Rating: 
Summary: not what they used to be
Review: Machine Head was my introduction to rock and I think over the years I listened to it over a thousand times. I don't regret buying this DVD but it is very clear that everyone is old. Ian Gillan's voice is basically gone and Blackmore is disinterested. For some reason they rushed through the track Lazy at 100 mph, and they did not stick to studio. This is not the group it was in the 70's! By the way, if you like Deep Purple have you heard the older "Come taste the band" with Tommy Bolin instead of Blackmore ? It is quite nice.
Rating: 
Summary: Yes, Blackmore's A Jerk, BUT...
Review: Okay, guys here it is: It's well documented that Mr. B is a moody, immature SOB. No doubt, his hijinx ruin this DVD's opening track, "Highway Star". After that, though, this 1993 disc gains some serious steam, culminating with "Child in Time" and the then-current "The Battle Rages On". Okay, Steve Morse is absolutely a better technician on guitar. But Blackmore is an original, whose style has a "personality" that NO amount of technique can dwarf. His legendary work with Purple, with Ronnie Dio and Cozy Powell as the magnificent (early) Rainbow, and even his fine recent output with Blackmore's Night, all attest to this. By all accounts, he's definitely not a nice guy. But give the devil his due. All the technique in the world (see Malmsteen, among others) doesn't create GREAT rock songs that stand the test of time. Like it or not, sometimes characters like Blackmore, for all their faults, have what it takes to carve out their own spot in music history. And you'll never be able to take that away from them. Or from him.
P.S. Does anyone know if there's ever been another concert DVD where four of the members slag the fifth during the interviews (even if it was justified?) I think this was a first... Thanks for reading.
"See All my Reviews": CD's and DVD's by Tull, Sabbath, Crimson, & more...........................Peace, Ant
Note to a previous (4/9/03) reviewer: I've been a fan of Todd Rundgren's songwriting since the 70's, but DON'T EVER call him a great guitarist, OR mention him in the same breath as Clapton. I'm sure that Todd would be the first to tell you that he just hooks up a bunch of effects and lets it fly where it will.
Rating:
Summary: Equal time, maybe........
Review: Over the years Richie Blackmore has gained a reputation as being difficult to work with, egomaniacal, petulant, etc., etc. In order to make these labels stick to him, tho, you have to have something/someone to compare him to. As far as his guitar playing goes, he has few, if any, equals (IMO). Like a previous reviewer, I also feel Clapton is way overrated, for example, but that is beside the point. Before you skewer Blackmore for his admittedly lousy on-stage behavior during this concert, consider a couple of points. First, we are all assuming he was the unique burr under the band's saddle. Fault is never unilateral. For all we know, Ian Gillan (for example), might be a royal pain, in his own right. I can't believe it was Four Saints and a Blackmore. I'm not saying Richie is Mother Theresa, I'm not that naive. Just that other people can be jerks, too, at times. Perhaps more importantly, tho, of all the members of DP, regardless of "Mark", he is the only one to ever really make it on his own, outside the group - with the single exception of Ian Gillan in Superstar, which was a one-time shot, and that he only performed in and didn't create. Sure, Glover, Paice and Lord have all done substantial first-rate moonlighting, Glover has done some producing, and Lord wrote the group's Symphony, but none of them have been the spark for anything truly new and lasting, as writers and performers, outside of Deep Purple. Blackmore not only helped created DP, but also Rainbow, which he led to (arguably) even surpass DP for quality. I know that is a very strong statement, and I'm not sure I even buy it myself. BUT, he DID create a second major rock group. Nobody else in the band ever came close to doing so. Then he went on to help form and flesh out Blackmore's Night, with a style of music that is 100% different from anywhere he has been before. And it's pretty darn good music, too. And he played behind Pat Boone........... shiverrrrr......... ;-) The bottom line might well be something that Roger Glover said in his interview on the DVD, that Richie considered the tour to be strictly nostalgia {with nothing new and energizing in it). Given his track record for stretching his musical envelope, how could he NOT feel trapped in something that was just old news, replayed endlessly, in his eyes? Maybe he WAS just a jerk, I dunno. But I do think these other points should be taken into consideration before passing judgement on him.
Rating: 
Summary: EXCELENTE PRESENTACION EN VIVO
Review: SIENDO UN ETERNO FANATICO DE DEEP PURPLE, PUEDO COMENTARLES DE QUE EL VIDEO ESTA EXCELENTE, APRECIANDO AL MAXIMO LA CALIDAD
ARTISTICA DE SUS INTEGRANTES. PONIENDO LO MEJOR DE CADA UNO PARA DELEITARNOS CON LOS SONIDOS UNICOS DE ESTA SUPER BANDA DE ROCK.
EL UNICO DETALLE QUE NO ME ESPERABA, ES CUANDO EJECUTAN LA CANCION LAZY,YA QUE NO ESTUVO DE ACUERDO AL ORIGINAL, PERO
TODO LO DEMAS ME PARECIO EXCELENTE.
Rating:
Summary: Pass it by
Review: Sorry folks--and I really hate to give this a bad review because if I got anything out of this it was an even greater respect for the other four members of the band; Blackmore doesn't contribute any interviews on the DVD. They seem like really great people and it's clear they all still have their chops...well I did have to cringe a little at some of Ians attempts to pull off (the voacal gymnastics needed for) a few of these tunes. Frankly, Blackmore's playing is really rather lack luster--it's clear he doesn't want to be there..I've heard better from good local bar-band Guitarists. He's a really talanted guy to be sure--and will certianly give him his due--but the man needs to grow up! Stop the tempermental artist bit. If he didn't want to do the tour he should never have agreed to do in the first place! Rent this if you can find it--otherwise skip it--nothin missed..go listen to Machine Head or In Rock to get your Purple fix.
Rating:
Summary: Pass it by
Review: Sorry folks--I really hate to give this a bad review because if I got anything out of this it was an even greater respect for the other three members of the band (thus 3 stars); Blackmore doesn't contribute any interviews on the DVD. They seem like really great people and it's clear they all still have their chops...well I did have to cringe a little at some of Ians attempts to pull off a few of these tunes. Frankly, Blackmore's playing is really lack luster--it's clear he doesn't want to be there..I've heard better from good local bar-band Guitarists. He's a really talanted guy to be sure--and will certianly give him his due--but the man needs to grow up! Stop the tempermental artist bit. If he didn't want to do the tour he should never have agreed to do in the first place! Rent this if you can find it--otherwise skip it--nothin missed..go listen to Machine Head to get your Purple fix.
Rating:
Summary: Master musicians, but sullen Blackmore
Review: The musician ship of Blackmore, Glover, Lord and Paice is amazing and they play tight. Blackmore blazes in Child In Time and Beethoven, but it is painfully obvious that Blackmore would rather be elsewhere. When I saw past Deep Purple and Rainbow concerts Blackmore expressed terrific showmanship and was all over the stage, but in these concerts he stands still, unanimated and just plays.
Rating:
Summary: 4 Star Musicians minus 1...
Review: This DVD is great despite the fact that Ritchie has an atitude through most of the show. Everyone except Ritchie gives it their all, but even without giving it his all his guitar work is still amazing. Gillan's voice is strong and clear through most of the show, and The band on a whole is very, very tight. I never saw DP live, so I am going to cherish this DVD and watch it often. I recommend this to anyone who likes DP.
Rating:
Summary: Give Blackmore His Due
Review: This is a fine concert. After hearing all the criticism of Richie for so long, I expected to dislike him. After seeing and hearing this, though, I must say that I have no more knowledge of Richie as a person but I am sure he IS a fantastic guitarist. He clearly has the most talent in the band (which explains their violent reaction when he left) and he is far better than his successor, Steve Morse, even though Steve is certainly no slouch. Richie proves that you don't need both lead and rhythm guitarists if you have one great one who can do both.
Rating:
Summary: deep purple rocks
Review: this is a great dvd anyone that likes hard rock of the 70to now should like this a good look at one of the better band of our times great concert and interview that makes it clear why richie blackmore is not playing with this band anymore
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