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Deep Purple - Machine Head Audio CD

A fair review of the Deep Purple "Machine Head" 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.

Deep Purple Band: Deep Purple
Title: Machine Head
Rating:
Release Date: 1998-11-17
Media: Audio CD

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

Deep Purple at their best
I am very pleased with it. This is one of the top recordings of the day and the sound quality of this release is excellent.


Deep Purples Masterpiece
I even have the quad version of the album but this expanded version is the ticket. I always thought the original album was far too short on vinyl. Don't waste your time getting the original version and get this one, you won't be sorry. Anyway, most reviewers have already said pretty much what I would have said so what are you waiting for? If you like this one, get the rest of their catalog. Also stop by my small website, google "judemac Forever" and say hello.


Machine Head is better than ever!
The sound is pretty amazing, like hearing it for the first time. When I pulled out my old vinyl LP of Machine Head and noticed that the sound quality was worse than a transistor radio, I knew it was time to look for this remastered edition on CD. The intros on "Maybe I'm a Leo", "Never Before" and "Space Truckin'" jump with great clarity and bass, with good punch from the drums as well. Disc 2 is pretty cool, with some alternate takes that make you feel like you're there in the studio. Definitely worth a listen. Extensive liner notes too. One minor detraction from the packaging. I've never liked the 2-CD jewel cases with the little hinges that crack and break so often. Getting the second disc out can be somewhat of a pain. I've never really considered myself a big Deep Purple fan, but this set did it for me. CRANK IT UP!.


Best Re-release of Purple
I really appreciated disc 2 re-mixed by Roger Glover, more complete and exciting even than the original. Good value with two mixes of all the songs recorded at Montreux. Well worth the extra bucks for this 25th anniversary edition.


Everything a Re-Issue Should Be
Hell, just Ritchie Blackmore's iconic riff that kicks off "Smoke On The Water" would set "Machine Head" into the history books. Easily one of the defining rock albums of the 70's, Deep Purple's "Machine Head" went a long way towards codifying the sound of British Rock at the time. Yet to many die-hards, both Fireball and In Rock were the harder albums. What, then, makes this album the landmark it is revered as today?

For one thing, the original side one roared from the drop of the needle to the final spiral of its inner groove. "Highway Star" to this day conjures up a rebellious freedom that whips the wind through your helmetless motorcycle ride, the naked air slamming your face while speeding in your topless roadster. "Never Before" grinds with undeniable power. "Maybe I'm A Leo" (". . . but I ain't a lion. . . ") rocks the blues as only The Purple could. That was only side one.

The old days had you flip that vinyl over for the multiple punches of "Smoke On The Water," "Lazy" and "Space Trucking. " These three alone would put "machine Head" into the heavy metal hall of fame. Every teen from 1972 on who picked up their first guitar has probably practiced that riff at least twice. "Lazy" has the terrific Jon Lord organ workout, and "Space Trucking" is the last word in intergalactic rock songs.

The remaster here is stunning, almost digital in its precise sound. It's almost as good as the DVD-A from 2001 (and with that item fetching $50 these days, this double CD is a bargain). The real treat, however, is the bonus CD. Roger Glover exhumes those 25 year old master tapes and gives us a slightly re-imagined entire new version of this classic album. While it won't make you snap the original CD is half, it is a striking curio. There are alternate guitar solos, a little bit of band banter (love the 'whoop!' at the end of "Lazy"), and some alternate endings. There are no 'rough sketches' or goof-offs; this is a working band's triumph against bad odds and they were making the most of it. It is exactly the kind of re-issue package that Rhino made their original reputation on, and they do "Machine Head" proud.


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.

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