The Statement:
Deep Purple announces that Steve Morse will be stepping back from the band, having been its guitarist for more than a quarter of a century.
Steve’s personal circumstances have made it impossible for him to commit to the band’s schedule throughout 2022 and beyond. A few months ago, Steve openly shared with the band´s fans the sad fact that his wife, Janine, is battling cancer and, in his own words, “I simply must be there with her.”
Artist: Rainbow Title: “Monsters Of Rock Live At Donnington 1980” Label: Eagle Vision Release Date: 4/22/2016 Genre: Hard Rock Rating: 4/5
Fans of Rainbow and even the legendary Deep Purple should be giving continual thanks to the folks over at Eagle Rock Entertainment because their offerings have allowed them to build up a seriously stocked audio and video library for these bands. This latest release brings us back to the year 1980 where Rainbow was playing the Monsters Of Rock festival at Castle Donnington. This was a headlining set for the group and it was the first ever Monsters Of Rock event so historically speaking it’s a big deal for sure. Dio had moved on and now in his place was singer Graham Bonnet and based on the timing of the recording would still be showcasing material from “Down To Earth” and the forthcoming “Difficult To Cure”. Rainbow was a band that had quite a few members over the years and for this particular offering we have Don Airey (keyboards), Roger Glover (bass) and Cozy Powell (drums) in addition to Blackmore and Bonnet. I’ll be speaking about the DVD/CD version of this particular release so let’s discuss the DVD part first. Continue reading “Monsters Of Rock Live At Donnington 1980” by Rainbow→
Artist: Rainbow Title: “The Very Best of Rainbow” Label: Polydor Records Release Date: 7/15/1997 Genre: Hard Rock Rating: 4.5/5
After moving on from Deep Purple, guitarist Ritchie Blackmore would form the band Rainbow and really deliver some amazing music to all of the fans that might have wondered just how good his new enterprise would be. It’s been said that the bands name was derived from the Rainbow Bar and Grill in Hollywood and that makes sense since the joint is known for being host to many a Rock star. The sound of Rainbow was epic at times and commercially successful at others and during the band’s existence would feature a number of different musicians and no less than four lead vocalists. This compilation gives you a great sample of some of the bands glory but in some sense this leaves you with only a healthy taste that will find you hungry for more. With three unique vocalists being presented on the collection (Dio, Bonnet and Turner), I decided to break up my thoughts on each of their contributions to the band. Continue reading “The Very Best of Rainbow” by Rainbow→
Artist: Deep Purple Title: “Rapture of the Deep” – Special Edition Label: Eagle Records Date: 6/27/2006 Genre: Rock Rating: 9/10
So much positive praise has been written about Deep Purple’s “Rapture Of The Deep” that it almost was expected of the band to release a double CD special edition not long after the initial release. The reaction by the general public to the newest album by these elder Statesmen of Rock was both incredible but yet very richly deserved. It’s 2006 and Ian Gillan now leads the charge with two original members gone off to other pursuits or well-deserved relaxation. Today we find Ritchie Blackmore playing “Renaissance Fair Rock” with his partner Candice Night while Jon Lord chose to retire from touring and recording. In their place we find Steve Morse, an incredible technician on the guitar and Don Airey on keyboards who brings to the table experience gained touring with “insert artist here”. I note it like that for Don’s contributions to Rock music would very easily fill this entire page. Bass and drums are still adeptly handled by Roger Glover and Ian Paice. Gillan can still deliver when you take stock of the whole album and it’s what made me save him for last. His pipes a little softer at times, but when necessary he can belt it out just like he used to. When you listen to the recording you would hardly think that this was a band that was formed some 37 years ago. Tracks like “Money Talks” that are loaded with the signature keyboards expected in a Purple song and “Junkyard Blues” remind you that this band has not yet lost its luster but instead chosen to shine up the model just a little more for the diehard supporters they have kept throughout the years. Continue reading “Rapture of the Deep” Special Edition by Deep Purple→
Artist: Deep Purple Release: “Classic Albums: Machine Head” Label: Eagle Vision Date: 11/19/2002 Genre: Rock Rating: 8
Of all classic rock albums Deep Purple’s “Machine Head” probably has the most harrowing tale of gestation. As most rock fans know “Smoke On The Water” is not just a song with the most abused riff in music history but it also tells the story of how Deep Purple came to record in Switzerland and found themselves almost instantly in dire circumstances. This DVD from Eagle Vision documents that saga through interviews with Purple’s best known “mach” members, Ian Gillan, Ian Paice, Roger Glover, Jon Lord and Ritchie Blackmore, as well as producer/engineer Martin Birch. Continue reading “Classic Albums: Machine Head” by Deep Purple→
