On Being a Deep Purple Fan

[Zzzptm]

Back in the late 90s, I ran the Deep Purple Digest. This was back when there was no web board software and everybody still used email to communicate. In running that email digest, I came across all kinds of DP fans. Some enjoyed all the eras about equally. Some, like me, loved most eras, but had a few bones to pick with others - the second Mk2 Reunion and JLT both seemed to be the hardest to find love for. Most interesting to me were the handful of guys that were 100% Rod Evans-only fans. They had the first 3 albums, tapes of Mk1 concerts with Jon Lord introducing the songs, and were the guys that also had the best stuff to say about Captain Beyond, so hats off to them for turning me on to that band.

So, since the chat about Born Again touched on this, I thought it would be fun to talk about what kinds of DP fans we are and where we draw the line.

For me, Original Recipe Mk2 is the best. Then I get into the MkMorse lineups, both Jon Lord and Don Airey incarnations. After that, it's Bolin Time! Yes, I like David Coverdale singing with Bolin more than I like Coverdale with Blackmore. That's how I roll... Mk3 next, followed by Mk1 and Mk2 Reunion 1 muddled together and then Mk2 Reunion 2 behind that and JLT singing at the bottom. I got my reasons, and maybe we get into those later on.

When you say that you're a Deep Purple fan, what is it you're a fan of?

[Vyn]

Well, I have never told anybody that I'm a fan of Deep Purple, so I can't really say Seriously, though, I think DP has some iconic music. Machine Head is definitive. But I've never been a "fanatic" so the finer points are lost on me regarding their different line-ups over the years - I enjoy tunes from all of them.

[Zzzptm]

Even the Bolin lineup?

It's pretty obscure, but if you like a track or two off of Come Taste the Band, you may be a fan... Comin' Home and Drifter are my two fave tracks from that LP, followed by Gettin' Tighter, This Time Around, and You Keep on Moving. This Time Around has an awesome Stevie Wonder feel to it.

For the current lineup, we definitely have some controversy about Whoosh, but Now What?! has a consensus of being a solid offering that doesn't miss a step. So if you haven't yet spun that platter, I'd recommend giving it a go and upping your fannishness.

[Scott]

Every era has its moments, but I'm less keen on the JLT stuff.

[Zzzptm]

Every era has its moments, but I'm less keen on the JLT stuff.

That's my least liked era. I see it more as the best possible JLT-era Rainbow lineup. It's a taste of a Blackmore-dominated band, while Purpendicular shows what the band does when that stormcloud moves on. TBRO is a hard album for me to listen to, as it continues the Blackmore/Gillan tension from HOBL.

[Charger]

I've found some enjoyable tracks on every era...EXCEPT the Slaves And Masters...that album just sucks...plain and simple.

[Zzzptm]

I've found some enjoyable tracks on every era...EXCEPT the Slaves And Masters...that album just sucks...plain and simple.

I remember buying it and getting SO pissed off about it...

[Thelemech]

Mk2 is the best and the only albums I have are from that era.

[Zzzptm]

Mk2 is the best and the only albums I have are from that era.

What have you heard from the other eras?

[Thelemech]

Mk2 is the best and the only albums I have are from that era.

What have you heard from the other eras?

I have heard some of Mark 1 that I was not all that crazy about. I also have heard Stormbringer and though the title track is excellent the rest of the album is boring IMHO.
I have also heard some of the more recent material but it did nothing for me.

[Thelemech]

I should mention that I have a MK 3 live album that is very good but I still truly hold MK 2 above and beyond.

[Zzzptm]

I'd say you gave it a fair go. So what do you think of Gillan solo?

[Thelemech]

I have a double compilation of Gillan solo and I like it but not something I have really given it's fair amount of time.

[Vyn]

Saw this, and immediately thought of the biggest DP fan I know:

https://www.wymeruk.co.uk/webshop/collector-s-items/jon-lord-a-visual-biography-collector-s-edition/?emb_track=UUI0dkYrRlNKUGcvWmlYT0NHZHRrZDg9

[Zzzptm]

That looks like fun, but the price is too rich for my blood.