
Deep Purple
Wednesday 6th November 2024
The O2 Arena, London
Heavy Rock legends Deep Purple have defied the odds and were back touring the UK once again on their ‘=1 More Time’ tour promoting their brand-new studio album ‘=1’. Their first album with new guitarist Simon McBride, this UK visit saw the band play five dates, including The O2 Arena in London tonight.
Deep Purple are one of the UK’s top influential Hard Rock bands of all time and are still going strong after fifty-six years in the business! On the 19th of July this year they released their twenty third studio album ‘=1’. This is the fifth album in a row to be produced by Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd, Alice Cooper, Kiss, Lou Reed), the others being ‘Now What?!’ (2013), ‘Infinite’ (2017), ‘Whoosh!’ (2020) and the covers album ‘Turning to Crime’ (2021). The band have gone through several configurations over the last fifty-six years, with the current lineup, or Mark IX, consisting of original drummer, and only member to have been in every incarnation, Ian Paice (1968-1976, 1984-present), vocalist Ian Gillan (1969-1973, 1984-1989, 1992-present), bassist Roger Glover (1969-1973, 1984-present), keyboardist Don Airey (2002-present) and newbie, guitarist Simon McBride (2022-present).
The group were initially put together in 1967 by manager and ex-Searchers drummer Chris Curtis, along with businessman Tony Edwards who decided to call the group “Roundabout”. The first recruit was Hammond player Jon Lord, soon followed by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, then bassist Nick Simper and drummer Bobby Woodman. The band’s first vocalist Rod Evans brought drummer Ian Paice to the band’s attention, and he immediately replaced Woodman. It was Blackmore who suggested the name change to "Deep Purple", named after his grandmother's favourite song! Their debut album ‘Shades of Deep Purple’ was released in 1968 with the second ‘The Book of Taliesyn’ following in 1969. That same year their third album, and last by the original lineup, ‘Deep Purple’ was also released. The music on all three albums was a mixed bag of Pop covers and original Psychedelic tinged Rock, very much the sound of a band finding their way and searching for direction.
By the end of 1969 both Evans and Simper were out to make way for vocalist Ian Gillan and bassist Roger Glover, both came from the band Episode Six. The classic Mark II lineup set the benchmark for Heavy Rock with the release of the mighty ‘In Rock’ (1970) album, quickly followed by ‘Fireball’ (1971), before reaching a career high with 1972’s ‘Machine Head’. Luckily the band was captured live at their creative peak on the monumental live album ‘Made In Japan’, released in late 1972. The final album from the first era of the Mark II lineup was 1973’s ‘Who Do We Think We Are’. Due to internal tensions and musical differences Gillan and Glover left the band in 1973.
By 1974 the new incarnation of Purple featured Glenn Hughes (Trapeze) on bass and vocals and an unknown singer called David Coverdale, along with Blackmore, Lord and Paice. They went on to release a couple of strong albums in 1974 including ‘Burn’ and ‘Stormbringer’. Blackmore, unhappy with the Soul Funk direction the band were heading in, left to form Rainbow in 1975. His replacement was American guitarist Tommy Bolan (Zephyr). This lineup only made one studio album, 1975’s ‘Come Taste the Band’, before the band called it a day in 1976. Sadly, by December 1976 Bolan died of drug intoxication. After the break-up, most of the past and present members of Deep Purple went on to have considerable success in several other bands, including Gillan, Whitesnake and Rainbow.
Surprisingly, the Mark II lineup of Gillan, Blackmore, Lord, Glover and Paice reunited in 1984 and went on to release the incredible ‘Perfect Strangers’ album in 1984 followed by ‘The House of Blue Light’ album in 1987. By 1989 Gillan was fired due to his soured relations with Blackmore, and in was former Rainbow vocalist Joe Lynn Turner for his one and only Purple album appearance, 1990’s ‘Slaves and Masters’. During the writing and recording for the next album, 1993’s ‘The Battle Rages On...’, Turner was asked to leave to make way for the return of Gillan. Midway through the European tour to promote the album Blackmore walked out, never to return! His last appearance with the band was 17th November 1993 in Helsinki, Finland. Joe Satriani was drafted in to complete the Japanese dates in December and stayed on for a European Summer tour in 1994. He was asked to join permanently, but his commitments to his contract with Epic Records prevented this. The only other candidate that was on all the band members eligible list was Dixie Dregs/Kansas guitarist Steve Morse. The chemistry was instant, and the Mark VII was born! The lineup of Gillan, Lord, Glover, Paice and Morse went on to release the brilliant ‘Purpendicular’ (1996) and Abandon’ (1998) albums.
By 2002 Lord decided to leave the band to pursue his solo classical music career - Sadly Lord died of pancreatic cancer on the 16th of July 2012 - Lord’s replacement was keyboard wizard Don Airey (Rainbow, Whitesnake, Colosseum II). The Mark VIII came together in 2002 and remained unchanged until Steve Morse’s departure in 2022. That lineup released a further six studio albums including ‘Bananas’ (2003), ‘Rapture of the Deep’ (2005), ‘Now What?!’ (2013), ‘Infinite’ (2017), ‘Whoosh!’ (2020) and the covers album ‘Turning to Crime’ (2021). A poll on radio station Planet Rock ranked them 5th among the "most influential bands ever". They also received the Legend Award at the 2008 World Music Awards and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.
With new recruit Simon McBride, the band has gone on record to say that they feel creatively rejuvenated and re-energised about the future of the band. Indeed, the release of their new studio album ‘=1’ would suggest this to be the case, having just completed successful tours of the US and Europe, with the band now back in the UK playing five concerts, with tonight being a pivotal stop off in their hometown at the infamous 02 Arena in London.
Getting things off to a blistering start was the crunchingly driving ‘Highway Star’ from the classic 1972 ‘Machine Head’ album. The band were locked in tight from the off with Paice’s drumming solid as a rock, Glover’s bass bounded away with thumping menace. Airey was on fire and McBride proved himself a more than worthy successor to Steve Morse. Sadly, Gillan’s vocals were a bit strained on the high notes and his renowned screams. However, his mid to lower register was expressively gravelly as ever it was. Not bad for a seventy-nine-year-old!
The new album ‘=1’ got well represented with a whopping six tracks being played including the sassy ‘A Bit on the Side’. Gillan’s vocal delivery was astutely witty with that characteristically familiar strutting swagger of old. Keeping the high-octane energy elevated came the flamingly ferocious ‘Into the Fire’ from the era defining 1970 ‘In Rock’ album, a master class in Heavy Rock construction and delivery. McBride has seamlessly slotted into band and conducts himself with unwavering confidence. Quite a different player to that of Steve Morse, in that Morse was a much smoother melodically fluid player with improvisational Jazz leanings in his solos, whereas McBride plays dynamically heavier, and his soloing technique is more routed in the Blues. Perhaps a closer resemblance to Ritchie Blackmore’s style than Steve Morse’s, he doesn't just play the notes he attacks them with unbridled verve. Mesmerising stuff indeed!
The time came for the sentimentally profound ‘Uncommon Man’ from the 2013 ‘Now What?!’ return to form album, written for and dedicated to founding member Jon Lord. One of Purple’s best songs from the Morse era, it is partly inspired by the classical composition ‘Fanfare for the Common Man’ and features a synthesizer-generated fanfare theme composed by Don Airey. Full of affectingly intricate guitar phrases and ambidextrous Prog tinged keyboard flourishes, it was a very welcome addition to the set. Back to the new album for a couple more newbies in the form of the pertinaciously ardent ‘Lazy Sod’ and the audaciously valorous ‘Now You’re Talkin’’. Gillan shined with his vivaciously charismatic vocal delivery. The interplay between Airey and McBride was valiantly vigorous and totally awe-inspiring. The new album is stocked full of great songs, without doubt a huge creative success.
Airey then held court for a dexterously virtuosic keyboard solo that explored a multitude of otherworldly sounds and hedonistic moods before leading nicely into the scorchingly sizzling ‘Lazy’ from the 1972 ‘Machine Head’ album, with lots of opportunities for jamming on this one. When Gillan was not singing, he would disappear off stage for a bit of a rest leaving the others to take care of business. Slowing the musical jamboree down slightly came the blindingly potent ‘When a Blind Man Cries’, which was originally a B-side of the single ‘Never Before’ released in 1972. A beautifully arresting song where Gillan gets to own it with his heart wrenching vocal cries.
Raising the messianic tempo a few notches with another slice of groovin’ brilliance from the new album, the vehemently fervent ‘Portable Door’ had the place jumping! The band was super tight and on the money. A first-class performance from all! A nice surprise greeted us next in the form of the exotically transfixing ‘Anya’ from the rather excellent 1993 ‘The Battle Rages On...’ album. This one hasn’t been in their set for almost twenty-eight years! Definitely one of my top ten favourite Deep Purple songs, the track has an air of spirited spiciness to it with a galvanising levitating ambience that digs deep into the soul.
Another blisteringly animated keyboard solo from Airey gave Gillan the chance to grab another rest backstage before it was back to the new album for the incandescently lucent ‘Bleeding Obvious’, that was catchy as hell and crammed full of interesting twists and turns. Top-notch performance. With no letup in the gravity defying energy levels, it seemed like a propitious time to blast into the outer reaches of the cosmos with the chuggingly tempestuous ‘Space Truckin'’ from the 1972 ‘Machine Head’ album. Much head banging ensued! The band appeared to be in great spirits and looked to be having a blast throughout the evening. Closing off the main set in befitting style they delivered a right rollicking rendition of the blazingly savage ‘Smoke on the Water’ from the 1972 ‘Machine Head’ album. McBride, centre stage, focused and poised, pounded out that famous Blackmore riff with vivacious vigour. The whole of the O2 Arena joined in the chorus with much enthusiastic zeal. An undeniably spectacular spectacle.
Leading us into the encore came one more gem from the new album in the shape of the raucously strident ‘Old-Fangled Thing’. A competently steady hard rocker kept us on our toes before it was back to the swingin’ sixties for the cool stomp of ‘Hush’ (Joe South cover) from the 1968 debut ‘Shades of Deep Purple’ album. An infectiously busy Hammond organ vamp dominates this sprightly lively number. The extended instrumental section saw Airey and McBride duelling at breakneck speed with bucket loads of effervescent sparkle and enthusiastic tenacity. More audience participation ensued with the “Na Na's” in the melodically catchy chorus before the burningly fiery 1970 single ‘Black Night’ unrelentingly thundered in to end the evenings musical extravaganza in rapturously exultant style. “Black night is a long way from home”. Indeed, it is! A great night was had by all, and it is fair to say the band delivered the goods with seasoned poise. Will this be their last tour? Who knows? Gillan has gone on record recently saying that they ain’t done yet! Watch this space!
Steven C. Gilbert