Report: Deep Purple In Verona
We managed to catch an early glimpse of the band\'s Songs That Built Rock Tour in Italy on Monday
Planet Rock owner Malcolm Bluemel was invited to see one of Deep Purple's early European dates on their orchestra accompanied Songs That Built Rock Tour which will be heading to the UK for four dates in November. Here's what he thought of the show:
There's always going to be something special about seeing a band in an open air arena that is over 2,000 years old, but I was still unsure what Deep Purple with a 47 piece would mean musically.
I needn't have worried; the orchestra was there to add rather than to take away, and add they certainly did. Physically and mentally, this was one of the best performances I Have seen from Purple in recent years. Whilst the orchestra didn't play on every song, when they did they gave a depth and width that really lifted the whole band.
After opening with an excellent rendition of Highway Star the set just got better and better, with one of the more spectacular highlights being the "duelling" between Steve Morse and the conductor / violin player, the violin matching Steve's guitar note for note.
I don't think the O2, or any of the other UK venues will be able to match Verona for sheer atmosphere, but if you're Purple fan and had any reservations about the gigs then you have no worries. This is the band in sparkling form and well worth the trip.
Here's the set list
Highway Star
Hard Lovin' Man
Maybe I'm a Leo
Strange Kind of Woman
Rapture of the Deep
Woman From Tokyo
Contact Lost
When a Blind Man Cries
The Well Dressed Guitar
Knocking at Your Back Door
Lazy
No One Came
Keyboard Solo
Perfect Strangers
Space Truckin'
Smoke on the Water
Encore:
Hush
Black Night
If you want to see the band in the UK, here's the dates:
26/11/2011 - Glasgow - SECC
27/11/2011 - Birmingham - LG Arena
29/11/2011 - Manchester - MEN Arena
30/11/2011 - London - O2 Arena