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Machine Head (Limited Edition) [2-CD SET]

Deep Purple - Machine Head (Limited Edition) [2-CD SET] Audio CD

A fair review of the Deep Purple "Machine Head (Limited Edition) [2-CD SET]" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Deep Purple reviews here, or go back to the Deep Purple tabs.

Band: Deep Purple
Title: Machine Head (Limited Edition) [2-CD SET]
Rating:

Release Date: 1998-06-30
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Highway Star [1997 Remix] 2: Maybe I'm a Leo [1997 Remix] 3: Pictures of Home [1997 Remix] 4: Never Before [1997 Remix] 5: Smoke on the Water [1997 Remix] 6: Lazy [1997 Remix] 7: Space Truckin' [1997 Remix] 8: When a Blind Man Cries [1997 Remix] 9: Highway Star 10: Maybe I'm a Leo 11: Pictures of Home 12: Never Before 13: Smoke on the Water 14: Lazy 15: Space Truckin' 16: When a Blind Man Cries [Original B-Side][*] 17: Maybe I'm a Leo [Quadrophonic Mix][*] 18: Lazy [Quadrophonic Mix][*]

Spectacular
The soongs that stand out most being Highway Star, Smoke on the Water, and Lazy. I was very impressed by the music on this album. I have listened to at least one song on the album almost every day since i got it. I love it that much!

The only thing is that having both CD's is rather unnecessary, seeing as they are very similar, but i prefer the remixed versions for the slightly extended solos.

The booklet has a lot of great information on how the album was recorded and was pretty cool to read though.

And even further it turns out i look like Ian Gillian when he was that age. . . . weird.

This is a great album for anyone looking at deep purple just because it has some of their best songs and much variety on it.

blown away
I always liked this album -but when I switched to cds I opted for made in japan- and kinda forgot about this since its alot of the same material- then I bought this special 2 disc edition- I got to say this blew me away especially the first disc ( which I listened to second) iT SOUNDS AS GOOD AS ANY OF MY SACD DISCS- dont get me wrong the second disc is great also- but the 1997 remixs just blew me away- it really gave me a rush- its superfreacking fantastic dont waste any time buy this 2 disc set now and get ready to take off .

Backdrop For Many a Party
By the time I was in high school, Machine Head had been issued and had etched their name in music history as one of the top bands of the burgeoning hard rock scene. Deep Purple first caught my notice when I was in junior high school with the issue of Shades of Deep Purple. Machine Head was the backdrop for many a wild party and today it still sounds as fresh and compelling as it was back then.
The Machine Head limited edition set is certainly the one to get. Not only do you get the original album remastered with a bonus track and some quadrophonic mixes thrown in, you also get Roger Glover's remix of the original album plus a bonus cut. And that remix is well worth having.
I liked Machine Head from the start and my favorites from back in the day remain my favorites today. Those are: the wildly energetic Highway Star, the soaring Pictures of Home, Lazy, and the relentless Space Truckin'. One aspect of this that makes it an outstanding value is that there is no filler, just first class high octane rock and roll.
Machine Head is one of those proverbial "desert island" discs, so if you are looking to upgrade or if you are buying for the first time, the moment is right to buy this edition at an obscenely cheap price from an amazon partner as I did. The set is accompanied by an attractive and informative 27 page booklet that only adds value. If you don't have this yet, you owe it to yourself and to your progeny to add it to your music library.

Machine Head (Limited Edition)
I bought this version because of the remix disc. Machine Head is the definitive Deep Purple album. This album has Deep Purple's three most well known songs: "Smoke on the Water" (the most recognizable riff in rock), "Highway Star" & "Space Truckin'". This band is certainly one of the most gifted that was ever in existence. Ian Gillian is one of rock's best vocalist; Richie Blackmore is one of rock's greatest guitarists; Jon Lord, Ian Paice & Roger Glover are right up there, also.

My focus is on the remix disc which is the point of this edition. On here we get what Roger Glover refers to as being the versions that should've been released. There are alternate leads on the three main songs which I found to be better than on the original mixes. You get to hear longer intros and different endings. The only other song I really enjoy listening to is "Lazy". Machine Head is a very good album whichever version you get. Along with Led Zeppelin IV & Black Sabbath, Vol. 4, this stands as blueprint for hard rock that many other bands would follow. This is a testament to just how good these guys were.

Some Mime with a Flaregun-Burned My Castle to the Ground....
I decided to finally quit this crazy beach scene. Yes Folks. I had to. Just when I was going to rent my Sand Castle out to the end of the season crowd, those crazy mimes had a party. They were signaling to a boat of mimes offshore with a flaregun when my castle got hit by accident. The rest is left up to the insurance evaluators. I think the wand that broke the Metamorpho's hat was watching them trying to put out the fire with pretend water. I just had to walk away. I couldn't bear it anymore. My advice? Never have neighbors that look like they work in a flour factory.
Keep in mind that there is no logic or well thought out plan as to what I review. It is all on a sub-concious plain- which- I, good viewer- have been fortunate to tap into with my Seer power. (Or so I've convinced myself to believe). In any event, this 2 C. D. set of Deep Purple's "Machine Head" (along with remixes) will delight, excite, and ignite the rock lover in all of us. I do firmly believe it is a pinnacle in their career and definitely holds it's own against all other rock classics. Why is this so? I suppose the secret lies in the blend- the mix of these incredible musicians. It's in the balance and awareness. So many fine grooves - so many fine passages. And it's instinct. Listen, if you will, how each musician intrinsically knows what part to play to make the total effect sound better.
In total- we have 2 c. d. s here. One includes the original album with the inclusion of a b side "When a Blind Man Cries" along with quad mixes of "Maybe I'm a Leo" and "Lazy". The other is a remix of the sessions and displays heretofore unknown extra sounds, intros, studio noise and a completely different lead on "Smoke On the Water". And one must wonder about how our minds work in this context. If the unknown lead had been the one released and the known lead brought to light- would we still prefer the unknown lead to the known one we have today? These zen-like puzzles always haunt your devoted Metamorpho. Needless to say - I think the one they originally released was the right choice.
As with anything, I have taken the time to listen to this extensively and marvel at the contribution each of these men make to this album. They are just too good. Gillian's vocals (his instrument) never more hard driven than here. Blackmore's riffs never harder and more succinct. Lord's piano and organ never more hard-edged yet eloquent. Glover's bass floating in and around the mix. But, as excellent as all these musicians are, I am in total awe of Ian Paice's drumming. Was never really aware before on how he pushed the envelope in so many places. Listen closely. When there is a chance to give the music that extra kick, as in "Highway Star" he does well more than keep the beat folks. No. This is considerable fill and runs that propel the music forward. Driven. Raw. Incredible. And, please don't even talk to me about the power of "Space Truckin'". Amazing. Listen LOUD and get immersed in this. Yes. You will be lifted off the earth.
And the songs- ah the songs. Songs of sexual love ("Highway Star") with a woman personified as an automobile! Desolation ("Pictures of Home"), abandonment ("Never Before") and disaster ("Smoke On the Water")- just to name a few. But the calling card of this album, I feel, is the pulsating change and groove that each song brings to the whole. A majestic mixture of feel, attitude and stance that make up this unique rock journey. Some people may think that "When a Blind Man Cries" seems out of place here. But, no. It is a Purple-Blue ballad that brings everything to calm. So very well done.
If you like creative, innovative rock music done by accomplished musicians and if you really like it loud - then this classic is for you. The bonus of the remixes only makes it a richer experience. One of the very best- if not the best- by Deep Purple.
Now you must excuse me. I am trying to serve the mimes with court papers. Seems they left the beach and no one knows where they are. The shore was a pretend address. Wouldn't you know?
Written with flare by---your Metamorpho .

You can see a complete list of all Deep Purple discography, or go back to the Deep Purple tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.