MADE IN EUROPE

The tracks here come exclusively from the Mark III era : three tracks from "Burn" and two from "Stormbringer" which is a bit reductive for a "Live in Europe. A great version of "Burn" which will almost be the case, this song being one of the best of the Mark III era. "Mistreaded" is beautifully rendered with a great guitar solo from Ritchie for the grand finale. There we are : these two songs really belong to the best ones from their whole catalogue (IMO). The last vocal portion of the song (about two minutes) is really Plant oriented. I would have really love to hear a rendition of this track by Led Zep (but it is hopeless, of course).

"Lady Double Dealer" : this hard rocking and melodious song at the same time has the typical sound of Mark II ("Machine Head" period). Great rendition. Jon Lord will even improvise a key solo (non-existing on the studio album). A quite extended version for "You Fool No One" with a traditional Jewish song as intro, a long Richie solo in the middle - this one being average - and a good drum solo from Ian at the end, typical for a live set in those days to have a long drum solo (the Purple still does now - I went to see them in January 2006 in Brussels). This short album closes with "Stormbringer" : this one is very close to the original and rather dynamic.

This record gives a very good idea of the Mark III concerts (I was lucky enough to see this line-up during one of their first concert ever in December 1973- Brussels). Strong hard rock with beautiful instrumental passages from Jon and Ritchie. This is a typical landmark for the Purple concert all the way through till Mark ...? It was Recorded live (in 1975) on April 4th in Graz (Austria), on April 5th in Saarbrücken (German) for most of the tracks, and on April 7th in Paris with the "Rolling Stones" Mobile Truck (sound is excellent). There is a more extended version of the Mark III era available on the record called either "Paris, La dernière Séance" or "Final Mark III Concerts". the latter title is more appropriate but I will tell you more in my review of this double CD. Four stars.