DPAS LIVE REVIEWS

Deep Purple
The Regent, Ipswich.
19th September 2002

I took my seat towards the back of a pleasant, raked, broader-than-it’s-deep hall. There seemed to be a long delay before the house lights went all the way down and we were into Fireball. The crowd, who rose to their feet straight away, seemed suitably appreciative and responsive to the band’s performance.

Although the sound seemed better than previously I still felt pummelled into submission by Ian’s drums at times and Roger’s bass rather swamped things early on. They all seemed on good form as they swung briskly through the first few numbers. I particularly enjoyed Space Truckin' (which Ian G. told us would be used by NASA as the wake up call for the crew on an International space mission next year!.). During his in-between song patter Ian also told us he had many memories of this hall including of one visit he’d made some years ago to watch Van Morrison, only to be ejected from his box at the back of the stalls due to rowdy behaviour!

During the first half Steve delivered some lovely guitar work at times and I enjoyed some of Don’s playing, but am still not always entirely comfortable with his work, perhaps simply due to lack of familiarity? He certainly seems to create a distinctly different Hammond sound from Jon. Little Ian's solo was perhaps as neatly crafted as any I’ve seen him deliver. As the lights went down briefly for the now not un-expected change over of organist I noted that When a Blind Man Cries, a highlight of previous shows, had been dropped from the set (it having been part of Don’s section). Never mind, I thought, here at last was the man I’d travelled all this way to see. Bathed in the spotlight, exuding all the confidence and calm mastery of the Hammond we’ve come to love was Jon and Perfect Strangers. Given the significance of the night I was determined to fix as much of these last moments into my mind as possible. At long last the keyboards seemed to be appropriately high in the mix, and Jon took some long and gloriously adventurous extended solo breaks as the evening progressed, often leaving the rest of the band waiting ages for the nod to signify a return to the main part of songs.

I particularly enjoyed Jon’s work in Hush which has been one of my favourites of this year’s British tour. The best moments came however with the biggest surprise, when Jon delivered a stunningly beautiful introduction to what turned out to be When a Blind Man Cries. Jon gave us a reminder of both the past and the future by making what I think were references not only to the Concerto but also Pictured Within as he wove a deeply emotional spell-binding sound picture which shook me to the core. I think I can honestly say that I’ve never felt so moved at a concert as I did at that moment and the memory of it will live with me for a very long time. Not to be out done the rest of the band delivered tremendous performances with Steve making a superb contribution and Ian's singing simply fabulous. Speed King saw Steve and Jon indulge one last time in the entertaining duel that has been such a fun part of previous shows, which ended with Steve and Jon arm in arm unable to play any more as they paid their public farewell salute to one another. At previous shows I noticed that most members of the band had travelled over to Jon for a handshake at some point, but tonight it was touching to note that these often turned into affectionate embraces as each said their public farewells to the old master. Don, given the significance of the occasion, left Jon to it for most of the second half, reappearing only briefly to take over for Black Night, and later completed his final master-class lesson by re-joining Jon for Highway Star. It was hard to watch this last number knowing that this was probably the last time we would see Jon in this band that has provided the musical backdrop to many of our teenage and adult lives. One could only wonder at what he himself must have been feeling.

At the end the whole band went to the front to salute the audience and shake hands but eventually all but Jon stood back in a group simply pointing to Jon and directing our applause just to him. Clearly moved, Jon wandered along the front for some time waving, shaking hands continuing even after the rest of the band had left before finally departing himself. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who mouthed a silent "God Bless and good wishes for the future" to our old friend whose graceful exit during this final tour has been a credit to both him and the rest of the band (especially Don) for allowing it to happen. What a send off! I can now look forward to Jon’s future work with great interest, Pictured Within has really whetted my appetite...

review: Peter Judd
photos: Stathis Panagiotopoulos (where outlined, click to enlarge)
ticket scan: Nigel Young (click to enlarge)

I like the Regent in Ipswich. When it was the Gaumont I used to travel there to gigs quite regularly, and saw my first ever heavy rock gig there (Saxon. Yes, yes, I know, but it was 1980 and I was only 14!).

The support act (The Planets) were very enjoyable. They gave the impression of being a bunch of classically trained mates who just happen to like rock music and decided to try to combine the two. Opening for Deep Purple was probably an ideal gig for them, and the crowd at The Regent were very generous in their applause. The girls were very pretty!

Purple hit the stage running. No recorded intro for Fireball, just a sudden drum attack and there they were, all looking like they were having a really good time, and with a great sound. No surprises in the set list. It would have been nice to hear a few of the newer songs besides Ted The Mechanic, but everything they chose to play sounded so good I don’t honestly know what I’d have had them drop from the set. The crowd obviously knew this was to be Jon’s last gig and when he appeared to start Perfect Strangers the roar was probably heard all over the east of England, even drowning out the football crowd at Portman Road on the other side of town!

The gig turned very emotional when Jon took the stage with hugs and handshakes all over the stage adding to the party atmosphere – Big Ian joining Jon and Don behind the keyboards for them to provide backing vocals for Smoke On The Water! Personal highlights for me were “Perfect Strangers”, Speed King, Space Truckin', When a Blind Man Cries... dammit the whole set was a highlight! Not a dry eye in the house at the end, with Jon stood alone on the stage acknowledging the crowd as we thanked him for all the enjoyment he’s given us over the years. If he’d stood there all night, we’d have cheered him all night! A great gig to bow out on. I wonder what the future holds.

review: Greg Harrop