Deep Purple - Best of the Early Years

Title: Best of the Early Years Artist: Deep Purple Release Date: 7/29/2003 Label: Intercontinental Records Album Type(s): Greatest Hits UPC: 024266127028 Genre: Rock Styles: Rock & Roll, Hard Rock, British Invasion, Heavy Metal, Arena Rock, British Metal Moods: Confident, Earthy, Rollicking, Bravado, Confrontational, Gritty, Reckless, Aggressive, Dramatic, Passionate, Rambunctious, Raucous, Rousing, Sleazy, Theatrical, Brash, Rowdy Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 1 Number of Discs/SwapaCD Credits: 1

1. Hush
2. Mandrake Root
3. Hey Joe
4. Happiness I'm So Glad
5. Hard Road (Wring That Neck)
6. Kentucky Woman
7. River Deep, Mountain High
8. Chasing Shadows
9. Why Didn't Rosemary?
10. April

Year Type Label Catalog # 2003 CD Intercontinental Records 1270

Early Years

Due to such all-time heavy metal classics as Machine Head and Made in Japan, it's easy to forget there was a Deep Purple before the arrival of Ian Gillan. Yes, before Gillan, a chap named Rod Evans fronted the mighty Purple, as evidenced by the release of the ten-track collection Best of the Early Years. While Evans didn't possess an extraordinary set of pipes like Gillan did, he did sing on the group's first-ever big hit, a cover of "Hush," which is included in all of its singalong glory ("Na, na na na, na na na, na na na"). Of course, though, there are other highlights from Purple's early years included here (many of which are covers) -- "Mandrake Root," "Kentucky Woman," and "April." Although this material was not as high quality (nor as high volume) as the band's output from the Ian Gillan or David Coverdale eras would be, most serious fans will want to investigate the group's formative stages, and Best of the Early Years is adequate. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide

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