Artist: Deep Purple
Title: “Scandinavian Nights”
Label: Spitfire Records
Release Date: 4/10/2001
Genre: Hard Rock
Rating: 4/5

Deep Purple‘s “Scandinavian Nights” recorded live in Stockholm, on November 12, 1970 is a 2 disk CD that contains some long jams, and extended versions of songs. If you are a Purple fan and are appreciative of the jams then this is the disk for you. If you think jamming is overblown and self indulgent, well then this is not the CD for you. I deffinately gets into a self indulgent frenzy in the conclusion for “Mandrake Root”. There are also great jam moments. The Disk opener “Wring That Neck” is a 34 minute tour de force jam, that highlights Jon Lords keyboard styling, and Ritchie Blackmore rips out some adventurous leads as well. Some highlights for me are the amped up and rocking, “Speed King”. The musical journey that is Child In Time and the riff rocker “Black Night” where Blackmore fires off some great leads in all the songs. The lineup for this release in Purple history is Jon Lord – Keyboards, Ian Gillan – Vocals, Ritchie Blackmore / guitars, Ian Paice / drums, Roger Glover – Bass. The recording Quality is excellent and the playing is inspired and adventurous from all members of the MKII Purple. This is a band captured on CD at the peak of their power.

Track Listing:
1. Wring That Neck
2. Speed King
3. Into The Fire
4. Paint It Black
5. Mandrake Root
6. Child In Time
7. Black Night

Official Website: http://www.deep-purple.com