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DPAS
LIVE REVIEWS Deep
Purple In
the pubs beforehand there was a real buzz of anticipation for this show, It was also quite clear that many had read the reviews both at the DPAS and Highway Star. Deep Purple hit the stage at just after 8.30 with a blistering version of Fireball. The set list was then the same as previously reported. Ian's voice was superb all night, I had promised some friends that as a consequence this concert would knock spots off the February Brighton gig. We were not dissapointed. As others have mentioned the sound is beefed up, unfortunately the local council seem to cap the volume too low for my liking. Early doors Ian mentioned that this was the venue for the first playing of 'Highway Star' and later he spoke about the fond memories he has of Pompey, particularly when he brought his own band down in 1982 and he couldn't sing, so the crowd stood in for him!I
I know that there has been criticism of the set list, but too be honest Highway Star was so awesome as a closing number that they could have spent the previous hour and three quarters playing the non greatest hits of Abba and you would have gone home happy. What a night, if you haven't seen them yet and haven't got a ticket for what's left all I can say is ...suckers! review: Geoff Quade, ticket scan: Nigel Young (click it to enlarge) What a venue Portsmouth is - a grand façade paid for with Victorian seafaring money, though I must say the concession stand was still in the Victorian Era - CASH ONLY!!!! What's that all about?? The hordes were scrabbling about searching for secreted notes to pay for the (not-so-cheap) merchandise. Deep Purple concert number ten since 1985, and at last I got close enough to actually see the features and the cheekiness of Gillan, the nearest I'd been in the past was in the Lower Refectory at Sheffield University when he was Garth Rockett.
A huge roar greeted Perfect Strangers and the arrival of Jon Lord - who can't sneak on anymore due to the wonders of the internet! Old Faves poured out as the volume cranked up slowly and Speed King introduced a montage of r'n'r hits. Back on for Hush, Black Night (With the Portsmouth Chorus) and then the splendid Highway Star!! Highlights - Mary Long, When a Blind Man Cries, Highway Star and Black Night - Steve Morse smiling and singing along - What a night!! To cap it all I got a plectrum - I'm sure Gillan could make a song out of that!!! Let's hope it's not the last time I see them live. Review: Stewart Edgar
Well, I've done the Hammy Apollo on Saturday seated, and now Pompey
stood up,
Great to see a lot of youngsters there, either curious or with their dads. To sum up: the energy level was unbelievable; the atmosphere on stage made the atmosphere in the audience even better; the sound was very powerful, loud but just right. I feel proud to have been there and supported them (first time the Orchid Ballroom Purley in 72) and bitterly regret not getting a ticket for Ipswich - there won't be a dry eye in the house. Thanks Jon...... I also think it's time that the set list had an overhaul. It was right (I think) that this tour was done this way, it's now time to move on. Don is absolutely right for the band. review: Clive Robey After arriving at about 7:00pm and seeing a huge queue waiting to get into the Guidhall my anticipation rose that this was going to be a great show, and I was not disappointed. The Planets were on first and they delivered another good opening performance, a really good sound. I just wish the lead guitarist played a more prominent role. His acoustic solo was brilliant, and in the words of the guitarist “now for the big boys”. This was certainly the best performance I’ve seen since Ritchie left. Don’t leave it too long before you come back. Review: Dave Paul The last time I saw Deep Purple was in 1993 at the NEC gig where Blackmore through his glass of water over the cameraman. (And how history sort of repeated itself on September 14th!) It was really great to see that they still have power, energy and class to put on a great show. Steve Morse is a great guitarist, and I really liked the way he took what Blackmore had done with the band and managed to put his stamp on things. I have seen Deep Purple six times since 1985 and I have not witnessed them have as much fun as they did tonight. Highway Star at the end of the show really rocked the place down, STUNNING. It was also great to see kids as young as 8/9 and also people up to around the age of 60 at the show, and a wonderful way to say goodbye to Mr Lord, he will be missed. Long live the Purps!! Review: 'LedZeppeliner' |
The
Set List was the same as the rest of the tour, starting off powerfully
with Fireball and then easing into the Who Do We Think We Are
classics with a particularly fine rendition of Mary Long. Gillan
was in fine form chatting to the crowd, being particularly informative
with snippets such as 'Portsmouth was the first venue to hear Highway
Star - we wrote it on the bus' and 'Here's a song about a man whose
life story you could write on a beer mat' as an intro to Ted the
Mechanic.Steve
and Don Airey seem to be having fun, the interplay was very good and
there were so many smiles.
After
seeing Deep Purple in Bournemouth in March I was looking forward to
hearing Ian Gillian minus his sore throat and I must say I have never
heard him sounding so good. Fireball was brilliant, as soon as
it started you could tell that they must have spoken to the sound boys
to crank it up a bit. The rest of the show continued along the same
lines with Don Airey for me the star of the show. I was not sure what
to expect but if there were any doubters out there surely they must
have come away more than pleased with Don's performance. His solo, which
included the end of Weiss Heim (a nice touch) was breathtaking.