Dinosaurs roam the planet again as the Ian Gillian-era lineup (minus Ritchie Blackmore and plus ex-Dixie Dreg Steve Morse) proves that old guys still wanna rock. --Jeff Bateman Amazon.com
I bought this CD because Steve Morse is my favorite rock guitarist, at least more so than being a fan of Deep Purple. I've listened to this CD probably at least three hundred times (in my car as I drive) and I can say that honestly that it is probably my favorite rock CD that I own. I never get sick of it, all the songs are different and don't all sound the same (like some groups), and Steve Morse rocks! I never knew Deep Purple could sound so good!
November 19, 2007Replace Blackmore? Yes, they did...and it worked out well this time. Steve Morse has always been a favorite of mine, and his soaring technical abilities allow the musicians alot more freedom without limitations. Whether it's Morse's superior technical ability or overall nicer attitude as a person that allows this freedom, I dunno. But the band sounds reborn; The tracks are lively, skilled, and varied. Morse channels the essence of Blackmore in many of is leads, yet he is def. his own man; The production is excellent, and there is alot of melody on this album; This is an album by a band having fun again. I was very happily surprised, and recommend it as the best Morse/Purple collaboration.
May 27, 2007 |  | Vintage Deep Purple...of the modern era |  |
In the mid 90's Deep Purple had something to prove with the exit of Blackmore...BANG!...a great album. It seems whenever this band's back is to the wall, they come through with flying colours, mainly shades of purple.
May 1, 2007| | | How does this band do it? | |
"Vavoom: Ted the Mechanic" comes ripping out of the speakers. Wow! This sounds like a band that is re-charged and ready to start all over again. Then comes "Loosen My Strings" sounding classic from the very first listen, as does "Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming." Also, early on is "Soon Forgotten" and "Cascades: I'm Not Your Lover" which both sound like vintage in your face Deep Purple. After that comes, the Celtic "Aviator," such splendor and beauty. That was one of the songs the astronauts took in space with them, along with their `72 classic, Space Truckin'. This gorgeous song is followed by the one pure filler from this album, "Rosa's Cantina." But when an album is this good, even the filler is entertaining. This is followed by my favorite, "A Castle Full of Rascals," the one song from this disc that was picked for the Rhino "Shades of Deep Purple" box set. Next up, a beautiful balled, "Touch Away," not syrupy, just pure Purple sweetness. Now it's time to rock out for the home stretch, with "Hey Cisco," the amazing "Somebody Stole My Guitar" and the odd feel of "The Purpendicular Waltz." One of the finest albums in the Purple cannon. And to think new Purple guitarist, Steve Morse (Blackmore's permanent replacement) was only making his debut with the band.
No wonder Purple have made so many great albums over the years, like In Rock, Burn, Come Taste The Band, Bananas and of course this one. What do they all have in common? It's a Deep Purple album that has fresh blood in it`s veins. I can think of so many bands who perhaps should have changed members sooner, instead of a series of lame albums. Not Deep Purple.
NOTE: Some versions of this album contain a cool bonus cut, called "Don't Hold Your Breath," if you get it, it's a true bonus.
Purpendicular: 5 stars.
November 4, 2006Seriously, Ritchie Blackmore set the stage for Deep Purple's long term success and no one can take that away from him. On the other hand, his fickle nature opened the door for other qualified guitarists to keep the fire burning and Steve Morse has done a fine job of it. The obvious fear is that a musician of Morse's skill and imagination would drive the Purple sound into something different (as other incarnations have done with nowhere near the same level of talent). Given his complex work with Dixie Dregs and Kansas, Morse demonstrates not just extraordinary restraint but an intuitive understanding of Deep Purple's musical history to which he plays with a great deal of deference. The result is an album that stands alongside the best of Mark II.
October 25, 2006More reviews at Amazon.com ...
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