Posted on December 2, 2008 - by Mark Zonda

Shades of Deep Purple

Millions of LPs were sold. It was hard rock for an audiencwho never asked more than being hit by ampli and watts. That’s what they remember when the name Deep Purple comes into place. That’s also because last minut reviewers don’t care about anything else coming from that band. Still a smart ass would remember that in the beginning Deep Purple cared for am more refined and sophisticated pop blended with symphonical experiments (so cool in their times). That’s why it’s hard to put the band in the same place of their filthy emulators.

“Shaded of Deep Purple” was the band first album. It was recorded in 18 hours. It gives to the history of rock Jon Lord (Keyboards), RItchie Blackmore (Guitar), Nick Simper (Bass), Ian Paice (Drums) and Rod Evans (Voice). Here they are, trying their best to reach the perfect pop rock rather then pushing hard the pedals to level 11.

“Hush” is a cove from the american singer Joe South. It was a hit in Italy and USA (It hit the 9th place in Italy). Lord’s organ above everything else, with the wise and inspired voice of Evans, keeping the tuning always under controll. “One more day” it’s pleausure for the ears, while the end of A-Side is given to “I’m so glad”, a previous success by “The Cream” taken by the band to new directions.

The B-Side of the album opens with “Mandrake Root”, the first heavy track of “The Shades”, with all of the guys pretty buisy in doin’ their best on each own solo.

“Help!”. Yes it is. The famous song from “The Beatles”. Mysterious, dark, pretty sad and really desperate the new version of the song rise in anger getting strong in the middle of the recording.

Deep Purple’s version of “Hey Joe” closes the album. It’s a page of rock’n'roll classic. Could you expect more?

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