MACHINE HEAD - CLASSIC ALBUMS

This DVD is not only a "Machine Head" story. It starts back in the early days of Mark II and covers as well (very briefly) their concerto stuff which was not really a band decision. It was actually performed more to please Jon Lord than anything else. About the early years (well the end of it) Rictchie tells us that they found their way while listening to Led Zep. This was what they wanted to do : heavy music.

Now : "Machine Head"...Lots of time dedicated to "Highway Star". This track was born in a few hours while seating on a bus during a tour. "It is the ultimate Deep Purple song" says Roger Glover. This song is the one of Ritchie and Ian (Gillan).

About "Smoke". Townsend said once to Ritchie that he had to keep it simple to keep the audience with him. The whole story available on the cover of the original album as well as on the booklet of the CD edition will be detailed. But everybody knows it by now, I guess. The whole being immortalized by the lyrics. Simple track, mythic status (dixit Roger again).

Some interesting technical explanations about it as well from Roger Glover (a great producer by the way). The band had actually to rush recording it because the Swiss police was coming to stop the session because of the noise...

"Sheer Madness" is the reaction of Roger again while talking about "Pictures Of Home". The same and valuable information about the music will be explained by the different band members even if both Ians are less interviewed. Some short (but already known) live footage as well is diplayed. I quite like this mix.

Some considearations about the need (or no need in this case) of a hit-single from "Machine Head" even if the band was not a hit machine. This fantastic album was recorded in just over three weeks. Roger tells that the "Fireball" lessons had well be remembered and Purple got back to simpler music (!).

A few words about the split (and its gestation as well which lasted for about eighteen months). At the end of the DVD, some notes of "From A Blind Man Cries" (but not explanation whatsover why it did not make the album). Not a word about "Lazy" might be the only negative remark I could find about this very good piece of documentation. A must have for any Purple Mark II fan of course.

Four stars.