ROCK REVIEW 1969-1972

I must own about twenty DVD's from this serie. But unlike the other ones, during which songs are not played in full and are interrupted by some comments from journalists or musicians (usually not members of the band which is reviewed) it is mostly not the case here.

Of course, to get 2'30" of "Speed King" but it will be the only song to suffer such treatment. Image quality for "Speed King" is excellent (comes from "Live at Granada Studios in Manchester). "Mandrake Root" was a classic of Mark II during their early concerts (although it is of course a Mark I song). It was generally over-extended to anything from six to over thirty minutes. The version here is from a show from the French television (image somewhat too dark, but this is a document). Since a long jam was usually taking place, Gillan was playing some bongos to do something on stage.

It is rather funny to discover the riff of "Space Truckin" and the intro of "Highway Star" played during this jam. This is WILD music and, again it has nothing to do with prog. Fully energetic, improvized and noisy. Purple and Led Zep do belong to the very few bands from which I can stand these jams. But I was almost born with them (well, actually I was eleven years old when I discover both of them). This version ONLY lasts for sixteen minutes.

"Wring That Neck" also comes from the same show filmed by the French national TV (ORTF). This one was also extremely extended (could also reach almost half an hour or so). It is a full instrumental track featured on "The Book Of Taliesyn". It has never been a fave of mine but it is featured to illustrate the improv side of their concerts (although that "Mandrake Root" was already sufficiently explicit). Still interesting to discover that some of the finale from the live version for "Strange Kind Of Woman" as well as the mood for "Fools" or "The Mule" were already there (almost two years before we will get to know them).

I'm not sure though that it is of prior importance for the casual fan. Of course if you are a Purple maniac as I am, it's History. They will even start "God Save The Queen" (it was the mood of the era since Hendrix popularized the "Star Spangled Banner" at Woodstock).

What's very pleasant in this DVD, is that most of the songs won't be interupted by comments (and this is not often with this "Review" collection). No technical and difficult to understand explanations either.

The highlight is of course "Child In Time". But who can doubt about it. It is so great to SEE it played live (I have expericence this in their 1973 concert at Forest Natioanl (Brussels). A fantastic moment of rock music. Fabulous guitar play of course, but just look at Ian (Paice) and Roger. What a great rhythmic ! No need to talk about the "vocals", right ? And everybody knows the ability of Jon to mix classical to rock. Just fabulous.

Last numbers come from the great Danish TV show (already released as "Live in concert 1972/73"). So, this DVD is an excellent montage of this short (but so creative) part of their huge career. I won't be too long with describing "Strange Kind", "Highway Star" and "Lazy". I have fully done so in my review of "Live in concert 1972/73".

Four stars.