Deep Purple - Deep Purple Concerto for Group and Orchestra 2CD Set (8 tracks) +Album Reviews

How shall I know...when to start singing my song

Mark H. | Hanson, MA USA | 03/17/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I have to admit I have very little knowledge of classical music though I do appreciate it at times. This album always intrigued me even before I actually heard it. Being a fan of Purple for many years I had obviously heard of the album and its reputation as a difficult thing for most rock fans to get into. It's definitely worth a purchase only for fans of the band but at a much cheaper price. The legendary Mach II lineup of the band makes its album debut here and while it isn't a true Purple album, each band member gets to shine in his own distinct way. Even Ian Gillan gets to sing a tiny bit during the second movement. This two disc edition is a much more reasonable buy then previous versions may have been due to the inclusion of Purple's warmup set before the concerto, featuring great versions of "Hush" (the BEST version), "Wring That Neck" and possibly the world premier of "Child In Time" although I'm not as crazy with this version as the 'Made In Japan' (could be my favorite DP song of all-time live or studio). Not for metal fans but for curious Purple fans only. Purple, 1969, Royal Albert Hall and an Orchestra, it doesn't get classier than that. Pretty ironic that their next album would be the absolutely devastating 'In Rock"!! No Malcolm Arnold here!"

Starting to dig it!

bigchet | Madison, Ohio United States | 05/16/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Before Metallica, Deep purple was the second band to do an arrangement with an orchestra.(the moody blues the first). At first I didn't know what to think. But, after listening to it a few more times I dig it. Maybe not for the true metalhead.If you like classical music, you'll surely enjoy this one."

An interesting side step

J. Fiet | Las Vegas, NV United States | 03/20/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a 2 CD set. The first CD features Deep Purple doing live versions of some of their album songs.None of it is bad but none of it really anything more spectacular than live material Deep Purple has done on it's other releases. The 2nd CD is live progressive rock with Deep Purple more actively interacting with the Orchestra.It is very intense material with excellent performances by both band and orchestra."

A curio...has some good drum parts...7/10 for the concerto

dfle3 | Australia | 01/25/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"
I bought the 2 cd set which has the following tracks on the 1st cd: Intro; Hush; Wring that neck; and Child in time.

Intro - features a clipped English male voice interviewing band members and the conductor. It runs 3:27 minutes.

Hush - has a little bit of distortion it it and has Gillan introduce the piece. Also has a guitar lick nicked from the "Popeye" cartoon theme, I think.

Wring that neck - also has some distortion on it. It's an instrumental. Gillan later introduces the band members. A jam, basically, with some bluesy lead guitar, and the lick from "Jingle bells", I think. Guitars sound country flavoured. The track becomes interminable later on, coming across as a rehearsal. 13:23 minutes long.

Child in time - Gillan hits his trademark high notes. 12:02 minutes.

CD 2:

The music has a sort of film score quality to it. On first listen, it came across as the band playing their parts, then the orchestra playing theirs, but on second listen it didn't seem that tacked together. The CD has some liner notes on what the intention was with the music. If you like Deep Purple's drum, guitar and organ solos, then the concerto does provide some good examples of those which you may not be familiar with. I've got a note about the band parts working well, but not being so into the singing bits. Probably have in mind some rather earnest, unsophisticated lyrics in at least one of the songs.

The tracks...

First movement - 19:21 minutes long. Almost half of this track is symphonic in nature, then the orchestra takes turns with the band. First impression was that the symphonic part was vaguely "Bolero" ish...perhaps for the woodwind instrument. Not sure if that impression survived my second listen. Has quiet parts and loud, regal sounding parts. The rock parts are basssy and not really synthesised with the symphonic part. Strings are nice in the symphony. Has some fancy lead guitar notes at times and organ too, at times.

Second movement - 19:11 minutes. Peaceful, symphonic music. Has lyrics which are quite facile and come across as being written just before the performance. The band is bassy and they provide some bluesy, Deep Purple kind of music with the organ and lead guitar.

Third movement - 13:08. This, and the last track are a good source for novel drum solos from the band. It's a bellicose symphony here. It later transforms into a thriller/adventure movie kind of film score sound. Extended drum solo goes from around 6:25 - 8:10.

Encore - 5:52. Starts off with a drum solo then sounds like an adventure movie kind of score.

Conclusion: I'm not sure how much repeat listen value this cd will have. It's novelty lies in the 2nd disc, which is notable, for me at least, for the drum solos that it has.

Recommendations:

King Crimson - In the court of the Crimson King. Very pleasant music, with symphonic elements to it.

Jean Michel Jarre - Oxygène. Great synth art-pop. Entirely instrumental."

Search - Deep Purple :: Deep Purple: Concerto for Group and Orchestra (2-CD Set)

CD Details

Synopsis

Similar CDs

CD Reviews