First issued 22 September 2010 in Japan-only as a 10CD Deep Purple Box Set called "Beyond The Purple" on Warner Brothers WPCR-13924/33 (Barcode 4943674101016) – what we have here is technically its European reissue for 2013.
Released 17 October 2013 and renamed "The Complete Albums 1970-1976" on Warner Brothers/Rhino Entertainment 8122796348 (Barcode 081227963484) – the new variant is an American-Based Box Set. So, instead of say Harvest and Purple Records logos as they were on British originals – you get the two types of Warner Brothers logo on every CD face (Tan and Burbank) and the albums (including their artwork) strictly follow US releases. I say all of this because that means changes over two LPs British fans have grown up with.
"Deep Purple In Rock" from 1970 and "Fireball" from 1971 see their track line-ups slightly altered. The British version of "…In Rock" had a manic two-minute guitar and organ explosion that starts "Speed King" – it is edited out of the American version and their 1971 album gem "Fireball" had "Demon's Eye" replaced with the British Single "Strange Kind Of Woman" as Track 3 on Side 1.
The Mini LP Repro Artwork Card Sleeves are all singular too when every album was a gatefold – but at least they use the gold artwork for "Made In Japan" which was changed (badly in my view) for the 2CD Deluxe Edition. And there is no booklet either? So, you are missing the full version of "Speed King" and "Demon's Eye". Then throw in the fact that single-only A&B-sides like the rocking "Black Night" and "When A Blind Man Cries", the funky instrumental "Coronarias Redig" and even "Painted Horse" (technically from 1977, but recorded 1976) could have been added on to the appropriate CDs as Bonus Tracks – and you can understand some annoyance and negativity from fans.
But really – get a grip! Any true Purp nut worth their hairy-assed-salt already owns these on various other releases. Personally, I already had Purple up to the fabulous "Made In Japan" double-live from 1972 – so I bought this box set for the LPs after that. And let’s be honest here - excluding the silly clunker that is "Concerto For Group And Orchestra" – you still get nine cracking Classic Rock albums in spiffing Rhino Remaster form (and on some sites for under thirty-quid). To the tasty band…
UK/EU released 15 October 2013 - "The Complete Albums 1970-1976" by DEEP PURPLE on Warner Music Group/Rhino Entertainment 8122796348 (Barcode 081227963484) is a 10CD Box Set with Singular US-Based Mini LP Repro Artwork Card Sleeves with Rhino Remasters (no Booklet) that breaks down as follows:
CD1 "Concerto For Group And Orchestra" (53:48 minutes):
1. First Movement (Moderato, Allegro, Vivace) [Side 1]
2. Second Movement (Part One – Andante)
3. Second Movement (Part Two - Andante) [Side 2]
4. Third Movement (Vivace, Presto)
Tracks 1 to 4 are their fourth album (first live) "Concerto For Group And Orchestra" - released December 1969 in the USA on Tetragrammaton Records T-131 (then reissued early 1970 on Warner Bros WS 1860) and January 1970 in the UK on Harvest Records SHVL 767. Album credited to Deep Purple and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Malcolm Arnold – recorded live at The Royal Albert Hall, 24 September 1969. Band was Lead Vocalist Ian Gillan, Lead Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, Keyboardist Jon Lord, Bassist Roger Glover and Drummer Ian Paice
CD2 "Deep Purple In Rock" (42:13 minutes):
1. Speed King [Side 1]
2. Bloodsucker
3. Child In Time
4. Flight Of The Rat [Side 2]
5. Into The Fire
6. Living Wreck
7. Hard Lovin' Man
Tracks 1 to 7 make up the US mix of their fifth album (fourth studio set) "Deep Purple In Rock" – released June 1970 on Warner Brothers WS 1877 and June 1970 in the UK on Harvest Records SHVL 777 (peaked on the US album charts at No. 147 and No.4 in the UK).
NOTE: Because this Box Set is based on the US variants of their catalogue on Warner Brothers, the US variant on Warner Brothers WS 1877 is used. This means that the intro to "Speed King" on Side 1 is edited down in size from the full British variant – the American variant begins immediately with the song riff and Ian Gillan's vocals and not the guitar explosion before the song comes in on UK copies. The stand-alone UK single "Black Night" ("Speed King" was its flipside) is not on this Box Set.
CD3 "Fireball" (39:12 minutes):
1. Fireball [Side 1]
2. No No No
3. Strange Kind Of Woman (see Notes)
4. Anyone's Daughter
5. The Mule [Side 2]
6. Fools
7. No One Came
Tracks 1 to 7 make up their sixth album (fifth studio set) "Fireball" - originally released August 1971 in the USA on Warner Brothers BS 2564 with a different track list on Side 1 to the British LP released September 1971 in the UK on Harvest SHVL 793. Same band line-up as CD1 and CD2
NOTES: The US LP (used in this Box Set) replaced "Demon's Eye" (Track 3 on Side 1 of the UK LP) with "Strange Kind Of Woman". "Strange Kind Of Woman" was issued 12 February 1971 as a stand-alone 7" 45-single on Harvest HAR 5033 in the UK with a Non-LP song "I'm Alone" as its B-side. The songs "Demon's Eye" nor its flipside "I'm Alone" are not on this Box Set.
1. Fireball [Side 1]
2. No No No
3. Strange Kind Of Woman (see Notes)
4. Anyone's Daughter
5. The Mule [Side 2]
6. Fools
7. No One Came
Tracks 1 to 7 make up their sixth album (fifth studio set) "Fireball" - originally released August 1971 in the USA on Warner Brothers BS 2564 with a different track list on Side 1 to the British LP released September 1971 in the UK on Harvest SHVL 793. Same band line-up as CD1 and CD2
NOTES: The US LP (used in this Box Set) replaced "Demon's Eye" (Track 3 on Side 1 of the UK LP) with "Strange Kind Of Woman". "Strange Kind Of Woman" was issued 12 February 1971 as a stand-alone 7" 45-single on Harvest HAR 5033 in the UK with a Non-LP song "I'm Alone" as its B-side. The songs "Demon's Eye" nor its flipside "I'm Alone" are not on this Box Set.
CD4 "Machine Head" (37:43 minutes):
1. Highway Star [Side 1]
2. Maybe I'm A Leo
3. Pictures Of Home
4. Never Before
5. Smoke On The Water [Side 2]
6. Lazy
7. Space Truckin'
Tracks 1 to 7 are their seventh album (sixth studio set) "Machine Head" – released March 1972 in the UK on Purple Records TPSA 7504 and April 1972 in the USA on Warner Brothers BS 2607. Produced by DEEP PURPLE (Engineered by Martin Birch) - it peaked at No. 1 in the UK and No. 7 in the USA – the USA Mix is used.
CD5 "Made In Japan" (Live 2LP Set onto 1CD - 77:02 minutes):
1. Highway Star [Side 1]
2. Child In Time
3. Smoke On The Water [Side 2]
4. The Mule
5. Strange Kind Of Woman [Side 3]
6. Lazy
7. Space Truckin' [Side 4]
Tracks 1 to 7 are their eight release and second live set – the double vinyl album "Made In Japan" - released December 1972 in the UK on Purple Records TPSP 351 and April 1973 in the USA on Warner Brothers 2WS 2701. Tracks 1, 2, 5 and 7 were recorded in Osaka on 16 August 1972, 3 was on 15 August 1972 with 4 and 6 done on 17 August 1972
1. Highway Star [Side 1]
2. Child In Time
3. Smoke On The Water [Side 2]
4. The Mule
5. Strange Kind Of Woman [Side 3]
6. Lazy
7. Space Truckin' [Side 4]
Tracks 1 to 7 are their eight release and second live set – the double vinyl album "Made In Japan" - released December 1972 in the UK on Purple Records TPSP 351 and April 1973 in the USA on Warner Brothers 2WS 2701. Tracks 1, 2, 5 and 7 were recorded in Osaka on 16 August 1972, 3 was on 15 August 1972 with 4 and 6 done on 17 August 1972
CD6 "Who Do We Think We Are" (34:39 minutes):
1. Woman From Tokyo [Side 1]
2. Mary Long
3. Super Trouper
4. Smooth Dancer
5. Rat Bat Blue [Side 2]
6. Place In Line
7. Our Lady
Tracks 1 to 7 are their nineth album (seventh studio set) "Who Do We Think We Are" – released March 1973 in the USA on Warner Brothers BS 2678 and March 1973 in the UK on Purple Records TPSA 7508.
1. Woman From Tokyo [Side 1]
2. Mary Long
3. Super Trouper
4. Smooth Dancer
5. Rat Bat Blue [Side 2]
6. Place In Line
7. Our Lady
Tracks 1 to 7 are their nineth album (seventh studio set) "Who Do We Think We Are" – released March 1973 in the USA on Warner Brothers BS 2678 and March 1973 in the UK on Purple Records TPSA 7508.
CD7 "Burn" (42:18 minutes):
1. Burn [Side 1]
2. Might Just Take Your Life
3. Lay Down, Stay Down
4. Sail Away
5. You Fool No One [Side 2]
6. What's Goin' On Here
7. Mistreated
8. "A" 200
Tracks 1 to 8 are their tenth album (eighth studio set) "Burn" – released February 1974 in the UK on Purple Records TPS 3505 and February 1974 in the USA on Warner Brothers W-2766. Line-up now David Coverdale (Lead Vocals), Ritchie Blackmore (Lead Guitar), Jon Lord (Keyboards), Glenn Hughes (Bass and Vocals) and Ian Paice (Drums)
1. Burn [Side 1]
2. Might Just Take Your Life
3. Lay Down, Stay Down
4. Sail Away
5. You Fool No One [Side 2]
6. What's Goin' On Here
7. Mistreated
8. "A" 200
Tracks 1 to 8 are their tenth album (eighth studio set) "Burn" – released February 1974 in the UK on Purple Records TPS 3505 and February 1974 in the USA on Warner Brothers W-2766. Line-up now David Coverdale (Lead Vocals), Ritchie Blackmore (Lead Guitar), Jon Lord (Keyboards), Glenn Hughes (Bass and Vocals) and Ian Paice (Drums)
CD8 "Stormbringer" (36:33 minutes):
1. Stormbringer [Side 1]
2. Love Don't Mean A Thing
3. Holy Man
4. Hold On
5. Lady Double Dealer [Side 2]
6. You Can't Do It Right (With The One You Love)
7. High Ball Shooter
8. The Gypsy
9. Soldier Of Fortune
Tracks 1 to 9 are their eleventh album (nineth studio set) "Stormbringer" – released November 1974 in the UK on Purple Records TPSP 3508 and November 1974 in the USA on Warner Brothers PR 2832. Line-up as per "Burn".
CD9 "Come Taste The Band" (36:58 minutes):
1. Comin' Home [Side 1]
2. Lady Luck
3. Gettin' Tighter
4. Dealer
5. I Need Love
6. Drifter [Side 2]
7. Love Child
8. This Time Around / Owed To 'G' (Instrumental)
9. You Keep On Moving
Tracks 1 to 9 are their twelfth album (tenth studio set) "Come Taste The Band" – released November 1975 in the UK on Purple Records TPSA 7515 and November 1974 in the USA on Warner Brothers PR 2895. First album without Richie Blackmore as Lead Guitarist – New Line-up for "Come Taste The Band" was David Coverdale (Lead Vocals), Tommy Bolin (Lead Guitar and Vocals), Jon Lord (Keyboards), Glenn Hughes (Bass and Vocals) and Ian Paice (Drums)
1. Comin' Home [Side 1]
2. Lady Luck
3. Gettin' Tighter
4. Dealer
5. I Need Love
6. Drifter [Side 2]
7. Love Child
8. This Time Around / Owed To 'G' (Instrumental)
9. You Keep On Moving
Tracks 1 to 9 are their twelfth album (tenth studio set) "Come Taste The Band" – released November 1975 in the UK on Purple Records TPSA 7515 and November 1974 in the USA on Warner Brothers PR 2895. First album without Richie Blackmore as Lead Guitarist – New Line-up for "Come Taste The Band" was David Coverdale (Lead Vocals), Tommy Bolin (Lead Guitar and Vocals), Jon Lord (Keyboards), Glenn Hughes (Bass and Vocals) and Ian Paice (Drums)
CD10 "Live In Europe" (45:51 minutes):
1. Burn [Side 1]
2. Mistreated (Interpolating Rock Me Baby)
3. Lady Double Dealer
4. You Fool No One [Side 2]
5. Stormbringer
Tracks 1 to 5 are their thirteenth album (eleventh studio set) "Live In Europe" – released October 1976 in the UK on Purple Records TPSA 7517 and October 1976 in the USA on Warner Brothers PR 2995. Tommy Bolin left so the line-up reverted to the "Burn" and "Stormbringer" group of 1974 - David Coverdale (Lead Vocals), Ritchie Blackmore (Lead Guitar), Jon Lord (Keyboards), Glenn Hughes (Bass and Vocals) and Ian Paice (Drums)
1. Burn [Side 1]
2. Mistreated (Interpolating Rock Me Baby)
3. Lady Double Dealer
4. You Fool No One [Side 2]
5. Stormbringer
Tracks 1 to 5 are their thirteenth album (eleventh studio set) "Live In Europe" – released October 1976 in the UK on Purple Records TPSA 7517 and October 1976 in the USA on Warner Brothers PR 2995. Tommy Bolin left so the line-up reverted to the "Burn" and "Stormbringer" group of 1974 - David Coverdale (Lead Vocals), Ritchie Blackmore (Lead Guitar), Jon Lord (Keyboards), Glenn Hughes (Bass and Vocals) and Ian Paice (Drums)
As there's no booklet and only the 10 singular card sleeves to look at - there's not much to discuss by way of presentation (the singular Mini LP Repro's look great as you can see from the pictures provided above and below). To the tunes...
CD1: I tried very hard to re-listen to the live "Concerto For Group And Orchestra" – but it still feels like a worthy but failed experiment to me five-and-half decades after the event. So, is it hardly surprising then that Deep Purple needed to get back to Classic Rock (or invent it?). "Concerto For Group And Orchestra" - it is nice to have the album in this Box Set but that is all and for me – the only clunker in the Box. On to something better and beefier…
CD2: Destroying all piddly Popsters in their path by beginning the new Seventies decade with Hard Rock that was harder than The Rock’s hard biceps (and that’s a lot of 'hard' for a Tuesday morning frankly) - England's DEEP PURPLE had had three decent but admittedly patchy LPs before they suddenly arrived at this new sound – their trademark Mark II line-up. It is difficult for us in the everyone-knows-everything internet age of November 2024 to imagine the sheer sonic impact "Deep Purple In Rock" had on the music scene in June 1970. Sure, there was the first two Zeppelin LPs (both in 1969) – but this was Classic Rock in every sense of the world. The Purps then started a wildfire run of albums following in 1971 with "Fireball" and slamming 1972 with "Machine Head" and the stunning double "Made In Japan" - a live set that practically defined Classic Hard Rock in the Seventies. Hell – what used to trade for four or five quid in a secondhand record bin for nearly two decades after its release – now passes hands for hundreds of pounds in vinyl collector’s pursuit of that elusive genuine first British pressing (laminated gatefold outer sleeve, matt black and white photos on the inner gatefold, no EMI logo on the label). But what is fascinating here is the American Versions – I am down with both British and US versions of "…In Rock" and "Fireball".
As I've already pointed out – "In Rock" opens with a true statement of intent - the wild "Speed King". Pow - and you're hit with riffage by Ritchie Blackmore and strangulated Rawk vocals from Ian Gillan. The effect is mind-blowing. Hard Rock has arrived. It kind of did with Zeppelin's first albums anyway as I said – but DP made the decade wake up. "Bloodsucker" has always been a fave of mine too – a properly great Rock track that has that Deep Purple funky swagger in it. In truth, I've never liked "Child In Time" and its stagey stop-start slow drawl – but it became a live staple and came to full manic extended fruition on the live double "Made In Japan".
Side 2 opens with the truly fantastic "Flight of The Rat" – a guaranteed crowd-pleasing rocker where everything sounds fabulous – that churning riff – the thrashing drums – the huge organ sound complimenting the guitar pyrotechnics - even Gillan's deliberately backgrounded vocals don't sound too far back in the mix. Major grunge riffage comes at you with the impossibly good "Into The Fire" – a very Deep Purple Rock song with Gillan straining that larynx for the whole duration (the pushed into the left speaker guitar solo sounds so much clearer now). There's huge presence to the drum opening of "Living Wreck" – Blackmore's treated guitar chugging along while Lord's organ playing finally gets given pride of place. It ends on another seven minutes of wild guitar carnage – the fast and racy "Hard Lovin' Man". A small wonder when played live –it rips along at a pace that’s so DP at their best (that Organ solo is awesome – followed quickly by doubled-Ritchie on guitar - brilliant).
CD3: With only seven tracks and some of them soft in the centre ("Fools" for instance) – the press reaction to DP's next LP wasn’t all favourable despite the 'Fireball' album's rapid ascent to Number 1 on the UK charts in September 1971 and a healthy Number 30 placing in the USA. No matter what the critics thought – fans of Mark II Deep Purple have always loved it – sandwiched between the barnstorming "In Rock" from 1970 and the accomplished "Machine Head" in 1972.
"Fireball" opens with a total barnstormer – the title track– hitting you with the rampant Hard Rock impact of say "Immigrant Song" on Side 1 of 1970's "Led Zeppelin III". Not surprising then that their seventh UK single saw "Fireball" released 25 October 1971 on Harvest HAR 5045 with the British album's "Demon's Eye" on its B-side. I love "Demon's Eye" – a great Purple song with that funky Rock swagger they had - but here we get on the US variant is "Strange Kind Of Woman" which frankly fits in just fine in my book. "No No No" has that same sexy feel and I like how "Strange Kind Of Woman" follows it. The naughty lyrics to "Anyone’s Daughter" has always brought a smile to my face ("hairy bums") - the same wit Bon Scott would bring to AC/DC lyrics. Side 2 opens with the trademark slashing of Blackmore on "The Mule" before it settles down into a keyboard/guitar duo groove. And although it divided people on release – I like the way "Fools" slows down into an almost operatic centrepiece before returning to the opening riff. The album ends with "No One Came" – a thudding Purple tune with Gillian letting it rip vocally. To sum up - on yet another re-listen – this American variant of "Fireball" LP is fabulous – and if I want the UK track run – I will just dig out my October 1996 '25th Anniversary' issue CD.
CD4: Like Little Feat, Thin Lizzy and The Allman Brothers - Deep Purple were always something a muted thing in the studio. But come the live event - the Purps Mark II were a truly astounding thing to behold - a beast unleashed. Their second live set "Made In Japan" (that launched Purple Records) is now a thing of Classic Rock legend. May 2014 saw Universal put out an Expanded 2CD Deluxe Edition – but here it is stripped back to basics – and frankly I like it that way. The opener "Highway Star" (from "Machine Head") is a stunner. A rumble leads the band in as Gillan announces the song – and then that stunning Blackmore guitar - now the bass, drums and organ - man was this band tight - and that organ solo is still a thing of wonder. The lengthy "Child In Time" is hissy in places but it still packs a punch that shows the band at the height of their powers. What can you say about the opening riffs of "Smoke On The Water" - probably the most famous power chords ever played. As the crowd claps and Ian Paice's high-hats and bass drum starts to kick in - now you can really hear it.
Always an under-appreciated "Fireball" gem - "The Mule" allows both Lord and the boys in the back full reign once the guitars die down - great stuff. Classic Rock doesn't get more butt-swaggering than the brilliant "Strange Kind Of Woman" (a single only release in the UK) - and even at nearly ten-minutes it doesn't overstay its welcome. I love the amps buzzing at the beginning of "Lazy" and that ear-splitting Organ solo where you think he's going to beat that instrument into submission no matter what ("Louie Louie") - followed by his brilliant clap-along intro to the song (it sounds so good too). You have to say something at this stage about Blackmore's guitar playing - utterly brilliant - and like Beck - he seemed able to take on any style and win. At nearly twenty minutes the Side 4 "Space Truckin'" finisher can be a bit much to take in one go - but audio-wise - it's so powerful - the drums and vocals especially (Gillan whipping the crowd into a "come on!" frenzy).
CD5: Opening with a great guitar hook and Gillan vocal - "Woman From Tokyo" sets the scene for 1973's "Who Do We Think We Are" very nicely indeed. Gillan tells us that "Mary Long" is a hypocrite – sermons in the Sunday Chronicle. The lyrics to this acidic brute probably wouldn't pass muster today – just a little too much spite in those words and ideas. Far better is "Super Trouper" – a great piece of Purple riffage that uses speaker-to-speaker flange like its 1967 all over again. Lust permeates the guitar-and-piano rollicking "Smooth Dancer" that ends Side 1 – freelancer Gillan trying his best not to get fooled again. Side 2 opens with a DP winner "Rat Bat Blue" – guitar and organ rolling together in that very Purple sound. Never was sure what to make of the sinister vocal that opens the Bluesy "Place In Line" – a song that takes too long to get somewhere. The album sort of redeems itself with the very Steppenwolf-sounding "Our Lady" - but with only seven songs - "Who Do We Think We Are" has always felt like a stop-gap LP rather than a bona-fide classic.
CD6 and CD7: Purple regrouped and hit the public with two studio albums in 1974 – David Coverdale (later with Whitesnake) replacing Ian Gillan on Vocals and Glenn Hughes stepping in for Roger Glover on Bass. But I recall after the perceived as weedy "Who Do We Think We Are" - both "Burn" and "Stormbringer" (now with the Warner Bros Burbank Trees Logo on the labels) were received with a palpable dismissiveness back in the day – good – but not as great as what had gone before. But I will admit that it is these two platters that have reawakened by appetite for all things Deep.
The title track "Burn" is a declaration that we're back – Coverdale clearly enthusiastic as a great rocker unfolds and hardly surprising too that Purple would return to the song to open the 1976 LP "Live In Europe". Dig those hammering drums given just as much prominence as the guitar and organ. A classic DP opening of funky Jon Lord organ soon accompanied by Ritchie Blackmore riffage - "Might Just Take Your Life" has always been a fan-fave – poor boy on the street hustling to get by. I had forgotten how good "Lay Down, Stay Down" is – machismo for sure – but still rocking for all that. And again, another biggie for fans – the drifting on an empty ocean hooky riff of "Sail Away" - a very cool way to end Side 1. Purple get Funky-Rock with the Side 2 opener "You Fool No One" - then tap into a very Robin Trower and Bridge Of Sighs vibe with the album's other big number - "Mistreated" – a menacing Blues-Rock strut with treated guitars sailing between the speakers while Coverdale bemoans yet another backstreet lady double-dealing his delicate emotional equilibrium.
"Stormbringer" opens with a great punch – driving like rain – rocking rainbows – Tommy Bolin on the lead-axeman job for the first time. Slide guitar smooches in with "Love Don't Mean A Thing" – David telling us that he needs his spondulicks and should his lady forget hers – she's gotta go (clever Organ solo – Funky like Snafu). "Holy Man" mellows things down – talking moon and sun – but is he wise or just smooth – breaks into a cool chorus as we decide. "Hold On" funks thing up – great bass and layered-voices chorus – fabulous audio too. Back to cheating women with "Lady Double Dealer" – echoed vocals giving oomph to the fast-paced guitars even if the lyrics are of-the-period dated. "You Can't Do It Right (With The One You Love)" is another Funk-Rock offering – Deep Purple suddenly sounding like Stevie Wonder discovering neck-jerking guitar passages. "High Ball Shooter" is a bopper that feels like its every so slightly lacking. Deep Purple's lone Tommy Bolin album ends with "The Gypsy" and "Soldier Of Fortune" – the first showcasing his knack for melodious electric guitar passages but the latter being something of an Acoustic Rock-Ballad bore-fest that refuses to ignite or move you.
CD9 and CD10: by the time Deep Purple got to 1975 and 1976 for "Come Taste The Band" and especially the "Live In Europe" album (the live set was issued just after they had broken up) – the public seemed disinterested and you might add – so did DP. With a subtle crash, bang and wallop of keyboards and guitars - "Come Taste The Band" opens with the get-some-fun gotta Rock & Roll "Comin' Home" – a great opener and a promising start. Gypsy Queen types reappear and whisper wisdom in our man's ear during "Lady Luck" followed by the ten-thousand-miles-away but still rocking through the long nights as DP keep "Gettin' Tighter". Back to grunge guitars and a solid DP backbeat for the warning song to get running away from the "Dealer" – a tune that has a very Bad Company feel which is never a bad thing. Coverdale keeps singing the same old song (like he did before) but the message remains the same – temptation or no - "I Need Love".
Produced by Martin Birch - Ritchie Blackmore sounds like Nils Lofgren making his frets ping for both "I Need Love" and the forever-moving-on tyres-gripping-another-highway song "Drifter". DP then try something different for them – the almost Queen-like George Michael Pop-Rock of "This Time Around/Owed To "G"". The album comes to an end with "You Keep Moving" – a Bass-note start-and-build creeper song that again features treated guitars flitting from speaker to speaker in search of a groove. The layered vocals are clever and as it builds to a Rawk chugger – you feel like it might be something of a forgotten Purple gem.
With only five tracks to play with - "Made In Europe" from late 1976 was always going to have a hard time equalling let alone beating its illustrious 2LP big daddy from 1972 - "Made In Japan". And while the line-up is playing tight and well – you can feel Coverdale struggling to get the audience to be enthused. Four years had passed since that energy-watermark (along with four studio albums many felt were so-so) and this kind of Hard Rock was in many eyes – passe and past its sell-by-date. Highlights are "Burn" and "Stormbringer" but the slow-chug of "Mistreated" takes up too much time "Lady Double Dealer" just feels machismo awkward.
Already snarling at the Throne Room doors, Punk and New Wave would all but annihilate bands like Deep Purple and their ilk in 1976 and especially into 1977. But I have always held a candle for this no-nonsense Rock Band boogieing like Foghat and making riffage noise like Montrose.
I know Deep Purple's "The Complete Albums 1970-1976" has its limitations, the packaging is acceptable without being great and a Bonus eleventh CD would have sorted so those gripes so sweetly. But as it stands – it's cheap – it's deeply cheerful – sounds amazing and Rawks my Man Cave with a lecherous guffaw. Recommended…