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Deep Purple - Shades of Deep Purple CD (album) cover

SHADES OF DEEP PURPLE

Deep Purple

 

Proto-Prog

3.29 | 634 ratings

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erik neuteboom
Prog Reviewer
3 stars This is Deep Purple their debut album, it contains a lot of covers. The first line-up featured Ritchie Blackmore on guitar, Rod Evans on vocals, Jon Lord on vocals/Hammond organ,Ian Paice on drums and Nick Simper on bass/vocals.

1. And the address (4:38) : This instrumental track has obvious hints from CREAM and VANILLA FUDGE delivering a propulsive rhythm, fiery electric guitar and powerful Hammond organ waves.

2. Hush (4:24) : A typical Sixties song with a warm atmosphere, vocal harmonies and pleasant vocals from Rod Evans. The Hammond solo is excellent, Jon Lord prooved to be a master on this vintage keyboard!

3. One more rainy day (3:40) : The intro contains the sound of rain and thunder, then a slow rhythm featuring Hammond organ and Rod Evans his fine voice, we are back in the Sixties!

4. Prelude: happiness / I'm so glad (7:19) : The first part has floods of Hammond and a dynamic rhythm-section in a bombastic climate, then again the pleasant 'Sixties' sounding vocals from Rod Evans and nice twanging electric guitar. It's followed by a raw guitar solo, supported by strong drumming.

5. Mandrake root (6:09) : A powerful and catchy song (influenced by Jimi Hendrix) delivering a compelling Hammond organ solo, accompanied by splendid drumming (like Nick Mason on "Pink Floyd at Pompeii"). Then a heavy guitar solo, this was the exciting heavy progrock sound Deep Purple would stretch to almost half an hour of improvisations!

6. Help (6:01) : Twanging electric guitar, mellow organ and warm vocals in this legendary song from The Beatles, witten by John Lennon/McCartney. Halfway heavy Hammond floods, powerful drums and a fiery electric guitar solo save this version from a mediocre level.

7. Love help me (3:49) : A propulsive and catchy rhythm, the bass sounds very powerful. Pleasant vocal harmonies and organ, this music is the bridge from The Sixties (THE WHO, THE YARDBIRDS, CREAM) to the heavy progrock sound from later Deep Purple. Blackmore delivers some biting wah-wah drenched guitar runs.

8. Hey Joe (7:33) : It starts with alarm sirens, then a Hammond organ sound in the vein of JOE COCKER'S "With a little bit help from my friends", the guitarplay has a Spanish undertone, very compelling early heavy prog! After a few minutes this song turned out to be the cover "Hey Joe", written by WM Roberts but known because of Jimi Hendrix his version. Rod Evans does well but he lacked the melancholy from Hendrix his voice. The waves of Hammond organ and powerful guitar interpretation give an extra dimension, GREAT! The final part features a howling electric guitar solo, soon the world would praise this dark man on his Fender guitar!

THIS IS PLEASANT AND POWERFUL EMBRYONAL HEAVY PROGROCK FROM DEEP PURPLE!

erik neuteboom | 3/5 |

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