SHADES OF DEEP PURPLE

A rather primitive and uncharacteristic album from what Deep Purple became famous for. They relied heavily on covers and the music in general is not very different from much of what was coming out of bands at the time. However, there are plenty of moments hinting the potential they had from the get go: Jon Lord´s powerful Hammond runs were up to any other virtuoso keyboardist of the day (Keith Emerson included) and Ian Paice drumming is simply terrific, showing a rare very unique musical personality so early on. Only Blakmore´s guitar playing is a little green compared to what he´d do very soon, but it is very fine and tasteful even at that stage. I also liked Nick Simper bass runs. Rod Evans is a good singer, ok.

Of the tracks, most are tentative although again their virtuosity was already showing, as the instrumental opener And The Address clearly makes this statement. Hush is a classic and is a nice rock tune, very well connected with the time and still standing well after all these years. Some arrangements are a bit too pompous and a bit pointless, like in their cover of the Beatles Help. Others are too typical 60´s pop (One More Rainy Day). Still, their energy and talent are visible and as a first efford, quite strong.

Deep Purple would easily surpass this CD in a very short time - Book Of Talesyn, incredibly recorded just a few months after this is a great leap forward - but I found it quite interesting and more than just a curio for fans and collectors. They were always special.

Rating: between 2.5 and 3 stars.