Photos
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis is the Mark IV version of the band that came together from June 1975 to March 1976 and made one album titled "Come Taste The Band". After the break-up of this version Deep Purple's next gathering wouldn't be until April 1984 with the reunion of the Mark II version.
- SoundtracksSmoke On The Water
Written by Ritchie Blackmore, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Jon Lord, Ian Paice
Performed by Deep Purple
Featured review
Interesting to see a live performance by Mk. IV...
...but DAMN, Deep Purple sounds tired here. Clearly the band had come to the end of its tether. To this day the late Tommy Bolin is still being raked over the coals for replacing Ritchie Blackmore, and he does play a few (probably heroin-related) bum notes in this film, but he's not the only one. In fact, Glenn Hughes deserves most of the credit for making the band sound so ragged; his bass lines are indifferent and his shrieking vocals are downright terrible (he was capable of much better than this). "Rises Over Japan" was originally filmed for television, so it's short--just five songs. 'Smoke on the Water' is a little weak, but passable ("Frank ZAPPER and the Mothers," David Coverdale bellows in the first verse!). The faintly eerie 'You Keep on Moving' is probably the best number, and it's followed up by an okay rendition of the majestic 'Burn'. 'Love Child' features a great, sleazy cock-rock riff and a nice keyboard solo from Jon Lord, but the song wears out its welcome before it ends. The Mk. IV lineup of Purple concludes with a lackluster 'Highway Star', which leaves the viewer with no doubt as to why this version of the band is not remembered very fondly. Lord covers admirably for funky axeman Bolin on the classical runs of 'Burn' and 'Highway Star' (which Bolin could have played correctly, I'm sure, but Blackmore/Lord-style classicism just wasn't his bag), but even the veteran keyboardist sounds more or less uninspired. The only member who plays with any real conviction here is drummer Ian Paice. Bottom line: interesting if you're a hardcore Purple fan. Everyone else, avoid.
helpful•32
- InjunNose
- Jan 4, 2005
Details
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content