SHADES OF DEEP PURPLE

Back in the late 60s Deep Purple were a typical but above average band for that era. These early albums haven't aged very well what with the passé hairdos, Evans' voice (eerily similar to Neil Diamond) and the simple pop-rock structures (albeit slightly enhanced by Jon Lord's classically-inspired hammond work). Blackmore is not the guitarist he will once become, still having that rough tone, and sloppily intoned bends that were a common feature in those days. On some tracks, especially "Prelude: Happiness" the band already started venturing into the territory of classical rock, which they would elaborate on a year after this, on their live opus "Concerto for Group and Orchestra". Such compositions might have been seen as inspired back then, and maybe they were, but they were also naively simple, and Procol Harum and Nice had already gambled with similar endeavors a year before this album. The two favorites from this album are definitely "Hush" and "Mandrake Root", the former having been a successful single in the U.S., the latter a concert staple featuring extended solos. These are the best tunes on the album, especially "Mandrake Root" with its energetic jamming and a great hammond solo. The Beatles cover is also an interesting take on that classic song, challenging even Vanilla Fudge's covers from across the pond. Despite the venturesome disposition of the band, Shades of Deep Purple remains a fans-only album.