Deep Purple - Machine Head Limited Edition (18 tracks) +Album Reviews

Purple's crowning achievement

Gavin Wilson | 08/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Deep Purple could easily have been as big as Led Zeppelin. They were certainly as talented. If only Ritchie Blackmore had got on better with Ian Gillan and Roger Glover, this classic line-up could have stayed together for a few more years, and clocked up true supergroup status. And earned an awful lot of money.But an inability to make compromises often goes with the territory of being highly talented. Listening again to these remastered anniversary editions of 'In Rock', 'Fireball' and 'Machine Head' together with 'Rainbow Rising', I am strongly persuaded by the argument that Ritchie Blackmore has been rock's greatest post-Hendrix guitarist.This was a re-master I had to buy. 'Machine Head' was the first album I ever bought. For several months it was the only album I owned, so I played it to death. Every piece of music brought into my boarding school had to be approved by the headmaster. At the time, only 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' had been approved. Rather than ask permission and get the album confiscated, I sneaked 'Machine Head' in to the school, intending to play it to myself on headphones. But other boys -- we were 13-year-olds -- wanted their own copies, so a number of crude speaker-to-microphone recordings were made. That summer, the sounds of 'Highway Star' and 'Pictures of Home' echoed around the subterranean cavern that was called the Model Club. Fortunately this was not the era when hard-rock bands felt obliged to insert gratuitous four-letter words into their lyrics. Despite the musical style of 'Machine Head' not nothing like the classical stuff that our teachers wanted us to aspire to, the album was not banned. Strangely, 'Smoke on the Water' was NOT one of the tracks we paid much attention to. It was only when I moved on the next term to another school -- one where boys could learn the guitar -- that I became aware of the legendary status this track was acquiring.This 2CD set throws up an immediate dilemma: which to listen to first -- the Remixes or the Remasters? I know every note of the original album, so the Remasters were my first port of call. The recordings are clearer, but there's no particular revelation.What is stunning -- and this is the reason why every Purple fan has to own this version -- are Roger Glover's Remixes. Normally I am suspicious of remixes. Today remixes are usually an excuse for another producer to cut and splice, re-order chorus and verse, and put down several new layers of synth and drum machine. Glover has done none of that, but he has brought a fantastic clarity to the recordings. Most tracks last a little longer, because Glover has left in an additional bar of music at the opening or at the very end. Two tracks, including 'Smoke on the Water', have completely different solos.In listening to the remixes, you feel very close to the stage of the Grand Hotel, Montreux. There is a tremendous live feel to the recordings. Extraordinarily for a band whose members couldn't abide each other, the level of empathy between the musicians is oustanding. The interplay between Blackmore and Lord is wonderful. (Now at last with the sonic clarity of the remixes I can just about be sure which bits are played by Lord and which by Blackmore.) Even Glover's bass solo on 'Pictures of Home' sparkles.Ian Gillan may have been casual about the writing of the lyrics, but Purple's music has lasted because the band put so much into the development of each track. I found that it took many listens to fully appreciate all the nuances of their finest recordings. That was, after all, part of the appeal of progressive music. This anniversary set is a fitting testament to the greatest progressive hard rock band I have known."

Limited Edition, Worth The Buy......

guitar19 | GuitarWorld19 | 09/18/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This double CD set includes both the orginal album remastered and many outtakes, mixes, remixes, with a single b-side, rare quad versions..and unissued guitar solos. Their is also a huge limited edition book inside which roger glover has contributed including many rare photos from the orginal sessions and the story behind the album which produced deep purple's biggest smash hit Smoke On The Water. This album is without a doubt a true classic album worth the buy. Specially in this Limited Edition( double CD set ). Dont buy just the machine head CD buy this limited edition. Recomended!"

Machine Head

Hank Helpless | NO, Norway | 09/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Band Personnell:

Ian Gillan - Vocals

Ritchie Blackmore - Guitars

Roger Glover - Bass

Ian Paice - Drums

Jon Lord - Organs and Keyboards

This is a really killer album, much great things can be said about this one, and songs such as "Highway Star", "Never Before", "Smoke on the Water" and "Space Truckin'" are surely the best tracks on this album...and maybe the best songs Deep Purple ever have made, this is a great album, and the dual-disc remastered and remixed version is surely gold worth, BUY THIS ALBUM!"

Some Mime with a Flaregun-Burned My Castle to the Ground....

! Metamorpho ;) | Castle in Scotland | 08/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yes Folks. I decided to finally quit this crazy beach scene. I had to. Just when I was going to rent my Sand Castle out to the end of the season crowd, those crazy mimes had a party. They were signaling to a boat of mimes offshore with a flaregun when my castle got hit by accident. The rest is left up to the insurance evaluators. I think the wand that broke the Metamorpho's hat was watching them trying to put out the fire with pretend water. I just had to walk away. I couldn't bear it anymore. My advice? Never have neighbors that look like they work in a flour factory.

Keep in mind that there is no logic or well thought out plan as to what I review. It is all on a sub-concious plain- which- I, good viewer- have been fortunate to tap into with my Seer power. (Or so I've convinced myself to believe). In any event, this 2 C.D. set of Deep Purple's "Machine Head" (along with remixes) will delight, excite, and ignite the rock lover in all of us. I do firmly believe it is a pinnacle in their career and definitely holds it's own against all other rock classics. Why is this so? I suppose the secret lies in the blend- the mix of these incredible musicians. It's in the balance and awareness. So many fine grooves - so many fine passages. And it's instinct. Listen, if you will, how each musician intrinsically knows what part to play to make the total effect sound better.

In total- we have 2 c.d.s here. One includes the original album with the inclusion of a b side "When a Blind Man Cries" along with quad mixes of "Maybe I'm a Leo" and "Lazy". The other is a remix of the sessions and displays heretofore unknown extra sounds, intros, studio noise and a completely different lead on "Smoke On the Water". And one must wonder about how our minds work in this context. If the unknown lead had been the one released and the known lead brought to light- would we still prefer the unknown lead to the known one we have today? These zen-like puzzles always haunt your devoted Metamorpho. Needless to say - I think the one they originally released was the right choice.

As with anything, I have taken the time to listen to this extensively and marvel at the contribution each of these men make to this album. They are just too good. Gillian's vocals (his instrument) never more hard driven than here. Blackmore's riffs never harder and more succinct. Lord's piano and organ never more hard-edged yet eloquent. Glover's bass floating in and around the mix. But, as excellent as all these musicians are, I am in total awe of Ian Paice's drumming. Was never really aware before on how he pushed the envelope in so many places. Listen closely. When there is a chance to give the music that extra kick, as in "Highway Star" he does well more than keep the beat folks. No. This is considerable fill and runs that propel the music forward. Driven. Raw. Incredible. And, please don't even talk to me about the power of "Space Truckin'". Amazing. Listen LOUD and get immersed in this. Yes. You will be lifted off the earth.

And the songs- ah the songs. Songs of sexual love ("Highway Star") with a woman personified as an automobile! Desolation ("Pictures of Home"), abandonment ("Never Before") and disaster ("Smoke On the Water")- just to name a few. But the calling card of this album, I feel, is the pulsating change and groove that each song brings to the whole. A majestic mixture of feel, attitude and stance that make up this unique rock journey. Some people may think that "When a Blind Man Cries" seems out of place here. But, no. It is a Purple-Blue ballad that brings everything to calm. So very well done.

If you like creative, innovative rock music done by accomplished musicians and if you really like it loud - then this classic is for you. The bonus of the remixes only makes it a richer experience. One of the very best- if not the best- by Deep Purple.

Now you must excuse me. I am trying to serve the mimes with court papers. Seems they left the beach and no one knows where they are. The shore was a pretend address. Wouldn't you know?

Written with flare by---your Metamorpho"

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