Search - Deep Purple :: Early Years

The early Deep Purple is GREAT!

03/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the Deep Purple (1968/69) that had two albums out BEFORE Led Zeppelin even had their first and boy oh boy is this stuff good and it ROCKS. Sure the singer Rod Evans is no Ian Gillan (who joined in the summer of 1969), but he is a good singer that works well within this rocking, swinging sixties London sound. Here is a brief run down:1. And The Address (2003 Remix) - I always loved this instrumental (that opened their first album) and with the remix, it is worth the price of admission. Wow!
2. Hush (1968 Monitor Mix) - Here is a song I thought I would skip, (I've heard it enough on the radio to last a lifetime) but this rare mix put the song in a whole new light.
3. Mandrake Root - This was a big statement by EMI to put this song third with the long jam at the end, but the band pulls it off and so it works. The later DP with Gillan and bassist Roger Glover took this song into the ROCK stratosphere, jamming for upwards toward 30 minutes on a given night. This version keeps the jam shorter but just as sweet.
4. I'm So Glad (2003 Remix) - Another major improvement over the original mix that never moved me. This mix was much more enjoyable than I was expecting. Triumph!
5. Hey Joe (2003 Remix) - Yet again another big improvement over the original mix. The musicianship and arrangement is more experimental than the Hendrix version, which if I never hear again is okay by me. A winner!
6. Kentucky Woman (Alternate Take) - Here was a cover song that I never liked, but once again this alternate take was somehow less contrived. I like this version better too.
7. Listen, Learn, Read On - This song never did much for me. I wished EMI had chosen the Beatles song HELP instead. Lennon once said he loved the Deep Purple version.
8. Shield - Classic early Purple!
9. Wring That Neck (BBC) -The later DP again took this song into the cosmos, jamming this one for upwards toward 25 to 30 minutes in concert. But this shorter version is still rock solid.
10. Anthem - one of the most beautiful songs in the DP catalog.
11. Bird Has Flown - Another classic early Purple track!
12. Blind (2003 Remix) Another great remix.
13. Why Didn't Rosemary - Another gem but Rod Evans is sounding a little out of place, but he pulls it off. Ian Gillan would have done the song real justice I believe.
14. Lalena (Instrumental) This remix takes Evans vocal out and reveals a beautiful backing track and a inspired mellow conclusion to a great CD. This disc proves that the early Deep Purple is defiantly worth remembering. They were more than just a one hit wonder with Hush. You can not call yourself a real DP fan without this CD in your collection."

Not another deep purple compilation... YES!!!

Micaloneus | the Cosmos | 07/19/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not another deep purple compilation... Well, not really, this disc puts the first DP line-up near the top of progressive 60's groups, it also manages to be an essential purchase for the fans who have everything by including six songs mixed from the original multi-track master tapes (mint condition!), and a unreleased monitor mix and a BBC radio performance. Read on for more information about each song.



There are five cuts from their first album "Shades Of Deep Purple". The innovative remixes show off these oldies with a modern eye, as if they were recorded only yesterday. 'And The Address' is one to get a remix. It has never sounded so great, a cross between The Shadows and Cream, but with a superb all-encompassing Hammond organ sound by Jon Lord. It certainly makes a excellent start to the disc. 'Hush' follows, in an early monitor mix appearance. It does lose the opening sound-effect, and is a bit rawer with vocals lower in the mix than we are use to, with Blackmore's guitar having more of an intense quality about it and of course this song surely has one of the very best solos for organ in rock history. 'Mandrake Root' follows, this is also from the remastered debut, the riff inspired by Jimi Hendrix and the Nice (featuring Keith Emerson). It's one of the approaches that helped launch MKII's conquest of the Rock world and by 1970/1971 were playing this one with rock and jazz improvisations for up to 30 minutes. 'Prelude: Happiness / I'm So Glad' is another track from their debut and is remixed as well. There's no opening sound effects again, which gives a lot more power to the opening. The remix enhances everything and makes for an extraordinary listen. Rod Evans vocals are now much stronger and the backing vocals are also up in the mix, adding to the force of the recording. Blackmore's solo is a little thin, but maybe that`s what he was looking for! 'Hey Joe' concludes the 'Shades..' selections, and is one of the most appealing remixes, gaining a lot in clarity. Evans is the main recipient once again , though Blackmore's elegant guitar is now crystal clear.



Selections from 'Book Of Taliesyn' include, 'Kentucky Woman', which is a completely different take to the official release. The song now has a live vibe about it, with Lord's organ the star. He takes a fantastic solo, which expands the song by almost two minutes. A great addition to DP canon. 'The Book Of Taliesyn' remaster gives us versions of 'Listen Learn Read On', 'The Shield', 'Wring That Neck' (BBC radio) and 'Anthem' combine next to provide us with some fabulous Progressive Art Rock, a great listening experience when hearing the cream of the second album strung together.



Now, album three of this DP trilogy. When they do rock, the poky bass of Nick Simper and vocals of Rod Evan sometimes hold the group back, while the songs are trying for something new often just sound...wrong. However, when you get 'Bird Has Flown', 'Blind', 'Why Didn't Rosemary' and 'Lalena' sequenced after the astonishingly good previous tracks, two of them with remixes, they up to an incredible Deep Purple legacy. 'Bird Has Flown' comes from the remastered 'Deep Purple' disc and simply rocks. 'Blind' is a stunning remix with a clarity which increases the sudden attack of Blackmore's guitar. 'Why Didn't Rosemary' is also from the remastered disc, and despite sounding like the song never quite gets in gear, Blackmore's solo is one of finest ever. Lastly we get a stunning remix instrumental of Donovan's 'Lalena'. I was never a fan of this one, probably due to the over-sweet Evan's vocal, but now we hear a superb and gentle musical performance; very compelling. A great way to conclude this enjoyable Deep Purple compact disc.



4 1/2 Stars."