MADE IN JAPAN

This was an album that defined my youth. I wanted to be Ian Gillan and sing like he did on Child In Time. I wanted to be Ritchie Blackmore and play the riff from Smoke on the Water. Sadly, I had no talent and I soon gave up Deep Purple as their next few albums did nothing for me.

I then put this album away for over 30 years and got it out last week to review. And does it still do it for me? Emphatically not. The playing is full of energy but far too loose and imprecise for my more mature and demanding tastes. I don't like The Mule or Lazy at all and Space Trucking drags on far too long. Strange Kind of Woman is a great song and the first 3 tracks are timeless classics, but the thrall it once held me in has gone. Greatest live album? God no - Rush, Camel, BJH, Renaissance, Gentle Giant and Yes (to name a few) have all done far better live cuts than this. That's not to say it's bad; it just isn't in the top league. There are some fine organ solos, some great guitar playing and Gillan's voice is powerful and usually tuneful. It just isn't cutting edge.

You should listen to it, you may like it enough to buy.