Mike Eriksson of the Swedish DPAS and editor of the magazine Deep Purple Forever sent me a review of the new Rainbow album. He wanted me to type it in for you, since he rather likes the album and the reviews I have sent him that have appeared on a.m.d-p before has been on the negative side except maybe for Stathis' review.
Remember, if you want to get back to Michael you will have to write him a snail mail letter since he isn't on the net and I can't relay all messages to him. He will have a new issue of DPF (all in Swedish) out in a couple of weeks, containing a recent interview with Ritchie among other things. This is Mike's address:
Deep Purple Forever
Michael Eriksson
Vålådalsgränd 15
831 72 Östersund
Sweden
/Lennart
Now over to Mike's review. All typos are probably my fault and not Mikes.
The new album opens strongly with "Wolf To The Moon" and "Cold Hearted Woman", two strong tracks that I would really like to see them do live as well. The third track (and possibly the first single according to an interview with Ritchie) "Hunting Humans", is a masterpiece. I didn't understand it the first time I heard it. After a few runs of the album I love it. This could be a huge hit eventhough it's not obviously MADE for radio or anything. I hope Rainbow have the sense to make a video for it. I would hate to see them go "underground" like Deep Purple did in 1993. The younger audiences need to get in touch with this.
"Stand 'n Fite" is a standard rocker, but then comes another brilliant track in the tradition of "Gates Of Babylon" and other "eastern" oriented classics, "Ariel". Blackmore's girlfriend Candy sings towards the end and she is a fine singer. I'm really looking forward to their side-project with renaissance music.
"Too Late For Tears" is a good rocker that reminds me of "Can't Happen Here", maybe they could play a few bars from the old classic on stage if they decide to perform this?
"Emotional Crime" sounds a bit like a modern version of mid-70's Bad Company, and I this song could be popular on U.S. radio.
"Black Masquerade" is a straight ahead rocker with one hell of a surprise in the middle. Say no more... Another song I hope they do live.
"Silence" is a track that is (according to Ritchie) inspired by an old jazz number called "The Man With The Golden Arm". I don't know if that is actually a real horn section or just keyboardwork that sounds like it, but once you've heard it a few times you can't help but like it.
"Hall Of The Mountain King" is classic Rainbow. Great singing from Dougie and a wild arrangement of the old classic. Another hitsong with any luck, and a sure contender for yet another video! IF these guys want to sell records that is...
The re-make of "Still I'm Sad" is a lot better than expected. In fact I like this better than the original on the 1975 album. This is a straight ahead rocker, a far cry from the more laidback version. The original version was too much of a "You Fool No One" rip-off. This arrangement takes it elsewhere. It's got a great deal of drive and power. Another one for the live set I'm sure.
And Blackmore's playing? Well, the man is clearly in fine shape. His playing here is better than on any of the Deep Purple reunion albums and God only knows why! Maybe Purple bored him?
In my humble opinion, "Stranger In Us All" wipes the floor with the last Deep Purple studio album, so maybe the breakup of the classic version of Deep Purple wasn't such a bad idea after all. I'm sure it will be an inspiring new period for Purple as well. Ritchie is back, and you better believe it!!
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Dave Hodgkinson 18 September 1995.