"We could have been doing new numbers three or four months ago but on the British tour we decided to give "In Rock" a last fling. We'll probably retain some of the numbers we're doing now, some seem to follow on more naturally than others. You need to play numbers to give people a lift and others to bring them down to another level. People need to go through a series of ups and downs, they need to go through certain emotions. If you play the same thing all the time people start shuffling around on their backsides." [Ian Gillan; NME]

"Ian Gillan wasted no time. After a few bars of yodelling-type fun music ["It just makes us feel good"] he promptly primed Deep Purple's Edinburgh audience, for what was to come, last Saturday. "Here's a little rock-n-roll thing called "Speed King". In places you've got to be so quiet you can hear a zip being undone!" he told them. The Empire Theatre withstood the barrage during which Ritchie Blackmore allayed any fears that his lead guitar might not be so dynamic as it normally is. His energetic chase with organist Jon Lord was loaded with humour."

"Indeed Ritchie ripped the jam-packed audience apart. His guitar was the tour de force all the way on a night when Deep Purple it seemed were beyond criticism. There were no excitement peaks really. Everything got a standing ovation."

"For those who could appreciate it there was a consistently earthy blues-jazz rapport, between Blackmore and Lord and the Deeps were educational too, for those who could be bothered at one o'clock in the morning."

"Gillan, as frenetic as the city has ever heard him, said by way of introduction: "We wrote this song a month ago. We recorded it the same night and stuck it out as a single." And he followed up "Strange Kinda Woman" with: "That's a song about a prostitute. It's a nice story if you get the chance to listen to the words." Nobody in the group field has made such a devastating impact on Edinburgh since the Beatles and the Stones." [John Gibson; Melody Maker]                   

"The stroboscope lights were switched on. This part of the act never fails to please and only Charlie Chaplin has got more out of it." [Quote from the Dundee Courier & Advertiser referring to the show on 7th March, used on the sleeve of Who Do We Think We Are]

"I still think the fusion of a group and orchestra has validity, if only for entertainment. And in fact I am working on a solo project this week with the London Symphony Orchestra. We are recording my 'Gemini Suite' at the EMI Studios in London. Although this will be a strictly Jon Lord production among the musicians involved will be Roger Glover and Ian Paice from Purple as well as Tony Ashton, Albert Lee and Yvonne Elliman. I've asked Keith Emerson to come and play as well, if he has time." [Jon Lord]

"This could easily be a review consisting entirely of superlatives, but it wouldn't be so easy to understand unless you were actually at the Roundhouse on Friday night. Let it rest at this - Deep Purple left absolutely no doubt in my mind that they are just about the most exciting rock [and that includes rock and roll] group in the world. Playing to a packed house, Purple opened with "Speed King", a very violent number which had lead guitarist Richie Blackmore spinning round and vocalist Ian Gillan assaulting the mike stand. It was an amazing opening number, the sheer force of the music was practically breathtaking - Ian Paice driving it all along with beautiful rock drumming."

""Strange Kinda Woman" was a much longer version than the single and had Richie demonstrating his technique. During this number Ian sings the notes that Richie plays at one stage, its an example of perfect co-ordination and voice control."

"Ian went offstage as usual during the excellent "Child In Time" and Jon, little Ian, Roger and Richie fell into a perfectly matched free-for-all, Richie leaning against his amps with a roadie holding them up, Roger, in hat and clogs, belting away, Jon underlining everything that was going on by playing excellent organ and electric piano and little Ian contributing so much."

"Jon's sense of humour came through when he launched into Bach's Toccata And Fugue in D Minor, switched to "Gurney Slade" and then began "Mandrake Root" which Richie particularly wanted to include. The fans were ecstatically pleased with the concert and they showed it. Purple were brought back for an encore which turned out to be "Black Night" with a false introduction. Ian Gillan's rock and roll upbringing became obvious when, after insistent applause, Purple performed "Lucille". He is a master exciter and the showmanship that had been so obvious all evening became even more apparent. In the dressing room after the show, all five members of the group were completely flaked out ... they had given the audience something to remember." [Richard Green; NME] 

"We tried doing "Into The Fire" before "In Rock" was released and it didn't go down that well. We did "No One Came" at Camden and that didn't go down well either." [Roger Glover; NME]