Metropolitan - Rio de Janeiro - BRASIL
March, 8, 1997

Finally, an opportunity to see DP with Gillan in Rio! The last (and only) DP tour that included Rio brought Joe Lynn Turner, a reasonable vocalist, but not suitable for DP. Gillan also came one time with his own band, and we woundered when they would come together. Now the dream came true, despite the absence of Blackmore, and I started the night seeing 'Come Hell or High Water' video at a friend's home, warming up to the show and increasing my expectations...

The concert started at 10:40pm and the place was crowded (Metropolitan is not a stadium, but is a huge place - up to 8500). There was a mix of teenagers and old fans, those mainly at the upper boxes (my case). The set began with Hush and included, among others, great performances of Ted the Mechanic, Pictures of Home, Cascades (nice Morse solo), Woman from Tokyo, Smoke on the Water and Speed King, leavig Perfect Strangers and Highway Star for encore.

Particularly, I am a fan of old DP songs, and the concert satisfied my expectation to listen Smoke on the Water, Wighway Star, Speed King live with Gillan. On the other hand, some of the new songs sounded too 'american' to my taste. 'Rosa's Cantina' resembles G'n'R or Poison, maybe it was intended for new audiences, but for me those songs were the weakest part of the concert.

A great concert indeed, but a little short one too. I missed some old jewels like Child in Time and Lazy.

Luis C. Serpa

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