DEEP PURPLE

DEEP PURPLE
LIVE AT THE OLYMPIA '96 (1997)
320 KBPS

Deep Purple set the standard for "live" rock `n' roll albums when it released Made In Japan in '72. Until then, live albums were considered gimmicks, mere souvenirs for fans of the artists. But Made In Japan paved the way for others as radio stations began playing the live versions instead of the studio versions of the same songs as sales of Made In Japan went through the roof. It proved to record company execs that live albums were viable, marketable forums for rock music.
With 1996's Live at the Olympia, Deep Purple has raised the bar for live recordings yet again. The addition of Steve Morse on guitar has revitalized a great band that was in dire danger of becoming stale and caricatures of what they once were.
This 2-CD set is an unedited account of the band's show at the Olympia in Paris. Gone are the interminable drum and organ solos and bombastic "LOOK AT ME!" guitar workouts. Instead, we have a crisp 17-song set that includes six tunes from the wonderfully eclectic Purpendicular album (Morse's first studio effort with the band) and shows the band to be having the time of its life ... and that is gleefully reflected in the performances.
With Ritchie Blackmore gone, the band was free to pick and chose material from its vast and impressive catalog of songs. Consequently, while we still have the umpteenth versions of "Smoke on the Water" and "Highway Star" here, gems such as the previously unreleased "When A Blind Man Cries" from the Machine Head sessions, and "Fireball" and "No One Came," from the Fireball album make this a must-have for any Purple fan.
"Maybe I'm a Leo," and "Pictures of Home," two of my favorite numbers from Machine Head, get a rare inclusion in a live Deep Purple set here. Consequently, this live outing has a feeling of freshness and excitement, rather than that of an old `70s warhorse trying feebly to milk the very last penny from its glory years.
The band plays with renewed enthusiasm. Even "Smoke on the Water," gets a fresh treatment thanks to Morse's incendiary playing. On this version, the song gets a beautiful piano coda tacked on to the end that is somewhat reminiscent of the ending of Eric Clapton's "Layla."
This CD is truly a live album in that it is an entire show, from beginning to end, including all of Ian Gillan's inane banter between songs. He was dealing with a French audience that didn't understand much English, but his "Your fantastic! Superb! Supreme-o!" after every darn song gets kind of annoying after a while. However, when he's singing, Gillan sounds as good as ever, though age has taken some of his incredible range. (Don't look for "Child In Time," in any of the live sets any time soon though, if you know what I mean.)
Morse is unbelievable. A true guitar virtuoso, he also appears to be totally ego-free. His presence has helped Deep Purple make two of the band's best albums, both, ironically, in the `90s. (Purpendicular and Abandon.) The live versions of the Purpendicular songs on this CD put many of the tunes in a whole new light. For example, "Cascades: I'm Not Your Lover," was, in my opinion, one of the weaker songs from Purpendicular. However, here, the breathtaking 10-minute workout it's given pushes it to classic status. "Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming," with its soaring signature guitar riff, sounds absolutely majestic here. However, "Ted the Mechanic," one of the most popular tracks from Purpendicular, is given only perfunctory treatment.
So, let's review: the band sounds refreshed, renewed and enthusiastic and its reflected in the performances; the set thankfully lacks self-indulgent epic and pointless solos; the song selection is clever and daring. Addtionally, the quality of the recording is dead-on. It's crisp and unmuddled. When I turn it up loud and close my eyes, I swear I am right there in the auditorium pumping my fists with all the other ecstatic Parisians. I can practically smell `em!
If you are a Deep Purple fan or just a lover of classic rock at its veryt best, you are going to weep with pleasure at this one! A must hear.

Disc 1
1. Fireball
2. Maybe I'm a Leo
3. Ted the Mechanic
4. Pictures of Home
5. Black Night
6. Cascades: I'm Not Your Lover
7. Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming
8. Woman from Tokyo
9. No One Came
10. The Purpendicular Waltz

Disc 2
1. Rosa's Cantina
2. Smoke on the Water
3. When a Blind Man Cries
4. Speed King
5. Perfect Strangers
6. Hey Cisco
7. Highway Star