COME HELL OR HIGH WATER

Recorded during Deep Purple's 25th Anniversary tour in 1993, this DVD was only released some seven years after the CD with the same title. The reformed mark 2 classic line up were on a world tour when their performances were captured in the United Kingdom.

The then current album "The battle rages on" is therefore given more space than it perhaps deserves, but there is plenty of the classic Deep Purple here too. Indeed, this collection overlaps significantly with the "Nobody's perfect" set from about six years previously.

While the main focus of the DVD is the live performances, there are frequent rockumentary style interviews with the band members between the songs. These cover a wide range of topics, not least of which is the enigmatic Ritchie Blackmore. While Blackmore is conspicuous by his absence from these sections, the rest of the band pull no punches when revealing his unpredictable moods. Blackmore, who would once again walk out on the band prior to the Japanese leg of the tour, is described as simultaneously causing "anger and sadness", and as generally being uncooperative and difficult. The other four members come across as highly articulate, with plenty of interesting stories about their touring experiences, favourite albums, etc. Significantly, at the end of the gig, Blackmore gives a brief wave to the audience and walks off while the others are left to acknowledge the rapturous ovation.

In retrospect, Ritchie was clearly ready for a change. He was no longer enjoying performing with Deep Purple for reasons which went beyond personality issues. The imminent birth of Blackmore's Night indicated in no uncertain terms that Ritchie wanted to turn his back on his rock pedigree and explore other avenues. It is just a pity he behaved the way he did.

In terms of the performances, Blackmore seems always aloof, and in his own world. His guitar work is wonderful of course, but from time to time he misses his cue as, it has to be said, does Ian Gillan. Right from the start, when he chooses to delay his entrance until the exact point where his first guitar solo on "Highway star" is due, the tension is palpable. During that song, Ritchie indulges in a famous water throwing incident, apparently unhappy with the proximity of one of the cameramen filming the gig.

The classic Deep Purple songs such as "Highway star", "Child in time", "Space truckin'", "Smoke on the water", etc. are all present, joined by the neo- classics "Knocking at your back door" and "Perfect strangers". These two songs are every bit as good as the "Made in Japan" favourites. Indeed, the only week points really are the aforementioned "Battle rages on" songs, which are received politely by the audience. Of these, only "Anya" shows any potential to remain in the band's set list, although Gillan's assertions of it being a sort of follow on to "Child in time" are best described as optimistic.

There's also a very effective lighter section where "Anyone's daughter" from the "Fireball" album is given a fine dusting down. Ian Paice moves to front stage for the rendition, Gillan introducing him as "Elton John".

For those who have never seen the Mark 2 line of Deep Purple, universally acknowledged as the band at their peak, this is an excellent way of doing so. Despite all their issues, mainly relating to Ritchie, the performances here are warm and highly professional. A superb DVD.

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