Every Deep Purple Fan Will Welcome ‘Live At The NEC’

Courtesy: Eagle Rock Entertainment

This coming Friday, August 26^th, Deep Purple will release its latest live recording Live at the NEC.  Originally recorded September 14^th, 2002 at The NEC in Birmingham, England, the DVD recording comes about a year after the release of the band’s 2015 dual live recordings From The Setting Sun…in Wacken and To The Rising Sun…in Tokyo. Being that so little time has passed between those records and this recording’s upcoming release one might wonder what makes it stand out from its predecessors.  The first element that makes it stand out is its set list.  This will be discussed shortly.  The band’s stage presence over the course of the show’s nearly two-hour run time is just as important to note as the set list. The bonus interviews that are included with the recording round out the recording’s most important elements.  Each element is important in making this live recording stand out from Deep Purple’s previous live recordings. All things considered they make this latest offering another welcome addition to any Deep Purple fan’s music library.

Deep Purple’s new live recording Live at the NEC is another welcome offering in any Deep Purple fan’s music library.  This is the case even with the recording coming only a little more than a year after the release of the band’s most recent dual live recording set—From The Setting Sun…in Wacken and To The Rising Sun…in Tokyo.  That is due in part to the recording’s set list.  The sixteen (technically fourteen not counting the show’s keyboard solo from then new keyboardist Don Airey and guitarist Steve Morse) song set pulls largely from the band’s early years. It even goes all the way back to the band’s 1968 debut album Shades of Deep Purple with the inclusion of its cover of ‘Hush’ and all the way to 1996’s Perpendicular with the inclusion of ‘Vavoom: Ted The Mechanic’ in the show’s set list.  The band even went so far as to include some slightly lesser-known pieces in the recording in the form of ‘When A Blind Man Cries’ and ‘Black Night.’  The prior was the b-side to the song ‘Never Before,’ which was itself originally included in 1984’s Perfect Strangers.  The latter was included as a b-side for ‘Speed King, from the band’s 1970 album Deep Purple in Rock.  Those songs couple with the band’s much bigger hits—‘Highway Star,’ ‘Space Truckin’,’ ‘Smoke on the Water,’ ‘Woman From Tokyo’—and the rest of the set’s featured songs to make the set in whole one that will keep audiences engaged and entertained throughout the course of the concert’s near two-hour run time.

The set list that is featured in this recording is undeniably important to the recording’s presentation. That is because while it does feature some of the band’s biggest hits, it also features some lesser known songs.  It comes across as a very focused set list.  Even with the show being the last at the time for founding member and keyboardist Jon Lord, Lord did not play a creative role in every one of the featured songs.  This leads to plenty of discussion on the reasoning behind the set list.  Even with that in mind the show’s set list is just one part of what makes the recording in whole welcome in any Deep Purple fan’s music library.  The band’s stage presence throughout the course of the concert is just as important to note as the songs that the band performs.  The songs that make up the concert’s set are largely upbeat.  They have plenty of energy.  Of course there are some slower, more reserved moments.  Through it all the band’s members keep the audience completely entertained.  The band shows that an act doesn’t necessarily have to rely on pyrotechnics and other gimmicks in order to entertain audiences.  Rather, the band shows in whole that sometimes all a band needs to keep audiences entertained in a live setting is that presence.  And presence is exactly what the band has here.  Front man Ian Gillan commands the stage with ease as guitarist Steve Morse and drummer Ian Paice drive each song.  Speaking of Morse, his interaction with his band mates during his extended guitar solo shows the chemistry between the musicians.  Keyboardists Don Airey and Jon Lord are just as entertaining to watch as they perform both solo and in tandem.  Airey shows his vast musical background with some playful pieces and even some equally impressive classical snippets in his keyboard solo.  Lord is just as entertaining to watch as he works his way through the second half of the set list.  All things considered each man does his own part to entertain audiences throughout the concert.  Home viewers will agree with this when they see the concert for themselves.  Their presence, when considered together, makes the concert’s overall experience just as enjoyable to watch as the show’s set list.  When both element are set against one another, they come together to show even more clearly why this concert is another welcome addition to any Deep Purple fan’s music library.  They are not the only elements to consider in the concert’s new home release.  The bonus interviews that are included in the concert are just as important to note here as the show’s set list and the band’s performance of said set list.

The set list that is featured in Live at the NEC and the band’s performance of said set list are both key elements in the recording’s overall presentation.  As important as they prove to be to the recording’s presentation, they are hardly its only positives.  The interviews that are included in the recording are just as important to its presentation as the set list and the band’s performance thereof.  One of the interviews—with Gillan and Glover—is included as bonus companion material that stands separate from the concert.  It is an extensive interview that touches on a number of topics including the story behind ‘Smoke on the Water.’ Roger Glover’s thoughts on rock versus metal, his thoughts on rock versus pop, and how famed veteran guitarist Joe Satriani came to work with Deep Purple for a period of time among much more.  The main concert feature includes a post concert interview with Jon Lord in which Lord talks about his feelings of performing for the last time.  Audiences will be moved both to smiles and tears as Lord talks about discovering after the show that he had broken down crying after leaving the stage and hadn’t even realized it at first.  His ruminations will keep audiences just as engaged as his performance on stage.  When it’s all said and done, audiences will agree that the two interview segments prove to be just as invaluable to this recording as the recording’s main feature and the band’s performance of the set list.  All things considered there is a lot to say to the positive for Live at the NEC; so much so that the recording proves with full clarity why it is another welcome addition to any Deep Purple fan’s music library.

Live at the NEC is hardly Deep Purple’s first live recording.  It is though, a completely welcome new live recording to any Deep Purple fan’s music library.  That is proven through the show’s focused, sixteen-song set list.  The set list, which comes in at just under two hours features a collection of songs that come largely from the band’s early days.  The band’s performance of that set is just as important to the recording’s presentation as the set list itself.  The band keeps audiences completely engaged and entertained just with its own performance.  It shows through its performance that a band doesn’t always need big showy elements and other gimmicks in order to entertain audiences.  It just needs good music and good stage presence.  The interviews that are included in the recording play just as much of a part in its presentation as the band’s performance and the concert’s set list.  That is because of the insight and entertainment that they offer in their own right.  As if all of this isn’t enough, one can’t (and shouldn’t) ignore the recording’s packaging.  Audiences will notice that the recording is packaged in what is essentially a Blu-ray box.  It is not the first time that Eagle Rock has packaged its live DVDs in such packaging.  It is good to see this packaging used yet again, too.  It shows that DVD packaging can be the exact same size as Blu-ray packaging, thus saving even more space on audiences’ DVD racks.  It is an approach that sets Eagle Rock Entertainment ahead of every other home entertainment company, and in turn shows once more why Eagle Rock Entertainment remains to this day the lading name in live recordings.  With any luck the rest of the home entertainment realm will use this packaging as a model and eventually catch up to Eagle Rock Entertainment in this avenue.  Regardless of whether or not that ever happens, this element couples with all of the previously noted elements to, again, show why Live at the NEC is another welcome addition to any Deep Purple fan’s music library and why Eagle Rock Entertainment remains today the leading name in live recordings.

Live at the NEC will be available this Friday, August 26^th.  More information on Live at the NEC is available online now along with all of Deep Purple’s latest news and more at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.deeppurple-nowwhat.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/officialdeeppurple

Twitter: http://twitter.com/_DeepPurple

 

 

 

More information on Live at the NEC and other title from Eagle Rock Entertainment is available online now at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.eagle-rock.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EagleRockEnt

Twitter: http://twitter.com/EagleRockNews

 

 

 

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Eagle Rock Entertainment Announces New Deep Purple Live Recording

Courtesy: Eagle Rock Entertainment

Eagle Rock Entertainment is releasing yet another new live Deep Purple recording this summer.

Deep Purple: Live at the NEC will be released Friday, August 26^th.  It will be available on DVD ($14.99) and digital formats.  Originally recorded on September 14^th, 2002 the hour and forty-nine minute concert was meant to pay tribute to founding member and keyboardist Jon Lord.  That is because earlier the same year, Lord had announced his retirement from the band.  After his announcement the band enlisted the help of Don Airey, who also joined the band at the concert along with Lord.  Airey served as principal keyboardist throughout the course of the concert.  Though, Lord made a very special appearance on ‘Perfect Strangers.’  The concert featured the lineup of Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Steve Morse, Ian Paice, Jon Lord, and Don Airey.  The set list features a number of the band’s biggest hits including: ‘Highway Star,’ ‘Smoke on the Water,’ ‘Woman From Tokyo,’ ‘Space Truckin’,’ ‘Speed King,’ ‘Lazy,’ ‘Hush,’ and many others.  The concert’s full set list is noted below.  Along with its main feature, the DVD also features interviews with Ian Gillan and Roger Glover as bonus material.

 

TRACK LISTING

1) Fireball

2) Woman From Tokyo

3) Mary Long

4) Ted The Mechanic

5) Lazy

6) The Well Dressed Guitar

7) When A Blind Man Cries

8) Space Truckin’

9) Keyboard Solo

10) Perfect Strangers

11) Speed King

12) Guitar Solo

13) Smoke On The Water

14) Hush

15) Black Night

16) Highway Star

 

Along with the release of Live at the NEC, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release two other Deep Purple concerts—Total Abandon and Bombay Calling—exclusively in digital platforms the same day.  More information on Live at the NEC is available online now along with all of Deep Purple’s latest news and more at:

 

 

Website: http://www.deeppurple-nowwhat.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/officialdeeppurple

Twitter: http://twitter.com/_DeepPurple

 

More information on this and other titles from Eagle Rock Entertainment is available online now at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.eagle-rock.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EagleRockEnt

Twitter: http://twitter.com/EagleRockNews

 

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

 

Long Beach 1971 Is One Of 2015’s Top New Live CD Recordings

Courtesy: earMusic

Deep Purple is one of the most well-known and respected names in the rock community. The veteran British blues-rock band has been making music together for some forty-seven years. Given there was a nearly ten-year period in which the band took some time off from 1976 – 1984. But since it reformed in 1984, Deep Purple has been busy churning out new studio and live recordings and touring seemingly nonstop. Over the course of the past two years alone, the band’s deals with Eagle Rock Entertainment and earMusic has resulted in no fewer than six live recordings and one new studio album with at least two more on the way this summer. The most recent of those newly released live recordings, Long Beach 1971, was released late this past May. The recording only consists of four songs–‘Speed King,’ ‘Strange Kind of Woman,’ ‘Child in Time,’ and ‘Mandrake Root,’ While that doesn’t seem like much, those four songs bring the recording’s total run time to over an hour. More specifically, it brings the recording’s total run time to an hour and nineteen minutes, just shy of the ninety minute mark. That extensive run time is just one aspect of what makes Long Beach 1971 another hit for Deep Purple and for the band’s fans. The band’s performance itself makes for even more enjoyment, as audiences will note. That will be discussed at more length later. Last but hardly least worth noting of Long Beach 1971 is its audio mix. The audio mix of this concert is surprisingly impressive for its time. It sounds completely unlike anything from this era of concert recordings. But it still sounds impressive nonetheless. That is a tribute to those charged with re-mastering the recording for its release on CD. If not for the work of those individuals, neither the show’s set list nor the band’s performance would be of any matter. Thankfully for fans that isn’t the case. Instead, audiences have in this recording a piece that is yet another impressive live recording from Deep Purple and a recording that is one of the year’s best new live recordings on CD.

Long Beach 1971 is yet another impressive in a long line of live recordings released by Deep Purple in recent year. It is also one of the year’s best new live recordings on CD. The central way in which it proves this is through its set list. The set list consists of only four songs. On the surface that might not seem like very much. But it is in reality quite a bit. The songs–‘Speed King,’ ‘Strange Kind of Woman,’ ‘Child in Time,’ and ‘Mandrake Root’–in total bring the concert’s total run time to an hour and nineteen minutes with the show’s opener, ‘Speed King,’ being the shortest at eleven minutes and five seconds long. Keeping on that track, audiences will be interested to note that the songs only get longer from there. ‘Strange Kind of Woman’ clocks in at eleven minutes and twelve seconds. ‘Child in Time’ comes in at twenty minutes and twenty-five seconds. ‘Mandrake Root’ closes the show with a total run time in itself at twenty-seven minutes and eighteen seconds. Maybe it is mere coincidence that each of the songs presented here is longer than the last. It could have been wholly intentional, too. Regardless, such a long set with only four songs is impressive in itself especially for that era. The songs are so long because the band doesn’t just perform the songs. Rather the band’s members–Ian Gillan, Ian Paice, Jon Lord, Ritchie Blackmore, and Roger Glover–let the performances grow naturally. The result is the extensive yet enjoyable performances that audiences get within the course of each of the recording’s songs. It is also tied into another aspect of the recording that makes it just as enjoyable–the band’s actual performance.

The performance of Deep Purple’s members in this recording is just as important to note of its enjoyment as the concert’s extensive set list. That is because what audiences get from Deep Purple in this recording isn’t just some band up on stage going through the motions. It is a band that is taking in the moment both together and with its audience. The fact that the band lets each song organically grow from just a performance to a full-blown jam session shows that. Even audiences listening to the concert on their radios or MP3 players will find themselves getting lost in each performance along with the band and those that were there in attendance. Even more impressive is that front man Ian Gillan talks to the audience in between songs, explaining briefly but clearly the story behind each song. Those that might not know the stories behind the songs will definitely enjoy Gillan’s stories. He explains about ‘Strange Kind of Woman’ that it apparently had to do with a prostitute and one of the band’s friends. Believe it or not. In regards to ‘Child in Time,’ he explains that it centers on people that just can’t seem to win in life no matter what. And in regards to the show’s closer ‘Mandrake Root’ he explains that this song came to be after two of the band’s friends got into a certain drink at a party. When audiences listen to the song, it becomes relatively clear what exactly happened (or supposedly happened). Gillan even laughs at a certain point, giving one to think that apparently what it sounds like happened perhaps indeed did happen. It’s a small moment, but it is one more of so many that heightens the enjoyment of the band’s performance. Together with the show’s set list, both elements make relatively clear why Long Beach 1971 is yet another impressive live Deep Purple set and one of the year’s best new live CDs.

The set list and performance on the part of Deep Purple’s band members in Long Beach 1971 prove clearly in themselves why this recording is yet another impressive addition to the band’s already extensive catalogue of live CDs. They also show just as clearly why it is one of the year’s best new live CDs. Both elements taken into consideration there is just one more element to note in what makes Long Beach 1971 so enjoyable. That final element is the concert’s audio mix. Right off the bat, audiences will note that in comparison to the live recordings churned out today, this recording sounds quite different. The best way for audiences to fully understand this difference is to purchase the recording for themselves. But for lack of better wording, it doesn’t have that spit-shined, auto-tuned sound that today’s live recordings boast. It is more….organic almost. Yet for that sound, it still sounds surprisingly impressive. This is the case even despite having to adjust the volume level between songs so as to hear Gillan’s discussions on the songs. Sure, it would have been nice to not have to constantly make such adjustment from one song to the next. but that’s beside the point. It’s just nice to have that interaction with the audience coupled with a solid stage performance. Getting back on topic, those charged with re-mastering the audio for this recording are to be commended for their efforts. Thanks to their work, that organic sound is still there as is the static that was produced by the recording technology of the day. This seems minor but it is important in its own right. That is because it shows that it is still possible for record companies to produce classic and classic sounding records on CD complete with that nostalgic static sound in place of full vinyl releases. There has been so much talk in recent years about the resurgence of vinyl. The apparent reason that there has been such a resurgence in its popularity is simply the nostalgia factor. The static and organic audio that has been reproduced in Long Beach 1971 proves without a doubt that it is still possible to have that nostalgia without having to spend exorbitant amounts of money on vinyls. Considering this, the nostalgia produced by the audio mix of Long Beach 1971 will make listening to the concert’s set list and the band’s performance all the greater. In turn it will prove yet again why Long Beach 1971 is yet another impressive live Deep Purple recording and why it is one of this year’s best new live CD recordings overall.

Long Beach 1971 gives Deep Purple fans of all ages plenty to smile about. Its set list, while short in selection, makes for a full and fun concert. The band’s performance of its chosen songs makes the concert even more enjoyable. That is thanks both to the organic nature of the band’s performance and to front man Ian Gillan actually interacting with the audience, sharing the stories behind each of the set’s songs. The expert re-mastering of the concert’s audio leaves it sounding just as it would have on a vinyl release complete with static. It shows that a CD recording live or otherwise can still be just as good as any vinyl release if not better. All three elements together make crystal clear why Long Beach 1971 is yet another impressive release in a long line of live recordings from Deep Purple and why it is also one of this year’s best new live CD recordings. It is available now in stores and online. More information on this and other titles from E.A.R. Music is available online now at:

Website: http://www.ear-music.net

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/earmusicofficial

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Celebrating Jon Lord Pays Proper Homage To One Of The Music World’s Great Minds And Musicians

Courtesy: Eagle Rock Entertainment/Universal Music Group

The music world lost one of its greatest figures two years ago when Deep Purple keyboardist and founding member Jon Lord passed away.  Lord may be gone but his legacy as a member of one of rock’s greatest bands lives on today thanks to songs such ‘Smoke on the Water,’ ‘Soldier of Fortune,’ ‘Burn’ and so many others.  His legacy as a composer lives on to as he crafted his own modern classical works including the now famous ‘Concerto for Group and Orchestra’ among others.  Earlier this year, Lord’s former Deep Purple band mates and his fellow musicians came together to celebrate his rich legacy at London’s famed Royal Albert Hall at the annual Sunflower Jam.  And now fans of Deep Purple and of Jon Lord alike get to experience that celebration for themselves thanks to Eagle Rock Entertainment and Universal Music Group in the form of the triple-disc CD set Celebrating Jon Lord.  Celebrating Jon Lord is a wonderful tribute to one of the great musical minds of the modern era.  The primary reason that it is such a wonderful tribute in its CD form is that the celebrations of Lord’s contributions to the rock world and the classical world are separated into two stand-alone collections.  Another reason that audiences will enjoy this collection is its collective set list.  And last worth noting is the audio mix on this recording in whole.  All three factors together make Celebrating Jon Lord a wonderful celebration of a great man and a great musical mind and one more welcome addition to the library of any Deep Purple fan or classic rock fan in general.

Courtesy: Eagle Rock Entertainment/Universal Music Group

Eagle Rock Entertainment’s new live recording Celebrating Jon Lord is not the first feature to focus on the late founding member of Deep Purple.  The leader in live recordings, Eagle Rock released Jon Lord: Concerto for Group and Orchestra on both CD and DVD last year in separate packages.  The recording focused primarily on what is considered one of his greatest non-rock compositions.  Celebrating Jon Lord does not include this work on either half of the recording.  While it doesn’t include that composition, Celebrating Jon Lord: The Composer presents even more of Lord’s non-rock compositions.  It stands alone from the other half of the concert recorded earlier this spring, “Celebrating Jon Lord: The Rock Legend.  This separation of the show into two packages is the central point of the concert’s CD presentation.  Audiences that want to hear only Lord’s work with Deep Purple can pick up the second half of the performance Celebrating Jon Lord: The Rock Legend.  Those that prefer hearing Lord’s personal non-rock compositions can pick up Celebrating Jon Lord: The Composer .  Sure, it’s a little problematic for those wanting the full concert experience on CD as it means having to purchase both sets.  But it’s money well-spent regardless.  And now that the concert has been released onto a companion Blu-ray, those same audiences can see the entire concert in one single package in place of having to purchase both CDs if they don’t want to have to pay that much for two separate sets. Regardless, both of the CDs offer their own share of enjoyment from start to finish.

The separation of the Sunflower Jam concert celebrating the legacy of Jon Lord is among the most important factors in the success of this triple-disc live recording.  Just as important of note is the recording’s overall set list.  On the rock side, audiences are treated to a number of classic Deep Purple tunes which Lord helped bring to life.   Some of the best of those classics include the bluesy ‘I’m Gonna Stop Drinking,’ the full-on rocker that is ‘Burn’ and the much easier-going almost funk-style ‘Things Get Better.’  On the classical side, anyone that has any familiarity with the world of classical music will most certainly appreciate that collection’s first two songs.  ‘Fantasia,’ which opens the classical portion of the concert, bears very clear influence from Aaron Copland and to a lesser extent, Eric Osterling.  And its Indian-influenced opening measures aside, ‘Durham Awakes’ feels like something that came right out of the Broadway rendition of author Arthur Laurents’ book West Side Story with its complex, multi-part arrangement.  It’s the type of thing that would make Leonard Bernstein proud if he were alive today to hear it.  It’s one more example of what makes the collective set list of these two collections such a joy.  There are plenty of other songs from which listeners will find their favorite(s).  Simply put, there is not one back performance throughout the concert regardless of which side of the show one prefers.  Altogether, it’s one more reason that fans of Deep Purple and of classical music and classic rock alike will enjoy this recording in whole.

The separation of Celebrating Jon Lord into two separate halves and the set list of each half of the concert together make this recording a true joy for any Deep Purple fan and any fan of classical music and classic rock.  Neither of these factors would mean anything on the recording’s CD packaging however without one all-important aspect.  That aspect is the recording’s audio mix.  It is noted in the booklet included with Celebrating Jon Lord: The Rock Legend that Iron Maiden front man Bruce Dickinson and Lord’s former Deep Purple band mate Glenn Hughes actually “endangered the Albert Hall Architecture with ultra-passionate and furiously energetic versions of two Mark 3 Deep Purple classics, ‘You Keep On Moving’ and ‘Burn.’  That’s saying something, especially considering Albert Hall’s massive size from ceiling to floor and stage to doors.  Luckily, as powerful as Dickinson and Hughes were on these pieces, those charged with balancing the levels handled their duties expertly.  Though, that power does still show through at least to a certain extent whether in a car or on a radio.  That in itself is a tribute to the work of said individuals.  Much the same can be said of their work balancing the levels when powerhouse singer Steve Balsamo took the stage to perform on Lord’s composition ‘All Those Years Ago.’  Balsamo exhibits such control over his instrument.  He soars when it’s time to really hit those key moments.  He holds back just enough in the more reserved moments, too.  The audio engineers make those moments come out even more with their work here.  They exhibit just as much talent and expertise throughout the remainder of the concert.  Audiences will hear that expertise for themselves when they pick up either or both of these recordings for themselves.  The concert’s high quality audio mix, coupled with the show’s set list and its separation into two halves, leads to one more live recording that adds to Eagle Rock’s reputation as the leader in live recordings. It also adds even more to the reputation of Deep Purple and Jon Lord as one of the music world’s best bands and best musical minds.  Altogether, it proves Celebrating Jon Lord to be a wonderful celebration that any true music lover will appreciate.

Celebrating Jon Lord is a wonderful musical celebration of a wonderful musical mind.  The separation of the concert’s audio side into two halves lets audiences choose which half they prefer more should they prefer one half of the show to another.  The set list itself proves that both sides of the concert are well worth the purchase in its audio side.  The work of the concert’s audio engineers balancing the concert’s audio levels is nothing short of expert.  All three factors together make the audio portion of Celebrating Jon Lord a welcome addition to the library of any Deep Purple fan and lover of music in whole.  That is not to discount the booklets that come with each half of the concert.  The booklets that come with the CDs offer their own additional insight and enjoyment to the experience, making it even more worth hearing.  Those wanting to hear the concert’s audio side can pick up either collection now or both as they are available in stores and online.  The CDs’ companion Blu-ray presentation is also available now.  More information on these releases and others from Eagle Rock Entertainment is available online at:

Website: http://www.eagle-rock.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EagleRockEnt

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Eagle Rock, E.A.R. Music To Release New Archived Deep Purple Concert

Courtesy: Eagle Rock Entertainment/E.A.R. Music

Eagle Rock Entertainment and E.A.R. Music will release another archived live Deep Purple this summer.

Eagle Rock Entertainment and E.A.R. Music will release Deep Purple: Graz 1975 on Tuesday, September 23rd. The recording, which is part of Deep Purple’s “(Overseas) Live Series,” was recorded at the Liebenauer ice rink. The rink is located just outside of the city of Graz, Austria. Graz is the second-largest city in Austria just behind Vienna. The concert features the classic MK III lineup of Richie Blackmore (guitar), David Coverdale (vocals), Glenn Hughes (bass/vocals), Jon Lord (keyboards), and Ian Paice (drums). He show was dubbed by the local press as being the “rock event of the year” at the time of the event.

The band’s eight-song performance opens with a rousing performance of its hit song ‘Burn.’ The show’s set list consists largely of songs from the band’s earlier days in which Ian Gillan handled vocal duties and Roger Glover played bass. It includes iconic songs such as ‘Smoke on the Water’ and ‘Space Truckin.’ After the band’s performance in Graz, it would go on to perform only two more shows together before guitarist Richie Blackmore would leave the band. He would later go on to form the equally iconic rock band Rainbow. American guitarist Tommy Bolin took over guitar duties after Blackmore’s departure from the band.

Deep Purple: Graz 1975 has never before been released in its entirety in any form. Its release later this month will mark the first time ever that the recording has been released in its entirety. It will be available on CD, two-disc gatefold LP, and digital audio. The show’s set list is noted below.

Track Listing:

1. Burn
2. Stormbringer
3. The Gypsy
4. Lady Double Dealer
5. Mistreated
6. Smoke On The Water
7. You Fool No One
8. Space Truckin’

 

More information on this and other releases from Eagle Rock Entertainment is available online at http://www.facebook.com/EagleRockEnt and http://twitter.com/EagleRockNews. More information on this and other releases from E.A.R. Music is available online at http://ear-music.net and http://www.facebook.com/earmusicofficial. To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Deep Purple’s Latest Live LP An Important Addition To Any Fan’s Library

Courtesy: Eagle Rock Entertainment

Eight years ago, Eagle Rock Entertainment released to DVD what has gone on to become one of a handful of iconic performances from legendary British hard rock band Deep Purple. The concert in question was the band’s performance at the 1974 California Jam. Last month, Eagle Rock finally followed up that recording with the DVD’s audio only companion on CD. The DVD half of this recording is probably out of print at the time of this review. So it’s nice to see the classic archived concert’s return. The band only performs seven songs in its set here. But that’s no loss considering how rich each song proves to be. The performance by the band is just as impressive as the set list chosen for the show. And while the audio mix starts out rather muddy, it does get better. This factor is just as important as anything else to note as the alleged history behind the audio mix has its own story. The history behind the audio mix and the audio mix set alongside the band’s performance and its set list serve to make this archived live recording worth at least one listen.

Deep Purple’s set at its 1974 California Jam consisted of only seven songs. That might not seem like much. But the songs included in the set and the set’s near ninety-minute run time make the set list rather impressive to say the least. Over the course of the band’s nearly ninety-minute set, the members of Deep Purple put on what was one of the best performances of the entire California Jam Festival that year. David Coverdale was handling vocal duties for the band at the time of the concert. And he put on a virtual clinic throughout the show, hitting notes that no man should seemingly be able to hit. His ability to those high notes and mid-range notes even puts to shame the likes of Led Zeppelin front man Robert Plant and even Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden), James LaBrie (Dream Theater) and so many other pure singers past and present. Richie Blackmore (guitars) and Ian Paice (drums) both get their moment to shine throughout the show, too. Whether in their solo moments or as part of the whole, Paice and Blackmore prove throughout the show just why they are still among the most respected musicians in their respective fields even today even four decades after that iconic performance was recorded.

Deep Purple spent nearly ninety-minutes wowing audiences in attendance with the band’s fan friendly set list. The band’s members, as already noted, more than exhibit their talents time and again throughout the course of the concert. By direct connection, the band’s overall performance impresses, too. The band keeps the energy up throughout the course of the show, keeping the audience at a fever pitch from start to finish. Even on the slightly more reserved, bluesy ‘Mistreated’ The band somehow maintains a certain level of power. It actually rivals any blues-rock based song performed by fellow Brit-rockers The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin. Audiences will hear and feel that energy for themselves when they check out this live recording, too.

Both the performance by the members of Deep Purple at this concert and the band’s set list hold equal importance to the overall enjoyment of this latest live DP release from Eagle Rock Entertainment. There is still one more factor to consider in the recording’s overall enjoyment to investigate. That final factor is the concert’s audio mix. There is no getting around the fact that the concert’s audio mix starts out rather muddy. Guitarist Richie Blackmore overpowers David Coverdale’s vocals rather blatantly throughout ‘Burn’ and even ‘Might Just Take Your Life.’ But it does get better as the near ninety-minute concert progresses. In defense of Eagle Rock Entertainment, there is a story that alleges Blackmore went to the individual running the audio board for the band’s performance and essentially told him to put more emphasis on his [Blackmore’s] part than on anyone else. There’s no telling if there is any truth to this story. But if there is, it would most definitely explain why the audio mix sounds so messy early on. Luckily, that muddiness doesn’t last too long. It gets better as the concert progresses. Audiences can hear the different parts level out more as the show progresses. And because the audio mix does clear up and balance out, it makes the show much easier on the ears (as if the set list and performance together aren’t already easy on the ears to begin with).   That ease on listeners’ ears alongside the set list and performance by the band all come together to make this recording one worth at least one watch by both classic rock fans and fans of Deep Purple.

Deep Purple: Live in California ’74 is available now in stores and online. It can be ordered direct via Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Cal-Jam-1974-Deep-Purple/dp/B00IAR2DG4/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1400702990&sr=1-2&keywords=deep+purple+California+Jam. More information on this and other releases from Eagle Rock Entertainment is available online at http://www.facebook.com/EagleRockEnt and http://www.eagle-rock.com. To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

“Concerto” Documentary A Fitting Tribute To Lord’s Memory

Courtesy: Eagle Rock Entertainment/Thompson Music/E.A.R. Music

When Metallica recorded its now fan favorite live album S&M with the San Francisco Symphony, that recording was lauded by fans and critics alike. The praise showered on the band was fully justified. It was considered by some to be a groundbreaking performance because it was the coming together of two entirely separate musical worlds. What many people might not know is that S&M was not in fact the first time that the two worlds have come together. Former Deep Purple member Jon Lord crafted and performed his now famous Concerto for Group and Orchestra almost forty-five years ago in 1969. That performance was truly groundbreaking. Sadly, cancer claimed Lord in July of 2012. Thanks to Eagle Rock Entertainment though, Lord’s opus finally saw the light of day that same year. And now again thanks to Eagle Rock, audiences are taken even deeper into Lord’s majestic and magical composition thanks to a new documentary on that record. There is a lot to like about this recently released documentary. The documentary’s behind-the-scenes main feature is the main portion of what audiences will appreciate in this release.  Audiences are provided a history of Lord’s original performance of his opus in order to set up the more recent recording session.  As part of the recording process, viewers will also get to hear from some big names that helped bring the recording to life. Audiences will also appreciate that not only are they taken behind the scenes of the recording’s birth, but they are also provided with two opportunities to hear the recording in the new Blu-ray presentation.  It is included both as a bonus feature on the Blu-ray itself, and as its own separate CD as even more of a bonus.  All of this taken into consideration makes the documentary on Jon Lord’s Concert for Group & Orchestra quite the interesting work.

Far too many record labels in today’s music industry add “making of documentaries” to their new albums and try to pawn them off on fans as something special.  The problem is that so few of those “documentaries” in question are really worth the extra money shelled out by hard working audiences.  Jon Lord: Concerto for Group& is not one of those releases.  This documentary gives audiences a full history of the former Deep Purple member’s iconic song, from its very first ever performance in 1969 at the famed Royal Albert Hall to its first non-live recording in 2012.  Audiences see just how much work went into putting his composition to record.  It’s a fitting tribute to the musician, who sadly lost his battle with cancer just last year.  From the initial setup to the recording of each part and everything in-between, viewers will see that this isn’t just another one of those albums where each part was recorded separately in different studios.  This understanding will generate a whole new appreciation for the song and everything that went into actually doing a “studio” recording of it.  This applies to listeners that are both more familiar with Lord’s work and those that might be less so.

Along the course of the documentary, viewers get to hear from some of the biggest names in the rock world that took part in the recording process.  Those names include greats such as Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden and blues/rock guitar great Joe Bonamassa among so many others.  The respect shared between them and Lord is obvious through their shared commentary and by the seriousness with which they approached their respective roles in the overall composition.

The overall presentation of the documentary here is exceptional to say the least.  From the composition’s history to its first official studio recording, so much information is shared on its importance.  As impressive as the main feature is, Eagle Rock didn’t stop there.  Eagle Rock has included as a bonus for fans, the complete Concerto for Group & Orchestra both on its own CD and as a bonus feature on the primary Blu-ray disc.  And it’s not all that is included as a bonus, either.  Eagle Rock has exceeded expectations once again with this documentary’s bonus material.  Also included as bonus material is are interviews with Paul Mann and Marco de Groeji.  Mann conducted the orchestra assembled for the new recording of Concerto for Group & Orchestra.  The insight that he shares is something special.  That’s because of his understanding of and appreciation for the worlds of both rock and classical, as well as for Lord himself.  His interview and that with others involved with the record’s production more than live up to the title of bonus features. Together with the documentary’s main feature, they collectively make this release one that transcends genres.  It’s one that fans of both classical and rock will enjoy. It is available now in stores and online.   More information on this and other releases from Eagle Rock Entertainment is available online at http://www.eaglerockent.com and http://www.facebook.com/EagleRockEnt.  To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.