DEEPEST PURPLE - THE VERY BEST OF DEEP PURPLE

"Deepest Purple" is a fine introduction to the music of the legendary Deep Purple. While the tracks pretty much pick themselves, when complied in this format they represent a thoroughly enjoyable, and surprisingly accurate high level summary of the bands work.

The period covered by this early compilation from 1980 (one of the first on CD) dates from "Deep Purple in Rock" in 1970 to "Stormbringer" in 1974. The earliest albums are rightly ignored, since it was with the "In rock" album that Deep Purple discovered their true identity. During this brief period though, Gillan and Glover left the band, thankfully temporarily, to be replaced by Coverdale and Hughes. Thus we find the sublime "Burn" and the decent title track from "Stormbringer" included.

The two non-album singles "Black Night" (which set the band on their way in terms of significant chart success) and "Strange kind of woman" are here of course. Both are heavy pieces of driving rock, the latter having its unique and inspired soft guitar section.

The band's signature track "Child in time" is included unedited, the running time of 10 minutes representing a bold initiative for a rock band in 1970, and indicating Deep Purple's prog relationship.

The underrated "Fireball" album contributes the title track plus the futuristic (for 1971) sounding "Demons eye", while "Machine Head's" three anthems are all present, including everybody's favourite guitar riff on "Smoke on the water". "Woman from Tokyo" offers a generous representation for the disappointing "Who do we think we are" album, but the song itself is worthy of a place in a Best of Deep Purple selection.

It is interesting reading the sleeve notes to learn that all the albums from which the track are taken reached the top 10 of the album charts, three achieving number one. What a contrast with the way such well composed and performed music is derided now In favour of manufactured bands and soloists of dubious talent.

An excellent compilation.

Share this DEEP PURPLE review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Easy Livin
• Report this review (#103926)
• Buy DEEP PURPLE music online with PA partners
• Show all DEEP PURPLE MP3/Stream
• Go to DEEP PURPLE page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Deepest Purple - The Very Best Of Deep Purple page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for DEEP PURPLE related discussions