It would be hard to find an adult in this nation who hasn’t heard of Hertford rock legends Deep Purple. Pioneers in their own right, the quintet made a name for themselves in the 70s and 80s – so if you’re too young to know who they are, just ask your parents. A reissue series over the last two years has seen rare live material unveiled in the form of several live EPs, and the newly released Long Beach 1971 is next in line.
It’s always interesting to compare music once its been remastered, and so tracks like the mighty, 10 minute ‘Speed King‘ and the even longer epic that is ‘Child In Time‘ from Deep Purple’s 1970 release In Rock are no different. It’s almost like stepping in to a time machine, but one that brings the outstanding level of production and arrangement we have in this day and age to the table and allows the music to be translated through it. As a result, the tracks are clearer; you’re able to enjoy both melody and lyrics far more as they’re ultimately better delivered.
Recorded at the Long Beach Arena in California, USA, the record as a whole is a testament in itself to just how successful a band Deep Purple were during their heyday. An influential and genre defining outfit, tracks are generally made up of blistering guitar licks, mighty screams from lead singer Ian Gillan and an incredible command of the keyboard which featured heavily in rock music at the time.
Not only does this record offer phenomenal renditions of the songs, but fans are given an insight in to the on-stage banter and association that the band had with their audience, which will have listeners immersing themselves where it’s almost believable you’re really there.
This is a record fit for anyone looking to reminisce, or perhaps younger generations who want to have a history lesson as it shows a time where Deep Purple were at the top of their game and dominant; many artists that came along in years to follow would take note and its still something that can be seen today across bands who go for that vintage feel.
