Deep Purple

Royal Albert Hall

September 26, 1999

Ok... I'm not going to repeat everything again. Last night was just as good as the night before and more of the same and better.

Just some additional observations now I've seen it twice and had time to sleep on it:

They recorded the concert on Sunday night. The cameras were a peripheral nuisance, because you could always see them moving, but it will be worth the nuisance to have a permanent record of the night.

My seat was front and left a bit, about six rows back. The view wasn't quite so good as Saturday's, but being in a different place meant I could see different things, so that was cool. The sound was also different, in a way I couldn't quite define... but still perfectly clear, and not too loud. My ears feel fine this morning, which wasn't the case after the concerts last year.

I think this re-scored version is BETTER than the original. But it's probably not fair to say that, because my objectivity is clouded by being there live. I'll wait for the CD and compare them both properly and let you know.

Ok, other observations...

All through the concerto, when he's sitting down and not playing, Steve is fingering his guitar, playing along silently. Is he practising his next bit? Is he playing along with the violin parts? Is he just keeping time so he knows when to come in? I don't know. He is one of the two best guitar players I have ever heard and it's getting harder and harder to say he's number two...

The Steve Morse Band is superb. Did I say that last time? I need to buy everything they ever did. I somehow expected it would be Steve Morse plus two backing musicians. but it wasn't, it was three superb musicians. When the SMB drummer plays a double bass drum roll, the LSO percussionist plays "air drums" with his feet! I think he was really impressed...

It's funny. When Ian Paice or the SMB drummer drums, the LSO percussionists watch them. When the jazz horn section plays, the LSO brass section watch them... is it professional curiosity? Are they impressed? Do they wish they could be rock musicians when they grow up? (n.b. almost all the LSO musicians were younger than almost all of Deep Purple and guests). I don't know. What do they think? I wish I could ask...

Mickey Lee Soule played a piano duet with Jon Lord... this was a nice touch, and it made me think: With Dio, Mickey, Roger, and Doogie White (in the audience three rows ahead of me I think), that's almost more Rainbow members than played on the last Rainbow tour ;-)

Oh... what else? Well, how about, I've never seen "Smiling" Steve look so serious? He really seemed to concentrate on what he was doing (but still looked like he was really enjoying himself).

How about... Ian Paice is the best drummer in the world? What? You know that already? Ok...

How about... somebody must have had a quiet word with Ian Gillan during the day, because thankfully he had ditched the incredible over-the-top gold jacket ;-)

How about... Ronnie Dio's clothes? All he needed was some flares and it could have been 1975 again...

How about... Paul Mann is REALLY into Deep Purple songs. When he's not conducting he's bopping along with them. I think he really enjoyed himself!

I've missed out all the between-song chatter, because there was too much of it, but it all added to the event... especially Steve's speech and Ian's waffling...

And the incredible ending to Smoke on the Water, with EVERYBODY joining in... the final bass drum roll, played by two drummers (that's at least three bass drums) and an entire timpani section is one of the most stirring sounds I have ever heard and it vibrates right through you. It's still vibrating now, somewhere inside me, and I don't ever want to forget it. I was glad to be there. I was PROUD to be there. "Hi" to the various people I met and thanks to the band and the guests and the orchestra and everybody else. It's going to be a tough wait for the video and CD in January.