The Government were a British cover band of the late '60s and early '70s that would be totally forgotten if their lead singer had not been
David Coverdale, who would eventually replace
Ian Gillan in
Deep Purple. In 1971 they recorded a four-track EP as a vanity pressing for themselves, just before they split up. Only 25 acetates were made, but the four tracks were used for Pre Purple People, a compilation of assorted rarities that future members of
Deep Purple recorded in other contexts in the mid-'60s to early '70s. The four songs are unmemorable, horn-heavy rock covers of
Chicago's "Does Anybody Know (I'm Here)," the Boxtops' "The Letter,"
Cher's "Bang Bang," and
The Valentinos/Rolling Stones' "It's All Over Now." ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide
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Underwater Themes for an Overrated Film