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In Concert with the LSO (RAH) The draft form of this review I was doing while “cooking” at work (would you believe that I have to drive 40 km to heat up some food for 2 persons!). First
thing: I miss the “4 Scottish dances”. One of the reasons I
like bootlegs: normally everything played is included. Pictures
Within: I love the little bells that you
sometimes hear (don’t know if they are on the studio album; I only listened to
it once, cos it was too boring; the studio album I mean). Though I have to say
that this one has really grown on me. Wait
a while:
nice intro. When I had my first listen to this CD I did not like it; but I have
to say that I played it at a low volume. Now (while I am typing this at home
with me headphones on, at a louder volume) well: another ‘grower’. I was not
fond of it at the gig itself; it was even a good time to get my camera from the
vestiaire.
Sitting
in a Dream:
another ‘grower’ (I am afraid that this first CD is filled with growers).
Listening to this CD brings great memories back to me. Pity I only could attend
the Saturday show (and passing by the RAH with the bus at the moment the Sunday
gig was about to start did not help either; it let my hart bleed.)
Love
is All:
Miss the bell when he sings that line. Something happens (wrong) at 00:47 Is he
stuttering? I remember the good time the choir had during the waltz, we did too.
Via
Miami: Good
Lordy piano intro, followed by Steve Morris. Nice rhythm. Though I not a big
Gillan-solo lover I like this song. That sound on 4:45 is on the Made in Japan
too; what is it? That’s
Why God Is Singing the Blues: I certainly would have preferred another song, maybe (someone proposed
it earlier, can’t remember who) Brazos, or something of Cherkazoo. Too much
jazz for me. The Steve Morse-Morris thing, was that accidentally on purpose? No,
don’t care for this song, more something for my old man (listens to that kinda
stuff, in the vain of James Last and buddies.) Take
it of the Top: typical
SM! Love the heavy guitar bit, which reminds me of Apollo 440 (“Ain’t
talkin’ bout dub”) which reminded me of Smiley (as some call him). Good
interacting with the violin! When is The Steve Morse Band coming to Europe?
Wring
that Neck: Well,
what can I say about this one? Nothing good
I’m afraid: I don’t like horns; I don’t like jazz, don’t like the violin
replacing Ritchie. If I should have heard this on the radio I surely would not
have recognized it! However I quite was fond of it at the concert itself (but
don’t remember that, my review says so). Pictures
of Home: great
intro!!!!!!!! Though it has little to do with the actual song, it fits. And it
is not one of my favourites at gigs (dunno why, everybody else seems to count it
amongst their faves), it is just superb! Gonna have to change my mind. (while
re-reading this I’m listening to the Total Abandon CD: POH is stunning). The
orchestra fits in nicely. The last piece sounds like a part of the concerto
itself. It fits after the stuff on this first CD. But why do they do this? I
hate that! Instead of 2 CDs do godverdomme (Flemish swearing :-) 3 CDs. I
don’t think someone of us would complain for the little extra cost. With
inclusion of the 4 Scottish dances (and of course Smiley’s first song). The
same thing happened with the great “Live In Japan” 3CD. Who would have left
it on the shelves if they should have done a 4CD set? I’m
afraid that if this first CD had not the name Deep Purple on it, I probably
would not have bought it (as opposite to the Blackmore’s Night CD’s,
even without Ritchie’s name on it, I love it) nor would have been at the
concerto. But of course it brings back great memories! I am not saying it is
bad, but not my cup of tea, however it is still growing on me. On the other hand! CD 2: Movement
I: Goes
a lot smoother than the 69 edition. The sound is great too; one can hear almost
everything, such as turning the pages of their scores; a moron shouting (01:16).
I am glad that when the band falls in SM plays the same lines Ritchie did. That
he plays his own solos after this, is good too, after all he is not
Blackmore, he is Morse!
(Have you ever tried to read the stuff on Blackmore@onelist.com completely butchering off each other: “I don’t like Morse, because
etc”). Don’t ask who I prefer, I like them both; they each have their good
(and minor) points. That flute-thing solo is much better than in 69! (Again a
moron shouting!) And the audience agrees. Nice to hear a real applause at the
end, gosh I hate that cut-of one on the LP! Movement
II: Here
the smoothness is very clear, as it was meant to be. Quite a difference with the
69 performance. Is Gillan sounding nervous? The violin part (09:00) is awesome.
I have the impression that Ian sang some other lines on the Saturday
show. Therefore I am looking for a tape of it. This movement is far out better
than the original issue. But I don’t like that “no-ending”. Movement
III: The flutes thing (2:00) is beautiful.
After Ian's first strokes on his drums, Steve sounds quite like his
predecessor, but changes it soon to his own style, which is like his
"Cascades" solo. One expects Ritchie to burst out, but I’m a lot
into Steve’s approach. Here I prefer the 69 drum solo, much longer, and the
ending was much much better too: the link between the drum solo and the
orchestra was smoother back then. Ian’s remark is a good one. Ted:
I am nagging since a long time about this: I would prefer the intro
longer! What can I say? Just great,
maybe the orchestra could have had a solo spot in it? Watching
the Sky: have
nothing to say about it. Would have preferred an other song (Blind Man?) Sometimes
I have to go down to the bar and have a drink with my friends: very good
use of the orchestra for the intro, and on other places. This is becoming a new
Purple classic! This is a blinder! Smoke:
Pity they did not put the clapping-for-an-encore before this one. With
the orchestra playing along it makes me think of the Pat Boone version. The new
Steve Morse intro (the teasers) would have been fabulous with the orchestra.
Though I am not too fond of Smoke anymore: a majestic moment! My
conclusion about the concerto itself: this is far better performed than the
original, thanks to the orchestra, who were playing this with love and joy. A
real celebration! Again thanks to Marco De Goeij (why was he not introduced at
the gig?) As for the difference between Steve and Ritchie: I love them both,
so... Hope that that silly discussion pro and contra will end soon. After all he
is now 5 years a member of Deep Purple! This
is a great recording, especially when you were at the gig itself. But I do hope
that their new CD won’t be one with horns and stuff on it. Although I would
not mind another April! Why
ad Smoke as a video? I don’t see the point. Most of us will buy the video, or
DVD, anyhow. I
lend this CD out to a colleague at work, the next day he had bought his own
copy. I think this says it all! If
you really insist to have a rating:
9/10 Because the second CD is so ingenious. If I had to rate only the first one:
mmm, difficult, maybe 5/10. But the total is certainly 9/10
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