MADE IN JAPAN

This is without doubt the best live album made by anyone, and the most worn out LP of mine. Made in Japan shows Deep Purple at their peak, and the album contains many interesting parts. The album starts with the perfect show-opener "Highway Star". It contains of simple and effective riffs, mixed with virtuostic solos, beautiful arpeggios and Ian´s screaming vocals. The Made in Japan version of this song is also a perfect example of how tight Deep Purple was back then. "Child in Time" is the next song, and it is also one of my Purple favourites. On this version, you hear epic dynamics, unmatched singing from Gillan, a great organ solo by Jon Lord, extended and rapid guitar improvisation by Blackmore etc. As a whole, incredible song and performance! "Smoke on the water" isn´t the most known riff in the world for nothing. Killer riff, and great energy througout the song. As usual, unique and great solos by both Blackmore and Lord, and also the lyrics tells us a funny story. "The Mule", with its snakecharming theme, is the showcase for the amazing drummer Ian Paice. With that said, I tend to be inpatient with drum solos, so this is not my favourite track on the album. But I really like the way the band starts playing those rapid, unison licks after a long drum solo, and Paice just keeps going, drumming like a maniac! "Strange kind of Woman" is another favourite of the album. Very simple, swinging rock song, and then the guitar solos come! this song may contain the best guitar improvisation ever recorded with the two extended solos by Blackmore. The solos contains technique, melody, feeling, creativity and energy, just about everything you could wish! Strange kind of Woman also includes the interesting vocal/guitar battle between Gillan and Blackmore, which shows off Gillans incredible vocal range, and how good the two of them worked together musically. "Lazy" is in a way very basic, and in a way not basic at all. It starts off with a crazy organ intro, where Lord show us every possible way of playing a hammond. The song is simply a 12-bar, but heavily modified with Purple charachteristics. Fantastic soloing, great energy and pace, a break were Blackmore is quoting a swedish tune called "Midsommarvaka" and then the band get together again and finish the song in a classy way. Stunning performance! "Space Truckin" is the last song of the album, and covers a whole side on the LP. It´s a classic Purple song, and in this version it includes endless improvisations by the band, primarly by Lord. Not my favourite, but still a cool way to end an album. Five stars on this one without doubt, it belongs in everyones record collection!