is a list of 12 songs. 3 from each of the last 4 albums. Make a CD using these 12 songs, placing them in random order. Plug it in. Crank it up. If you aren’t satisfied that this is an incredible Album of Deep Purple Music, you might want to change bands. This list doesn’t necessarily reflect my favorite songs, nor the best ones for the list. I didn’t put that much effort into it. Just a quick pick off the top of my head, but tested. It ROCKS!! Yeah, I know there could be other variations and tunes picked, but just give this one a try. I think you’ll be quite amazed and satisfied that these guys are really quite good. REALLY!

    “Purpendicular”
    Hey cisco
    A Castle Full of Rascals
    Rosas Cantina

    “Abandon”
    Seventh Heaven
    Evil Louie
    Fingers to the Bone

    “Bananas”
    Sun goes down
    Pictures of Innocence
    Bananas

    “Rapture of the Deep”
    Money Talks
    Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye
    Wrong Man

    I look forward to adding 3 more songs from this next album to my list for an even better compilation.

    Cheers

  4. 4
    Jeogger Matthews says:

    Always good news! Let’s pray and hope the band will be better motivated this time than the last tentative in Spain.

  5. 5
    Roberto says:

    please no Bredford…make a call to Martin Birch and Nick Blagona…

  6. 6
    David Sanderson says:

    Great news, the band seem to have been tour for the past 5 years or so, I hope they take a few weeks off to recharge the batteries before getting down to work on the next album, I just wonder what they come up with.

    Tracy, When ‘Perect Strangers’ was being recorded, Ritchie’s guitar could be heard blasting out all over Vermont, if the guys take your offer up, make sure you soundproof the log cabin or you’ll have us all over there trying to sneak a listen.

  7. 7
    kraatzy says:

    I have a dream … a dream is a dream is a dream till come true to reality !!!

    After that album and another 5 or 7 years, I think this will (I am very sure about that)
    be the very very last DP album 🙁

    LLRnR

    Kraatzy

  8. 8
    micke says:

    @ 1 Maybe I could have it too..? ;-))

  9. 9
    cja74 says:

    Please don’t let Bradford produce again

  10. 10
    Roberto says:

    @3 my tracklist would be A LOT different…that is NOT a Steve Morse era “best of” to me…

  11. 11
    John says:

    Right on Tracy!! Great list of tunes. IMHO every song on Purpendicular are excellent.. Let’s not forget “Walk On”.. “If you don’t like what you see, if you can do better than me, better walk on” Long live the Morse era!!!

  12. 12
    Tracy Heyder (Zero the Hero) says:

    Just received the announcement from their official website via an e-mail update. I doubt that this is another BS story. I do believe pressure from the fans is the main catalyst to it finally reaching fruition along with the band itself wanting it….(4 out of 5 anyway). I also believe this will be a more trimmed down Rock Fest with some good old instrumental battling going on. I have a feeling there is some pent-up energy from Steve and Don that is bursting to be released on this long overdue venture. As has been stated by many, this will probably be the last hurrah. Surely they realize that is probably the case. I would have to imagine they will take that into consideration upon entering into this effort. They need to remove all the stops and forge ahead with everything they have. Go out with a BANG!! Leave no stones unturned on this. And NO BRADFORD PLEASE! Come on Roger, DO THIS ONE!

    David Sanderson @6;
    My Cabin is way out in the Farmlands tucked back in the woods a quarter mile off the road with only one way in on 200 acres. It’s secluded and truly perfect for this venture. Plenty of room to roam around the property to let those creative juices bubble, hiking through the woods checking out all the wildlife. Deer, turkeys, squirrels, rabbits, hawks, owls, you name it. They can jam till “the sun goes down, and the moon comes up, and the moon goes down, and the sun comes up”…

    Cheers

  13. 13
    dave_wallis says:

    NO BRADFORD! Please, choose Blagona or do it yourself!

  14. 14
    T says:

    Re: #3

    Tracy, that is a great point. I made a mix called “Bananas of the Deep” (a somewhat unfortunate title, I must admit) taking the best songs from the last TWO albums and it sounds fairly good. Not stellar, perhaps, but fairly good–proving that the potential is certainly there as long as the fat is trimmed and the standards are high.

    I have to agree with those who say that the direction offered by the producer was probably more of the problem. For example, commercial-sounding songs which NEVER work with Purple, and background singers? Purplelettes aren’t really needed. Ballads just do not work that well with a Gillan line-up. I believe the inclusion of an “outside” producer was politically motivated. Let these guys run wild. Hughes always manages to have a long “epic” on his albums. I’d like to hear Airey and Morse have their musical say on a long number.

    The “official” announcement demonstrates that my initial prediction was correct–no album this year.

    Finally, I already have heard rumors that Gillan has retracted the statement by saying that they will record while on tour when time permits, but that is just a rumor…

  15. 15
    LRT says:

    @Tracy, it’s not like it takes a rocket scientist to do that, I’m sure many have, sure as you have mentioned this a time or two in the past. I do agree with it, but then I’m not complaing either way, really. I just didn’t like any of them after Purpendicular very much. But if I had to it would be Bananas by far of the other three. It’s the only one that stayed in rotation on my system till the next one came out. The other two dropped off no later than 6 months after release. True mark of flops if you ask me. Someone in another thread said Bananas was bunk, it wasn’t to me, although it wasn’t 100% on either, and that is why people don’t think they have an entire albums worth of effort in them anymore. Go back and make an album with 7 tracks over 6 minutes each and leave the rest of the disc time hanging I say, prove to us there is still an album like that in them. Put the work of three songs back into one, I mean it’s not that hard to cut the fat and give us the nothing but the beef.

  16. 16
    Tracy Heyder (Zero the Hero) says:

    Robert@10;

    Read what I stated. It doesn’t reflect my favorite tracks by any means. I was just taking 3 harder tunes from each of the albums, that’s all. Yeah, there are many others that can be exchanged. That is actually my point. This list was a ‘from the hip’ list, but it does what I was trying to do. Anybody can make a list of whatever tunes they like. I’m just asking for this one to be done. Do it and then be the judge.

    T@ 14;

    I called mine “Rapture of the Abandoned Purpendicular Banana”….(sounds like a porn film).

    LRT@ 15;

    Lucky me. Rocket Scientist I am not…..You?
    Look, I was just having some fun and asking for a little cooperation from the gang here. Everything doesn’t have to be an exact point here does it? Your ‘Bananas’ preference doesn’t much matter in this regard. Album or Song preference has no bearing on my little project here at all. What some folks call filler tracks, others actually find to be the better tracks. There is something on each album for everyone. Again, this was just something for fun, getting away from the SOS jargon that seems to bog down here.

    I disagree with the 7 track, 6 minutes each approach. That would be a MAXI-Single. These guys have no problem putting down a proper full CD album. They just unfortunately don’t do enough of them. I thoroughly enjoy all 4 of the last 4. I wish there were 8.

    Cheers

  17. 17
    Roberto says:

    @15 Yes, like in the ’70…just few songs…but masterpieces…only the strongs survive…
    and, as many other people, I say it again: NO BREDFORD! Nick Blagona is The Man!

  18. 18
    Tommy H. says:

    I’m really glad to hear that they finally might have decided to do a new record. As many already stated: All or nothing, there is no dimmer switch when this is probably their last studio effort after such a career. It needs to be everything for which they got famous for, it needs to be very deep and heavy and should be done with the same attitude as In Rock: If a song isn’t dramatic, intense or exciting enough, it doesn’t belong on the album. It should have an epic character with lots of space for extended organ/guitar work. I’m looking forward to whatever is ahead of us and hope that the guys record a fantastic new album!

  19. 19
    kostas says:

    This album must be realy apecial or just do not do it.We do not need another morse era album but a real purple classic.Hard powerfull fast and classical togeather…

  20. 20
    George Fotis says:

    All the last few albums have a couple of good songs here & there, but the album as a whole isn’t so great. But when you listen to Perfect Strangers , Fireball Ball , Machine Head etc all the songs are great . I prefer to listen to a live cd , rather than a studio one from the last few. This line up is more of a live band , a nostalgic act. But for some reason they sound softer & commercial in the studio . It was reported they mixed songs last Apil & this year it was coming out. Why not do it now & release it at the end of the year !

  21. 21
    purplepriest1965 says:

    As far as I know Martin Birch retired many years ago.
    I sometimes wonder how the DP reunion albums and latter Iron Miaden would have sounded still with him on board.

    Like they’ve said themselves he was a important integral part of the band, so……

    I also thought they made good songs along the way.
    Although I perceive the albums after Purpendicular(I think almost everyone agrees that was their BIGGEST album so far)and Bananas like Larry does.

    I would choose a different list of “stand-outs”, hard to debate about these.

    Remains a fact though that they recorded 4 albums in about 12 years.

    But about “16 stand-outs” culled from those 4 does not really have a convincing effect, regarding the verlasting pretending they were such a ALIVE band with great chemistry.

    On the other hand, I think Purpendicular and Bananas(which like Simon Robinson of DPAS I feel was way better produced than ROTD)have more than 4 great songs in them.

    I always felt that ROTD, apart from the production aspect, could have benefitted from a LONGER WORKPERIOD.(…)

    Painful is experiencing a good song being faded.

    Painful is knowing that the talent should have been there to make a mediocre song(made into that because the skeleton of the song has great potential but not worked out further)into a killer epic track.

    I doubt a bit about Martin Birch because WDWTWA sounded and still does sound great but BURN was badly produced.

    The latter is shown through the problems they had possibilitywise when releasing an anniversary edition.
    Just pushing the volume(Coverdale’s input) does not really constitute a better sounding product.
    Maybe Kevin Shirley could do a better remix?

    On the other hand, CTTB on which he does a great job was like WDWTWA a studio location and not an improvised location to record.
    BURN and MachineHead both were done in an improvised unconventional place.
    So why then does the remix of MH sound better than the one from BURN?

    Tracy said :

    ” They need to remove all the stops and forge ahead with everything they have.”

    Did they not try that with ABANDON?

    Are you implying that both Bananas and ROTD were too, like Blackmore would have regarded it, cerebral?

    I d welcome a good last album but don’t hold my breath.
    I m sure that both Morse and Airey might be very hungry, ready and willing by now but……

    Maybe Lord should coach Airey a bit more, he did advise him before.

    Morse is what he is.
    I don’t think he’s able to pull out the old fashioned agression the DP sound needs.
    That force that makes one jump out of the chair and get exited as when one was still 14 years old and hear Live In Japan for the first time.

    On the other hand(…), I might be too harsh.
    He did prove over the years to be able to be more adaptable than before and on HardLoving Man live he took a rare route, using the original guitarsound from the album.

    And if nothing works take some appetisers or whatever to kick yourself into the appropriate mindset.

    You’re rich enough to detox in a luxuary resort afterwards.

  22. 22
    c says:

    I wonder if they will consider adding Blackmore and Lord to a song or 2 – kinda as a last hurrah as it now appears it would be highly unlikely for them to play live again. I think it would be a good gift to the fans!!!

  23. 23
    stoffer says:

    Here’s my 12, this was fun but also hard to finalize,

    Ted The Mechanic
    Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming
    Rosa’s Cantina
    Hey Cisco

    Seventh Heaven
    Almost Human

    Silver Tongue (awesome opener from their gig in Kentucky 2005 @ Palace Theater)
    Razzle Dazzle
    Bananas

    Wrong Man
    Rapture Of The Deep
    Junkyard Blues

    not everyone’s cup of tea but “whatever” btw Tracy, spent 4 days in Chattanooga last fall in a cozy Inn on Lookout Mtn for a mini-vacation, had an outstanding view of the city did some “touristy stuff” had a great time & terrific food : )

  24. 24
    Jim B. says:

    Looking forward to seeing the try out some of the new material during their upcoming Canadian tour. I agree with Roberto, get either Martin or Nick back behind the board.

  25. 25
    John says:

    A-Band-On is a great record..

  26. 26
    Tracy Heyder (Zero the Hero) says:

    Priest @21;
    Nothing new here than you have stated over and over again, except for more long winded. Again with your same old ‘preference’. Got it. Last 4 not your cup of tea. You want carbon copies of the ’70s Purple. AIN’T GONNA HAPPEN. 2 of your band members left the building. I think it’s time you follow, along with the others whom are lost in the past and bitch about the progress of this band ‘since they’ve been gone’. No need to stay on. They aren’t That Purple anymore. Sorry you can’t embrace that. Oh and surely your ‘rich’ statement wasn’t aimed at me….

    c @22;
    Really? Is that a valid serious question? Blackmore left and has nothing good to say about his affiliation with Purple. Lord left on his own will, and seems content without Purple. These 5 guys are Purple and giving us some fine concerts and 4 GOOD albums and another on the way. If it was up to Blackmore, the last album would have been “The Battle Rages On”. Actually he quit first time in 1975. Would that have made you all happy if “Stormbringer” was the last Purple Album? All this whining and complaining and comparing over and over. No wonder they aren’t too charged up about recording a new record. Their Fans SUCK!!! Can you really blame them after all?

    stoffer #23;
    Good list. My point exactly. Probably better than mine. Hey also, I was at that Kentucky gig. It was really good. Seems our paths cross quite a bit. Either way, just put them on a disk and hit random play. Truly great. HEY, why didn’t you contact me when in Chattanooga? Would have loved to have hooked up with ya. Only 3 hours from my place.

    @15 and 17;
    So, you are stating that the Great Band of the Past was better because they were only capable of producing 7 good songs per album? I guess they weren’t all that creative then after all, huh? Now then, surely you can’t bitch about the last 4 albums. Just pick your top 7 from the 12 or 13 on each and omit the ones you don’t like since 7 songs is your criteria. There you have your Great album with ‘no fillers’ as you say. Personally I hope they do a double album of 25 songs, just to piss all of you off even more…..7 great songs and 18 fillers……ha ha. Something for the whiners to go on for years to come. ‘Wah wah wah wah wahhhhhh…..’
    Will the whining never end?

    Cheers

  27. 27
    crabby says:

    How about we just forget about the last 10 years of music from DP? Let’s just start from scratch with a album named Deep Purple with Rick Rubin doing the work in the studio. I vote for going back to their musical roots. Playing heavy and fast rather. Look at the shit that Metallica can put out now with lulu. I firmly belive that this band can do much better and still blow the socks off the younger generations that are playing now. It is time for them to come out of the closet.

  28. 28
    Roberto says:

    ‘one eye to morocco’ say it clearly who could be the best producer for Deep Purple…but if you don’t have great songs to record the production can’t save the alum…

  29. 29
    dale says:

    Look what happened when Ian sang about Capitalism, money and greed in the first track of ROTD “Money talk” we ended up with a global recession!!! Please God let Ian sing about legalising sex and drugs then it will be a great album!!! We don’t want a double dip Recession!!!!

  30. 30
    stoffer says:

    Tracy @26,

    Very true about our paths crossing, we have Purple to thank for that and maybe more in the future!
    Cheers

  31. 31
    Tracy Heyder (Zero the Hero) says:

    dale @29;

    With that being your thoughts here regarding Purple’s influence on the WORLD today, how about he sings a song about the 10 Commandments??? Covers it all. “Jesus Christ Super Star”……GOD is in charge. Don’t ever forget that.

    Cheers

  32. 32
    John says:

    You tell those chumps Tracy!!! Random selection:
    Ted the Mechanic
    Sometimes I feel like Drinking
    I’m not your lover now
    Purpendicular Waltz
    Somebody Stole My Guitar
    She Was
    7th Heaven
    Fingers To The Bone
    Almost Human
    Silver Tongue (great opener)
    Haunted
    ROTD
    Bananas
    Rosa’s Cantina
    Hey Cisco
    Soon Forgotten
    Walk On Long Live The Morse Era!!!! p.s. I could go on and on..

  33. 33
    Tracy Heyder (Zero the Hero) says:

    @ 32…..Did something get lost in the translation???
    My point was that if you take an equal amount of songs (3) from each of the last 4 albums and mix them in in random form, you get an awesome album and a better understanding toward there versatility. Again my list wasn’t My Best of. It was a random pic of some of the heavier tunes from each, that’s all. Forget the various lists that could be made (that’s an endless proposition and defeats the purpose). Just go on my simple list and you will get the point upon listening all the way through. You can’t think about it, you just have to do it. Though it’s hard to deny your list of favorites my friend.

    @30
    stof, next time you are within that close of a shot, let me know. That is a beautiful area you were in, being the South West edge of the Smokey Mountains. We headed over to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge for Thanksgiving (the opposite site of the Smokies). Did some hiking and went up on ‘Clingman’s Dome’, which is the highest elevation in Tennessee at over 6500 feet. Haven’t done ‘Lookout Mnt’ yet, but it’s definitely on our list.
    I have a feeling we will be blessed with another Deep Purple concert towards the end of the year to partake in plus a New Album. SEE YA THERE!!

    Cheers

  34. 34
    T says:

    Re: 33

    My wife is from Paducah (making her a certified Kentucky Woman). We were married in Gatlinburg years ago and it remains one of our favorite places. We were there this past summer as a stop on our way to the OBX.

    On our honeymoon, we went up Clingman’s Dome. It was June, and we climbed that last leg to the lookout in gale force winds, near freezing temperatures and almost zero visibility–and we were in shorts. Back in town, it was 75 degrees and humid where we warmed up and had lunch at the Hard Rock Café.

  35. 35
    purplepriest1965 says:

    I m getting the feeling now a new album is in sight this board will increasingly become the Tracy : ) Heyder journal.

    Maybe you should get paid, hehehe

  36. 36
    LRT says:

    My only real point wasn’t that exact either, Tracy, it’s just that this doesn’t make those albums anything in the realm of Purpendicular’s complete efforts. In fact you’re limiting them to preference no matter who does it. It still doesn’t put the entire discs in any better light, that’s all. I do agree as I said, and it does constitute all good music, but from a few albums with clear sub par factors as finished product imo.

  37. 37
    Tracy Heyder (Zero the Hero) says:

    Strat”T”Kat (sorry) @33;

    Yes, most folks I talk to experienced that also when climbing to the Dome in the Summer. Seems to be poor visibility more than not then. We apparently got lucky by going in late fall. We are heading back to Gatlinburg at the end of the month for a few days of kicking back and a little more hiking. Plus the leaves are all gone this time of year making the woods more open and clearing visibility into the forest for sights you can’t see when it’s all lush and green. Congrats on your marriage to your ‘Kentucky Woman’. I guess “she got to know you…..”.

    PP @34;

    Yeah, I guess I have been putting in a little overtime here these days. Hunting season ended in January. I’m catching up on my Purple stuff now…..I think the moderators might actually pay me to stop though…hehehe.

    LRT@36;

    Yes, I agree overall, Purpendicular is the more ‘solid’ album overall. I also think timing matters here as in any other album release. I actually believe that had ‘ROTD’ come out in its place, opinions would be altogether different. Especially if the production was of the same quality. Being it was Morse’s first album with Purple, it was a landmark record. It sounded totally different than anything Purple had done before. We were all pleased, and as time went on, even more pleased. ‘ROTD’ is just as different from past Purple as ‘Purpendicular’, and I believe its dynamic would have us saying about it what we are saying about ‘Purpendicular’. My point with the list I proposed was just to show how great the music is from these 4 albums along with how dynamically different the songs are from each album, using the harder tunes for the project. I happen to like the albums as a whole. Yeah, there are a couple of tracks I might skip over, but then again, that is also the case with ALL of Purple’s albums. A large amount from the MK1 albums for sure….

    Cheers

  38. 38
    John says:

    @ Tracy, Wouldn’t my random selection be a great set-list for a show? I think it would be and I’d be perfectly happy. Did I meet you backstage when DP came to the Bushnell in Hartford Ct last year? Rock on Tracy!!

  39. 39
    Tracy Heyder (Zero the Hero) says:

    John @38;

    Absolutely. As you stated at the end of your post @32….”You could go on and on”. There is an unlimited array of songs to choose from which would please the masses. That horse has been beaten around here forever. Aside from the obvious staples that have to be played due to their relevance (smoke on the Water, Highway Star, Hush, Woman from Tokyo, Perfect strangers), they should completely change the rest of the set-list. Most of which should be from the last 4 albums plus hopefully some from the upcoming album. “Out with most of the Old and In with the New”!

    No, I wasn’t at the Hartford, CT show last year. That’s a little far, even for me to travel. Now, if they release and tour on a new album as they should by the end of this year or beginning of next year, and that is the closest they come to Tennessee? I will be on that road trip for sure….

    Cheers

  40. 40
    Tracy Heyder (Zero the Hero) says:

    I’m truly hoping for some aggression from this band in what is probably the tail end of it all. There is enough reason for it. Gillan with his frustration toward the ‘classic rock’ title Purple has acquired. Paicey for being in for the total ‘long haul’. Roger for ‘maintaining the way but not getting his way’. Steve for coming in 17 years ago and not truly forging in with a ‘strong position’. Don for being the newest member, yet not ‘making it known by not standing out’. This my friends is what I call the greatest reason for them to really pull out all the stops and each one give their all in producing this probable final album. The formula is there. All of this dissatisfaction that is obvious in this ‘happy band’ needs to be expressed. Not in solo projects. Here, where they are in charge of a major iconic legacy. It’s a matter of responsibility. The parts of the puzzle are there and those parts above should be the motivation behind making this album. It’s the perfect storm.

    Hey that’s it, the title for this album. The force of this record should come at us like a blast from an unleashed tornado. The next Deep Purple Album….”PERFECT STORM”. Bring It! Install your storm shutters. Purple can you hear me?????

    Cheers

  41. 41
    Scott says:

    Do you think GILLANS Voice can hold up through another album???

  42. 42
    Tommy H. says:

    @41: The next album will sound different again. Gillan’s voice will sound like during the recording session of “Who Cares”, I guess. He still has a lot of power in his normal singing register and I think he should work that out a little further in order to sing hard rock. The days of high notes are clearly over but you still hear that it is Gillan singing. This might be not enough for many people who will always keep in mind that he once was the best sounding rock shouter around. We will see if they waited too long.

  43. 43
    Tracy Heyder (Zero the Hero) says:

    @41;

    Ah yes, the nay sayers….

    Have you checked out any of the vids on Youtube from the recent Canada gigs or the Rock Meets Classic shows? Ian is singing just fine. The same? No, but fine and dandy and absolutely well enough for another couple of albums and tours. Must be a drag to put so much emphasis on 2 percent of one’s ability and ignore the other 98 percent. Makes for unhappy campers. Aside from Gillian’s inability to hit those EXTREME high screams, the rest of his voice is as strong, clear and recognizable as ever. Such a shame how supposed fans are so willing to slam anything that just doesn’t quite sound just perfect for their ears and then continue to center on only that, like whipping a dead horse. They are all older and are adjusting their talent towards and around their aged decline in fluidity. But the instruments are maintainable. A guitar maintains its strength with the turn of a knob or the replacement of a string, or even replacing the actual guitar. The drums just require heads to be replaced from time to time and adjustment with a pignut wrench. The keyboard has to be tuned from time to time but generally lasts forever, but also can be completely replaced with a new one. The singer’s instrument is flesh and blood. It goes through all the wear and tear but parts can’t be tuned or replaced. The fact that Gillan’s instrument has been used and abused for 66 years (can you imagine that scream when he was spanked at birth when born?) and is still in the shape it is in at this point is truly remarkable and worthy of much praise, not ridicule.

    Cheers

  44. 44
    John says:

    I couldn’t have said it better Tracy!!! Love reading your insightful, refreshing, heartfelt comments. Long Live The Morse Era!!!

  45. 45
    Pete says:

    What worries me is that so many people on here think this will be Purple’s last album,but why should it be?They’re still as good as ever,and i know they can’t go on for ever,but what info. is there to suggest they are nearing the end?Has anyone heard anything?I would really welcome any comments.

  46. 46
    Tracy Heyder (Zero the Hero) says:

    OK Pete;

    Yes I totally agree with you regarding their present abilities on stage. I find them be full of energy and gusto ‘live’. The subject of this being the last album is mainly backed by the time factor that lies between the last 2. This next album apparently won’t be out till 2013. They really don’t show too much enthusiasm about recording a new record now. If that attitude maintains in the future, at the ripe age of 66 now, Gillan would be 74 for the next one at the present album output, making its issue date around 2021. As much as I would love to see it, I doubt they will be performing concerts in promotion of another album by then or even still in existence then. Unless they get motivated differently after this next record and hurry up on a follow-up, this most likely will be the final Purple album. At least this line-up…… That’s why I believe they should pull out all the stops on this one and make it a double, throwing in every angle of their creativity they can muster up. Promote the hell out of it and tour it hard, throwing in many tunes from the rest of the Morse/Airey era albums at these shows, especially the much requested ‘Sun Goes Down’. Document it well for an additional DVD to be included. My motto towards life is….”Live today as though there is no tomorrow”. That’s how they should approach this album. Record it as though it may be the last…..

    Cheers

  47. 47
    Brian J says:

    I was playing the Mk 1 albums recently and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed them and the differences between Mk1 and Mk2 as well as the similarities (or continuity provided by 3 band members in common). Then I think about half a dozen of my favourite tracks on the last two CDs (House of Pain, Bananas, Razzle Dazzle – yes really – Never A Word, Rapture Of The Deep, Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye) and these seem to me to be the tracks where the band are really being themselves, unconcerned about the band’s musical history. My hope for the next studio recording is that Steve and Don are given room to bring more of their own individuality and talents to the recording, as well as 2 Ians and Roger providing both the continuity with the past and contribution to the future. Production criticism of ROTD aside, I’m tempted to agree with an opinion I recall from the time, that they were trying too hard to sound like ‘Deep Purple’ and I hope that they really do let rip (the end section of Bananas springs to mind again)

  48. 48
    Pete says:

    Many thanks for your wise comments Tracy,much appreciated.You’re obviously a massive fan like me.My hope is that a new album might completely reinvigorate them,especially as they’re gaining new audiences all the time.Also,Bananas and Rapture of the Deep were within a couple of years of each other,so you never know.As you correctly pointed out on a recent post,Gillan’s voice is the key,the rest can play their instruments brilliantly forever,but you only get one voice which has to last a lifetime.But Gillan is still singing brilliantly,and for me is still one of the best in the world.Recent performances back this up.Here’s hoping for many more tours and albums from the greatest rock band of all time!

  49. 49
    scottbuster2000 says:

    Naw naw naw…you got to break it up using the 2 Lord Albums and the 3 Don disc separately.
    Pretend there is only 2 Records, some of my favorites a had to leave off so that they came across
    more Purple sounding.

    Disc 1 : Purpendicular [feat. Gillan/Glover/Lord/Morse/Paice]

    01] Any Fule Kno That
    02] Almost Human
    03] Soon Forgotten
    04] Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming
    05] ’69
    06] Rosa’s Cantina
    07] Vavoom:Ted The Mechanic
    08] Loosen My Strings
    09] Seventh Heaven
    10] Watching The Sky
    11] Somebody Stole My Guitar
    12] Don’t Hold Your Breath

    Disc 2 : Rapture Of The Deep [feat. Gillan/Glover/Airey/Morse/Paice]

    01] A Simple Song
    02] Sun Goes Down
    03] Wrong Man
    04] Rapture Of The Deep
    05] Out of Hand
    06] Walk On
    07] Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye
    08] Hell to Pay [feat. Students of Nimbus School of Recording Arts]
    09] Bananas
    10] The Well-Dressed Guitar
    11] Above and Beyond [For Jon]
    12] Vincent Price [With Mr. Price Monologue]

  50. 50
    John says:

    I think it’s about time they all knocked on the head now. There last album Now What was absolute crap. I’ve followed the band since 1969. Gillan can’t sing anymore. Morse the guitarist just don’t suit the purple sound anymore. Do us all a favour and retire gracefully

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