Deep Purple - Scandinavian Night-Live in Stockholm 1970/In Concert (Eagle Records)

Deep Purple was always great on stage, it's no surprise the band has so many live albums. The band was unpredictable, and always took chances on the material. Deep Purple invented the idea of a dialog between the keyboards and guitar. And with a very capable singer in between, what could be better?

"Scandinavian Nights-Live in Stockholm 1970" shows the second incarnation of the band slowly taking off. There are still left overs from the first three record. Songs such as "Wring That Neck," and "Mandrake Root" are rearranged and stretched beyond their limits. But it's the new songs that really shine with excitement here. Tracks like "Speed King," "Into The Fire," Child in Time," and "Black Night" show what Deep Purple had now become. The new singer, Ian Gillan, is in top notch form providing Deep Purple with the much needed element of danger. The same goes for the new bass player, Roger Glover, whose very rhythmic approach added new fire to the songwriting structures. Giants at work!

"In Concert" was originally released in 1980, when Deep Purple was not functioning. Yet the interest in the band was still there. Such releases were very welcomed, and eventually made the band members reform in 1984. Here we have the Ian Gillan driven Deep Purple live from 1970 and 1972. By 1972, this version of the band was coming to an end, but the performances were nothing but great. Deep Purple was an incredible concert attraction back in those times, always testing their abilities, and managing to surprise the audience on more than one occasion.

Both albums are now back in print, remastered and cleaned up for your enjoyment. Liner notes are very accurate, and explain the circumstances of the shows in great detail. An absolute labor of love.

Mark Kadzielawa