1999 solo album from Deep Purple's keyboard player. Features Sam Brown and Miller Anderson (T. Rex, Ian Hunter, Savoy Brown, Mountain, Strawbs, etc.) both guesting on vocals. Broken into four parts, it contains 12 tracks.
1999 solo album from Deep Purple's keyboard player. Features Sam Brown and Miller Anderson (T. Rex, Ian Hunter, Savoy Brown, Mountain, Strawbs, etc.) both guesting on vocals. Broken into four parts, it contains 12 tracks.
CD Reviews
Jon Lord delivers album of wide appeal.
Chris Mechtels | Sydney, Australia | 07/14/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I thought readers may find it interesting to have a review from someone with a background in classical music. Being familiar with most of Jon Lord's previous quasi-classical works, I was of course interested to hear how this, his first new album in 15 years, sounded. I must say, it is certainly his most beautiful and listenable work to date. There are twelve tracks, divided into four 'sections'. Instrumentation is sparse yet varied and the scoring is often quite diverse from one track to the next, showing well the versatility of this gifted composer. (Jon's ability to compose modern 'classical' music is certainly not second rate.) Indeed, "Pictured Within" has only one weak point: as it was not intended as a 'rock/ classical' fusion project, the use of Sam Brown is more than a little out of place. Yes, shock horror, many of you may disagree with this but the fact remains that her voice is completely unsuited to this type of music. She fails to control her timbre in places and her style is far too 'poppy', in contrast to both the sombre mood of the album and the text to which she is singing. Miller Anderson's voice on the other hand, suits the mood of the album far better, although I personally feel that the use of classical singers would have been of greater benefit to an otherwise perfect album."
Absolutely Inspired
Daniel J. Russell | Pittsburgh, PA United States | 10/25/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Frankly, I'm speechless. It amazes me that a man can go from being the epitomy of a hard rock keyboardist to producing one the most beautiful orchestral pieces you're ever likely to hear. His range is immeasurable. The composition is reflection of Jon Lord's humanity and the best analogy I can think of is the story behind 'Braveheart'. It's about truth, and honor, and family. The music is an epic - not just a collection of songs. Do yourself a favor, order this CD. When it arrives, buy a great bottle of Bordeaux, dim the lights, and get lost in this recording.Then go out and buy every recording Jon Lord has ever made."
*Universal appeal
A. T. Arndts | Albion, Michigan United States | 07/08/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album resonates at a very visceral level. From a listener who never really knew who Deep Purple was, this album literally blew me away in its' very emotional musical connectivity. I dare anyone to listen to "Evening Song" without saying "wow" at the end! The seemingly effortless blend of classicism and universality hits you at a very basic, human level that is hard to imagine anyone could ignore. We anxiously await a follow-up."
Masterpiece
John E. Clancy | Highland Village, TX United States | 03/08/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have been a fan of Mr Lord since Deep Purple's 2nd work, The Book of Taliesin (1969). Throughout all of Deep Purple's long musical history, there was a thread, or a hint, of something magnificent surrounding the loud & the proud. The 1999 performance of the Concerto for Group & Orchestra DVD fulfilled the promise, made so long ago, for me, but it also included a couple of opening pieces that were both of "Deep Purple", but somehow also transcendent. I followed up on those tantalizing musical clues, and I have since discovered that they were both originally from this incredible work.
Pictured Within is not merely a collection of "crossical classover" pieces, so well crafted and inspired, but is also an epic journey across the dark abyss of grief, a voyage we must take if we are to become something more than what we are, somewhat wiser, and able to create for ourselves a more peaceful state of being. Through this music, Jon Lord is showing us how to get to the next place, how to cope with and how to exist with the unanswerable.
This work, so magnificently rendered by the musicians and vocalists (especially Sam Brown, who's angelic and poetic lead vocal is perfect, absolutely perfect, for this material), goes beyond anything I could have imagined, even considering my long held, high expectations. My favorite music includes Respeghi & ELP, Stravinsky & Beatles, Mozart & Yes. Of all of that, this work rises to the top of my large musical collection.
I have spent this much for a CD only twice in my life, once for myself, and once as a gift for some wonderful friends; in both cases the music was for Jon Lord's Masterpiece: Pictured Within.
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1