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Cast your mind back to 1969: Jimi Hendrix plays a controversial version of "Star Spangled Banner" at what will be the historic Woodstock; "Honky Tonk Women", "Suspicious Minds" and "Get Back" are amongst the biggest selling singles of the year; concerts are affordable, sometimes free. Little Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell are not even of the age of 18. And somewhere in England the band Deep Purple have just changed their line-up once again.
Compare the aforementioned images to the music scene today and how it will be looked upon in years to come. Aside from an economic perspective, it is hard to imagine Walsh and Cowell's next billion dollar cheque being spoken of so nostalgically. Will we unveil plaques to Girls Aloud when they have gone? Will Cheryl’s marriage failings and trials and tribulations on the X-Factor be made into an Oliver Stone-esque multi million dollar biopic? Should we dig foundations for the new Jedward bridge along the Liffey? This may seem a little far fetched, but in a world of less and less avenues for legitimate hard-working class music it's always good when the real thing rolls into town to give hope.
Deep Purple are considered one of the founding fathers of heavy metal. Once crowned the loudest band in the world in the Guinness book of world records, Deep Purple blazed a trail from the early seventies with their unmistakeable combination of blistering guitar licks, fuzz-fuelled keyboard solos, space-high vocals and accomplished rhythm section. They captured the minds and the ears of audiences with unforgettable riffs such as "Smoke on the Water", "Black Night" and "Woman from Tokyo". But today Deep Purple is a well-travelled band who has undergone more changes in their 40 years than our fluctuating economy. Now featuring Ian Gillan on vocals, Roger Glover on bass, Ian Paice on drums (all from the most famous MKII line up), and the "new" guys: Steve Morse on guitar and Don Airey on keyboards. In their 8th line-up, they are going as strong as ever.
The band arrive on stage to their first Irish applause in 7 years, an intense applause it is too, and wasting no time they power into their first song: "Highway Star". Adorned in sunglasses and an interesting t-shirt design Ian Gillan howls and screams like a frightened wolf, showing us his recently differing vocals are in check tonight. The idiosyncratic tones of Morse’s guitar blend perfectly with the old as well as the new Purple songs, establishing his mark in the band and proving he is no fill-in guitarist for Ritchie Blackmore. Purple cruise through their first 3 songs barely pausing for applause: they may show the signs of ageing upon their faces but it is not to be seen in their competency nor in their mobility. Ian Gillan meanders and traipses about the stage as he jokes and laughs with his band mates. Roger Glover and Steve Morse are constantly working all parts of the stage, momentarily coalescing for short choreographed movements. Airey towers over his multi keyboard/organ setup with fingers alight, as the oldest-looking Ian Paice beats his drum kit as if his very survival were dependant upon it.
The setlist reads like a best of best album. Encompassing "Fireball", "Strange Kind Of Woman", "Perfect Strangers" and "Hush," it also includes the obligatory extended guitar and keyboard solos, a standard at any Purple gig. Morse plays a mix of enchanting melodies infused with impassioned technical playing; he sets the stage ablaze with a cacophony of sounds and well arranged effects. Airey’s solo is a more light-hearted affair; mixing crowd interaction with different commonly heard piano pieces, he even includes a small taste of "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" to the crowd's approval. The five finish their set with the iconic "Smoke on the Water" which sends the crowd berserk. They then return for a three song encore, which includes "Black Night" and “Speed King”. The band exhibits their splendid musicianship as they trade off solos with the crowd and with each other. In the midst of the encore Gillan improvises a Ray Charles song amongst other old rock n’ roll tracks. The band wraps things up with utter cohesion, effortless style and professionalism. Deep Purple leave the stage, leaving behind them a satisfied and astounded crowd in full belief of what music is and what music always should be- real!
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