THE BOOK OF TALIESYN

I am very surprised by the poor consideration the progressive rock fans have for this record. Does my radically reversed interest for it result from a sentimental attachment, back to my discovery of this work which seemed so strangely beautiful to the 8 or 9 years old boy who discovered it in the early 1970's, seeing there a bridge between classical and rock, at the same time as in "Trespass" and "Take a pebble". "The book of Taliesyn" is, in my opinion, the most beautiful work of Deep Purple.

Certainly, "In Rock" remains his masterpiece, because of its energy, virtuosity, the precision of the themes, etc. But it's pure hard rock, even "Child in time" and its prominent organ has no obvious prog feature. "The book of Taliesyn" is a pure progressive rock album.

Maybe the two easy songs of the album, "Listen, learn, read on" and "Kentucky woman", have disappointed some listeners. I recognize the second one may seem to reveal an uncertain taste ! But the five other pieces elaborate a collection of finely crafted melodies with permanent classical references. For instance, the beautiful violin and organ solos in "Anthem" ; or "Exposition", a solemn opening to one of McCartney's masterpieces : "We can work it out" that seems to me transcended here.

The instrumental "Wring that neck" could have been composed by Keith Emerson but the virtuoso keyboards is enriched with a sharp guitar. Maybe John Lord has never played better than in this fired piece and his dialogue with Ritchie Blackmore is quite exciting. In the splendid version of "We can work it out" and all along the subtle tempo of "Shield", Rod Evans' deep and majestic voice could remind Greg Lake's singing.

And in the end, Deep Purple managed to make a great symphonic piece of a famous rhythm and blues top hits ! A little bit pompous sometimes, undoubtedly, but isn't emphasis an element of prog rock ?