The triple bill of Edgar Winter/ BOC/ DP hit Connecticut last night and I ended up feeling rather lucky to have been there.

Admittedly, we turned Edgar Winter’s show into a “view the big screens from the lobby while having beers with pals” experience.

BOC were very good – tight and musical. Buck Dharma can play the heck out of the guitar. Not much excitement onstage except from the bassist, and here was the funny thing; the BOC guys were impressively unimpressive physically, letting their prescription sunglasses and triple chins show, no attempt at being Rawk Gawds or studs of any sort – except for their bassist, who seemed so out of touch with them, a much younger guy all in leather and big hair, humping his guitar and posing like it was a posing contest – he was a laff
riot! Or, as it turns out, a Quiet Riot – he was Rudy Sarzo! [Pretty much explains it all, doesn’t it? 😉 Rasmus]

Anyway, Purple came on with an energetic, tightly paced, in your face rock show. They really owned the crowd. No bullshit sing-alongs or soul-sucking drum solos.

Gillan used his voice well and wisely, and Steve Morse played more soulfully than I had seen before. “The Well-Dressed Guitar” went over really well, and before it, Morse did a miscellaneous guitar jam which included parts of “Frankenstein” and “Don’t Fear the Reaper” to salute the opening bands.

I was happy to see/ hear “Space Truckin'” and “The Battle Rages On,” which I did not expect. This was my fourth time seeing the Steve Morse Deep Purple, and probably the best.

The set list was pretty much this:
Pictures of Home
Things I Never Said
Into The Fire
Strange Kind of Woman
(The first four songs above really went right into each other)
Rapture Of The Deep
Woman From Tokyo
Guitar solo (short)/
Well Dressed Guitar
Knocking At Your Back Door
Lazy
Keyboard solo
Perfect Strangers
Space Truckin’
Highway Star
Smoke On The Water

The Battle Rages On
Hush

Jim Sheridan

Wallingford, CT: I have been a Deep Purple fan since the early 70s. They are the best ever in my opinion.

Edgar Winter was the opening act. Wow! He was great. His musical talent was tremendous, his energy and voice quality was excellent, and his band members; drummer, guitar and bass players were young and all very talented musicians. I can’t say enough about Edgar’s willingness to entertain and success at it as well.

Next was Blue oyster Cult. I must admit I have never been a big fan. They sounded like an average bar band. Their 3 hits were ok, don’t fear the reaper, Godzilla and Cities on flame. Otherwise pretty boring I thought.

Now for Deep Purple. The band sounded great! Better than I remembered and honestly better than I expected. They have fine tuned their craft. The guitar playing by Steve Morse was phenomenal. Words cannot do justice to his versatility and tone. Obviously he has put his branded style on many of the songs, but that’s fine with me because he is just fantastic.

The other members were great as well, they played with passion and with good dynamics, everything you would expect from seasoned musicians of their stature. They played many of the classics, Highways star, Smoke on the water, Lazy, Hush and many more…as well as a few new ones, which were great, but they didn’t play Burn, I was so disappointed, it’s my favorite.

Now for the bad news, the only depressing part of the show was Ian’s voice quality. He just didn’t have it. I wanted him to, but he just didn’t. His tremendous range, quality and intensity he is known for was not there.

I really don’t know if this was a temporary situation (laryngitis) or that his vocal cords are simply shot at this point from all those years of all-out singing. He was obviously straining on every song, and he didn’t even come close on hitting the high notes. Many times, there was literally no sound coming from his mouth, just a faint whisper of the note he was attempting to hit.

Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t expect that he would sound like he did when he was 25, and he certainly was giving it his all, great energy and showmanship, but the voice was just not there..

Overall, Deep Purple was outstanding and the show performance was excellent.

Steven Pappas

Last night, for the sixth time, I saw Deep Purple in concert. They played the Bank Of America Pavilion in South Boston, with Blue Oyster Cult opening. Accompanying me on this journey to reclaim lost youth was Fred Goodman, my softball teammate (and good friend) for 20 years.

I met Fred at 6:00, giving us plenty of time to grab a bite to eat before the 7:30 show. Joining us was Mark Alamo, another good friend of Fred’s and also another Deep Purple fanatic.

I had never met Mark before, but Fred had told me a few stories. We also had some three-way e-mail conversations. There was some question concerning which one of us might be the King of DP fanatics. I love the group; always have. I can name every member of the group’s changing cast, give you dates of service, cite odd trivia, and all of the other stuff that your run-of-the-mill fanatic can do. Mark has me beat, though. He has a Deep Purple tattoo on his shoulder. It’s similar to the DP logo on the cover of “Perfect Strangers. Game, set, match.

We decided to have a smoke before going inside. While I was standing there with my buddies, I took a good look at the folks arriving. Lots of grey hair – when there was hair. However, it was an interesting mix. I’d say about 7/8 my age or older – guys (and a smattering of gals) 50+. There was definitely a healthy sprinkling of teens and twenty-somethings, though – somewhat surprising for a show featuring a group that hasn’t had a hit single in about 20 years. They DO get a fair amount of airplay on “classic rock” stations, but it was still a bit of a shock to see the younger faces – a shock and a pleasure, as nothing would please me more than to see DP get the recognition they deserve these days.

Make no mistake about it: DP are not an ancient and moldy group of burn-outs that barely crawl onto the stage with their walkers to play a greatest hits package. These guys have been churning out new albums every couple of years since their heyday and the albums are good. I have all of them and I’m in no way ashamed to play them in front of people. The musicianship is first-rate; the lyrics are mostly clever and sometimes nicely introspective. Good, solid stuff.

“Heavy metal guys are all flash and no substance.”

Whenever anyone says something as assinine as that, I gladly point them in the direction of Deep Purple. They are musicians first and showmen second. Man for man, I don’t believe there’s a more accomplished and technically-proficient rock group on the planet. Enough gushing, though. On to the show!

Blue Oyster Cult hit the stage at about 7:30. They had two of the original five members playing. Rudy Sarzo – late of Quiet Riot, Ozzy, Whitesnake, etc. – filled on bass. Opening with This Ain’t The Summer Of Love, the sound was decent – if a little muddy. Buck Dharma (who at one time was a serious contender for the crown of heavyweight guitar hero of the world, before the group started pushing out songs more pop-oriented than “heavy”) is still front and center, ripping it up on the six-string and taking vocals during half the set. When he laced into a number, the crowd was electric. When he wasn’t soloing, the energy level fell dramatically.

They did the hits – Don’t Fear The Reaper, Godzilla, Burnin’ For You – and dug into the back catalogue for stuff from the first couple of albums. A decent set, if uneven. My personal opinion is that these guys could have been the greatest heavy metal group that America ever produced – IF they had stuck with the stuff they were mining for their first three studio albums and not gone for the gold on the Top 40 charts. When they hit the charts, they lost their edge and half their previous audience. Then, when they couldn’t chart anymore, the new audience said goodbye and they were left as… well, what they are now, which is to say a band with semi-legendary status, but strictly an opening act.

(To elaborate: I have their first five albums. I bought them upon initial release, way back when pteradons filled the skies. The first three are as hot as anything you’ll ever find in the metal genre. Vicious head-banging molten sludge with the added bonus of really intelligent lyrics; no songs about cruising and getting laid – not that there’s anything wrong with that. The fourth album was a live album, decent but pretty much a re-hash of the previous three. The fifth album contained “Reaper.” It was a huge hit, but I found the album rather mundane overall. I never bought another.)

DEEP PURPLE!
Ian Paice (THE best drummer alive, and – for my money – better than Bonham or Moon or any of the legendary dead guys) opened the proceedings with the blistering intro to “Pictures Of Home.” The sound was crisp and LOUD. Deep Purple at one time held the Guinness Book Of Records spot as “World’s Loudest Rock Band”, clocking in at somewhere around 120 decibels. The threshold of pain is generally given as 130 dB. They weren’t quite that loud tonight, but they had upped the ante since the last time I heard them perform, that’s for sure. The mix was good and clear, though, so enjoyable.

I won’t rehash the entire set list here, but I’ll tell you they did trot out all of the hits – Smoke On The Water, of course, as well as Woman From Tokyo, Perfect Strangers, Knocking At Your Back Door, Hush and – my personal favorite – Highway Star.

(Funny story. Fred and I knew each other for a couple of months, working at the same company, but we really bonded as friends during a drunken Christmas party when we each found out that the other one was a loon for Deep Purple. We sang Highway Star a cappella, at the top of our lungs, near the end of the evening. We didn’t make any other friends that night. I can’t imagine why not…)

Steve Morse was particularly brilliant. One of the most amazingly quick-fingered guitar slingers on the planet, he’s had the unenviable job of filling Ritchie Blackmore’s shoes, ever since ol’ sourpuss called it quits and started making albums full of medieval music some 15 years ago. Morse was fluid, achingly beautiful on the instrumental Contact Lost, and when the time came to replicate Blackmore’s stuff, he did it superbly while still getting his own licks in. He adds a bit of picking (Fourths? I’m not sure…) to the end of the solo on “Smoke” that just turns your head completely around and makes you realize – no offense to the very tasty Mr. Blackmore – that if guitars were pistols, and he and Ritchie had a duel, they’d be mopping up Blackmore’s blood from the stage.

Roger Glover is an old warrior on bass. He’s been a hippie from the start and his appearance hasn’t changed much, other than his beard going grey. He looks like he’s having an absolute ball on stage and his interplay with Morse on the long intro to “Star” is a definite highlight of the show. He breaks out the Rickenbacker for “Smoke” and the sound is wonderful.

As mentioned previously, I think Ian Paice is the best drummer alive. He took a solo during Hush wherein he demonstrated his truly amazing ability to do rolls with ONE HAND. You have to pay attention to the drummer throughout the song to really appreciate Paice. His fills are marvels of syncopation and I can’t think of anyone who even comes close to his work on the hi-hat. Truly a gem and definitely one of the most underrated musicians in history. You walk up to the average dumbo on the street and ask them to name a drummer, most times Paice’s name will not even be in the memory banks. To the true afficionado, though, he is sole and incomparable.

Don Airey is doing an admirable job filling Jon Lord’s spot at the keys. Don plays Jon’s solo note-for-note during “Star”, which is a nice bit of tribute. It also shows his tremendous ability as a musician. He creates his own solos elsewhere, but he’s not just some noodler unable to play anything but his own. He’s a true pro.

Finally, Big Ian (Ian Gillan) looked fit and he was in quite good voice last night. In a couple of spots, he hit highs I didn’t think he was still capable of hitting. Once or twice, he struggled just a bit. His stage presence is so charming, though, and the general approach so intense, you find yourself willing to overlook the slight miss. Also, Morse helps by hitting a high note here and there to fill the gap.

(Hey, the man is 62. There isn’t another rock singer of comparable age doing anything even remotely as straining – and certainly not as successfully – as Gillan. He gets cut all the slack he wants.)

Bottom line for Deep Purple: Fine performance by a group of pros who still care.

(I was soaked through with sweat after the show. It was as though I had fought a 15-round heavyweight fight against a guy 7 foot 6. This is because I was on my feet the entire time, bouncing and weaving, and thrusting my fists above my head. It was exhilarating and I was 17 again, at least for one night, which definitely makes the whole experience worth the price of admission.)

Suldog

Boston: Another special Deep Purple night went down under a massive tent overlooking Boston Harbor. The venue is beautiful and the band is a frictionless force that generates smiles and sends out massive amounts of great music and good feelings.

My wife and I had the previous set list in hand, and therefore had a good idea what would be played. Before the tour dates were announced I was hoping for more Morse era songs as we get to hear no airplay of this music in America. But sitting in second row center how could I quibble with the choice of songs.

Thanks Jim for your set list and review from the Saint Louis show.

We all got to see a band that is so professional that the 14 year olds in the audience were grooving as much as the grizzled veterans.

First, Blue Oyster Cult opened up with a rocking set that got the early attendees up. Buck Dharma led a 5 or 6 song set that was well received as the audience kept rolling in during the sunset.

Due to virtually no advertising that I heard, I was afraid that the venue would be not half filled, but I was very wrong. It looked like just about a sellout by the time the first notes of Pictures of Home resounded through the huge steel-supported tent.

As reported by others, I will affirm that big Ian is looking to be at his lightest weight since I first saw him live in ’84. He does look healthy though, so I’m hoping it’s due to a healthier lifestyle which he has talked about during recent years.

All of the others looked great, Roger especially was energized (maybe because he was close to home?) I won’t repeat details of the show structure as it seems to be consistent for this summer North American tour, but I will say that the interplay and smiles between them all was indicative of a band that knows how to seamlessly perform and have some fun.
At one point Ian yelled out an aside to Bruce (Payne?) and laughed, it sounded like it was going to cost someone – maybe drinks later? Did anyone else hear it?

Another cool scene: Roger did indeed haul out the mighty Rickenbacker for Smoke – I’m enclosing a picture of this.

My final takeaway from the event? Steve threw his towel out to us. A guy in the front row and myself both caught it – he had the height and leverage so I clapped his shoulder and said “it’s yours, nice catch”. He then attempted to give me the towel and after a few – “no you keep, no you take it” he pushed it off to me as we both said simultaneously “I don’t need it”. Just another small but nice moment from a Purple show, and the joy when I found out my teenage kids thought it was really cool when I showed the trophy at home!

It is a travesty that Deep Purple is not in the Rock Hall of Fame in the U.S.!

Cheers
Mike Kirwan

Check out Mike’s photos:

They are Deep Purple and they know how to rock! and they do it loudly! Wow, what a show!

The set list is the same but all were played with a fiery and smokey enthusiasm that many of today’s newer bands can barely muster.

Skilled, professional and very, very loud (I think the amps went up to 11 on this one). I think the volume caused the muddy sound but that would be my only complaint.

The crowd was just as loud and as enthusiastic giving the band a prolonged ovation for Strange Kind of Woman that caught Mr. Gillan of guard. (He was getting into his intro for Rapture when he had to stop and acknowledge the standing ovation.

Excellant show. One of the best I`ve seen in a while.

Set list:
Pictures of Home
Things I Never Said
Into The Fire
Strange Kind of Woman
Rapture Of The Deep
Woman From Tokyo
Knocking At Your Back Door
Lazy
Contact Lost (guitar solo)
Well Dressed Guitar
keyboard solo
Perfect Strangers
Space Truckin’
Highway Star
Smoke On The Water

The Battle Rages On
Hush

Gary Poronovich (with ears a ringin`)

It was a great concert we saw tonight in a renovated amphitheatre that was hosting its first concert ever. And I think it’s gonna take quit a while before the place sees such an electrical rocking performance by a band.

Each member of the band get in touch with the people in the crowd. You can feel those guys love what they’re doing. They are very generous in every ways.

People didn’t sing as much as in other places since most of them are french and don’t know every lyrics but the latino blood in them makes up by showing in their enthousiasm.

Thank to the members of the band for giving away so many picks, sticks and all kinds of things, this is much appreciated by your true fans standing in the front rows.

I just wish I get to see them again one day.

Norm Gilbert

London, Ontario: Deep Purple took the stage at about 9:30, with the excitement building as the sun set (outdoor show) and the intro tape began. The opening rolls of Pictures Of Home came on, and the long-awaited show had finally started.

Not for long though, as the front speakers completely blew, and you could hear only a faint bass sound and barely, cymbals from Paice. The sound came back after about 40 seconds, to a great applause. The song ended, and Things I Never Said began without a break-good way to kick off the show.

A good version of the song, but again, the speakers blew about halfway through the song, leaving us to hear next to nothing. The crowd was starting to get a little antsy, but the band played through the silence none the less, making it appear as though nothing was wrong.

After 30 seconds, the sound once again returned, and remained solid through the good version of a decent song. Next in the medley was Into The Fire, which came across very well.

Unfortunately, right during Gillan’s first scream, the speakers again lost power, and we lost about half of the song. After about a minute of this, Steve lightened things up as he stopped playing and made sign-language gestures for a few seconds. Got a few laughs, but most people were wondering what the problem was.

All power once again returned, but we couldn’t hear Gillan’s vocals. Turns out after a verse of missed lyrics he turned his mic on and said “Just kidding” which got more sighs than laughs, nobody really found it funny. The song ended, and the fourth song in the medley began.

Power remained on for the rest of the night. Strange Kind Of Woman sounded just awesome, Gillan was in great voice. The band then stopped finally after the song, and Gillan made a few small comments about the new album.

The band then kicked into Rapture Of The Deep, a great song, that sounded just like the studio version. Next up, “a song that was just re-added a couple of days ago” was played. It was “not about a Woman, and had nothing to do with Tokyo”, hence the que as the band kicked in to a great version of it, singing quite high and clearly at the end. I’m glad they brought this one back, it rocked.

Next up, Steve’s solo – shortened due to the festival I assume. Well Dressed Guitar was played, albeit briefly, and after he was done, Don began the Knocking At Your Back Door intro. What a version, with a new arrangement as well, bits and pieces are cut out of it, sort of killed singing along, good version.

Next up was Lazy. Great keyboard intro, but the song seemed to lack a little punch. Then was the shortened Don Airey keyboard solo, it worked much better with the crowd then the tiring lond one.

This set up a huge version of Perfect Strangers. Absolutely awesome, everyone knew the intro. Next up were the three solid crowd pleasers that everybody knew. Space Truckin’, Highway Star, and Smoke of course.

The encores were The Battle Rages On, which was a surprising choice for an encore as few people knew it, and of course Hush. Amazing show. Great song selection. Here is the setlist:

Pictures of Home
Things I Never Said
Into The Fire
Strange Kind of Woman
Rapture Of The Deep
Woman From Tokyo
Guitar solo
Well Dressed Guitar
Knocking At Your Back Door
Lazy
Keyboard solo
Perfect Strangers
Space Truckin’
Highway Star
Smoke On The Water

The Battle Rages On
Hush

Ryan Clare

Je reviens de voir le spectacle de Deep Purple au Centre Bell. C’est la troisième fois que je les vois; 1984 – Perfect Stranger; 2004 – Bananas; 2007 – Rapture of the Deep.

Nous avons beaucoup aimé ce spectacle, la foule a super bien accueilli ces grands-pères fondateurs du hard rock, cela faisait chaud au cœur à eux comme à nous. Tout le parterre est rester debout pendant tout le show. Bien que rien ne peut battre la tournée du grand retour de 1984, le spectacle de ce soir a été différent et meilleur que celui de la tournée Bananas. C’était plus classique; ils n’ont joué que deux pièces de la dernière mouture du groupe, tout le reste sortait du mark II (In Rock, Fireball, Machine Head, Perfect Strangers, etc.) plus Hush, en rappel :

Pictures of Home (Très belle surprise, ouverture canon)
Things I Never Said
Into The Fire (un classique oublié)
Strange Kind of Woman
Rapture Of The Deep (excellente création de 2005)
Woman From Tokyo (classique au cube!)
Contact Lost – guitar solo (l’empreinte Steve Morse)
keyboard solo
Knocking At Your Back Door (tout le monde se lève dès l’intro)
Perfect Strangers (super)
Lazy (une de mon top 5)
Space Truckin’ (Come On!)
Highway Star (!!)
Smoke On The Water (!!)
En rappel :
The Battle Rages On (Pour les connaisseurs, excellent)
Hush (Tout le monde chante !)

J’ai beaucoup aimé la liste des titres. DP se servait de Highway Star en ouverture depuis .. 1972 (?). C’était bien d’avoir autre chose car, jusqu’en fin de spectacle, nous avons anticipé le plaisir d’entendre Highway Star. J’ai bien aimé la surprise d’avoir Picture Of Home en ouverture, dès l’intro à la batterie j’étais enthousiasmé. DP ont aussi l’habitude de ramener un ou deux titres oubliés, cette fois-ci c’était Into The Fire.. coooool! 😉

Pour ceux qui préfèrent les classiques de DP, il ne manquait que Black Night, Speed King et Child In Time 😉

Gillian n’a plus la voix d’avant mais il s’en tire avec les honneurs, le fait d’avoir les vrais devant nous – Gillian, Glover et Paice – et le plaisir évident qu’il prennent compensent pour le poids de l’âge.

Les deux autres musiciens, Don Airey (claviers) et Steve Morse (guitares) sont excellents. Ils apportent une nouvelle vie à DP; ils ont contribué à faire des derniers albums de très belles réussites musicales (sinon commerciales). Airey colle beaucoup au son et au jeu de Jon Lord mais c’est tout différent pour Morse. Celui-là est confronté à un dilemme en remplaçant Blackmore puisqu’il avait un nom avant de se joindre à DP.

Il garde son style et on ne peut lui en tenir rigueur; il trahirait ses fans s’il se limitait à copier Blackmore. Morse est très – très – hot et il vaut probablement mieux que Blackmore aujourd’hui mais il n’a pas cette très fameuse signature qui faisait le son de DP. Tout les solos de guitare sont du Morse sauf un seul, devinez lequel .. hé oui : Highway Star!

Many many thanks to Roger, Ian P., Ian, G., Don, Steve and the crew. We had a great time in your company.

Rejean Drouin

We saw them in Atlanta on the 12th (see review), and then made the trip to St. Louis and saw an entirely different show. Not necessarily the set list, but performance.

First let me say that the Pageant Theatre is by far, the best venue I have been to for the pure enjoyment of a Music Concert. Very informal. Not a huge place and the seating and standing areas are perfect for a Rock Experience, no matter where you are. There truly isn’t a bad seat in the house.

We arrived early enough to get some great seats in the lower level. Also, there was no problem walking right up to the stage and getting right in the face of things.

9:00 pm Sharp……DEEP PURPLE hits the stage with a vengeance!

I had a feeling that we would reap the benefit of the unfortunate cancellation of the House of Blues gig, the night before. When I saw that announcement, I said to myself…….”One man’s loss is another man’s gain”. I knew they would be well rested, pissed off and ready to rock. Boy was I right.

This was hand over foot, a different gig than the Atlanta show. They were fired up and ready to release some frustration and ROCK OUT! The sound was incredible. LOUD, yet clear (Ian’s vocals could have been up a little bit, but still very clear and audible). DEEP PURPLE…..the way it is intended.

I’m not going to do a ‘song by song’ as I did with Atlanta, but I will hit on the high and low points. First off it was PURPLE. That’s always good. They played the exact same amount of songs. 16. But they changed out 3 tunes. That was great for us. They swapped “Fireball” for “Woman from Tokyo”. “When a Blind Man Cries” for “Knockin’ at your Back Door”.

The encore was totally different, whereby in Atlanta they played “HUSH” first and then “Black Night”. They surprised everyone with……”The Battle Rages On”, and finished with “HUSH”. GREAT!!!

Thus we got “3” different tunes to enjoy in just 12 days time. Who says they don’t vary? Not to mention that those that were repeated, were definitely rearranged. Solos were different. Intro’s were different, and so were the endings.

Trust me, these guys play with precision and structure, but yet they still enjoy changing their own parts for the sake of staying fresh and on the edge. In a different way than when those other guys were in the band? Yes, but this is the way the present Purple do it and it is none the less impressive.

I’ve seen them countless times now, and I can definitely say that they still hold true to variations. Each time I see them, I hear something different. Not necessarily different songs, but different arrangements of them. That is undeniable to any critic that frequents their shows.

Now for the critical view. Sorry to keep harping on this issue, but here we go again. “Way too short”. As an outsider, I made many a friend at this show, prior to Purple coming on and I found that it is not uncommon for bands to play until Midnight. There apparently is no “Curfew” as is with many venues.

Yet, this iconic rock band whom has been around, off and on for 39 years, and with “18” studio albums, averaging 11 songs each, played a whopping “16” songs, and called it a night.

I’m sorry, but if anyone has a gripe, it’s the “Deep Purple Fan”. Forget the newbie’s whom really don’t get it and whom really only know the few mainstream hits that are shoved down their throat. It’s not their fault that the radio stations only push “SOTW”. And neither is it ours.

But I can say this for certain……”2 Hours or more, and More Present MK 7 and 8 Material” is a MUST. I’m stating this with all of the true conviction that I have, based on reading the Blogs and interacting with other concert goers and Purple Fans. It is truly deplorable, that a band of this stature, makes their appearance and plays such a short set of tunes. And even worst, overlooks the material that is keeping them present. Where is the stuff from “Perpendicular”, “Abandon”, “Bananas”.

Forget about each and every persons favorites (Mine being “Sun Goes Down” from Bananas) which somehow has never been played live. You can never address that, and I would hope most aren’t stupid enough or selfish enough to expect that. But, trust me…..play long enough and 20 or more songs will greatly improve your loyalty. That’s the trade off.
Forget song selectivity. Of course play the standard hits. “Smoke on the Water, Hush, Woman from Tokyo, Highway Star, Perfect Strangers”. These are for those whom only know you for the “HITs”.

The majority of your fans here in the states (and everywhere else), are true fans. We know your music, and we are the majority of your audience. Don’t immunize those whom are willing to help expand your followers. It’s hard to introduce newcomers to your new music, take them to a show, and then have you guys do exactly what it is that you bitch about. “Play only the old classics”.

It’s like you are your own worst enemy. It’s time to shove the new stuff down the throat of the masses. We are “Album rock Fans”. Don’t be so ready to give into the few whom only know the “Classic Rock Radio…Deep Purple”.

I think you will agree that it isn’t working and it’s time you change your approach. Yes, play those hits, yet overwhelm them, and the masses with your present material. Believe me, it’s great and much demanded. You guys have put out incredible albums since you revamped. Ignoring that is absolutely wrong.

Check the various Purple Sites. It’s hard to believe your conviction about wishing to not be a “Classic Rock Band”, and even more so, a “Blackmoreless Deep Purple”, when every show seems to be a tribute to the little “prim Dona”. This is the “Morse….Airey” era. Let it shine until “The Sun Goes Down”.

You guys are doing your job. You are writing new material and putting it out there for world to engulf. Somebody in your camp is definitely dropping the ball. I doubt that it is the band.

I’m sure I am not making any favorable points here with my favorite band’s promoters. Especially after I was treated to VIP Passes for the after show “Meet and Greet”. Though I was able to share some of these thoughts with the band. Roger mostly. But I will say that I kept it to a minimum, as I didn’t wish to insult my hosts, and there were many others there to share the moment with.

But from a fellow musician, long time fan (since ’69) and just plain casual observer’s standpoint, it is very clear that there needs to be a change in “Concert and Promotion” direction, if these greats wish to achieve what they are looking for. “Present status”.

Either Way…….Don’t miss them on this tour. They are without a doubt, without question, still, the “Greatest Rock Band on the planet”. Bar none!

The opening act was a local 3 piece Blues Rock band called “The Tony Campanella Band”. They covered some Stevie Ray Vaughn, Hendrix and did some originals. Very SRV influenced and I must say……..they were very good.

Totally enjoyable and even though I was there to see Purple, I’m thoroughly pleased with this opening band. Much better than Steppenwolf on the 12th, in Atlanta (whom by the way, it’s rumored that the Atlanta show with Purple was Steppenwolf’s last).

Purplexed,
Tracy Heyder

I’ve seen Deep Purple each time they have visited the Detroit area in the last 8 years, and I am always amazed at how great they really are!

Each time I see the band, it’s obvious that they love playing…. and love playing with each other! The breath of fresh air that Steve brought with his arrival, and continues with Don, is still surrounding them!

The show started promptly at 8:30 and ran until 10:30 and not a moment was wasted. Starting with Paicey’s intro, they belted through the set list with every ounce of power that they have always had. I was pleasantly surprised to hear Things I Never Said, and hearing Into The Fire was also a joy!

Ian introduced Steve as “The Only – Steve Morse,” possibly as an answer to those who never shut up about Blackmore, but with the crowds reaction, you would never know that anyone cared about ole whats-his-name. Steve Morse is F#$&ing incredible and he showed it last night!

Don, as always, was wonderful and has rightly earned his place along side the rest of the band. Roger is one of the greatest bassists and he shows it. And Ian Paice…… In my humble opinion, currently the Greatest Living Drummer! I was a little depressed about not seeing Ian deliver one of his perfect drum solos, but it is always a pleasure just to be in his company, even if is is half way up the pavillion.

Ian Gillan was, as always, the only singer that is really worth seeing all year. His voice last night was a little strained. I assumed that Big Ian was suffering from a cold, because of the cracking in his voice, but that was only during the screams. But other than that……. Fantastic!

All in all, another awesome concert from the boys…… Well done! The only thing that was unsettling was the lack of crowd. The lawn, of course, was packed, but the pavillion was only half full.

I hope that Deep Purple do not take this as a sign of losing fans in the Detroit area, because I would hate it if they didn’t return. I could happily pay to see this band several times per year! If you live in this area and have never seen Deep Purple…… It’s time you did

Paul Steinmayer

1. Pictures Of Home
2. Things I Never Said
3. Into The Fire
4. Strange Kind Of Woman
5. Rapture Of The Deep
6. Woman From Tokyo
7. Contact Lost
8. The Well Dressed Guitar
9. Knocking At Your Back Door
10. Lazy
11. Don Airey Solo
12. Perfect Strangers
13. Space Truckin’
14. Highway Star
15. Smoke On The Water

Encore
16. The Battle Rages On
17. Hush