PURPLEXED

This compilation "Purplexed" leaves quite perplexed, I must say. Except the fact of a label desire to create a Purple compilation, I do not understand the idea here. This "work" mixes live and studio tracks. From 1990 to 1996.

What do we get here ?

One track from the infamous "Slaves & Masters" (and one of the weakest one of it) : "King Of Dreams" (not of mine, I can tell you) !

Two tracks from the very good "Perpendicular" : "The Aviator" which is for me the weakest track of this album (you can read my detailed review of this album if you want to have a deeper insight). The second one is fabulous. This is my comment about it in the album review :"Loosen My Strings" is a great rock ballad with one of the most melodious chorus of any Purple song so far. A great, inspired and emotional guitar break will bring you (almost) to heaven. The background piano playing from Jon is absolutely wonderful. This is almost a prog track !

Three tracks from "The Battle Rages On". The fabulous title track, the best track of the album "Anya" and quite surprinsingly, one of the poorest ones (again) with "Solitaire"

Four tracks from their live album "Come Hell" : "Highway Star" and "Speed King" not being the best ones either from this live album. This version of "Child In Time" is also quite questionable. Shorter Ritchie solo (he was on his way out and for good this time) compensated by some Jon's ones (like they used to render in their early Mark II era : as soon as September 1969 - at the Royal Albert Hall for their "In Concerto" album. "Smoke" is great, untill Ian asks the audience to participate.

As you have noticed, I am not quite positive with this compilation effort (to say the least). I did not purchased it, but compiled it on my own (as I do for most compils). Just forget this one. Two stars, for die-hard fans. Am I a Purple die-hard fan ?