THE BOOK OF TALIESYN

Book of Talysien is a pleasant early Purple album. It's still very much a rock'n'roll album that reminds as much of Elvis Presley as of the Deep Purple as we know it. But it already shows the known heavy rock interplay between Blackmore, Pace and Lord.

Listen Learn Read On is a steaming heavy rock track with a very high Deep Purple stamp. Only Rod Evans' vocals are still rooted in earlier rock traditions. He's a fine singer of course but his Elvis style dates this a bit. The instrumental Wring The Neck is classic Blackmore Purple, with sharp guitars that are both full of bite and melody. Like all tracks, also this one drowns in 60's reverb, but apart from that production choice this track could have fitted easily on Fireball.

After those two strong openers Kentucky Woman is a rather average 60's pop song. Exposition makes a bit more room for classical organ playing from Jon Lord. It's like a take on Rondo from the debut of the Nice. It leads into the psychedelic pop blues of We Can Work It Out.

The Shield offers a dreamier mood. It's a straightforward pop song again but I quite like this one with it's snake-charming Eastern melodies. Anthem however is probably the weakest link on this uneven album. There's a classical musical bit in the middle but basically it is a plain sugary crooner. River Deep is a 10 minute song which is sure deserving of the proto-prog tag. Hailing from 1968, only the Doors had similar long composed pieces. Unfortunately none of the melodies or playing is really heart-warming.

A good early Purple album, but with too many prevailing 60-ties rockabilly and pop elements to stand-out from their contemporaries.