BLACK NIGHT/SPEED KING

"Black night" was recorded during the sessions which resulted in the "In rock" album, but became a non album single when it was released in advance of the album (bizarrely, it was included on the Mexican release of "In rock"). Thus this was the first studio recording by the band's best known (mark II) line up to be made commercially available.

The song reflects the growing aspirations of Blackmore, Lord and Paice to move in a more rock orientated direction, a desire which led to the departure of Rod Evans and Nick Simper after the previous "Deep Purple" album. New boys Glover and Gillan add their stamp to the song, the composition of which is democratically credited to all five band members. Gillan's vocals are far better suited to the heavy rock sound the band had adopted than Evans, the song being driven along by the newly formed Glover/Paice powerhouse. The basic riff of the song is as familiar as the legendary "Smoke on the water", the lyrics being suitably dark but irrelevant.

The band clearly captured the mood of the singles buying public at the time, the song becoming a huge top 3 hit in the UK. It was around this time that bands such as Black Sabbath, Free, and 10 Years After all enjoyed significant singles chart success, consequently the UK airwaves were for a time full of fine music.

The B-side would become the opening track on the forthcoming LP, which quickly became the band's most successful album to date.

Share this DEEP PURPLE review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Easy Livin
• Report this review (#143790)
• 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 Black Night/Speed King page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for DEEP PURPLE related discussions