SHADES OF DEEP PURPLE

Certainly not the best album in the back catalogue of DP, but it has its charms. It is also interesting to watch - or hear - five individuals, who did not know each other that quite well at the time of recording, to try to become a band and invent some music and to imprint their own style on the hits of others.

I like the beginning of the opening instrumental AND THE ADDRESS- the growls of the organ always reminds me of a waking animal (not necessarily a fierce one). This track is humble but great because of the musicianship. Then comes HUSH, DP's first ever hit in the U.S., and therefore of historical interest. The next three titles are IMHO for the skip button and we arrive at the marvelous MANDRAKE ROOT. This great track shows what the band could do in the right mood and when equipped with enough confidence. Ian has a bash with Lord and Blackmore soaring over it - a real classic that was pumped up in live performances to mind-blowing 30 minutes. The cover version of HELP! is mildly interesting because DP take on it from a completely different point of view: it is very slow and the middle section gives us a fine organ solo. I always skip the next song and here comes the last track of the original album: a 7 minute version of HEY JOE. The lengthy introduction has a menacing feel to it, conveyed mainly by keyboard and drums. Paice is playing a Bolero-like pattern which led many to think of Spanish influences here. I always thought of a Mexican tinge because there is a reference to that country in the lyrics. But what the heck!

This is a decent album with some great moments and more than one hint that they could do more than they had achieved here.