June
11th, 2005. Chevrolet Amphitheater, Pittsburgh, PA.
Fingerlickin',
Pick Flickin' Good
|
 "The
weather in Pittsburgh was hot and so was the band. The
show was held in conjunction with the Rib America Fest,
so the food was also hot and they passed out Rolaids and
breath mints. Set list was the same as Portsmouth. The
crowd packed the Chevrolet Amphitheater and the music
attracted a huge crowd estimated at over 10,000.
Tickets
were cheap, $20 for Gold Circle seats and $5 for general
admission – made fans of everybody! Not sure how this
pricing worked out, but a great bargain. Ian’s voice was
superb.
Steve
was amazing and blew the audience away on Contact Lost
and Well Dressed Guitar, along with the
rest of the set. Don’s solo was perfect, playing Star
Wars and mixing in The Simpson’s theme. Roger was having
a ball and Ian P. was smiling all night.
 Bananas
material was well represented along with great classic
tracks. I don’t think I ever saw a concert where the band
genuinely appreciated the audience support, great rapport.
Ian and Roger flicked out hundreds of picks it seemed.
The
audience ate up the whole show, along with the ribs! Good
luck to the band on the rest of the tour, the fans are
in for a great show, can’t wait for the new material."
review
& photos, Bill Shore
|
|
June
12th, 2005. 'Harborfest', nTelos Pavilion, Portsmouth, VA.
|
"They played mostly old stuff because Portsmouth
was having a festival called "Harborfest", so the band
anticipated a "holiday" crowd. Roger Glover said that
the band had wanted to play a song from the new album,
but did not have a chance to rehearse in Pittsburgh or
in Portsmouth . . . so, you DP fans down the line are
in for a treat . . . please tell us how it sounds!!..."
see Mark Bryant's
full review + set list
"All
in all, it was a great, entertaining evening. Deep Purple
were nearly perfect. For my taste, they could only have
improved the show if they had included a few more numbers
from their more recent albums (Purpendicular and Abandon,
in particular), a few from In Rock ("Flight of the Rat"
and "Living Wreck" come to mind), and if Steve Morse had
been given more time to go wild on the guitar. This
was only my second Deep Purple concert - I saw the Mark
III band during 1974 so this was my first live look at
Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Steve Morse, and Don Airey.
They did not disappoint. " review: Dale Johnson
|
|
June
14th, 2005. House Of Blues, Cleveland. Accidentally
On Purpose
|
"The band were in fine form at the House of Blues
in Cleveland, Ohio. Big Ian was very impressive, nailing
all the songs. Paicey as usual was mopping the floor up
with most drummers, (of any age). He is truly amazing.
Glover is so enthusiastic and it is obvious that he loves
playing live. The crowd could not help but to be caught
up in this very good show. The set list remained the same.
One
interesting occurrence was a slight mistake during the
beginning of Space Trucking where I think Don Airey
came in late, so Morse strums two chords way out of place
just to rub it in and mess with everyone. This is one
of the all time great rock bands playing great and having
fun on stage. Anyone who catches this band live is guaranteed
to have a great time." review: John Warrington
"The
last time I saw Deep Purple was in 2002 at Tower City
Center in Cleveland just after Don Airey joined. I have
to say that the band are much tighter now, and Don really
seems to have come into his own. His solos are more melodically
developed and less focused on scales and arpeggios, and
he seems to be having a lot more fun during the duels
with Steve Morse. His long solo was very diverse and a
lot more interesting than the last time I heard him. He
quoted from a variety of classical pieces, including a
Bach invention and "Rhapsody in Blue...." see
Amanda Lukacsko's full review
|
|
June
15th, 2005. Palace Theater, Louisville. Accidentally
On Purpose
|
"I drove 500 miles round trip to see this show with
my son (14) and were just totally blown away. First of
all, the venue was just amazing, a small theater of about
2,000 or so seats, the absolute best place to see a concert.
The crowd were very pumped up before the show, many old
Deep Purple T-shirts along with a few Rainbow ones also.
The
band, well they were just fantastic, all of the guys were
on top of their game from the very start (same great set
list as previous shows). They played the older songs with
energy and the newer tunes with flawless execution, it
looked like they were having a blast. We tried to get
a backstage pass but they were all spoken for so we took
a chance and waited outside maybe to catch a glimpse on
their way to the hotel. Don came out first and came over
to us chatted and talked with all (about 12 people) signed
and shook hands then the rest of the band came out and
did the same. These men are truly some of the classiest
performers in the world, they did not leave until all
hands were shook, things signed and compliments exchanged.
In a word...superb....a concert and more that my son and
I will never forget." review: Jim and Eric Stoff,
Highland, Illinois
"It
seemed that Don’s organ and keyboards were too low in
the mix early on. I thought perhaps the fact that Steve’s
amps were pointed right at me was altering my sense of
the full band’s sound, but Don kept motioning for more
volume during the middle section of “Woman From Tokyo.”
They finally got the sound right and Don came through
loud and clear during the remainder of the set..."
see Matthew Turnage's full
review
|
|
June
17th, 2005. 'Fox Fest', Ionia Free Fairground. A
Mini Woodstock With Breast Baring & Moshing
|
"Unbelievable, What an atmosphere! Smiles on everyone's
faces. Anyway, to say the band sounded great is an understatement.
Steve, Roger, Paicey and Don Airey were the consummate
professional musicians, always tight (especially for Space
Truckin'). And what can I say about Ian Gillan? This
man can sing his balls off!! His voice was in top shape
all night. The highlights were Perfect Strangers
and the new material ( I say this because I saw the Machine
Head tour last year in Detroit ). I couldn't believe how
many 16, 17 year old kids there were?! And they were really
into the music. I guess corporate America hasn't infected
us all. The best damn show I've been to in a long time"
review: Chris Chirpka
"The
crowd was so huge I couldn't even see the back of it from
up front. Gillan and Morse seemed impressed by the tremendous
size and enthusiasm of the crowd, based on their giggling
early on. Or, perhaps it was the shenanigans in the crowd,
what with an amazing amount of moshing and breast-baring,
all of it, going on. Gillan joked that the breast-baring
was what got him into rock 'n' roll. He did some Tai Chi-like
hand movements and screamed his bloody head off. I'm just
amazed that if you listened to Gillan circa 1988, his
voice sounded roached, and now it sounds scintillating
like the early '70s, but he can't scream or hit the high
notes quite as consistently as back then. But, that's
no criticism: he still sounds phenomenal.." see
James Gemmell's full review
|
|
June
18th, 2005. Molson Amphitheatre, Toronto, Canada.
Lesley
West & Lazy
|
"I just saw Purple in Toronto, and they played
a great show!! Leslie West from Mountain joined them
for "Smoke On The Water"!! Great fun, good mix
of tunes, similar setlist to recent shows, but they
played "Lazy" as well. Great entertainment,
keep it up guys." review: Dave Binnie, Carlisle,
Ontario
"We
were blessed again in Toronto to have Purple return for
the 3rd time in a little over a year (it'll soon be
a fourth!). Initially I was going to pass on this
one, being afraid of having virtually no Morse era numbers
in the set. I wish I could say it was all from Purpendicular
onward but it was virtually the same as last time...with
the fine exception of Demon's Eye!!!! This was
a surprise for me...I had not read any accounts of their
live show in quite some time...It made the four hour trek
down worth every minute of it. Even the tried and true
numbers from the Blackmore daze had a fresh slant put
on them this time...especially Highway Star. I
had both my kids with me this time and I think they enjoyed
the show. With the impressive list of Morse era tunes
mounting, maybe they should do a rethink for the next
tour. Great show and a great time. Thanks Purps!! But
more Morse!!!!" review: Rod Sein
 "Caught
Deep Purple for the 3rd time in 16 months last weekend.
As always, a stellar performance from the band . The setlist
had changed very little from 2004's Toronto shows, save
for the notable addition of Demon's Eye. Great
!! I was disappointed that both prior Morse albums, Purpendicular
& Abandon, are still missing in action on this tour. Leslie
West's jam with Steve on Smoke simply didn't work.The
Mountain man seemed preoccupied with what was ( or wasn't
!!) coming out of his amps. Perhaps trading blues licks
on Lazy would've been better. I anxiously await the Fall
release of the new album, and hope for another Toronto
show before too long." review: Mike Whiteley.
Photo: Dave Kington. Click the pic to view a full gallery.
"UK
heavy rock legends DEEP PURPLE were in Toronto, ON last
night with openers TRICKY WOO, MOUNTAIN and APRIL WINE
performing at the sold-out Molson Amphitheatre. "We're
about 80% done with the record," bassist Roger Glover
told Bravewords backstage. "In about two weeks Ian (Gillan)
will be back in Los Angeles (at producer Michael Bradford's
home strudio) finishing up the vocals then we're pretty
much done. The album is much heavier than Bananas." As
previously reported, the followup to 2003's Bananas will
feature twelve new tracks. Bradford is expected to mix
the album later this month. Glover says the album will
be released in October through a soon-to-be-announced
label."
Thanks to Metal Tim / and the Brave Words & Bare
Knuckles website at www.bravewords.com
|
|
June
19th, 2005. Corel Centre, Ottawa, Canada. Here
We Go !!...
|
 "The
band was in excellent form at the Corel Centre in Ottawa,
Ontario. They blazed through their 1 1/2 hour set. These
guys are having fun! I don't think Roger or Steve stopped
smiling throughout the whole show. The set list was
the same as Portsmouth. I've never heard 'Silver
Tongue' before, it was a great opening number. "Here
we go !!!" were Ian's words before they starting into
their 3 Machine Head songs before the encores. I was
worried how Steve would do with the classic Purple songs.
There was no need to, as he was able to put his own
brand on them without upsetting the faithful followers.
The show seemed to pass by so fast. My only complaint
is that it was not longer." review: Brian Jackson, photo:
Chantal Guilbault
"This
was my first ever Deep Purple concert and I must say
it was fantastic! Ian is a great showman, he really
worked the crowd. Steve Morse made me forget about Ritchie
Blackmore. This guy rocks! As for Don Airey, loved his
solo! He pleased the crowd with the Star Wars theme
and made us all stand up for O Canada. I was also glad
to hear Demon's Eye, one of my favorite DP songs.
The only negative was that it was a short set. Less
than 90 minutes. Time was wasted by a so-so performance
by Mountain and a not bad one by April Wine. Let them
continue to rock Canada at Live 8 on July 2nd!"
review: Luc Bellefeuille.
 "I
flew all the way from Europe to see the shows in Toronto
and Ottawa. The only gripes I have are that the toilet
facilities in the Molson Amphitheatre are woefully inadequate
and the Corel Centre is an awfully long way out of town.
Apart from that, the band were brilliant ... and seeming
to enjoy themselves immensely. What an inspiration to
see a bunch of fiftysomethings (but not for long, Ian!)
jumping around making great music with such a sense of
fun.
The
crowds were a little tame at first: there was a guy near
me shouting at people to sit down, but he soon stood up
when Don launched into O Canada. Everyone was rocking
by the time Highway Star came around. A few more
dates in Western Europe, please." review, photo
& social commentary: James Whitworth!
"Superb!!!...Superb!!!
as Big Ian would say. On the road again and still rocking!!
Great show, great atmosphere, great feelings. The band
was in the best form that I`ve ever seen. Steve was
laughing and joking with Ian. Roger was anchoring each
and every song, Ian Paice (on the drums, YES!!!) proving
once again why he is indeed the best and Don Airey magically
replacing Mr. Lord seemlessly. The oldies and a rarities
were dusted off and given a proper and thorough thrashing.
The sound system was perfect and clear. Great, great
show..... I`ve seen the band several times over the
past few years and this has to be one of the best!!!"
review: Gary Poronovich, Ottawa
|
|
June
20th, 2005. John Labatt Centre, London, Ontario, Canada.
Best
Damn Monday In Decades
|
 "What
a fantastic show Purple put on for several thousand fans
here in South-Western Canada. The final show of three
Canadian dates on the 2005 tour. And we all appreciate
you jamming for us on the way to the US. My stepfather
and I were fortunate enough to score last minute second-row-floor-seats.
Great way to experience the band (close-up). The sound,
I'm sure, is "fuller" behind the P.A.system...but being
right in front of Ian, Roger, Ian, Steve, and Don for
an hour and a half of new and old classics was simply
brilliant. You can fell the "vibe" they are creating on-stage.
The set was structured well, ending with five "one-after-another-classics"
from their earlier days. Steve Morse, with no question,
is a "guitar-god". That man owns his instrument and plays
it with ease and clarity! I brought my "Steve is Amazing"
and was fortunate enough to hang it high during his amazing
solo. And in return...I got several guitar/bass picks
from the gig...and a head full of songs and memories of
one of the greatest rock bands ALIVE! Thanks Deep Purple
for rocking the young and the older in London Monday June
20th, 2005! Best damn "Monday" I've had in decades. Rock
On! Paul Y. " Photo: Brad Kennedy
new,
June 24th
London, Ontario
photo gallery
"It
doesn't get any better than this! The band is tighter
and having more fun than ever. I was initially a little
concerned about the similarity of the set list with recent
visits and the lack of Purpendicular material, but the
performance was so impressive it really didn't matter!
I was fortunate to take in both the Toronto and London
shows in the past three days and in the smaller London
venue the band seemed more relaxed." Review: Tom
Jory
|
 "With
encores still to come, Gillan proved the Deep Purple point.
Played with conviction and fun, classic rock never sounds
old. Maybe the time on stage with Deep Purple helped compensate
April Wine's Myles Goodwyn and Brian Greenway for too
short a set. But alongside veteran guitarist Greenway
and bassist Jimmy Clench, Goodwyn made the most of that
time before a crowd of 3,190 fans at the nearly sold-out
show. Deep Purple and April Wine have been big draws in
London. Deep Purple briefly held the attendance record
-- about 4,000 fans -- at the old Wonderland in 1971.
Wine drew 20,000 fans to a free concert at Victoria Park
in 1992...." read the full review by The
London Free Press |
|
June
23rd, 2005. Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT. Kicked
Butt
|
"Wow, the show kicked butt. This was the second concert
that I've been to and the first was also Deep Purple.
It was on my birthday. What a present, they were excellent.
Silver Tongue was a great way to start off the
show, but it took until about the fifth song of the night,
Perfect Strangers, to get the crowd off their seats.
But after that everybody was on their feet. I couldn't
stay still because the band rocked so hard, and
they were all having a great time. If you see Deep Purple
during this tour or in the future you will not be disappointed,
they just kick butt. THANKS Steve, Roger, Ian, Ian and
Don, you guys are the greatest. I can't wait for the new
cd and to see you on tour again. Thanks, Gary M
"
|
|
June
25th, 2005. South Shore Music Circus, Cohasset, MA.
Strange
Kind Of Concert
|
 "When
Purple first started touring the States more aggressively
in 1996 following Morse's arrival in the band, writing
reviews of the gigs for the various Purple Web sites was
something I completed after every show. Lately, I haven't
kept up quite as much, perhaps because seeing Purple on
this side of the pond (often at the same venues every
year) isn't such a novelty anymore. But the show in Cohasset
Mass on June 25 is worthy of dusting off the old pen and
paper. Not just because Purple were great and possibly
better than ever, but because it was the probably the
strangest Purple show I have ever seen..."
see Brendan Johnston's full review
, photo: Bob Ronan & friend
"I
took a bunch of 15 year olds, and was looking forward
to seeing the looks on their faces when they see a real
rock and roll band. The guys were just fantastic. These
kids, who usually listen to Offspring and Green Day just
loved it. My daughter was (of course) familiar with Purple
and screamed till she lost her voice. Her friend who plays
drums watched Ian Paice with amazement. He said "That
was the greatest thing I ever saw!" I was thrilled that
they had a good time.
It's funny, every time I go to a Deep Purple concert,
I wonder when they will turn the corner, lose that quality
that makes them so special. Well it ain't happening. I'll
be damned if they weren't better than when I saw them
last summer. Ian's voice just filled the air, very high
in the mix but man he still has it. No he won't be singing
Child in Time but he still sounds awesome. The setlist
was pretty much the same with some slight variation. They
did a great version of Lazy during the encore.
At the very beginning of the concert I swear they were
playing The Mule as the sound was coming up. Then it was
Silver Tongue.
I
honestly don't know how these guys do it. They still sound
great, look great and jump around the stage like kids.
Still my favorite band and I think some teenagers have
a new level of respect as well. I hope the new album gets
some airplay. This is a great band that deserves to be
seen and heard! One final note to DP, WTF was the deal
with a comedian as the opening act? Never, Never do that.
It was definite cringe material." review: Frank
Fitzgerald
|
|
June
27th, 2005. Borgata Resort Spa & Casino, Atlantic City, NJ Doing
The Business Seminar
|
"When
my wife and I entered the Borgata, a beautiful place,
it felt like we were on our way to see a Tom Jones lounge
act, even walking into the Event Center you felt you were
going to a business seminar. But anyway there isn`t a
bad seat in the house and the sound was just fine. Plus,
the bar was open til the end, which is a rarity in Jersey.
On
to the show. The Fatman & Mountain came on about 8:10.
He can`t sing but he can play with the best. Corky Laing
is always fun to watch and their new bass player adds
some life to the old band. Deep Purple came out with Silver
Tongue again, they have better openers, but what the
hell. The crowd were on their feet from the start, except
during Contact Lost, but Gillan came up behind
Morse and had everybody back on their feet giving him
a hand. The crowd never sat again, dancing and moving
in front of the seats and aisles. I haven`t seen a pumped
up crowd like this (mostly 40`s & 50`s like myself with
some 20 & 30 somethings sprinkled in) at a Purple show
on the East coast since the Meadowlands in March '85.
It was a treat seeing Leslie West come out for Smoke
on the Water and also to hear Demon`s Eye.
Gillan said he didn`t think it was on the Fireball U.S.
release, but if I remember if you bought the 45` single,
Fireball was on side one and Demon`s Eye was on the flip
side. Anyway thanks for the LONG HAIR again Ian and we
hope the band enjoyed us like we enjoyed them. The place
was only about 70% full, but who cares, it was great."
review: John McKenna
|
|
July
2nd 2005. Live 8, Park Place, Barrie Live
8
|
"Purple
just finished their three track set here in Barrie, Ontario.
Big Ian said he was speechless! Highway Star, "Smoke"
and Hush were the three played. The crowd went wild, and
were clamouring for an encore. Great to see them in on
this great cause- thanks Guys! I saw them in Toronto recently,
and they are just getting better all the time." Dave
Binnie, Ontario Canada.
"Today
in Barrie, Ontario, Canada - about a 1 hour drive north
of Toronto, Deep Purple took the stage at 3pm EST, and
played 3 numbers. Opening with Highway Star, followed
by Smoke on the Water, then Hush - to conclude
the 20 minute set. The crowd wanted more, but the stage
hands had already begun to dismantle the gear...."
Robert Kirk, Manitoba. Canada."
Live
8 Canada fan & press reviews
The
full Live 8 Canada show is available to view at the
aol music channel
**
Deep
Purple's three tracks can also be accessed individually
**
"The
BBC3 show, 'Live 8 on Three: The Best Of' (on Wed.7th
July) included 'Smoke on the Water'." Richard Taylor
|
|
|
